“I’m not entitled to know anything,” I whisper. “But if you want to talk about it with me, I’ll be here to listen. I know trust is earned, and I’m willing to put in the work. No matter how long it takes.”
Evan’s chest quivers as he stares at me, freckles dancing over his nose. I lean forward and wrap him up in my arms because I don’t know what else to say. I’m not good at comforting people. I'm always afraid I’ll say the wrong thing.
But as soon as I hear him take a breath, he buries his face in my neck. His hands press against my bare skin, and I hold him as his tears stain my collarbones.
It’s everything I didn’t know I needed—to just fucking hold him.
He draws himself away from me and wipes his face. “Does he know we’re here?” he asks, changing the subject.
I presume he’s talking about my father, and I shake my head. “I wouldn’t do something so reckless. He has no idea.”
“I’m not just your secret, am I?”
The fear that clouds his eyes is imminent.
“No,” I say as I stroke his cheek. “You’re my mate, the only person in this world I’m meant to protect.”
His lips part slowly. I take in his handsome face for a few more moments, knowing that when we leave this room, I’ll be back to reality. Yet I can’t grasp the seconds fast enough.
But I know I can’t let my father dictate my life forever. Happiness has never been an objective.
Now I’m eager to change that.
For him.
Forus.
23
CALEB
Running away with Evan before the party even finished wasn’t my smartest idea.
Not because I didn’t enjoy being with him—I enjoyed it too much—but because we could have been caught.
I was filled with too much wrath and hatred for my situation to care. And, shockingly, the only person who could calm me down was him. I couldn’t risk my father seeing me in that state with my walls broken down. I’d already made a scene in front of the guy talking to Evan in the hammock.
What if someone saw?
What if he says something?
What if my father finds out?
What if, what if, what if.
Goddess, I can’t stop overthinking.
When Felix asked me where I went, I made up some stupid lie. It’s best no one knows, not even my Beta.
After getting home and scrubbing my body from head to toe to erase Evan’s scent, I could sense my father would make an appearance today. No doubt he’s going to be pissed. I’m already preparing myself for it.
As I sit in my office and sort through next week's training schedules, there’s a knock at my door. “Come in,” I call out.
Aimee steps inside and nods her head at me. “Ryker is here.”
“Shocker,” I mumble.
It doesn’t take long for my father to burst into my office. I barely manage to look at him because the weight of his gaze is enough. I force myself to clear my mind and remain stoic. If he even senses a sliver of last night, I’m done for.
