Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 345: After Care

Louis’s POV

Her body collapsed against mine, trembling, drained but still clinging as if she feared I’d vanish if she let go. I tightened my hold, one arm wrapped around her back, the other cradling the back of her head. She was damp with sweat and tears, her breath hot against my neck.

My chest clenched at the sound of it—those broken sobs she couldn’t swallow. Even though I knew she wasn’t crying out of pain, I still felt terrible hearing her cry. I lowered us carefully onto the bed, refusing to let her slip from my arms. She was light in my hold, far too light for the weight she carried inside her, and I knew I had pushed her hard. Maybe too hard. The thought made me feel regretful. I pulled the blanket over her bare body, wrapping it snug around her before she could shiver. My fingers brushed her cheek, tracing away the dampness there, and for the first time since I had touched her tonight, my hands trembled.

"Breathe with me," I whispered, pressing my forehead against hers. My voice was hoarse, stripped raw of command, yet I kept speaking softly, steadily, the way I would soothe a wolf in pain. "In... slow. Good. Now out. Again. That’s it, Olivia."

Her lashes fluttered, her eyes glassy, but she followed. Every breath she took steadied mine. I kissed her temple, lingering there.

"You scare me when you cry like that," I admitted quietly, almost ashamed of the truth. "I think I’ve gone too far, that I’ve broken something I can’t fix. But then you look at me... and you beg me to stay. Goddess, you undo me."

I stroked her hair, slow and rhythmic, until her trembling eased. I held her gaze, unable to look away. Damn, she was beautiful like this—flushed, damp, eyes glassy from tears and pleasure. My wolf howled in possession, demanding I claim her again, but I forced him down. Right now, she needed my care more than my hunger.

Reluctantly, I eased her back against the pillows and stood. "Stay here," I said, my tone low, firm, the same command I’d give in the heat of play—except this time it carried tenderness instead of fire.

I crossed the room to the mini fridge tucked against the wall. The cool air hit me as I opened it, pulling out a chilled bottle of water. When I returned, she was still watching me, lips parted, chest rising and falling in soft, uneven breaths.

"Here," I murmured, twisting the cap and holding it to her lips. She drank slowly, her throat working with each swallow, and I kept my hand steady, making sure she didn’t rush. A few drops slid down her chin, and I caught them with my thumb, brushing them away before pressing a kiss to the same spot.

She whispered, "Thank you."

pressing my lips to her temple. "Always," I said, the

the strands gently behind her ear. "I’m going to prepare a bath for you," I told her. "You need

lingering, and then straightened, pulled on my pants, and headed for the bathroom. The sound of rushing water filled the air as I tested the temperature, making sure it was warm enough to soothe

was still awake... most

arms before she could protest. She fit against me so easily, her arms curling instinctively around my neck. I carried her into the bathroom, lowering her

falling back against the porcelain edge. I knelt beside the tub, my hands never leaving

obeyed, her damp hair falling forward, and I cupped water into my palms, pouring it gently over her hair. The strands clung to her back, dark and glistening. I worked shampoo through them slowly, massaging her scalp with my fingers until I felt the tension melting from her. She sighed, the sound low

this," she murmured, her eyes

her hair. "That’s because you’re mine

Her cheeks flushed.

Then I reached for the sponge, lathering it slowly before sliding it down her arm, across her shoulder, over the

water, teasing, testing me. A soft laugh left her lips.

my mouth brushing her ear as I whispered, "No, Olivia. You’re

to her stomach, slowly and carefully. "All you need

head, trying to hide the blush blooming on her cheeks. I smirked softly, taking pride in every reaction she couldn’t

her from the bath. Her damp body curled against me like it belonged