I shudder right down to my toes at the thought, and I have to glance away before I start squealing like a fool.
“You really have no shame, do you?”
A voice from beside me has me jumping out of my skin. I clench my fists together when Sam steps into view.
“What?” I murmur.
He releases a long, dry laugh that makes my shoulders tense. “You wanna drool a little harder over their Alpha? Have some respect.”
I swallow at his words and tell myself not to bite.
We’re keeping it a secret for a reason, and I’d never do that to Caleb, especially when he’s not ready for his father to know. It’s for our safety, and as frustrating as it may seem, I’m enjoying the privacy rather than having everyone sticking their nose in.
“He’s a leader.” Sam leans forward so I can feel his breath against my ear. “And you’re nothing but a weak Omega.”
My nose wrinkles in disgust at the way it feels against my skin.
“Dream on, Evan.” He chuckles venomously. “He’s never going to want some broken, fucked-up kid like you.”
His words cut deep, but I’ve heard worse. I push everything to the back of my head because I want to choose peace instead.
Without responding, I walk towards the trees, away from those sparring. I don’t want anyone overhearing the conversation and getting the wrong idea, but to my surprise, Sam is hot on my tail.
I snarl under my breath when I sense him right there, making my skin crawl. My body turns towards Sam, and I glare at him. “What is your problem with me?”
He blinks and then smirks. “I’ve got a problem with the fact that you don’t know your place. Do you not remember that Jaxon had to take you in because of Ava? You’re taking up space when Jaxon has enough to think about.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. It’s not the first time I’ve heard people not being happy with me joining their pack, but it was years ago.
Why is he so caught up on this now?
I furrow my brows at him until something sparks in my brain. My mouth falls open, and I choke out a breath. “Sam, are you jealous?”
Sam’s eyes darken. “Of you?”
“Because you like Caleb,” I murmur. “Because you don’t want anyone else looking at him. You only see me looking because you are, too…right?”
He steps towards me, but I don’t back away. It makes sense as to why he’s so caught up on it.
“You want him, you want?—”
I don’t have time to finish my sentence before Sam launches himself at me. My spine hits the ground with a loud thud, and I hiss out in pain as Sam draws back his fist.
“Shut the fuck up,” he bellows.
His fist lands directly on my nose, and I feel the sensation of blood trickling over my lips and cheeks. The tang of metal coats my taste buds, leaving my head spinning.
“No one fucking wants you here. You’re a stupid boy with nowhere to go. You want the sympathy vote from everyone. Well, you’re not going to get it from me. I see through you. You’re nothing. You’ll always be nothing,” he snarls.
Fire tears through my body like bullets over and over. I grit my teeth so hard it makes my head pound, but I don’t try to suppress it. I take it with both hands and fight back.
My hands wrap around his shoulders, and I hurl him off me. I’m using all my strength, every last drop of determination. I’m not going to let him or anyone walk over me anymore.
I’m sick to death of it. I don’t want to be like this.
A strained shriek leaves Sam’s mouth as he smacks into the ground. I stand over him as I repeatedly kick him in the ribs. It’s a low blow for someone already down, but I’m not in control of my body anymore. Years of fury have taken over.
“You talk to me as if I’m below you,” I hiss. “But you’re nothing but a bully who tears down others to make themselves feel better.”
