Somehow, I still can’t believe it’s over. But then again, we never really started.
“You’re participating in the Hunt?”
His voice is soft. It’s like he’s scared that if he said it any louder, it would be that much more real.
My eyes water. “I can’t keep doing this, Caleb. I can’t stay here. It’s too hard,” I say, holding back the tears. “I can’t be nothing to you when I could leave and finally be someone to myself. I have a real chance at happiness. I could have a pack, a family, a—”
Caleb steps closer to me. “Don’t say it.” His voice exerts his dominance, but I can read his fear.
I know this will hurt him, but it needs to be said. Because not saying it is what’s got us in this mess.
“Mate.”
“Don’t do this,” he says.
“Then give me a reason to stay.”
“I can’t,” he breathes.
Silence passes. The air thickens. Giving him a soft smile, I place a hand on his cheek and kiss the other. “Goodbye, Caleb.”
I walk toward King Dax and refuse to look back.
Chapter FIFTY-FOUR
Jay
Upon arrival, King Dax is greeted by a tall, teenage boy with short brunette hair and a strong build.
“You cut your hair,” the king says as he pulls the boy into a noogie.
When the king releases him, they bounce with their fists up, pretending to punch each other.
The boy laughs. “Yeah, I had Taya cut it for me. My girl prefers guys with short hair.”
“It looks good. Hey, where’s your mother?”
“She’s coming.”
“Okay. How about you go and wash up?”
The boy jogs away toward the castle.
“Is that your son?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“And Alaina is . . . ?”
“His mother.”
“So . . . how old is he?”
“He just turned seventeen.”
I try to do the calculations in my head. The math ain’t mathing.
“I thought Evan was a baby?”
