Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Adam helps himself to my half-eaten bag of chips. I glare at the side of his head.
“I can handle it from here,” I say. “You can leave.”
“Love the confidence, but I’ve been given strict orders to stick with you until Knox returns.”
I don’t understand why Caleb ordered Adam to babysit me. He clearly doesn’t like Adam, and I don’t, either. I’m willing to admit my neighbor has been helpful here and there, but he’s a nuisance. He’s a dirty fucking liar, too.
“Did you see Caleb and me have sex?”
“No. Gross.”
He shoves another handful of chips into his mouth. I turn away, disgusted at the sight. Adam has no manners, and I feel bad for the mate he ends up with. She’s in for a rude awakening when she realizes her mate is an intrusive slob.
Adam drops onto the couch beside me. I scoot away, my irritation rising as he picks up my book. He flicks through the pages, then picks up one I haven’t gotten to. If he notices the half-naked man on the cover, he doesn’t acknowledge it. He reads the back cover, his lips pursed.
“When do most shifters find their mates?” I ask.
Adam spares me a glance. “In their teens, but almost always by early adulthood. I’m particularly unlucky.”
That’s one way of putting it. Adam is in his late twenties, and that’s a long time to be alone. How long will he wait for his mate? Will he eventually give up and pair up with an unmated woman?
“Are you lonely?” I ask.
“Yes.” He grabs another one of my books, his lips twitching as he reads the back cover. “I hope my mate doesn’t take this much of an interest in porn.”
I scoff. “It’s romance.” A brief pause, then, “And there’s nothing wrong with enjoying it.”
I snatch the book out of his hand and move the others out of his reach. I don’t care for his unsolicited opinion.
We sit in silence until Caleb steps through my front door. About damned time.
Adam finally takes his leave, slamming my apartment door shut behind him. A second later, I hear the muffled slam of his own door shutting.
“He insulted my books,” I say.
Caleb kicks off his shoes. “Do I need to beat him up for you?”
“That would be nice.”
There’s a bang on the wall. I resist the urge to throw a book at it in retaliation. Adam is a child. An overgrown, dirty child.
Caleb pushes the sleeves of his sweater up his forearms as he walks into my apartment.
His mark remains unchanged, the color still a deep red.
How long will it take to begin lightening?
Days? Weeks? Months? What if it takes years?
I suppose it doesn’t matter too much as long as it doesn’t keep darkening.
“I hate when your apartment smells of other men,” Caleb admits. He pushes my window open, letting the cold air in. “I’m going to sleep here tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll stop by the hospital for a check-up and for you to give Greg your resignation.”
“I don’t need check-ups anymore.”
Caleb raises a brow. “Humor me.”
“Okay.”
Things fall silent. What now?
“You didn’t orgasm earlier,” Caleb finally says.
“Was I supposed to?”
“Not really.” Caleb steps behind me. His breath hits the back of my neck, and I can’t suppress my shiver as he slides his hands down my arms. “But I don’t want to leave you hanging.”
“Are—” I pause, clearing my throat as Caleb’s mouth meets my shoulder. He sucks on the skin, no doubt leaving a mark. “Do you think this is a good idea? After everything…maybe we should wait.”
Caleb spins me around.
I press my hand against his chest, stopping him. “Not right now.”
He immediately backs away. “Okay.”
More silence.
I look around, smacking my tongue against the back of my teeth. Caleb clears his throat no fewer than fifteen times.
“Do you want to talk to me about your experience with HPAW?” Caleb finally asks. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you before. I understand they didn’t treat you well, and if there’s anything you’d like to share, I’m here to listen.”
I shrug. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”
It’s the truth. I don’t want to dwell on my experience with HPAW. I want to move forward, and I don’t feel I can if I’m constantly revisiting my time in the facility. It sucked. I was abused. That’s all the attention I’m willing to give it, at least right now.
“I’m sorry I tried to kill you.” I gesture toward Caleb’s neck. “I feel terrible about it.”
Caleb hums, brushing his fingers over the faint scar. “You aren’t the first person to try to kill me, and I doubt you’ll be the last. It comes with the alpha title.”
The silence resumes. Should I try to bring up a mundane conversation, maybe some small talk? I’ve never been very good at either.
“I’d like to stay close to the office over these next few days,” Caleb says.
“In case you’re wondering why I had Adam bring you here instead of to our home.
” Our home. “There’s a meeting of the alphas tomorrow afternoon.
They just arrived, and they’re staying nearby.
I was welcoming them into the pack earlier.
That’s where I went and why Adam brought you to the apartment. ”
“You’re meeting about HPAW, I assume?”
Caleb nods. “Yes.” He pauses, blows out a breath, then continues. “I’d like you to come tomorrow. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right. No more secrets.”
Caleb rolls on top of me. I groan, burying my face in his armpit. He smells like home.
There’s a faint vibrating on my left. Caleb’s phone. Who is calling him this early? Caleb lets out a muffled curse as he reaches for it. I’m expecting him to ignore the call, but he rolls off me and brings the device to his ear once he sees who’s calling.
“What?” Caleb’s voice is thick with sleep. I shiver.
A feminine voice comes through the line. I recognize it immediately. Sash. I haven’t seen her since she hit me, and I’m in no hurry to encounter her again. My ears still ring from the force of her slap, and I’m not entirely certain she won’t kill me the next time she sees me.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Caleb grumbles. He throws an arm over his eyes. “I wasn’t at the bonfire last night.”
Sash is yelling. I can’t make out the words, but they sure aren’t happy.
