Promises. Promises.
When he leaves, I take a large breath and slump back into my seat, lowering my mental barriers I’ve spent years building to keep him out of my head, and stop him diving into my thoughts.
I stare at my desk as I push away my emotions bubbling at the surface. He’s not going to go away until I do something about it. There’s no living when he’s always lurking around. And I know I deserve better than that.
24
EVAN
Four days have passed, and I’ve not seen Caleb.
I didn’t expect to end up in a hotel room with him, I didn’t expect to sleep beside him, and I didn’t expect him to find out about my self-harming.
Everything he said made my head tight and fuzzy.
He might be telling the truth about wanting to make this work, but I can’t believe him until I see it. I understand his fears about his father; I definitely wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him.
Today’s the day we’re training together. My body immediately starts to itch with worry. I know we can’t act like we’re mates around people, but I don’t know what that’s going to do to my wolf.
“Let’s go, guys,” Jaxon shouts. “Caleb and his pack are meeting us by the stream.”
Even hearing his name makes the hairs on my arms stand. Ava watches me carefully from across the clearing as she smiles supportively.
We follow Jaxon to the stream, and I keep myself at the back and attempt to control my breathing. Caleb’s scent hits me like atonne of bricks. I spot him from afar as he laughs with Felix, his arms crossed over his chest with a fitted black T-shirt clinging to his body, showcasing his impressive biceps.
Biceps that are bigger than my head. My mouth waters at the sight.
Caleb’s attention is turned towards Jaxon and the rest of us behind him. He seems in better spirits today. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile the way he is right now.
But the first thing I notice is he looks everywhere but me. My hands clasp together, and I pick at the skin around my nails. I don’t look away from him as he steps towards Jaxon and Kayden, falling into conversation. I wasn’t expecting him to run up and hug me, but an acknowledgement would have been nice.
Jaxon announces we’re going to train in our human forms today. My blood runs cold because I’m much weaker in my human form, and it’s shameful. I glance back at Caleb, but his eyes are focused on the ground. Anger bubbles inside my stomach.
Coward,I think to myself.
Caleb gives us the head start for once, and before Jaxon has even moved, I dart off through the trees, away from them.
Blood rushes through my ears as I push myself harder than I ever have. I say this every time, but it’s probably because it feels like I’m dying when I can’t catch my breath.
Once I reach the edge of our territory, I stop by a tree and press my palm against the bark. I inhale rapidly and tell myself not to throw up before we’ve even begun.
I start walking around the perimeter, past our guards who keep our territory safe. My head twitches with a thousand different thoughts, and I almost scream at myself for them to go away.
I told you so.
I told you so.
I told you so.
My feet carry me for what feels like years. Buried so deeply inside my own thoughts, I don’t even feel the presence of someone behind me. Hands rest over my waist, and I’m tugged backwards, a shriek leaving my lips. Gasoline surrounds me in an instant.
My back is pinned against the nearest tree as Caleb towers over me, eyes dark and unreadable. I gulp as I look up at him and the curves of his handsome face.
“You know I don’t appreciate you calling me a coward,” he says, voice heavy and unimpressed.
Well, shit. I didn’t realise I actually sent the thought to his mind instead.
“What am I supposed to think when you won’t even look at me?” I murmur deeply.
