Derek was a little startled at the sudden hug and rush of emotion, though he caught her and tentatively patted her back soothingly, still a tad bit stunned at the force of her gratitude but glad he could help and make someone feel so thankful.
She blew out a breath, hanging her head a little. Even if she could use them, there weren’t enough words in the world for how much she hated being this helpless. She inspected the protein bar at close range, then ate it, and another one, and drank most of the water. She wasn’t really paying any attention to the world going by the car, except once, as they were waiting at a stoplight.
Idly letting her mind range out, she brushed against the hunter. She jerked up to look out the window, eyes a little wild, pulling her mind back. But — she was with Derek. She was safe, right? He would protect her? She turned away from the window, locking her hands around the water bottle. And then the light changed, and they moved on.
Derek only glanced at her a couple of times to make sure she was eating, and thankfully she was. When she jerked in her seat, Derek turned to her again, a question on his face. He didn’t see anything, couldn’t smell anything in the car though that didn’t mean there was something outside of it he supposed. No matter, he just kept going when she didn’t turn to him or try to convey anything with the paper and pen he’d stuck in the car. He did speed up however, wanting to get to the loft sooner rather than later.
She stopped looking out the rest of the way, thinking hard. She wondered if she was doing the wrong thing, dragging someone else into her problem — but he was a wolf! Surely he could take care of himself? And she was /so/ tired of running.
When he turned the car off, she startled a little before shaking her head and climbing out, one hand braced on the side of the car. There didn’t seem to be anyone else around, and she glanced up the facade of the building, confused. Did he live here alone, just him in this huge building? That might explain why he said not to worry about repayment. He just didn’t strike her as a loner type.