Chapter 7 #2
The truck ground to a stop in front of the cabin, and I shook my head. “You’ll have to talk to Mack about that.”
“And Carr is still in jail?”
I slammed my hand against the steering wheel. “Damn it, Josh, would you answer the only question I’ve asked?”
Josh was out of the truck before I finished putting it in park.
He stormed up the walkway, then hesitated at the door.
His hand clenched at his side before he brought it to bear against the glass.
Blue light played beneath his palm, and the door swung open.
His relief showed in the barely perceptible slump of his shoulders as he stepped inside.
Did he really think I’d lock him out after everything I’ve done to get him back?
I swallowed against the sudden tightness in my throat. “You should eat. I’ll fix you something.”
“I’m going to take a shower.” He didn’t even spare me a glance before marching deeper into the house.
I closed the front door and made to follow him. Too late, I realized he wasn’t headed for the master bedroom and en suite. The door of the guest bathroom slammed shut. I tried the handle only to find it locked.
“Josh.” I jiggled the handle. “Let me in. We both know I can break this. Josh.”
The spray of water from the showerhead filled the adjoining room, the sound ricocheting off the porcelain tub. A moment later, a thud vibrated through the floor as if something heavy had hit the basin.
I jimmied the handle again and met the same resistance.
Despite my threat, we both knew that no matter how much I wanted to, I wouldn’t break down the door.
If Josh didn’t want my presence, I wouldn’t force it on him.
I rested my forehead against the cool door.
I was still standing there, uncertain of what to do, when another sound reached my ears.
Loud as the water was, it wasn’t enough to fully drown Josh’s heaving sobs. The muffled sound tore at my insides. I sagged helplessly against the door.
How could I have fucked up so badly?
Josh
I’d never been more drained in my life. Between the numerous changes, the run, and the emotional roller coaster I couldn’t seem to get off of, I didn’t have an ounce of energy to spare.
I was also ravenous, despite having eaten half a deer.
A point driven home when I finally emerged from the shower to find a plate piled high with food.
The enticing aroma of rosemary beef made my mouth water and my heart ache.
It was Elijah’s specialty and took hours to prepare, which meant he’d had it ready ahead of time.
I struggled with uncertainty, doubt clawing at my mind like a rabid squirrel.
Was it possible that Elijah genuinely cared?
On a level, I knew he did—that he had to—the bond was unshakable in that aspect.
Then why didn’t he say anything? He’s had time, plenty of opportunities before and after I turned.
His silence on the matter spoke louder than words ever would.
I walked past the plate without touching it and straight into the guest room, which I promptly locked.
A quick glance revealed the bed stripped bare and no visible signs of habitation beyond the comforter folded neatly on top.
I shoved the used towel into the crevice beneath the door as tight as it would go, then slid onto the mattress and wrapped myself up.
The overstuffed comforter did nothing to alleviate the chill in my heart.
It took another few minutes before Elijah’s determined tread approached the door. The handle jumped and rattled, but remained in place. I burrowed deeper into the sole blanket and resolved to ignore it. A sudden, hard smack against the door made it vibrate in its casing.
“Damn it, Josh. You have to eat.”
My heart sank impossibly lower. He hadn’t even asked to be let in. “I can feed myself.”
“Obviously not.”
A growl slipped free at his patronizing tone. “I’m not your responsibility.”
“Josh, please. I can explain.” His shift was palpable even through the padded door. Except it was too late for explanations. He’d had his chance.
“Atlas, play playlist Delta. Full volume. Require manual override.” Angry music instantly blasted through the house, the metal squeal of guitar rivaling that of a banshee.
“Son of a badger,” Elijah cursed and immediately left to resolve the issue before the neighbors filed a noise complaint.
It wasn’t until I was positive he was gone that I finally let go of the anger propping me up.
Sorrow and heartache rushed to fill the void.
Thanks to the bond, I now knew without a doubt that Elijah loved me.
I also knew that he didn’t want to. He’d made his resentment of the bond clear from the moment he discovered it.
That, plus his words in the woods, only solidified what I’d always known but had hoped wouldn’t be true.
Elijah would never want me the way I wanted him.
I fought in vain against a fresh tide of body-wracking sobs.
Snot mixed with salty tears in a wretched mess I was powerless to stop.
Not even advanced healing seemed capable of keeping up with the pain tearing through my sides with each desperate heave of air.
What I thought was heartbreak as a human fell woefully short of the agony claiming my body now.
My mate didn’t want me. He never had. I wrapped myself tighter in the blanket, seeking warmth it could never provide.