Tori

Hanzo's POV

“Don’t worry I won’t look, or touch you,” I reach out to the counter where a clean pair of boxers sit. I pull them on despite being in the shower in hopes of making my frightened mate know I don’t want to push her into anything.

“Just a sec,” I walk out of the bathroom leaving her for a moment. I find her clothes and grab her bra and panties so she can put them on to feel more comfortable.

“Here, put these on it’ll be easier to clean up than having the blanket,” I offer her the items then turn to face away. I hear the slap of the wet blanket dropping on the floor, before shuffling of her getting dressed. “Ok,” she quietly speaks after a moment, I turn to see her dressed into a modest pair of boy shorts and a sports bra.

‘She’s scared and embarrassed, she has no idea what she’s doing or what we are to her,’ Valko speaks from the back of my mind, he uses my eyes to gaze down into our mates stunning blue eyes.

‘Have you spoken to her wolf?’ I ask him when our mate turns with flushed cheeks and lets the water run over her. It is clear the way she covers herself and relaxes in the water she has been on the run for a long time and is afraid of men despite feeling the pull of our bond.

‘Yes, her wolf says she watched the men we fought kill her mother for trying to protect our mate,’ Valko answers, I close my eyes and take a deep breath to keep from growling and frightening her further.

“Would you be more comfortable in a bath? I can add bubbles so I won’t see anything and I can sit outside the tub or leave and give you privacy,” I offer in an attempt to make my mate more comfortable.

“A bath sounds nice. I’m not used to hot water… I don’t want to be alone,” she admits while looking up at me. I nod and turn the shower off now the blood is gone and my cuts are healing.

“A bath will be nice and warm, what is your name?” I question, stepping around her I walk to the large tub and start the hot water. Once the water is stared, I get into the cupboard and pull out a peony scented bubble bath my sister Hana keeps here for when she visits.

“Tori,” her voice is soft and quite when she walks to the edge of the tub, watching me get the water ready for her.

“Tori, I’s nice to finally know your name, as you already know my name is Hanzo and my wolf is Valko, he has been talking to your wolf quite a bit,” I make sure to look down when she gets into the tub still in the bra and panties. The bubbles surround her as she seems to relax in the hot water.

“Valko, I like it. Reika seems to like you and him,” Tori admits while sitting with her legs pulled to her chest as the water level rises.

“I can leave you in here alone if you like, I understand you’ve been through a lot recently and I don’t want you to feel unsafe or uncomfortable around me. Has Reika told you anything about what we are to you?” I question while brushing her matted hair back.

“Please don’t go, I feel safer when you’re close… Reika kind of claimed you and said you’re our safe place,” she answers while shrugging her shoulders. I nod with a gentle smile glad that her wolf does understand we are connected.

“I won’t leave you if you don’t want me to, you are safe with me. I’m glad Reika likes me, I know Valko and I like you and Reika,” I reassure her, turning off the water once the tub is full.

“What did you feel when I grabbed you earlier, I noticed you flinched a little?” I try taking a different approach hoping to get her to realize she felt the mate bond. I get up and walk to the bathroom sink and get into the cupboard below to grab a brush giving her a moment to think.

“A warm tingling sensation, like when my foot wakes up from falling asleep after sitting on it, but not painful… it was pleasant.” I can’t help smiling seeing the blush on her cheeks.

“Did your mother ever tell you about mates or the mate bond?” I sit on the edge of the bath tub careful not to crowd her.

“I know mates are like husbands and wives for werewolves, I don’t know anything about a mate bond, my mother didn’t teach me much about our kind. She mostly gave me human books to read, she always insisted I didn’t need to know about that world and if I was found I would be killed. If I wasn’t shifted, I was studying and reading,” Tori explains, shrugging looking back at me.

“Lay back and dip your hair to get it wet and I will add some conditioner to untangle it,” I instruct while guiding her head back into the water.

“I can see it being simply explained like a human marriage especially with you reading human books to learn from. The mate bond is more complicated and complex than a marriage, it’s closer to soulmates. The mate bond is special; your mate is made for you, they are your other half. When you find them, you won’t want to be with anyone else, they will be your entire world and you will be theirs. You will feel drawn to them, find comfort in their presence, they’ll make you feel safe, and when you touch your mate, you will feel a soothing tingling sensation telling you that you’ve found your other half,” I explain then begin working on her tangled hair.

“So when Reika says you’re ours she’s right, you’re my mate, that’s why I feel safe with you and want you close?” Tori asks while turning to face me and I nod.

“Is that the only reason you’ve helped me?” She crosses her arms and holds herself tight like she is vulnerable making Valko whimper in my head. He hates that she feels so unsure and afraid of the bond, but I can’t blame her for it considering what she has told me.

“No, it’s not the only reason I’m helping you, I won’t deny it got my attention and a reason I am helping you. I’m also helping you because I could see how scared and vulnerable you were in the sheriff station,” I explain wanting her to know I do care about her beyond what the bond makes us feel.

“Thank you for helping me and protecting me,” Tori’s voice sounds so soft and fragile as her bottom lip trembles. “I’ll always take care of you and protect you.” I place my hand on her jaw brushing my thumb across her cheek doing my best to comfort her.

“You look like you could use some rest. Let me finish brushing and washing your hair,” I suggest looking at her beautiful round features and adorable freckles that decorate her entire body from what I can tell.

“Sleep sounds really good,” Tori agrees with a gentle nod as she turns around. I carefully run the brush through her hair slowly working on detangling her gorgeous red hair.