I’m startled to find Felix and Zara are still in the kitchen, meaning Caleb is most likely still upstairs. I slowly back away before bumping into Cyrus in the hallway.
“Evan,” he says as he takes in my injuries. “Well done for what you did today.”
I swallow back the lump in my throat. “Anyone would have done it.”
He shakes his head. “No, they wouldn’t. I’ve really seen a lot of improvement over the last few weeks, especially in our smaller group sessions. Well done. Rest up.”
“Uh, thanks,” I murmur as he places a hand on my shoulder before walking away.
I blink at the rush of satisfaction that filters through me. Ever since Cyrus said he had to report back to Jaxon about my progress, I was determined to come to training with a better mindset, and somehow it’s paying off.
After slipping into the living room, I find it empty. I glance out the window and watch as rain patters onto the glass.
I lower myself down on the ledge as my breath begins to create condensation on the window. I follow the little rain droplets with my eyes and listen to the calming sound.
“Are you not even going to thank me for saving you?”
My body jumps at the voice, and I hit my forehead against the glass. I raise my hand to rub the spot, but it’s nothing compared to everything else.
When I look up at Caleb, he quirks an eyebrow in my direction, crossing his arms over his broad chest, his expression as cold as ice.
“Thank you,” I say without any enthusiasm.
“You could say it like you mean it.”
I glare at him.
“It was a stupid choice to make. Why would you do something you knew you couldn’t get out of? You should have called for help.”
“Because she needed me in that second, and I wasn’t going to leave her.”
Caleb’s jaw crunches as I speak.
“The real question here is, why did you save me?” I ask as I stand and shove my hands into my hoodie pockets. “I could have been gone. Out of your life. So why didn’t you just leave me there?”
His eyes flare at me, but he doesn’t respond.
“Or was it because you wanted to do it yourself?” I bravely take one step forward until our chests almost touch.
He scans my face quickly as his tightened expression relaxes for a mere second. “I could never hurt you.” His fingers raise as if he’s about to touch my cheek, but retreats his hand quickly.
My heart pangs in my chest, a giddy sensation nearly knocking me sideways. It’s pathetic because a mate should never hurt you, and they should never have to tell you that.
“Why?” I scowl. “I’m sure you were ready to snap my neck a few weeks ago.”
Caleb lowers his eyes, as if looking at me offends him. “The bond,” he murmurs to the floor. “It would kill me.”
A laugh crawls up my throat, and I don’t stop it. “If I ever meet the Moon Goddess, I’ll remind her that she hasnoidea what she’s doing,” I hiss through my teeth. “I would rather die than be with someone like you.”
His eyes widen with emotion I don’t recognise. “That’s a little extreme.”
Another laugh bursts out of me despite the gaping hole burning in my chest. “I owe you nothing, Caleb. You made it abundantly clear that you want nothing to do with me. Youtackled me to the ground. You treat me like crap. You pretend I barely exist.”
Caleb keeps his head down as a deep, strained sigh escapes him. One of his hands moves to rest on the window above my head, and my gaze flicks along his tattooed skin.
His scent is overbearing. Too close. In my bloodstream.
“You said you’d stay away from me, so why do you keep coming back? You’re making no sense,” I blubber in confusion.
