Chapter Forty-five

Claire was well aware that there would be some tell-tale evidence from her trysts with Lukas, she just didn’t expect them to be so many and so dark. *Dear God,* it would take weeks for the hickies to completely clear out from her skin.
She was certain that she had given the maid quite the scare because the checkerboarded marks stood out harshly against her pale skin.
Claire contemplated wearing a turtleneck, it was cool enough that she could pull it off. She was probably doing a terrible job of hiding her marks by putting on something as obvious as a turtle-necked sweater but it was preferable to the scandalized reations she was sure to get if she didn’t change.
She smiled kindly at the maid when she returned with a tray of food for her, noting that the young lady refused to look up at her. It made Claire’s face heat up.
She was well aware that news spread fast amongst the hired help in Lukas’ mansion so she was certain that more people than just the maid that had attended to her now knew about what she and Lukas had gotten up to. Her turtle-necked sweater only sealed the deal.
Claire ate quietly, thoughts filling her head. She hadn’t seen Lukas ever since she woke up for the second time that day, it was kind of relieving because she wasn’t sure she wanted to be in the same room with him right then.
Because she could never tell what side of Lukas she would be getting, it was like playing the lottery - *you never won.*
Claire had gone through a rollercoaster of many emotions and sensations in the span of a day. She felt emotionally drained although her body was buzzng with energy.
After eating, she finally built up the courage to leave the bedroom. Her parents and Rachel had their personal lives after all, they would have to return to Lockwood. She wanted to be there in person to say goodbye to them.
It was already early afternoon when she made her way down to the first floor, heading straight for her parents' shared room. She knocked quietly on the door, her mom opening it.
“Oh, Claire? What a pleasant surprise, come in.” Julia invited sweetly, stepping backward to let her daughter in.
Claire’s dad was standing by the bedside, packing up a suitcase that was opened out on the bed. He paused when he saw Claire, a warm smile on his face.
“You’re packing up already?” Claire said, feeling devastated.
“We’d love to stay longer, you know we would but it’s a new week tomorrow so we have to return.” Julia said in a concerned voice, petting Claire’s hair. “Plus Matt doesn’t like night journeys.”
“That’s you sweetheart.” Matt countered calmly, resuming his packing. “We’ll also find the time to come visit again.”
Claire tried to not let it show how affected she was by her parents’ leaving, she knew well that this was going to happen but was still shaken up nonetheless.
Her mom held her face tenderly, “You’ve got a new life ahead of you now, we’re so happy for you, Sunshine.”
Claire forced a smile, she doubted her mom would still think that way if she knew how Lukas really was.
“Not to mention, we’re only a phone call away.” Her dad chimed in. “Don’t hesitate to call either of us if you need anything… you don’t even have to need anything, we can just have a nice conversation ever so often.”
Her parents’ love made Claire’s heart swell, it made her almost forget that she had actually married a villainous werewolf King and was now subsequently responsible for a small country - *She hadn’t even finished college yet!*
After getting warm hugs from her parents, they sent her off to get some more rest. They too must have picked up on her suspicious choice of outfit but fortunately, they didn’t address it.
They reassured her that they would be fine by themselves when she hesitated to leave, letting her know that Lukas had Alec handle everything that they needed.
With nothing left to do, Claire left her parents, a heavy realization hitting her that she wouldn’t see them again for a while, and just when she had already gotten used to having them around too.
She had to check in on Rachel as well so she picked up the pace. It was decided that Rachel would return to Lockwood with her parents which worked just fine for everyone so she had to hurry and talk to Rachel before her parents would have to leave.
The door to Rachel’s room opened before she could knock, her childhood friend standing on the other side with a soft smile. “I was just about to come find you,” She started to say, her eyes flicking to the conspicuous turtle-neck sweater that Claire wore. “Or maybe that wasn’t such a great idea after all.”
Claire blushed despite herself, not knowing what to say.
“Do you want to come in?” Rachel invited after they just stared at each other in complete silence for a short while.
“Yeah.” Claire breathed, stepping inside after Rachel.
She was looking for something to ground her but all the people she loved were leaving and she had lost her freedom so she couldn’t leave with them.
“Are you alright?” Rachel asked, sitting on her bed and patting on the space beside her to invite Claire to do the same.
“Can I answer honestly?” Claire said dryly, sitting beside her friend.
“I want to say yes but now I’m a little scared of what you have to say.” Rachel said with a little honesty of her own.
Claire laughed and fell back on the bed, Rachel mimicking her actions. Something about them laying side by side made Claire remember their younger days, the heavy nostalgia clogged up her throat, making it difficult to speak.
“I will be alright, Rachel.” She finally said, settling on the only answer that didn’t rip her apart.
Claire didn’t believe her own words but she said them anyway so that Rachel wouldn’t be worried for her.
It had been so easy to make decisions when she was back in the resort, there she had clarity and she knew what she wanted. But now she was in too deep, she had gotten too tangled with Lukas. And too make it worse, she couldn’t even leave.
Not just because Lukas wouldn’t let her but because of her parents who believed that she had truly found love and was happy.