Chapter 31 Evan
EVAN
It’s been a while since we last trained with Caleb’s pack. Usually, it would be something to complain about, but today? Yeah, I’m enjoying watching Caleb out of the corner of my eye as he sweats from every crevice of his body.
All tattoos on display and those pierced nipples. Every inch of him is crafted by angels, I’m sure of it.
There’s something that swells in my chest when I watch him as he spars with one of our pack members. He’s daunting and relentless, most people’s worst nightmare. I wouldn’t last two seconds in a fight with him.
But since we’ve had intimate, quiet moments together, I know he’s not just this hard exterior that he portrays himself to be. I get it; he’s an Alpha. He has a standard of respect he needs to live up to.
Although I have to admit, it gives me a sick thrill to know I get to see another side of him. One that most of these people probably would keel over and die if they saw it with their own eyes.
He might be big and lethal, but he’s also soft and thoughtful.
And it’s all for me.
Okay, maybe I’ve hit my head one too many times and plunged headfirst into the matebond, but it’s impossible to deny when I see integrity in his eyes.
Caleb takes a step back after he sends his opponent to the ground. He’s breathing heavily, chest rising and falling as his skin glitters with sweat that somehow makes him look even more muscly.
A few people around him clap at his impressive efforts, but I can’t take my eyes off him. Then he glances across us before his gaze lands on mine, and we’re drawn together like magnets.
He’s not smiling, not even acknowledging his own abilities, but when he sees me, there’s a light that brightens in his eyes. It’s something no one else would probably notice, yet it’s instantly recognisable to me.
Do you know how hard it is to focus when all I can smell is your arousal? Caleb’s voice is deep and rough.
My face burns with embarrassment. Goddess, can everyone smell it, too?
Fuck my life.
His laughter floats through my head. Pleased to know watching me fight turns you on.
It’s not my fault you look good doing it, I shoot back with forced confidence.
His mouth twitches. Don’t worry, pups, I’ll give you a private show.
You’d destroy me.
Yeah, with pleasure.
I shudder right down to my toes at the thought, and I have to glance away before I start squealing like a fool.
“You really have no shame, do you?”
A voice from beside me has me jumping out of my skin. I clench my fists together when Sam steps into view.
“What?” I murmur.
He releases a long, dry laugh that makes my shoulders tense. “You wanna drool a little harder over their Alpha? Have some respect.”
I swallow at his words and tell myself not to bite.
We’re keeping it a secret for a reason, and I’d never do that to Caleb, especially when he’s not ready for his father to know. It’s for our safety, and as frustrating as it may seem, I’m enjoying the privacy rather than having everyone sticking their nose in.
“He’s a leader.” Sam leans forward so I can feel his breath against my ear. “And you’re nothing but a weak Omega.”
My nose wrinkles in disgust at the way it feels against my skin.
“Dream on, Evan.” He chuckles venomously. “He’s never going to want some broken, fucked-up kid like you.”
His words cut deep, but I’ve heard worse. I push everything to the back of my head because I want to choose peace instead.
Without responding, I walk towards the trees, away from those sparring. I don’t want anyone overhearing the conversation and getting the wrong idea, but to my surprise, Sam is hot on my tail.
I snarl under my breath when I sense him right there, making my skin crawl. My body turns towards Sam, and I glare at him. “What is your problem with me?”
He blinks and then smirks. “I’ve got a problem with the fact that you don’t know your place. Do you not remember that Jaxon had to take you in because of Ava? You’re taking up space when Jaxon has enough to think about.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. It’s not the first time I’ve heard people not being happy with me joining their pack, but it was years ago.
Why is he so caught up on this now?
I furrow my brows at him until something sparks in my brain. My mouth falls open, and I choke out a breath. “Sam, are you jealous?”
Sam’s eyes darken. “Of you?”
“Because you like Caleb,” I murmur. “Because you don’t want anyone else looking at him. You only see me looking because you are, too…right?”
