The Lost Wolf's Destiny. Karen Whiddon

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      All because she’d foolishly allowed herself to hope.

      She thought she’d been so careful, especially when the media got involved. She hadn’t even considered that Jacob would be able to use that same media against her, making all sorts of outrageous claims to prevent her from getting Hailey back.

      Finally, she fell into a sort of restless slumber, devoid of dreams. When she woke an hour later, she found Lucas sitting in the chair by the desk watching her.

      The instant her gaze connected with his, she felt a jolt of heat, low in her belly. Even as she blinked, trying to acclimate herself, he pushed to his feet and moved away, clearly ill at ease. With his back to her, he peered out the window, silent, his entire demeanor stiff. If he had felt the same thing she had, evidently it made him no happier than it did her.

      Bad timing.

      Still, she could not look away. Eyeing him, again she was struck by his rugged masculinity. She couldn’t help but wonder again how someone like Jacob could have fathered a son who looked like Lucas.

      “We should eat something,” he told her, his voice husky with sleep. “I’ll go get us a couple of burgers and bring them back. I still don’t want to take a chance that you might be seen, just in case Jacob has started spreading any lies.”

      Though she hated having to stay hidden, it only made sense. “Sounds good.” She pushed up off the bed and headed for the bathroom. “I’m going to take a quick shower while you’re gone.”

      Jerking his head in a nod, he headed toward the door, moving so fast she had to blink. It wasn’t as if she was going to start stripping off her clothes on the way.

      And even if she had, what did it matter? They were Shifters. Though he wasn’t Pack, Lucas had to get used to acting like one sooner or later.

      Once in the shower, she turned the spray to hot and, using the shampoo and conditioner the motel provided, she got herself clean. Glad of the change of clothes, she dressed.

      When she emerged from the bathroom about fifteen minutes later, Lucas had returned. The tantalizing smell of hamburgers and French fries made her mouth water.

      He glanced up, took in her freshly scrubbed face and wet hair, and nodded, his bland expression revealing nothing. “Dig in.”

      She dropped into the chair opposite him and did as ordered. The first bite of the thick hamburger almost made her hum with pleasure. “This couldn’t have been fast food,” she said, once she’d swallowed. After her shower, change of clothes and now an excellent meal, she felt better than she should. She felt she ought to be suffering until she had Hailey back. “It tastes too good.”

      “It’s a local place, right around the corner,” he told her. “Called Stripers. I used to eat there as a boy. They’re known in these parts for their burgers.”

      This, she could believe. Giving up all attempts at eating with decorum, she tucked into her meal with gusto.