Caleb’s green eyes flare at me.
I scowl back at him. “I promise not to come anywhere near you.”
When I turn to walk away, there’s a small amount of pride growing in my chest. Despite my body tingling all over and betraying my every last thought, I manage to make it back to Nina.
“Where have you been?” she asks curiously as she raises her nose an inch and inhales the air.
I freeze and pray she says nothing about smelling Caleb’s scent on me.
“Oh.” I clear my throat. “I went for a walk around the grounds.”
“You didn’t miss much inside,” she says. “But Caleb’s pack seems…nice.”
I hum as I wrap my arms around my elbows. “Compared to their Alpha, yes.”
“How long do you reckon we’ll need to come here for?” Leon calls out as he approaches us.
My head turns towards him, and I shrug. “Who knows?”
“Are either of you guys worried about the fact that we’re at the bottom of the food chain?” Nina chews her lip anxiously. “With training, and doing these little jobs because it’s all we’re good at.”
Leon stares at her for a long time. “We might not be at the top fighting on the front line, but at least we’re doing what is asked of us.”
Nina twists towards me. “What do you think?”
“Don’t worry, Nina,” I say softly. It’s a thought that plays in the back of my mind, but I don’t enjoy the fear in her voice so I reassure her as best as I can. “We’re in this together. And we’re not going anywhere, I promise. It might not be the best job, but I know Jaxon is grateful.”
“At least it gets us out of the house.” Leon blows out a breath.
I’d rather stay home and read books all day.
“You don’t seem too happy about it,” Leon comments as he studies my face.
“I–” I clear my throat. “Just sceptical.”
“Of Caleb?”
“Yeah.”
“Aren’t we all.”
“You never know, he might surprise us,” Nina says with optimism. “Besides, he's not too bad to look at.”
Leon groans and throws his head back. “Not you, too. Jesus. Why is everyone obsessed with him?”
“Because he is tall, covered in tattoos, and undeniably beautiful.”
I resist the urge to close my eyes in defeat at her words.
Dangerous in a hot way—and I need to stop thinking before my wolf takes over.
“Come on.” Leon starts to drag Nina away. “Better show our faces before Jaxon gets on our case.”
As we head back into the house, I tense and stare up at the building that no longer belongs to Cole, and now belongs to my cold-hearted mate instead.
8
EVAN