Caleb hums. “Did she try to kill me? I’d almost forgotten about having my fucking throat slit open, Sasha. I appreciate the reminder.”
More yelling.
“Look.” Caleb sits up, interrupting whatever Sash is saying. “I appreciate your concern, I really do, but you’re overstepping. My relationship with Evelyn is my business, and it’s not up for discussion. If you don’t have anything of value to say, then this conversation is over.”
I chew on my bottom lip. Sash was never anything but kind and welcoming toward me before all of this. She accepted me into her pack and family with open arms, and I can’t really fault her for being protective of Caleb. Their parents are dead. They’re the only family they have left.
Caleb hangs up his phone and tosses it aside.
We lie beside one another in silence. It’s tense. I’m the first to break it.
“What now?” I ask.
“With you or with HPAW?”
“Both.”
Caleb throws his head back, dragging his hands down his pinched face.
“With us, I don’t honestly know. My mark is no longer darkening, and yours has decided to resurrect itself.
It’s convenient timing. The pack will accept you back into the fold with time.
It’s already begun, and your healing mark only further proves your honesty. ”
I’m relieved to hear that.
“We still have a lot to work through, obviously,” Caleb continues. “But my focus has to be on HPAW right now.”
Caleb turns his head, watching my reaction. I’m not offended. Our bond isn’t going anywhere, and it’s not the priority right now. We’ll have time to work on it once things have stabilized.
“I understand,” I say.
Caleb nods, letting out a relieved sigh.
“And with HPAW?” I pry.
“Plans will be cemented tonight.” Caleb clears his throat. “The alphas from almost every pack will be in attendance. Many of them have aggressive ideas. I’ve been dismissing them for years, but after the recent attacks…”
Caleb trails off.
I brush my thumb over his forehead, smoothing out the skin. “You don’t need to explain yourself to me. I trust you.”
“Humans will die.”
“HPAW brought it upon itself.”
Caleb stares into my eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You’re not fragile. I appreciate that about you.”
Maybe, had my life shaped out differently, I would have been.
Perhaps the thought of war and death would have filled me with horror.
I’ve been lied to too much for that. HPAW wasn’t kind to me, and I have no compassion for them.
They made their bed, and I’m more than comfortable making them lie in it.
I trust Caleb not to mindlessly target humans.
The shifters have proven that’s not who they are. They’re good people.
I touch Caleb’s chest, then slide my fingers up the column of his neck, enjoying the way his pulse beats against me. His throat bobs as he gulps, and I circle his Adam’s apple before continuing upward. His stubble tickles my fingertips. He’s due for a shave.
I cup his cheek, leaning in for a kiss. Caleb meets me halfway, his lips soft as they press against mine. It’s a short kiss, but it says everything we aren’t in a position to verbally share.
Caleb’s brown eyes flutter open as I back away. He looks tired. Merely discussing HPAW is exhausting, and I can’t imagine how stressful these past weeks have been for Caleb. It’s no wonder Adam was so determined to force us together.
I’d thank him if he weren’t such an annoying asshole.
“I hate to rush you, but we have a busy day today…” Caleb admits.
I snort, shoving down the covers and sliding out of bed. What a nice way of telling me it’s time to get my lazy ass out of bed. I’m mindful not to dillydally as I dress, and I step out of my bedroom in a better mood than I’ve been in since my attempted murder.
Caleb is in the kitchen, tapping on his phone with one hand and cooking with the other. The sight of him cooking for me stops me in my tracks, and I draw in a trembling breath as a wave of emotion rushes through me.
“Evelyn.” Caleb frowns, his eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. I’m just feeling very happy today.”
Caleb hums, clearly not believing me, as he sets out two plates and dishes out a simple breakfast of eggs, toast, and beans. It’s not his most elaborate dish, but I love it all the same.
“Do you think your sister will ever forgive me?” I ask.
Caleb shrugs. “Beats me. I’ve never asked her to befriend somebody who tried killing me.
” He meets my gaze, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
I relax as I realize he’s only teasing. “She’ll forgive you.
She saw the aftermath of everything, and it scared her.
There was a lot of blood, and I was nowhere to be found.
She thought I was dead. She just needs a little more time. ”
I suppose I can’t fault her for that.
Doctor Greg hardly looks surprised to see Caleb and me enter the hospital together. He meets us in the lobby.
“Does this mark the end of your employment?” he guesses.
I nod. “Unfortunately.”
“We’d also like a check-up,” Caleb butts in. “Her ribs and her head, primarily.”
I touch the spot on my forehead. I forgot I ever cut it. It’s so minor, it’s not even a thought in my mind. It definitely doesn’t need to be examined.
Doctor Greg shakes his head. “No more check-ups. Evelyn is fine.”
He’s gone before Caleb has the chance to argue, disappearing into the back with a shake of his head. I could kiss that man. When Caleb shifts, clearly preparing to follow the doctor into the back, I grab his arm and yank him back.
“Please stop fretting over me,” I beg. “I’m fine.”
Caleb grumbles.
“I’ll let you know if I’m ever in pain,” I continue. “Besides, don’t you need to prepare for your meeting with the alphas?”
That’s the right thing to say. Caleb stops glaring at the door through which Doctor Greg disappeared. I worry he’ll find some excuse to bring me back sooner rather than later, but I’ll deal with that when the time comes.
Hopefully, it’s after we meet the other alphas. I’ve heard a lot about them, and I can’t say I’m not nervous. What will they be like? Are they like Caleb? I suppose I’m going to find out.