“Smart.”

“I’m an evil genius that way. It was my plan. Kar used to be way too serious and Garson painfully shy. I spent an entire summer coaching them how to act. Decker and his enforcers just assumed both of them bulked up on muscle to draw the women, rather than to be strong enough to take anyone in a fight.”

Lorn smiled, amused. “I see.” Then his emotions changed quickly. “Kira will be worried. I need to go to her. I’ve been gone too long.”

Lavos stepped closer. “Good idea. Let’s get you back to her before you fall on your face. You don’t look so good.”

“I’ll be fine after I see Kira and know she’s safe.”

Chapter Twelve

Kira rushed forward the second Lorn staggered inside the den. Blood coated him but most of it stained his loose shirt and damaged pants. “You’re hurt!”

“It’s mostly not mine.” He nearly collapsed, swaying on his feet.

She closed the distance between them and tried to wrap her arm around him to help him to the bed. He jerked away, avoiding her touch. “Don’t. You’ll get bloody. I’m going to shower.”

It took effort to just watch him cross the room without giving him assistance. She hadn’t been raised in a VampLycan clan without learning about male pride. He had it in spades. Lorn entered the bathroom and closed the door. The shower came on in seconds.

Noise startled her and she spun, watching Lavos enter the den next. His clothing was a little torn and he had blood on him, too, but he seemed steadier on his feet.

“Lorn’s going to be okay. You look really worried.”

“What happened?” She backed away. Lavos had never been mean but he’d tended to avoid any interaction with her in the past.

“My big bro is the new leader. Nabby, his friends, and two of the elders are dead.”

Lorn had really taken the clan. Her heart raced. “Your father?”

“Severely hurt and banished.”

“That’s good.”

Lavos scowled.

“It would have haunted Lorn if he’d had to kill him.”

“True.” Lavos strode across the confined space, opened the fridge, and removed a drink. He downed it. “Don’t feed off him, Kira. He lost too much blood. He refused to allow any of the women at the lodge to share their blood and our mother had already left with our dad.” He turned to stare at her. “Do you understand? Give him at least until tomorrow before you sink your fangs into him.”

She sealed her lips tight. It seemed an insult. She fought her anger for a few seconds. “I’d never do anything to hurt him.”

“Sorry.” His tense stance relaxed. “I didn’t mean to sound like a prick. I’m aggressive still. Those bastards tried to surround and come at us in pack-like formation. They acted more like rabid dogs than VampLycans, who should know the meaning of a fair fight. Even the two elders tried to attack Lorn together. Fucking cowards couldn’t take him on one at a time.”

“How’s Kar?” She was the one who’d sent him back to the village; she’d feel guilty if he’d died.

“Fine. Banged up, bruised, and bloodied like us, but he’ll survive. My friend Garson didn’t even have to fight.”

“That’s a relief. Are you hungry? There’s not much here but I can fix something.”

Lavos took a seat. “That would be great. Anything will do. Lorn wanted to get right back to you. I think he knew he could only stay on his feet for so long and wanted to crash here to be close to you.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “He’s worried you’ll go hunting if you grow hungry. That’s why I’m with him. I’ll feed you. Lorn won’t be happy but you’ll understand when you see him without clothes. He’s got some serious claw marks and he’s really lost a lot of blood. He actually changed clothes before we came, so all that blood you saw is what seeped from his wounds.”

Her gaze fixed on the bathroom door. She needed to check on Lorn and took a few steps.

“Don’t,” Lavos rasped. “He wants to act all badass in front of you. It’s a pride thing. He’ll come out acting as if he’s fine, but please say you aren’t hungry if he offers to feed you. Wait until he passes out and then I’ll give you blood. I have plenty to spare.”

Kira felt torn.

“He’s feeling very possessive toward you. He’d rather let you bleed him out than allow you to take blood that isn’t his.”

She frowned, peering at Lavos.

“It’s true. Jealousy is riding him hard, and always has when it comes to you. I’m not a threat but he can’t see it. Instincts are a bitch. Kar said he helped you feed from a moose. Tell Lorn you’re full up, even if you’re starving. He won’t stay awake for long. Pure determination is the only reason I didn’t have to carry his ass back here.”

She nodded and quickly moved into the tight kitchen area, opened a few cans and dumped the contents into a pan. “I hope you don’t mind beans and canned beef mixed together. There’s only one burner to use.”

“I’d eat anything right now.”

The water shut off in the bathroom and Kira resisted rushing to the door to ask Lorn if he was okay. She finished warming up the food and dished it out in two tin plates, placing them on the table. The bathroom door opened and she had to smother a gasp as the man she loved came out sporting just a towel wrapped around his waist.

Ragged claw marks marred his chest in a few places but the wound on his stomach stunned her. His belly looked bruised and the flesh was partially torn in a distinctive patterns. He’d been stabbed with claws.

He paused, trapped her with his gaze, and smiled. “It looks way worse than it feels. I’ll heal up in a day.”

She took in more details. Dark bruising also spotted his body. His hands were mangled a bit, the knuckles split. Even his fingertips were damaged, testament to how hard he must have fought with his claws. More claw marks had torn up his arms and one shoulder.

He was being brave for her. She could do the same for him. She forced a return smile. “I made food. Eat. Then get some sleep. You’ll heal faster.”

“Thanks, Kira.” He limped a little to take a seat across from Lavos.

Kira got them both spoons and bottles of water from the fridge. She backed away and prepared the bed so the covers were pulled back, making it easier for Lorn to just lie down and sleep. She even fluffed the pillows.