Chapter 30: Claire: Change

*CLAIRE*

Nik leaves the room, and the door clicks closed quietly behind him.

I let out a shuddering breath and slump down onto the edge of the mattress. With shaking hands, I clutch at the towel wrapped around me a little more tightly. After my heart rate has slowed, I let my head fall into my hands where they rest supported on my knees.

The physical reaction I’m having to Nik… is more than a little concerning. I’ve always been aware of how gorgeous Nik is. Of course I have— I’d have to *blind* not to notice that. But this morning…it’s like I was struck dumb by the mere sight of him. My brain short circuited. And in spite of what happened between us physically these past few days, things aren’t like that between us. There’s nothing between us on an emotional level. They *can’t* be. Ever.

I’m *married* to Nik’s brother for goodness’ sake.

I wince at the unwelcome reminder.

I’m sure that Nik stepping in as my volunteer had less to do with *me* and more to do with him taking it upon himself to fill in for James. Helping his brother’s wife. My stomach clenches uncomfortably at the reminder and I take a shuddering breath to steady myself.

Whatever unexpected feelings I’m left with this morning— as an aftereffect of our time spent together— are most likely just the residual effects from the Heat. I’m sure it’s still wearing off, leaving me off kilter. And once it does finally wear off, everything will go back to normal.

I just need to make sure that I don’t make things awkward between us in the interim.

I can do that; I can pretend that everything’s normal until they are.

Bolstered by that thought, I steel myself and stand from the bed.

The morning in my apartment I’d spent with Vivian before coming to the cabin had all been a blur. I have no memory of packing a bag— I don’t even think I was mentally capable of planning ahead at that point — so I’d guess this was another act of kindness on Vivian’s part. I really don’t know what I did to deserve to have someone like Vivian looking out for me, but I’m grateful for her every day regardless. I’m going to have to do something to say thank you for her when I get back to the city.

Rifling through the duffel bag I find an array of neatly folded outfits. Comfy sweats, a hoodie, in addition to a few other outfits. I blush a little when I come across a set of sexy, lacy lingerie that I don’t remember buying in my drawer. The tags are still on them so I imagine that was something she bought herself for me.

I snort a little, trying to stifle my amusement. That woman literally plans for everything. Not for the first time, I see why she had been chosen to be a Beta over her Pack.

I pull out a sage green summer dress that is cute while also being comfortable and breathable. Even though I feel more like myself today, my skin is still a little too warm to be wearing pants. The less clothes, the better.

Brushing through my hair with a comb I find in the duffle, I give myself one last pep talk to brace myself, and then finally emerge from the room to face the male waiting for me on the other side of the door.

Nik glances up when I enter the room, having already laid out breakfast on cabin’s small round oak table. He stands up to pull out a chair for me. He’s still not wearing a shirt and it’s a struggle of pure willpower to keep my eyes off the display of his golden skin. Stupid hormones. I’m proud of myself for not openly gaping at him. I don’t even drool. I feel like I deserve some sort of award for having that amount of self-control.

Instead, I turn my gaze to the table taking everything in. The aroma of cinnamon and vanilla wafts through the air with its warm and comforting scent. Spread across the table is a plate of golden-brown French toast, a bowl of juicy and colorful fruits, and tall glasses of chilled orange juice.

My stomach clenches and gives a low grumble as I sit down, my mouth watering at the sight of it. I’m starving. I can’t remember the last time I ate.

Nik, who hears the sound of my stomach, flicks a concerned gaze over me, his eyes tightening incrementally, “Here, let me help you get a plate.”

“Oh,” I blink at him, a little surprised by the gesture, “Thanks. You don’t have to do that.”

His lip tilts up at the corner, a regretful look crossing his face, “I know. But it’s my fault you didn’t get enough to eat. I should have made more of an effort in getting you to stop for food.”

He lowers himself back into the chair across from me, one of his large hands tugging roughly through his dark curling hair. Before I can even decide where I want to start, he begins scooping up a bit of everything and plating it for me. And while I can tell he’s trying to hide it, there’s a strained tension to his movements. He feels…guilty. Guilty that I’m hungry.

I’m not sure what to make of that fact. But I don’t want him to feel guilty for something like that.

“I don’t think it would have made a difference if you’d tried,” I tell him lightly, a small teasing smirk stretching across my mouth, “You and I both know that I was a little too preoccupied trying to eat *something else* to take a snack break. Food was the last thing on my mind.”

Nik chokes, his gaze jumping to mine. And I can’t help it, I laugh, a grin splitting across my face. After a moment, Nik’s own amused chuckle joins mine, shaking his head slightly. By the time I focus back on my food, his eyes have lightened, softening around the edges. The tension gone for a moment.

I take a bite of the French toast and find that it’s crispy perfection on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside. It’s freaking delicious. I hum happily as I scarf down the food at an inhuman pace, too hungry to care that I have an audience.

When I finally come up from my plate for air, I shoot a quick glance at Nik to find his eyes already on me, bouncing back and forth between me and his own food, his eyes sparking. He looks as if watching me is the most enthralling thing he’s ever seen.

I take a quick sip of the juice, the tangy sweetness dancing on my tongue and say, “I should have told you this earlier, but…thank you. For coming.” Catching the double entendre in my words, I fight back a blush, and hurry to clarify, “I mean for being here. Thank you for *being here*. Not that I’m not happy that you also *came*, but what I meant to say was—”

Thankfully, Nik has mercy on me and cuts off my babbling rant with a low chuckle, radiating amusement, “You’re more than welcome. Though, you really don’t have anything to thank me for. Believe me, being here was no hardship on my end. ”

A small smile pulls at my lips, my cheeks warming.

The air feels lighter as we turn back to our food, and I spear a juicy chuck on melon on my plate. I pause when a zap of tingles sparks its way down my spine. My entire body goes stiff, my heartbeat stuttering as an unexpected flash of pain wracks through me, my muscles bunching up and tensing.

“Claire?” Nik asks, his voice edged with concern.

And then, between one heartbeat and the next, my entire body turns inside out. There’s a ripping and grinding sound as fur sprouts from my arms, my legs shortening as I tip over from my chair and onto the ground.

Nik’s eyes flash, his lips parting in surprise.

I stare up at him from the floor.

Holy crap. *Holy crap*.

I just *Shifted*.