“I wish I wasn’t like this,” he carries on, and I realise he might be self-destructing. “I wishhewasn’t like this. Fuck!”
Caleb turns, and his fist collides with the tree that’s holding the hammock. I flinch at the sound of his bare knuckles hitting the bark. He does it again as blood trickles down his hands, onto his wrists.
The sight has panic flashing in my mind. It makes my stomach churn with nausea. There’s no way I can stand here and watch him hurt himself.
My legs move quickly as I cup his fists in my hands before he causes more damage. “Calm down, Caleb,” I say gently, but my voice wobbles.
Caleb’s jaw tightens, and he releases a low groan of pain.
“Just breathe,” I murmur, but I need to take my own advice.
“No.” He shakes his head. “No, I don’t want that life.”
His chest quivers as he studies me, and his eyes look so hollow and lost.
“I don’t want to be standing there next to some woman I’m not even remotely attracted to,” he hisses, “while you’re out here with some guy who is trying to flirt with you. Trying to flirt with what’s mine.”
I’m lost for words—literally—so I say nothing. But it gives me butterflies. Stupid butterflies that make me lightheaded.
“Fuck,” he grunts before turning around.
When I think he’s about to hit the tree again, I reach for him.
“Please don’t,” I plead desperately. “Please.”
Caleb’s breaths become ragged. The bond inside my heart glows, and despite wanting to push it away, I can’t. Not after the way he kissed me and poured every ounce of emotion into it that wasn’t his deep coldness that I’m used to.
“I pushed you away because it’s safer,” he whispers. “Because I will never forgive myself if he hurts you. And I wasn’t lying when I said it the other day.”
My mouth turns bone-dry at his confession and who he’s talking about.
“I can’t be here.” He grips my hands tighter. “I can’t be around him.”
“Then go,” I whisper.
Caleb’s green eyes move between mine slowly. “Come with me.”
“Where?”
“Anywhere. Away from him, from everyone.”
I glance down at the blood dried on his knuckles and my palms.
“Pups.” He lowers his forehead to mine, and I hate the way that stupid nickname is growing on me. “Please. Come with me. Let me explain.”
The pain etched into each word makes me shiver, and before I realise what I’m doing, I’m nodding in agreement. I don’t know why, but it feels right.
Something tells me to give him one last chance, and if he fucks me over again, then I refuse to be walked all over like I’m nothing.
“Okay,” I whisper.
Caleb entwines our fingers before we run around the back of the manor and into the night.
21
EVAN
Caleb’s hand is still firmly in mine as we reach a local human town. I don’t ask questions as we head inside a cosy pub inn. I let Caleb do the talking as he asks for a room, and once she hands over the keys, we head upstairs.
