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Flora tuggedat the sleeves of the oversized shirt she’d found in the dresser. She assumed it was Draven’s, but even if it wasn’t at the very least it was clean. There was no way she could say the same for the dress she’d worn the day before and the bag she brought was likely still on the tarmac where Mateo left it. She would have asked for it, but she’d been alone when she woke up and hadn’t seen anyone the rest of the morning.
Not that she hadn’t tried. The overgrown bloodsucker delivered breakfast while she slept and instead of waking her, locked her in the lush prison basement. All right, prison was a bit of a stretch. She didn’t know any other holding cells that came with orgasms, a private bathroom and gourmet breakfast, but at the very least she didn’t expect to wake up alone. Not after what they’d done the night before.
The more she thought about it—and she thought about it a lot during her imprisonment—it was stupid of her to expect anything from Draven. It was one night and he hadn’t even touched her. Not really. She didn't count him holding her legs down while she gave herself the best self-love orgasm she’d ever experienced as touching. But she’d be lying if she said there was nothing between them. It was more than a spark, but it was complicated by what was happening with the moonstone and the politics of vampires and wolves. Though she hated the tiny part of her that hoped it wasn’t one sided, she didn’t want to believe that the connection they had was real. Because if it was… things were going to get really fucking complicated.
Hope was a fickle thing to harbor. It could feed a heart starving for love, but it could also fortify an illusion destined for destruction. And with Draven, she had no doubt destruction was the only endgame. He may have said all the right things in the moment, but guys like him only had one thing on their mind, and she’d already promised to give it to him. Actually, she’d begged him to let her.
Flora released a deeply rooted sigh, pulled up the blanket she was wrapped in and clicked through the shows recommended for her on the streaming app. They didn’t have access to anything other than old DVDs at the castle, but after experiencing the unending episodics she’d found on this tv, she was going to demand to have a giant television with every streaming app installed at Callum’s court. She didn’t care how old-fashioned the vampires were, trashy reality TV and romcoms were a necessity.
She clicked the remote to start another episode ofThe Bachelor,but before the voice over could begin, the door at the top of the stairs swung open. A petite brunette entered holding a brown paper sack in one hand and dragging a bright pink suitcase behind her. She wore a smile that was entirely too peppy and traversed the stairs with an ease that was otherworldly. Flora may have been trained to walk down stairs in six inch heels with her head held high, but even she didn’t move with that sort of grace.
The woman didn’t say anything on her way down, but let out a soft gasp when she saw what Flora was watching.
“Oh, this is one of my favorite seasons!” she squealed, her southern accent as thick as her sickly sweet tone. “Has Jacquline R. gotten into it with Nikki yet? That’s probably one of the best catfights I have ever seen on reality television.”
Flora wanted to hate the woman based on the fact she was in cahoots with the wolf who left her alone, but the bond of trashy television was one that couldn’t be denied. A smile tugged at Flora’s lips. “No, but my money is on Nikki.”
“I won’t spoil it for you then.” The woman stepped forward and set the brown paper bag on the coffee table in front of Flora. “I’m Donna, by the way. Draven asked me to bring you lunch. I also come bearing gifts of the clothes you packed as well as the finest leggings and oversized sweaters this side of the Mississippi.”
Flora’s mouth dropped open. He’d actually listened to her. She’d half expected his little show last night was tied into the fact that he just wanted to see her naked. But even in the light of day, Draven was following through on their deal. She almost wanted to take back every insult that had crossed her mind throughout the morning. Almost. He’d still left her without so much as a note telling her what the heck she was supposed to do besides stay put.
She quickly closed her gaping mouth, before she caught any flies. “Thank you, Donna, I appreciate that. I’m Flora.”
“Oh I know, sugar. Hell, everyone on pack lands knows who you are. Quite a show you stirred up last night.”
Flora winced. “That bad, huh?” It didn’t matter that it was never her intent to cause a scene, based on the slurs from the pack, the reputation she’d garnered the night before wasn’t going to do her any favors.
Donna shrugged and lowered herself to the couch beside Flora. “You’re trending somewhere between ‘ouch’ and ‘bless her heart.’”
“I’m not entirely sure what that means, but I’m guessing it’s not good.” Flora reached for the paper sack on the table and pulled out what looked to be a baguette wrapped in paper. She set it down on the table and unwrapped it to find a long sandwich loaded with meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
“It’s not. But Draven tells me you are doing it for all the right reasons. Perks of being a pack assistant is I get all the tea before it’s sweetened by the pack. I—” Donna paused and focused on where Flora sat staring wide-eyed at the sandwich on the table. “Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just—I’ve never eaten a sandwich like this. Usually they are cut in little triangles and served with tea. It was considered unlady-like to eat a sandwich like…” Flora blushed. It was one thing to be crude in front of Draven. She quite enjoyed the way it brought a smile to his face, but to be brash and vulgar all the time was going to take some getting used to.
“Like you’d take a cock down your throat.” Donna finished with a smile. “You really are the pampered princess aren’t you?”
“I may have been raised in a castle, but trust me, I’m no princess.”
“Then say it with me. I’m going to eat this sandwich like I would a cock.”
She picked up the sandwich and held it in her hands. “I’m going to eat this sandwich like I would a cock,” she repeated, barely getting the words out before she snorted. Considering she’d only just seen a cock and made that deal with Draven, this might be considered practice for the future.
Donna threw her head back and laughed. “You are nothing like I expected, Flora, but I think I’m gonna like you. But you’re going to need to filthy up that mouth of yours if you’re going to make it around the pack.”
“Duly noted.”
It felt good to laugh. Flora had been so tightly strung since Chelsea’s death and Emery’s departure that she’d forgotten what it felt like to have a moment of joy.
She turned to Donna and placed a hand on top of hers in her lap. “Thank you for this.”
“You are so very welcome, Flora. Oh, I’m also supposed to tell you that you’ll need to be ready at first light tomorrow. Kade will be by to pick you up and take you to the tarmac.”
Flora’s heart raced and nausea rolled through her stomach. She’d nearly forgotten they were going to Lune. But forgetting wasn’t an option any longer.
She gave a half hearted nod and set the sandwich on the table, her appetite gone. “Thank you, Donna. I’ll make sure I’m ready.”
Donna gave her a soft smile and twisted her hands in front of her. “Listen, my momma would probably tell me it’s none of my business, but I believe in female solidarity more than most around here, and I really do like you, Flora, but—”
