Chapter 5 Embarrassment

• Philip could hear Rachel’s heartbeat quickening and knew she was embarrassed, but he wasn’t bothered by his lack of clothes. Werewolves typically didn’t feel shame about nudity, as shifting often left them bare, and they were used to seeing each other that way. Still, he had to remind himself that humans didn’t share that custom.
• “Do you have a problem with nudity?” he asked, more to tease her than anything else.
• “Unlike you, who seems perfectly fine with it,” she shot back, still facing away. “What, are you from some nudist colony or something?”
• “Where I’m from, it’s normal to see others naked,” he said.
• “I don’t know where you’re from, but around here, it’s not normal for a guy to stand there naked in front of a woman—especially one he just met. That’s something couples do,” Rachel said, wondering if her words were only making the situation more awkward.
• “Why don’t you tell her we’re her mate? Explain that we’ll claim her sooner or later,” Zeus urged, brimming with excitement.
• Philip rolled his eyes at his wolf’s enthusiasm. With a sigh, he grabbed the blanket again, wrapping it around himself to ease the awkwardness.
• “There, you can turn around now,” he said.
• Rachel turned, aware her face might be flushed—it felt like it was burning.
• “There’s an employee bathroom right over there,” she said, pointing. “I’ll see what I can find for you to wear. I doubt I have a shirt that’ll fit, but I’ll bring some clean towels. While you shower, I’ll order supplies from the pharmacy. Think you can manage in the bathroom alone? I’ll set up a chair so you don’t have to stand too long.”
• “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. The worst that could happen is I fall in there, but I doubt it’d hurt more than what I’ve been through tonight. I don’t think the dose of aconite will be enough to kill me,” Philip said.
• “Aconite?” Rachel asked, startled.
• Philip’s jaw tightened. He’d said too much. He needed to come up with something to cover his slip.
• “Someone tried to kill me by poisoning me, but the dose isn’t lethal. Not for someone like me,” he said.
• “What do you mean by that? You begged—practically ordered—me not to take you to a hospital, but that’s exactly where you should be. I don’t know how you’re still standing,” she said, her voice tinged with worry.
• “Like I said, the dose wasn’t lethal. Luckily, he didn’t manage to inject me with the full amount,” Philip said. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to die here. I have a score to settle and something to take back that’s mine.”
• “I’m going to need to know what you’re talking about,” Rachel said, her heart racing again. “Don’t tell me you’re some gangster caught up in a mob war. Am I in trouble for helping you?”
• The thought sent a wave of fear through her. She’d always led a quiet life; the most fighting she’d ever done was wrangling feisty dogs or animals at the clinic. Panic gripped her, and Philip could sense her fear and nervousness.
• “Calm our mate, Philip. She can’t be afraid of us,” Zeus urged again.
• “Rachel, calm down,” Philip said gently. “I’m not with the mafia, and you’re not in any trouble. I’d never let anyone hurt you for helping me. That’s one promise I can make.” He heard Zeus growl in his mind, likely at his avoidance of the mate bond, but he pressed on. “That’s a promise I *will* keep.”
• Philip let his scent fill the room, knowing it would soothe her, even if she was unaware of its effect. Just as, her jasmine-like scent calmed him and made Zeus practically purr in his head.
• “I’ll trust you, even though I’ve only known you for a few hours,” Rachel said with a sigh. “Come on, let’s get you to the bathroom. While you shower, I’ll grab some supplies and change out of these wet clothes. Once you’re done, I’ll take a shower too.”
• Rachel helped Philip to the bathroom, set up the chair, and left him there, heading to the part of the building that served as her home. She lived in the back of the clinic, a modest space that wasn’t the largest or fanciest, but it helped her save money. Paying rent for both a home and a business would’ve been tough for someone like her, just starting out.
• She locked the door to her home as soon as she entered—a habit, even without a stranger showering nearby. She peeled off her soaked clothes, her mind a jumbled mess. That man said strange things, and that persistent cinnamon scent coming from him, plus the electric jolts she felt every time they touched, were driving her crazy. She needed to find out more about this mysterious man who was stirring up all her senses.