Wulfe Untamed (Feral Warriors #8)(26)

“I’ve got them,” the newcomer said.

Melisande walked in behind her. “Tighe wants to know if you want him to bring anything back for you, Natalie.”

“I’d love him to, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to find them. I had to drop my purse and a yellow suitcase in the woods behind my house when the Mage started chasing us.” She glanced at Wulfe. “I’d love to have my laptop, too, but I’m not sure that’s allowed.”

“Where is it?” Melisande asked.

“On the sofa in the family room, where the battle took place. The power cord is on the desk in the kitchen.”

“We’ll bring them. Lyon can take it from there.” A second later, Melisande disappeared.

Natalie stared, nonplussed. One moment she was there, the next . . . gone.

“You’ll get used to the Ilinas popping in and out,” Skye said softly. “The rest of us have.”

As exhaustion trembled through her, Natalie wondered just how many more surprises she could take in one day.

The woman with the linens and the gun plopped the pile down on the dresser, then grabbed a couple of sheets and came to join them.

She eyed Natalie with interest as she shook out one of the sheets. “I’m Delaney, Tighe’s mate. I used to be human, too.”

Natalie’s brows lifted. “Used to be?”

Delaney smiled. “It’s a long story that still gives me nightmares, but the result was worth it. I’ve got the hottest, sweetest male on the face of the planet for all of eternity.”

Skye laughed as she grabbed one end of the sheet. “I could argue that. Mine happens to be the sweetest. And the hottest.”

Delaney grinned. “We’ll call it a draw.”

Natalie helped the pair make the bed, her gaze drawn to Wulfe as he moved to the window and began screwing bolts into the frame.

“Wulfe, you should give Natalie one of those cell phones that Tighe gave me when I first got here.” Delaney looked at Natalie. “The only calls I could make from it were to Tighe or Lyon. They didn’t want me calling the FBI, which I’d been trying to do.” She glanced back at Wulfe. “Load Skye’s number, and mine, in case you’re not around and she wants company. Being locked up is no fun, even with a comfy bed.”

Wulfe just nodded but continued to concentrate on his task.

Lady began to bark and ran toward the door.

“That’s her gotta pee bark,” Skye said, hurrying after her.

Delaney met Natalie’s gaze. “If you need anyone to talk to, have Wulfe call me. I’m on lockdown, too, if in a different way.” Her smile turned beatific. “I’m pregnant with Tighe’s child and he barely allows me to leave the house, let alone join in the fighting.”

“He’s right,” Wulfe said.

“I know. But it doesn’t mean I’m not going stir-crazy. I’m barely even showing yet.” Her gaze turned serious. “They’re good guys, the best, but if you betray them, there’s nowhere you can hide,” she said, echoing Xavier’s warning. Despite the harshness of her words, Delaney’s eyes were sympathetic as she grasped Natalie’s hand and led her toward the door.

“Delaney . . .” Wulfe called, a note of warning in his voice.

“We need a moment of girl talk. She won’t be out of your sight.” Delaney led her into the hallway just outside the room. When Wulfe turned back to his task with a nod, Delaney met Natalie’s gaze, her own piercing. “When you were here before, Wulfe became your protector. He watched over you like a mother hen, and he hasn’t stopped.”

Natalie nodded. “He’s visited me as the wolf.”

“He cares about you, Natalie. But there are other factors. A lot of them. You’ve never appeared put off by his scars, and that’s huge. But tread carefully, please. In many ways, he’s the strongest, fiercest of the shifters. But in others, he’s vulnerable. I wouldn’t want either of you to get hurt because either of those scenarios will wind up hurting him. Just tread carefully.”

Natalie watched her. “You do realize you’ve given me only enough to make me intensely curious.”

“I know. The rest isn’t mine to tell. If you need someone to talk to at any time, I’m here.” She squeezed Natalie’s hand, motioned Natalie back into the room, and left.

Wulfe glanced at her as she approached, then turned back to the window without asking any questions.

“Here you go!” a feminine voice called from the doorway.

Natalie turned to find Melisande holding her purse and suitcase.

“I’ll leave them right here.” The Ilina set them by the door, then disappeared again before Natalie could thank her.

With a mind-clearing shake of the head, Natalie turned back to Wulfe, intrigued by the play of muscles across his broad, broad shoulders and back. He really had the most incredible build. Watching him did funny things to her insides, hot, quivery things. And she was just tired enough to not care if he knew it.

She moved closer, leaning against the wall beside him. “I’ve never seen you with a shirt on. Not that I remember.”

He glanced at her with dismay. “Do you want me to get one before I finish?”

A smile fought to escape. “I rather like you without clothes on.”