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Katriel handed him the largest, fluffiest, softest towel she had.

"Just wrap it around your waist, and come lie on the bed" she instructed. She got out her first aid kit and set out the bandages and antiseptic ointments. She also found her stash of whiskey and poured a generous amount into a glass for him. "Here, this will help with the pain, and help you sleep."

"It might burn a bit--especially if you're not used to it--" she warned belatedly. "But it won't harm you. Alright, stretch out and relax."

Katriel took her time inspecting each welt and bruise. On some she dabbed a numbing antiseptic, on others an ointment of arnica. She bandaged the open sores to keep them clean. Lastly, she took some of the oil and massaged the bits of him that were relatively unharmed--which was mostly his arms and legs. She took her time, stroking his skin slowly and gently, because she wanted him to feel safe and comfortable with her touch. When she finished, she found an over-sized shirt and a pair of boxers that she occasionally slept in and passed them to him.

"Here. We should probably burn your old clothes. You can wear these in the mean time." She rolled away to give him some privacy. "We'll pick up some fresh duds at a second-hand store in the morning," she babbled. "Then I'm going to have to pick up another babysitting job or something to fill the tank so we can keep driving."

"You are most welcome," Katriel assured him as she turned back to him. "The first thing you can do is heal. If you tried to get a job looking as you do now, no one would hire you because, frankly, you look like you're a recovering drug addict."

She reached out and turned off the cabin lights, plunging them into darkness. She rested a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him without alarming him. It felt good to be in charge of someone again. As the alpha female of her old pack, she'd cared for everyone and had enjoyed the responsibility.

"You're safe with me, hun. I won't let anything bad happen, if I can help it," she whispered the promise in the dark. "I'm right here if you need anything."

Katriel drifted off, feeling a little more like her old self again.

She woke the next morning spooned against Ray. She carefully made sure she wasn't touching any of his wounds before cuddling close again. It was just like having a real pack and den again.

"You awake?" She grumbled as she nuzzled the back of his neck. She had forgotten how much male werewolves smelled like sex. She reminded herself of her own rules and that he had just been through a traumatizing ordeal. "If you're hungry, I can start breakfast."

"I was actually thinking of making you pancakes. There's a packet of mix in the cupboard. Just add water," she babbled sleepily as she let him go. "I must say that you clean up quite nicely. You look rather hansom in the morning light."

"You forgot the tea," she said with a teasing, wolfish smile. She took the tray and put it in the middle of the bed. Then she hopped down and put the kettle on the stove. She pulled out a canister from one of the cupboards along with two mugs. "I found this great oolong tea in an Asian grocery in the last town."

As soon as the water was hot, she poured it into the mugs. Then she added a spoonful of lose leaf tea.

"You kind of have to strain it through your teeth as you sip, but it's a million times better than coffee." Carefully holding both cups, she army crawled onto the bed. "Join me," she encouraged, holding out his tea.

Katriel smiled broadly. "My pleasure," she said as she picked up a pancake with her fingers. Between bites of pancake and sips of tea, she outlined the plan for the day. "So, I was thinking that we could check out of the campsite, and then hit a thrift store to get you some serviceable clothing. Sorry I can't take you to the mall for new things, but I'm not exactly rolling in dough. Besides, shifting back and forth between wolf and human shape really increases the wear and tear, if you know what I'm saying. Better to spend twenty bucks on a wardrobe and loose it than shred designer jeans. After the thrift shop, we'll head for the national park--Yellowstone isn't more than a day's drive away, and we can hole up there for a week or so, or at least until the full moon is past. With so many wolves there already, a couple of drifters like us won't get noticed. What do you think of the plan?"