Chapter Fifty-Two
Caleb
Every instinct I have was telling me to comfort Jay, to claim her. Her presence made it hard for me to think. And if I can’t think, I can’t lead.
How can someone be both my strength and my weakness? How can one person hold so much power and be responsible for my very breath?
I can’t fight it anymore—I have to make sure Jay’s okay. I wanted to comfort her at the event, but the moment I’d have her in my arms, I wouldn’t be able to let go. She’s stronger than me in that way.
When she turned her back to me and ran out of the room, my predator instincts activated. I force myself to wait until the announcement is over, but then I give in to them—chasing her like prey.
I don’t want to let her go.
I charge up the three steps and swing myself around the door frame and down the hall, out the door, keeping Jay’s scent locked in.
I follow her scent to Jemma’s doorstep, then bang on the door. “Jay. Jay, please, can we talk?”
Sam opens it, and I’m about to push past him, but Sam holds a hand out, halting me. He steps outside.
“I need to talk to Jay.” I try to sidestep him, but he mirrors my actions, blocking me.
“I can’t let you do that.”
I stare at him.
He sighs. “Dude, you broke her heart. You’ve gotta give her some time. She’ll talk to you when she’s ready.”
I understand his position, but all my wolf gets is that this male is standing between me and my mate. “My mate is hurt. She needs me.”
“She is hurt because of you.”
He doesn’t get it. All of this is because of what she did. “You don’t understand.”
“My mother was killed by a vampire, and you don’t see me ordering mass genocide.”
My gaze drifts to the ground.
“Yeah, that’s right. Jay told me what she did to your father—she’s owned her part. She also told me all that you’ve done to her since. She was able to forgive you,” Sam says.
“I didn’t kill her father.”
“No, but you sure as hell made sure she felt as though she died inside. What she did was a job. It wasn’t personal. She was a soldier. What you did—what you’re doing—is sadistic. Intentional. And if I’m honest, childish. You have to let her go.” Sam goes back inside and closes the door in my face.
Leaving me alone.
Unfortunately, I’m too selfish to give up that easily.
I have to know she’s okay. Then, I’ll let her go.
I run around the side of the house and scale the building leading to Alaina’s old room.