Page 11 of Mine to Claim

“I need time to process things. I’m not like you, Dee. My self-image is already low. Being damaged like this doesn’t help.” The whispered truth made me cringe. How I looked was the least of my problems, and yet it was up there on the list of things I was worried about.

“And I know you struggle with this, but babe, you’re a bombshell. You are the only one who can work on howyousee yourself. I love you the way you are, but just this once, I wish you were like me. If there was a way for me to gift you my rapid healing ability, I would, but have no fear. We have the power of makeup on our side.” She reached out and squeezed my hand with cheese-covered fingers.

“I know you wield your brush like a samurai wields their sword, but there’s a limit to what you can work with. You can’t reduce swelling.” I took a bite of the cheeseburger I don’t need because it’s only going to add to the fat on my hips.

“Ah, ah, ah. Don’t doubt me. Hot towel press will bring it down a little. I can also make it look smaller and hide your bruises. The night is young, and we deserve this. All that staying up late studying, stressing, and finals. Come on. Tell me you don’t want to go out and forget everything.” My eyes watered.Of course I do.For half a beat, I struggled to voice my thoughts.

“You sure you can make me look… normal?” I whispered.

“Babe. Trust me.”

“Okay,” I sighed, resigning myself to the fate that is Dani.

An hour later, she said she’d worked her magic. I’d had a chance to look around and the room was larger than any apartment I’d lived in. A combination of modern and luxury combined the warmth and rustic charm of the wood theme the pack house held. The walls were paneled in rich, dark wood, with the largest windows that framed breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. The sun was starting to set, and I was in awe of the colors that painted the sky. The floors were made of polished hardwood, and a plush rug ran from under the bed to the other end of the room.

My king-size bed frame was carved with intricate designs of wolves, moons, clouds, and mountain tops. The soft material I’d hidden under was a white duvet. There were more than enough plush pillows and the rest of the room was as beautiful as the bed. I was seated with my back to the vanity, which sat right next to the arched door that opened to the closet. When Dani flipped me around, I gasped because once again, Dani had transformed me. Not only did she manage to make me look normal—minus the slight swelling and cut lip, but she made me pretty.

“Stand up and let’s see the finished work,” she said as she placed her brush down. Standing, she asked me to twirl. I wore a matching mini black dress with black tights. The outfit was paired with all black platform pumps. My hair ran straight down my back.

“Women my height shouldn’t wear high heels. Oh, my gosh!” My eyes almost popped out of my head as I saw my ass in my reflection.

“What?”

“I won’t be able to bend over. My cheeks will pop out,” I groaned.

“I’m failing to see the problem here, babe.” Popping out her hip, she crossed her arms.

“I can’t with you. Why do I even bother?” I fake sighed. She was right. I needed this.

“Well? You like it right? Please tell me you like it.”

“Of course I do. You made me look like I didn’t get my face busted in last night.” She flinched at my words and I tried again. “It looks amazing. Thank you, but when were you able to get this all ready? Do you just have rooms stocked with clothes for when you have guests?”

“Oh, I told them on the drive home.”

“How? You never called them.” I racked my memory and nodded. There wasn’t a single time she used the phone. She was too focused on not turning the car around and making sure I wasn’t going to go back to him.

“It’s a wolf thing. We can link others in our pack. Meaning I can talk to them telepathically. As soon as we got into the forest, I was within reach. Anyway, let’s head out. The guys are waiting for us downstairs.” She started for the door and I followed.

“Wait, wait. So you just have an open… link to everyone in your pack? Doesn’t that get noisy?” I asked as we walked down the hall.

“It isn’t always open. It’s like calling someone with my mind,” she answered, sliding her arm through mine.

“Still weird. And the guys?” My brows furrowed as I stumbled before catching myself.

“Yeah, Jace and Evander from last night. They’re my childhood friends turned bodyguards. I can’t go anywhere on pack territory without them. It’s irritating, but you get used to it.” She said it like having bodyguards was a normal thing.

“How come they didn’t come with you to school?” I asked.

“Uh, that’s where I put my foot down. University is the only time I’m going to be on my own. It wasn’t easy getting dad to agree, but I’m a werewolf among humans. I can protect myself.”

“And can we go back to the bit where you called Jace your childhood friend? He didn’t look like he was just a friend last night,” I teased.

“He’s always been there for me. I didn’t see him that way until my last break. I’m just… I don’t want to ruin things by making them serious, but let’s talk about that another time,” she whispered.

I paused in the hall, unease pricking my skin. Tonight felt different. It wasn’t the dress or the heels. There was a strange heaviness in the air, a pull I couldn’t shake. When we hit the stairs, we separated, and I was grateful for the rail. I needed to hold on. Just six steps down, and my heel caught. I lurched forward, eyes squinting shut as I fell.

Fuck.

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