Digging around in a different drawer, he came out with a pair of his sweatpants. They’d be too big on her, but they had a drawstring. And bulky material would cover her body, so she’d be comfortable.
He wanted her comfortable for what was coming.
Passing through the kitchen/living area, he avoided his mate’s gaze and headed for the bathroom. He set the clothes carefully on the counter and started warming the water in the shower.
When he turned, he found Mirena standing in the bathroom doorway, watching him.
“Some dry clothes,” he murmured, nodding at the counter. “Warm water.”
He could barely look at her even though that was all he really wanted to do. Just stare at her until things felt okay inside again.
“Thank you,” she whispered, forcing his gaze to her with her soft tone.
Her eyes were searching his, looking for answers to why he wasn’t himself. But he had none. He wasn’t ready to tell her about the hurts of his childhood. Maybe he wouldn’t ever be.
Because the Mother Bear’s reading still haunted him. This morning he’d been sure he could make Mirena happy. Now, he wondered if there was a chance the reading would come true.
Theron walked over to her. Reaching forward, he let his fingertips brush the soft skin of her cheek. His hand still trembled with his tangled emotions so he kept the contact short. Just a taste to calm his animal.
“You’re welcome,” he murmured. “Now warm up.”
She nodded, pressing her lips together. He wanted to kiss them back open.
“When you get out, I won’t be so growly,” he promised.
She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I don’t mind growly so much. You don’t frighten me.”
So she liked everyone to think. She was brave, but bravery didn’t mean she was fearless.
He lifted his hand for another brush to her cheek.
“Get warm, mate. Then we’ll talk.”
Theron slipped past her and closed the door to the bathroom. He leaned against it, breathing deep until the shower door creaked open. He had approximately twenty minutes to calm down and get his shit together.
Twenty minutes, and he knew exactly what to do with them.
***
Mirena stood in the small but neatly organized bathroom. It wasn’t grand, but the tile work was pretty and clean, the place was functional, and then there was this. The array of soaps and oils spread out on the counter. Each tablet or bottle was lined up neatly, label facing front, equal distance away from the one beside it. There was a fresh toothbrush, still in the wrapper. A hairbrush. A body sponge. All of it arranged with such obvious care, it made her heart do a reckless leap.
He'd done this for her. He’d readied his home for her.
Her eyes drifted over to the towel rack. A pale pink one hung there next to a gray one. It was fluffy and new. Reaching for it, she brushed her hand along the soft terry surface. It had been folded perfectly with three creases.
Tears pricked her eyes.
She could only guess at what was happening outside the bathroom door, but one thing was eating her alive. Theo still held that hurt look in his eyes. She wanted her playful bear back. The one that told jokes when she was worried about the future. The one that made her giggle when it seemed like things were hopeless.
That bear had seemed like he didn’t take much serious. This bear who prepared his home for her was nothing but serious.
She would do what he said. Shower and then talk to him. Get to the bottom of what was bothering him.
Mirena made quick work of the button-down flannel and peeled away her soaked dress before removing her sandals. She piled everything in the corner and took the pins out of her hair so that the dark waist length locks hung down her back. Testing several of the bottles Theo had left for her, she picked a shampoo that was labeled Strawberry Champagne, and found the matching bar of soap. It was pink. Her favorite color.
In the mirror, her eyes caught on the circular scar that took up most of her lower abdomen.
She’d taken Nastia’s dark power directly in the stomach. It had spread from there, festering within minutes and forming a singed black web of skin. Using the power she obtained from the darkness, the black night that swam between the mystics, Nastia had drawn out the supernatural poison that felt like acid as it snaked through Mirena’s body. In effect, healed her even though dark magic couldn’t be used to heal. It could be called a miracle perhaps.
But what remained…
Carefully, she prodded at the gnarled web. It was bigger than her palm, stretching from one hip bone to past her center. It was still discolored pink from healing, though it only hurt in her memory. She’d wear this reminder forever. And when she saw it, she could recall the pain as if the poisonous burn was still there.