“To wash. Alone.”
He had been following me but now stumbled to a halt, frowning. “Are you sure you’ll be okay by yourself? What if you fall? What if you drown in the stream? What if—”
He stopped talking by himself with a soft gasp, barely audible. I didn’t look back at him to see why he’d cut short. If I looked back, I might have stayed against my better judgment. Better I leave and return when my head was on straight.
I heard soft voices behind me, Sage and Remington, but I couldn’t make out their conversation. I kept on going. A few moments later I heard someone running up beside me.
“I’ll go with you,” Remington said. When he saw my sour expression, he added, “I won’t bother you.”
“You’re here to babysit me, then.”
“I’m here to make sure you don’t pass out from pain and drown in the stream, like Sage said,” Remington retorted.
It sounded less ridiculous coming from Remington. Maybe it was that serious, anger-tinged face of his. He was young, but I could tell he’d been through a lot. Aside from the difference in our years, we had that in common.
I grunted in affirmation. “Fine.”
He nodded, then didn’t say another word. After Sage’s conversational assault, it was a relief. Or at least, that’s how I wanted to feel.
I found the stream and began washing. Remington sat a healthy distance away, indifferent to me.
“Is Sage older than you?” I said.
I didn’t know what compelled me to ask. Maybe it was the silence that felt uncomfortable after Sage’s non-stop talk.
“Yes,” Remington said. “Why?”
A one-note laugh left me. “Nothing.”
“He doesn’t seem like it, right?” Remington offered. “I know. I felt the same way when I met him.” He rolled his eyes. “He’s something.”
As the cool water ran over my fresh wounds, it stung. I held back a hiss. Talking was a good distraction as I worked.
“What is this pack, anyway?” I asked. “A bunch of love-struck couples?”
Remington shot me a slow glance. “Why do you say it like it’s a bad thing?”
I snorted. “Don’t tell me you believe in fated mates, too. Sage wouldn’t shut up about it.”
When Remington went quiet and serious, I knew my suspicion was correct.
“I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it for myself,” Remington said. “Twice. Both Hugo and Len, and Dax and Morgan are perfect together. It’s like they were made for each other.”
He spoke wistfully. It made me wonder if the young omega wanted the same thing. But just like before, the concept sounded more credible when Remington spoke about it.
But it couldn’t be true. It was alltooperfect.
“You know,” Remington began, “I’m not your biggest fan, Xander.”
That was no surprise to me. I smirked, appreciating his honesty. He wasn’t a pal of mine either but I was gaining respect for him fast.
He went on. “But Sage is. I know he can be annoying, but would it kill you to be a little nicer to him?”
I paused. The water continued running around my legs and dripping off my skin.
“I can’t,” I muttered.
“Why?”
