Page 50 of Ruined Wolfsbane

My cheeks warm at his praise. I glance down, unsure how to handle his compliment. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” I tell him softly while staring at his shoes like they’re the most interesting thing on the planet.

“I don’t,” Malachi says simply. With one last squeeze to my throat, he steps back and offers me his hand.

I look up at him as I hesitantly place my hand in his. He intertwines our fingers and tugs me toward the stairs.

CHAPTER 21

BRIAR

Malachi leads me inside his room before letting go of my hand. “You can use my bathroom to get ready for bed. I’ll use one of the guest bathrooms.”

I bite my lip, wondering how I’m going to get ready for bed when I don’t have any clothes or toiletries. Malachi notices my silence and raises a brow in question. “No need to be a showoff,” I grumble, a little jealous I can’t move my eyebrows independently.

A startled laugh bursts out of him. My lips tip up at seeing him laugh. Malachi can be almost as serious as Xander. “How am I a showoff?”

“The eyebrow thing,” I tell him begrudgingly. Biting my lip again, I try to figure out what to say. “I don’t have anything to change into to sleep in.”

He smirks at me before striding over to his large walnut dresser. Malachi opens a drawer and pulls out a soft-looking black T-shirt. “Catch,” he advises as he wads it up and throws it at me. Thanks to my fast reflexes, I don’t get whacked in the face with his shirt. I aim a glare his way before uncrumpling the tee.

I don’t know how I feel about sleeping in his shirt.

I snort internally. That’s a lie. While I’ll lie my ass off to others to keep Ava safe, I try to be honest with myself. In the spirit of honesty, I have to admit that I love the thought of sleeping in his shirt again. I’m wary of how much I like it, though. It’s probably unhealthy how much I love being wrapped up in his scent, or Bastian’s or Xander’s.

Between wearing his shirt or sleeping in my uniform, the shirt wins hands down. Pants would be nice, though. “Do you have any PJ pants I can borrow?”

“None that will fit,” he tells me with a shake of his head.

I sigh. “Alrighty. Guess I’ll go get changed.” I hitch a thumb over my shoulder to indicate the bathroom before hurrying toward it. My cheeks flame at my awkwardness.

When I close the door behind me, I rest my forehead against it. Today has been a day. Christ. That’s the understatement of the century. I should freak out about telling them what Patrick does. I should freak out that they’re the Wyldhart heirs. I should freak out about going home with them. I should freak out about a lot of things, but I’m just too tired. Briar of tomorrow can deal with everything after a good night’s sleep. Hopefully I’m too exhausted to have nightmares tonight.

Turning around, I take in the spacious en suite. Slate tile floors compliment the dark wood vanity and calming dusty blue walls. There’s a separate bathtub and shower, both of which are big enough to fit multiple people.

Looking at the dark gray granite counter, I see a wrapped toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste sitting out for me.

It takes me less than ten minutes to brush and change. I don’t expect anyone to be in Malachi’s room yet when I open the door. Instead of an empty room, I see all three Wyldhart brothers in Malachi’s massive bed. And they’re all shirtless.

Are they pantless?

No, bad Briar. I do not need to be wondering if they’re in just their boxers under the covers.

I stand there staring at them until Bastian asks, “You gonna stand there all night, pretty girl?” His blond head pops up to look at me over Malachi as he speaks.

“No. I’m just not sure where to sleep.”

“Right here.” Bastian pats the empty spot between him and Malachi.

My mouth pops open in surprise. They want me to sleep in the same bed as them? That sounds like a terrible idea. “Uh, I can just sleep in a guest room. I’m sure you have plenty of them.”

“Nope, we’re fresh out of guest rooms. You have to sleep in here,” Bastian informs me with a cheeky smile.

My brows rise at that. I’m pretty certain he’s lying. If they want me to sleep in the same room as them, I can take the couch. “I’ll just sleep on the sofa.”

Malachi lets out a sigh before fixing his midnight ocean blues on me. “Don’t make me toss you over my shoulder and put you in bed myself.”

I bristle at Malachi’s threat.

Before I can say anything, Xander grouses, “Briar, get your ass over here. I’m tired and don’t want to listen to you and Kai argue. Kai’s going to win. Just save everyone time and get in the fucking bed.” Xander’s outburst stuns me into silence. I figured he would be on board with me sleeping somewhere else.

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