I scurry out of his bedroom like a clumsy kid on rollerblades with a rattling heart and deep rejection flooding my veins.
13
CALEB
Idon’t know what the hell came over me.
Evan’s words were soft and tender, something I haven’t experienced for a long fucking time, and for some foolish reason, I let the walls I’ve spent years building fall for a few seconds.
I had to push him away. It was only then that I realised how stupid and reckless I was being after my father had been literally at the house less than ten minutes before.
What was I thinking?
He could have come back.
He could have seen us together.
He could have?—
I don’t latch onto the morbid thoughts for very long. I pushed him away because I had to, because I was being careless, and that’s not something an Alpha should do.
The second we stepped away from each other, it was like being thrown into the middle of the ocean. Evan’s face dropped, and I know I saw embarrassment clouding behind his eyes. The thought guts me, but I had to do it.
After a restless night's sleep, I head towards my office and get to work. There’s a knock at the door, and I glance up to find Carson standing in the doorway.
“Good morning, Alpha,” he says before bowing his head in my direction. “I wanted to check in on how you are after Ryker’s visit. What did he say?”
A sigh leaves my lips as I lean back in my chair. I’ve barely thought about the encounter when Evan continues to flash through my mind instead. “Nothing he doesn’t usually say. I’m expecting him to drop by whenever it suits him for the foreseeable future. It’s fine, Carson.”
“Anything I can help with today?”
I stare back at my head guard. “Make sure we send the perimeter reports to the district ambassador. I don’t want them sent late. We need to make a good impression.”
“Of course. I’ll get right on that.” He turns to leave and then pauses by the door. I study him as he glances over his shoulder at me. “Actually, Alpha, I had something to ask.”
“Go on.”
“It’s my son’s birthday today, and I was wondering if I could have the evening off to celebrate with my family,” he says hopefully. “I know it’s not convenient, but I can’t miss another birthday.”
I drag my tongue along my bottom lip. I could be an asshole and say no, considering our workload, but I know what it means for a parent to show up for their kid on their birthday. Best believe my father was absent for the majority—regardless of whether it was better that way.
“Take the afternoon, Carson,” I state. “We’ll start early tomorrow.”
His spine straightens in surprise. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
When he leaves, I slump further into my chair and brace myself for a day of hard work, despite my mind wandering to things that are off-limits.
After grabbingmy afternoon caffeine fix from the kitchen, I lean on the counter and take a moment for myself. The sound of footsteps pattering against the floor echoes in my ears as I glance towards the hall to find Carson, Esther, his wife, and Tyler, his son, all dressed up.
“Daddy, I’m so excited you’re coming.” Tyler claps his hands excitedly. “We have to get ice cream.”
Carson ruffles his son’s hair and grins. “You can get whatever you want, bud. It is your birthday, after all. It’s a special day.”
Tyler fist-pumps the air and hisses, “Yes!”
I push off the counter and stroll towards them as Esther’s eyes land on mine. She nods at me slowly. “Alpha, thank you for relieving Carson of his duties tonight.”
“Birthdays should be celebrated with family,” I say simply. “Happy birthday, Tyler. How old are you now? Five?”
