I know he was probably just as exhausted as I was, but it kind of feels like holding me helped him sleep. The fact that I could make him feel safe enough to sleep means the world to me.
“Yeah. And he didn’t let you go until about an hour ago, when you started stirring. He eventually moved onto the bed with you after we all got up yesterday, but he clung to you like a vengeful koala for over twenty-four hours.”
Azrael kept his promise, and I don’t know what to do with that.
It’s so much easier to think of him as a moody asshole who needs experience talking to people. Then, at least I have logical reasons to stay away from him.
But when he does something so incredibly thoughtful, like hold me the entire time I’m sleeping to heal my injuries? It makes it harder to do the smart thing and keep my distance.
I’m not stupid enough to think what happened changes anything between us. Azrael was very clear about not wanting a “complication” like me in his life. If only my heart understood that Azrael holding me meant absolutely nothing to him.
Realizing I have yet to say anything, I simply repeat, “Oh.”
Hal grins at me and ruffles his messy brown hair. “So, how are you feeling?”
I mentally take stock of myself and am pleasantly surprised to find minimal aches and pains. “Better. My head doesn’t really hurt anymore.”
I’m damn lucky I’m a shifter. I would have some healing to do or long-term damage from my head getting so banged up two days in a row if I were human.
“Fantastic. Are you ready to learn what you are?” He waggles his eyebrows, drawing another laugh from me.
It feels good to have a lighter interaction after the heaviness of the past couple of days. Sure, my heart is still raw and bleeding, but laughing makes it feel the slightest bit easier to bear.
“Of course. What am I?” I’m so excited to find out what I am, I’m practically bouncing on the bed. I’ve been wondering what the hell I am for the past seven years. Having the answers at my fingertips now is both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
He snorts. “Still have to show you, wild girl. Get dressed, and the six of us will go down to the caves together.”
Well, that sounds ominous.
I wonder why they have to show me in a cave instead of in the comfort of their own house. Maybe it has something to do with how they access their powers. I sure hope I don’t have to be in a cave anytime I want to shift into whatever super-secret thing Hal and the others turn into.
Disappointment flows through me that I have to wait even longer to get answers, but I shrug it off. I’ve waited this long—I can wait a while longer.
I’m surprised Azrael is still here. Or, at least, I’m assuming he is by the way Hal saidsix of uswould go to their top-secret cave. I would’ve thought he would’ve left as soon as his promise was fulfilled.
More hope that Azrael might actually care about me blooms in my chest, and I can’t, for the life of me, figure out how to smother it completely.
Sighing at myself, I hop up and do as Hal said.
While I’m in the shower, I can’t help but marvel at how much better I feel. The world doesn’t feel as overwhelming, the guilt as crushing, or the future as hopeless as it did a couple of days ago. Despite all the awfulness that happened with Andrew.
I guess getting truly good sleep for the first time in almost eight months makes all the difference. Who would’ve thought it would be Azrael who helped me get the rest I needed? Certainly not me.
Once I’m showered, I rifle through my bag to find something to wear. At least I packed pretty much all black, so mixing and matching the random pieces I chose two nights ago is easy. I pull on a black sweater, black jeans, and my boots before heading back out to join Hal.
He looks up from his phone when I emerge and gives me a smile that makes my heart beat a little harder. The way he looks so overjoyed every time he sees me is certainly good for my lackluster self-confidence.
Hal shoves his phone into the pocket of his dark-wash jeans before holding out a hand to me. I take it and let him lead me out of the room, down the grand staircase, and to the dining room. The rest of the guys are already seated and digging into a breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes.
Remy is the first one to see me. As soon as he does, he hops up from his chair and bounds over to me. When he reaches me, he wraps me up in a bear hug that forces all the air from my lungs.
“Oh,alouette, it’s so good to see you awake and about. I’ve been so fucking worried for you since Colt told me you were in trouble.” He pulls back and offers me a warm grin. “I’m sure you’re starving after all that healing, so let’s get you fed.”
Before I have a chance to respond, Remy tugs me toward the table. I shoot Hal a bemused look over my shoulder, and he just lifts his hands in a what-can-you-do gesture.
When we reach the table, Remy pulls out a chair between Colt and where he was eating. After I sit down, he pushes me closer to the table and begins filling a plate for me. He piles it high with fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, and golden pancakes.
Of course he thinks a pig like you would be able to eat all that. Only you would think men like them would want someone like you when you behave as you do.
