Well, I guessed he was feeling a little better. “I did what I had to in order to get back here in time.”
Before he could speak up again, Lucas bent down and picked me up. “We need a place to shower and sleep, clothes, and food.”
Adrian grabbed a key. “Take my room. It’s next door. I’ll order you room service and then get to work on arranging flights for us all.”
“I’ll grab you some clothes.” Shane moved past us. “You’re bigger than me, but I’m the closest fit.” Shane was built thick and very tall. Adrian was cut and tallish, like all the wolves, but Lucas was at least a few inches taller and much more built.
“I’ll find some things for you, Claudia.” Beth hurried out of the room.
I rested my head on Lucas’ shoulder. I felt him walking, but my eyes were heavy. Everyone was safe and alive. It would take my brother a bit to recover, but he would. The oath was broken, and everyone was safe from Luciana for now. My job was done. I could finally rest.
And so I let the darkness take me.
Chapter Twenty-Five
I woke to the sounds of people talking and the smell of food. My stomach rumbled and I sat up.
The talking stopped.
I rubbed my eyes and saw Lucas and Adrian staring at me over a pile of food. “What time is it?”
“Ten in the morning,” Adrian said.
“What time did we get here?”
“Two. You’ve been asleep for eight hours.”
I fell back against the pillows. “I could sleep for another twelve.”
Adrian snorted. “No kidding. How many days did you stay awake before you left for Peru?”
“Uhh.” I scratched my head as I thought. “I think I got two or three hours the first few nights at St. Ailbe’s. Then, I pretty much stayed awake for three days straight. Although I passed out in the infirmary for a couple hours. So…”
“And how did you sleep now?” Lucas asked.
I thought about it for a second. “Like the dead. It was amazing. Best night of sleep I’ve had in years.” I felt Lucas’ pleasure at that, and smiled. This whole thing was new, but it was nice knowing that my sleeping well made him happy.
I struggled to sit up again. “I’m going to shower. Save some food for me?” I didn’t wait for an answer. I went into the bathroom and started the water. Some of Beth’s clothes were sitting on the counter. In the rush to get here, I’d left my backpack in the forest. I guessed all those clothes were history. What a waste.
The water was perfectly steamy. I scrubbed myself from head to toe before getting out and brushing my teeth. It was a crappy hotel toothbrush, but I didn’t care. Running water was a treat I now appreciated in a whole new way.
I got dressed in the yoga pants and tank that Beth had loaned me. She was taller and thinner than me, but the clothes fit well enough. I finger-combed my hair and then left it. My body was still too tired to bother with a braid.
When I stepped outside, Adrian was gone. A new tray of food was in his place, with silver covers keeping it warm. I poured myself a cup of coffee, holding it with both hands as I settled into the chair. I pulled my feet up, and sighed. This was the life.
“Feeling better?” Lucas asked.
That was a giant understatement. “There’s not much that coffee and a hot shower can’t fix.” We were quiet for a second, and for the first time it was a little awkward. I wasn’t sure how to be his mate. Or what he expected. And I wasn’t sure what I wanted from him either.
“I didn’t know what you’d want for breakfast, so I got a bunch of things.”
I took a breath, letting go of all that worry.
This was Lucas. My Lucas. I knew him. He was kind and generous and thoughtful.
He still made me nervous, though. No one had right to be so handsome.
I set down my coffee and busied myself with uncovering the dishes. Eggs, bacon, toast, potatoes, roasted tomatoes, yogurt, granola, a bowl of fruit, and a basket of pastries. I laughed. “You really did get everything.”
He shrugged, and if I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought his cheeks had a little more color. But Lucas wouldn’t blush. Would he? “Better safe than sorry,” he said.
I met his gaze. Those twin dark pools. I bit my lip as I considered him. I hadn’t known him long—days really—but he’d hooked me from the beginning. “Thank you.” I took a bite of fruit. “So, what’s next? What did I miss?”
He crossed his arms over his chest, and I couldn’t help but stare at the shirt that was stretched so thin over his biceps, I was half-convinced it’d rip any second. “Your brother is doing better. Adrian has us all booked on an afternoon flight to Texas.”
