The last time I saw Evan was over a week ago. Despite not seeing each other often, I know when someone is purposely avoiding me. I saw him at the children’s home four days ago, and he barely greeted me with a smile; in place was a cautious expression that made my wolf howl in protest.
There was so much I wanted to say, but Sierra dragged me away to help elsewhere before I could. I mindlinked him that night. It went unanswered.
What changed between now and then? I thought it was a step forward.
All I wanted was to make sure the space we had was safe.
I head over to the district town again, even when Felix told me to stay at the pack and finish pieces that need attention, but this also needs my attention. I’m not just an Alpha; I’m a mate, too, and I refuse to be a shitty one.
The second my eyes snag on perfect curls and an oversized hoodie with a checkered jacket over the top, I feel my wolf settle. He doesn’t turn even though I see his shoulders tense.
“Wanna tell me why you’re ignoring me, pups?”
He stares at the wall, and I want nothing more than to see those beautiful blue eyes.
“I’m not ignoring you.”
“Funny,” I say as I stroll towards him, arms folded over my chest. “Because I think the definition of being ignored is when someone doesn’t want to talk to you. So, Evan, please enlighten me: Why don’t you want to talk to me?”
He exhales a long sigh.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No,” he says as he lowers his head to the floor.
“Then what? I need you to talk to me.”
“I can’t.”
My eyes follow the way his hands tighten, nails pressing into his palms. I flinch at the sight and lean forward, relieving his tension by pulling his fingers away.
Evan glances up at me, and I stare down at his face. Bloodshot eyes. Dark circles. Pale skin.
“You’ve not been sleeping,” I comment.
He snatches his hand away. “Leave it, Caleb.”
“I don’t want to leave it.”
“Why?”
“Because you are a priority to me.”
Evan’s mouth trembles. “It’ll destroy me.”
“You can trust me.”
He scowls harshly. “I don’t trust myself.”
I frown. “What do you mean by that?”
My eyes immediately sink to his wrists, and panic washes through me.
“Caleb—”
Before he can move his arm, I lean forward, grip his hand, and shove up the sleeve of his jacket. I stare down at his old scars, and to my relief, there are no new ones.
He snatches his hand back. “You can’t just do that.”
