Page 61 of Ruined Wolfsbane

Ideally, I’d take Ava and run. But I can’t do that until I get my trust fund. More likely, I’ll just take the beatings to keep Ava safe until Patrick kills me. But I don’t say that. “I don’t know,” I whisper.

“We’ll figure it out together, honeybunches. Don’t you worry!” Rory wraps me up in a gentle hug this time. Tears prick the corners of my eyes at Rory not only believing me but being willing to support me. “But first, lunch!”

Rory skips over to her twin, who’s sitting in the middle of Malachi’s sofa. She plops down on his right. The coffee table in front of the couch is filled with sandwiches, pasta, salads, and desserts. My mouth waters just looking at the display.

I follow Malachi over to the couch. He sits on Ronan’s other side. Shifting from foot to foot, I wonder where I should sit as all the seating around the coffee table is taken. Malachi gives me a half smirk and pats his thigh. My eyebrows rise at that. He’s delusional if he thinks I’m going to sit on his leg for lunch. I may have just spent a few hours on his lap, but I draw the line at sitting on him in front of his brothers and cousins.

I glare at Malachi. He smiles back at me, clearly enjoying my predicament.

As I’m getting ready to sit on the floor, Xander says, “You can take my seat, Briar.” My gaze flicks up to his in surprise. Xander’s the last Wyldhart brother I’d think would help me. I see him standing over his chair waiting for me to sit.

“Um, thanks,” I say, eloquent as ever as I head over to the chair.

Xander’s lips tip up at my awkwardness. That man shouldn’t be allowed to smile. He looks too handsome for his own good when he does.

He drags a chair from Malachi’s desk over to the coffee table. I groan that I didn’t think of that. Xander pulls the chair right next to me before putting together a plate with a bit of everything on it and handing it to me. My eyes widen in surprise.

Since when is Xander nice to me?

I realize I’m still just staring at his outstretched arm like it’s a massive, hairy tarantula. He’s been holding his arm out at least thirty seconds, and I still haven’t taken the plate. Ah, painful awkwardness, my old friend. I thought I might go a whole conversation with Xander without being completely weird. Better luck next time, champ.

Quickly grabbing the plate, I mumble, “Thanks.”

As I eat, the Wyldharts and Ronan and Rory fall into easy conversation. The room fills with the sound of their laughter and playful banter. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. They all include me in the conversation. I wonder if this is what it’s like to have a big family. It’s just Ava and me now that my mom’s gone. We don’t have any cousins or extended family, so I wouldn’t know.

Once everyone’s finished eating, Malachi stands and gathers everyone’s plates. I hop up to help with clean up. We work efficiently, clearing the whole mess in a few minutes.

After we throw away all the trash, Malachi leans against his desk and gestures for me to step between his legs. I do, and he settles his hands on my waist. They fit perfectly on the top of my hips. I lean into his touch slightly, enjoying the almost burning warmth of his hands. “You good to go?”

“To class?” I ask, realizing I have no clue what time it is.

He gives me a half smile while shaking his head. “No, home. I canceled class.”

“What?” I ask, voice getting higher in surprise. “Why?”

“I need to make sure you’re okay. I wouldn’t be able to focus on teaching when I’m worried about you.”

His words send a swarm of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I tell him quietly, “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know. I wanted to,” he informs me softly. His thumb strokes over my cheekbone while he speaks. “If you’re ready to go, I wanted to swing by your house. You can pack a bag to stay with us.”

I’m already shaking my head before he finishes speaking. “I said I’d stay with you for a night. I won’t impose on you more than that.”

“You’re not imposing, baby girl, and we’ve been over this. You’re staying with us until you can prove that you’re safe at home.”

I want to argue with Malachi. I’m getting way too attached to the Wyldharts. But if I’m being honest with myself, I don’t want to stay in Patrick’s house even if he’s not home. It’s lonely and depressing. Once I’m healed all the way, I’ll insist on staying at Patrick’s house. One more night won’t hurt anything. I sigh. “Fine.”

Malachi grins at me. “Great. Get your stuff, and we’ll head out.” I roll my eyes at his bossiness, but I do as he says.

Rory hops up as I reach the couch. She wraps me up in a careful hug. “Everything’s going to be okay, girlie,” she whispers as she squeezes me.

“Yeah,” I say, not really believing it. I put on a brave smile for Rory because I hate anyone worrying about me. Her sad smile tells me I’m not doing a great job at hiding my feelings, but Rory doesn’t push it.

We leave Wyldhart Hall as a group but split up once we’re in the courtyard. Ronan and Rory head to the student/visitor lot, and the Wyldharts and I head to the faculty lot.

When we start driving toward Patrick’s house, I realize a flaw in the plan. “Patrick might be home. I can survive without my things for another night.”

“Patrick’s away on business,” Malachi informs me from the front seat.

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