My eyes roam his sad exterior, and it guts me. “We’ll train together.”
“What?”
When he glances up, confusion is written all over him.
“I said we’ll train together. Did I stutter?”
His brows crease. “Why would you do that? I didn’t actually think you were serious when you said it a few weeks ago.”
“Because I know you want to improve your techniques and skills. It might be worthwhile for you to learn from someone who isn’t Jaxon or Kayden,” I suggest. “And besides, it gives us time to spend together.”
Evan blinks at me in surprise. “But how are we going to get away with that? I’m certain people will start to get suspicious.”
I’ve been ignoring that possibility. I know I can’t keep him a secret forever, but until I’m in a better situation with my father, I’m making sure that he’s off the radar.
One word to Ryker, and it could be game over, and I’m not putting Evan in danger, definitely not at the hands of that monster. I’ll die one hundred times over before I let him rest a hand on my mate.
“Integration,” I state. “We’ve been talking about strengthening us as allies. I could suggest we swap members to bring us closer together. That we have some amateur trainers who are willing to learn.”
Evan listens as I speak, but he doesn’t seem convinced.
“We’ll work it out,” I say eventually. “I promise.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t let Sam’s comments get to you.”
He snorts. “Trust me, I don’t care about his words. I was angry that he thinks he can treat me like that. Nothing he says will hurt me, but now I want to take control of my life again.”
My mouth starts to curl into a proud smile. He once told me that he’s not living, but this sounds like living to me. This sounds like determination and grit. If he had given up by now, I wouldn’t have seen him fight back today.
“You are something,” I murmur as I study him.
“A mess.”
“No,” I say heavily. “You’re strong, resilient, and on your way to healing.”
Evan’s eyes dip, and he avoids my stare. “I can’t accept those words yet.”
“Yet.” I nod. “But you will.”
“Evan.” The doctor pokes her head into the room. “You’re free to go. Just rest up, and you’ll be okay.”
“Thank you.” He forces a fake smile before hopping down from the bed.
I follow him out of the infirmary, towards the hall.
He glances up at me. “Probably should go, don’t want people wondering why we’re standing together.”
My forehead creases at his words. “What does that mean?”
“Oh, come on, Caleb. No one would expect us to be together, and probably would never even imagine someone like you hanging out with someone like me.”
“And you vouch for me now, do you?”
Anger starts to bubble in the pit of my stomach. I despise it when people speak for me, jump to conclusions, and don't give a second thought to the real reasons.
He throws up his hands in defeat. “It’s obvious. You’re an Alpha with a respectful reputation. All I am is a drag-along who would probably be dead without Jaxon and Ava.”
