---- I gently undressed him, lifting him into the tub. He made small happy noises as the warm water touched his skin. I laughed. "See? Not so bad, right?" He splashed the water with his hands, giggling. I shook my head. "As much as you act like a pup, you' re not so bad to be around." Better than that ungratefulDorian, at least. That boy had more pride than sense-and none of the instincts his mother and I were born with. I sighed, rolling my shoulders. The ink stains were still on my skin. "Guess I need a bath too." I reached for my dress, pulling it over my head. Just as I did, Alpha Michael's hand suddenly reached out. His fingers brushed over the faint scar on my shoulder-the one from the arrow wound. ---- I stiffened. And then- A low growl, guttural and ancient, rumbled from his throat. A husky voice, no longer childlike, rough and demanding. "Who hurt you?" I froze.