“I was worried. We had the full moon coming in a couple of days and the Tribunal after that. We didn’t have time to get you used to the idea of being a wolf and you were so scared. I didn’t want to push you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No. Don’t be. This is a good day. For the first time since I bit you, I feel like we’re going to be okay.”
I thought about it for a second. It was like a huge weight had been lifted that I didn’t even know I was carrying. “Me, too.”
I ran my fingers through his hair. My heart was full. So full, I didn’t know it was possible to be so happy. So in love.
He pressed one more kiss to my lips, and then to my forehead, before grabbing my hand in his. “Ready?”
“Yeah.” And I was. For anything. With him.
Chapter Sixteen
By the time we got back to the cafeteria, I was dying with hunger. The witchy-wolfy stuff had used up a ton of energy. Add in the wolf playtime and the long walk back, and I was a million calories into the red. For once, everyone was busy when I stepped through the doors. There were no more stares, mean looks or questioning glances.
Saving one of our own had drained everyone, but the pack felt whole. Healed. And I finally felt like a member of it.
The people who weren’t in our pack only added to the feeling. It was nice being around so many wolves. I wouldn’t want it every day, but for now, it felt good. Happy.
Everyone was chowing down. The cooks were even grabbing bites in between filling orders. I’d wiped everyone out, but all-in-all it had turned out well. Almost everyone wore some sort of sweatpants or hoodie. Some guys opted for no shirt, but the girls didn’t seem to be complaining.
I’d asked Dastien on our walk back how the stashes of clothes got replenished, and he grabbed the backpack. Apparently there were bins filled with backpacks of clothing, water, protein bars, and first aid kits stashed around the woods. Everyone had to replace what they took. Not a bad system. We’d go back tomorrow and return the cleaned sweats.
“I’m going to grab us some food,” Dastien said.
“Cool,” I said, and continued to our usual table.
Someone shrieked in my ear just before arms squeezed all the breath from my lungs. I laughed and leaned into Meredith.
“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said.
I spun. “You scared the crap out of me.” I shook her a few times. “I was about to promise to join the coven to save you!”
She pulled back, eyes wide. “You didn’t. You didn’t do that, did you?”
“Chill, chica. No, I didn’t. But I was seriously considering doing it, until Luciana gave away what would break the curse.” I shook my head. “You’re looking much better.” And she was. Her skin was nearly back to its normal color. Her eyes were still a little sunken and she was too thin, but that would change.
“I’m feeling much better. I’ve been eating nonstop since you took off.”
“How long were we gone?”
“Three hours.”
“Holy shit. No wonder I’m starving. I’m pretty sure my stomach has already eaten itself.”
Donovan and Dastien came back with two trays each. I rubbed my hands together as we sat down. “Let’s do this whole werewolf eating thing.”
Meredith laughed. “I told you you’d like it.”
When I first got to St. Ailbe’s, keeping up with the werewolf metabolism had been a real pain in my butt. I could never seem to eat enough, which I’d found endlessly irritating. I still wasn’t eating enough, but I was getting better at it. Slowly, but surely.
Chris and Adrian sat at our usual table. So did Shannon. I gave her a nod, and she nodded back. We weren’t best friends, and I wasn’t holding my breath for it either, but maybe one day…stranger things had happened.
Donovan put his trays on the table, and pulled me to my feet for a tight hug. “Thank you. I know you didn’t understand what I was trying to tell you about the curse, but you tried. And you did well.”
“Not at first.”
“You didn’t give up. And that’s what’s important.” He paused. “You’ve found yourself a good mate.”
I blushed. “Um, thanks?” I said when he didn’t release me.
Donovan laughed, squeezing me tighter. “I was sayin’ that to Dastien.”
I laughed. “Right.”
“Get your own mate, Dono,” Dastien said.
“I did.” Donovan shot Meredith a look that was so strong, it made me blush. I couldn’t stop the stupid grin that spread across my face even if I tried.