He pauses for a moment before exhaling. “He wanted us to be terrified of him, and that’s when I realised I had to put on a front to stop it. He hated it when we were weak or started crying, so I blocked it all out. It’s made me this cold, blunt asshole who did things to you that I regret.”
“To protect me,” I say simply.
Caleb’s eyes close for a few seconds. “Yes, but I never meant to hurt you. I didn’t want him getting into my head when he started lingering around after I took over Cole’s pack. It was too risky.”
“I hate that you went through that, that you still have to go through it.”
“I’m a grown man.” He laughs sadly to himself. “I should be able to cut ties, but I can’t—not when I know what he’s capable of. I’m a coward.”
I frown sadly. “No. You have no other choice, and I understand that. Does he have any weaknesses?”
Caleb remains silent for a few seconds. “When I bring up my mother, I think sometimes it distracts him. Other than that, just usual fatigue from using his powers for a long period of time, or to a great degree.”
“Can’t you just drive a stake through his heart?”
He releases a soft snort. “If only it were that easy.”
“For a vampire, it is,” I say, lightheartedly.
“Thank you for opening up to me,” he says, changing the subject before kissing my palm.
My eyes flick between his slowly. “Thank you for opening up to me, too.”
“It’s always been hard to talk about them, but sharing it with you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done, and it’s terrifying.”
“In a bad way?”
He shakes his head once. “In a good way. I’ve always kept my emotions to myself, but you give me space to feel seen and heard, and I’ve needed this for years. I just didn’t know I did. I’m tired of pretending everything is okay.”
“It’s scary being vulnerable, huh?” I brush my hand over his neck softly.
“Yeah,” he rasps. “I know I’m not the best communicator, but I want to be better, and this is the first step.”
“I’m not either. We can learn together.”
Caleb smiles, and his handsome face is burned into my memory for eternity. He glances down at my nose and cups my cheek, brushing his thumb over my chin.
“Did I ever mention how much I love your nose piercing?” He admires it with soft eyes.
My cheeks bleed instantly. “You do?”
“Mm.” He purses his lips. “It’s hot as fuck.”
A small laugh bursts from me. “I don’t think I go in the same sentence as hot.”
“I beg to differ,” he whispers. “Made me fucking feral the first time I saw it. It really suits you.”
My skin heats up at his words. “Thank you,” I say, trying to accept his compliment.
His eyes check out for a brief second before he lowers his head, and exhales a groan of frustration.
“What?” I quickly say.
“I need to go.”
“Already?”
“Spells don’t last forever, and I can’t risk being seen here.”
