Caleb watches his hand as he brushes his thumb over my cheekbone. It’s tender and speaks a thousand words, sending shivers right through our matebond. “I did,” he murmurs. “I couldn’t leave our conversation at that. I had to make sure you were alright.”
“I was only sleeping.”
He sucks in a breath and shuffles closer until our faces are inches from one another.
“What happened with Ryker?”
Caleb chews on the inside of his cheek for a moment. “He wants me to join him on a mission, which I know will end up destroying innocent packs and trying to take control.”
I frown. “He’s really messed up.”
“You’re telling me.”
“And his powers?”
“Yeah.” He blows out a breath. “Those are the worst.”
“Why does he have them?”
Caleb sighs. “My grandparents were both hybrids, they were experimental with dark magic, and there came my father. I think it had a lot to do with the dark Gods. But I don’t know too much about it. I kinda don’t want to know.”
“And you didn’t inherit them?”
He shakes his head. “His powers are only used for manipulation and brainwashing. That’s why I wasn’t risking mindlinking you earlier for him to dig around in my head.”
I blink slowly. “He can do that?”
“Yeah, he can slip into your mind when you least expect it. I’ve learnt to keep my walls up. It doesn’t always work, though.”
“So, what are you going to do about him?”
“I’ve started working on a plan with Felix and our head guards. We need to do it soon, before he starts tearing down our world before we’re prepared to fight back,” he confesses.
I blink once, then twice. “You’re going to take him down?”
“Yeah. I’m not living like this anymore.”
“But what if he hurts you?”
The corner of his mouth twists upwards, and he leans in to kiss my nose. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Of course I’m going to worry about you.”
“We’ve got it under control,” he says. “He might be powerful, but I’m also his son. I have to do this.”
My forehead hurts from frowning so heavily. “I’m scared.”
“It’s gonna be okay,” he reassures me.
Silence washes over us, and my eyes become heavier.
“Tired?”
“Yeah,” I whisper. “Emotionally drained.”
“Sleep.”
“Will you stay?”