He steps towards me, but I don’t back away. It makes sense as to why he’s so caught up on it.
“You want him, you want—”
I don’t have time to finish my sentence before Sam launches himself at me. My spine hits the ground with a loud thud, and I hiss out in pain as Sam draws back his fist.
“Shut the fuck up,” he bellows.
His fist lands directly on my nose, and I feel the sensation of blood trickling over my lips and cheeks. The tang of metal coats my taste buds, leaving my head spinning.
“No one fucking wants you here. You’re a stupid boy with nowhere to go. You want the sympathy vote from everyone. Well, you’re not going to get it from me. I see through you. You’re nothing. You’ll always be nothing,” he snarls.
Fire tears through my body like bullets over and over. I grit my teeth so hard it makes my head pound, but I don’t try to suppress it. I take it with both hands and fight back.
My hands wrap around his shoulders, and I hurl him off me. I’m using all my strength, every last drop of determination. I’m not going to let him or anyone walk over me anymore.
I’m sick to death of it. I don’t want to be like this.
A strained shriek leaves Sam’s mouth as he smacks into the ground. I stand over him as I repeatedly kick him in the ribs. It’s a low blow for someone already down, but I’m not in control of my body anymore. Years of fury have taken over.
“You talk to me as if I’m below you,” I hiss. “But you’re nothing but a bully who tears down others to make themselves feel better.”
Sam twists towards me, eyes wide. “You are below me.”
I lean down to grip his hair with my hands before I slam his head into the ground. “You think you know me?” I shout, my throat screaming back at me. “You don’t know anything about me.”
His expression turns dark as he shoves me backwards until my head collides with the ground once more. I groan as he lands his fist into my ribs, and I attempt to shove him off.
We sprawl on the ground like a couple of teenagers getting in trouble at school; it’s messy and uncalculated. I’d tear his head from his body if I could, but that’s not practical.
“Boys, boys, boys!” Kayden’s voice echoes viciously from behind us.
We’re ripped from each other, Jaxon’s arms are wrapped around me, and Kayden’s around Sam.
“What the hell is going on?” Jaxon shouts, making my ears ring.
Sam has blood dripping from his ear. “Evan started it.”
My nostrils flare. Kayden glances at me and raises a brow. He knows better. I wouldn’t start a fight unless there was good reason.
Jaxon releases my arms when he realises I’m not going to lunge for him again. He’s not even worth it. Why did I give in?
Suddenly, Caleb steps into view with his arms folded over his chest. His green eyes lock onto mine, but his expression remains blank. He can’t show true emotions, but I can feel them instead.
Nausea creeps through me, and I know it’s from his concern.
You okay, pups? he asks through our mindlink.
I raise my hand to wipe at the blood that’s dripping over my lips. I’ll live.
“Did you start this, Evan?” Jaxon asks, snapping me out of Caleb’s trance.
My eyes flick up to my Alpha, and I sigh. “You think I’d start this?”
“I don’t know what to think, but I hope you know better.”
“And I do.” I nod, my back throbbing in protest as I stretch. “Sam started it. He’s been taunting me, and I just want to be left alone.”
Jaxon curses under his breath and swipes a hand over his jaw. Sam’s mouth falls open. I don’t care if I’ve snitched; I’m not letting him get away with this. He deserves what’s coming to him.
I watch as Jaxon steps towards Sam, who is trying to convince him that I’m the one in the wrong, but Jaxon doesn’t look impressed.
“You wanna fight to draw blood? Go do it in your spare fucking time,” Jaxon shouts. “I don’t want you bringing that nonsense here. It’s not about you, Sam. Get over yourself.”
Sam looks like he’s about to bite back, but holds his tongue at the last minute.
“Go to my office,” Jaxon grumbles.
“But I—”
“Did I fucking ask you to speak?” he bellows. “Go. Don’t make me tell you again.”
Sam’s nose turns up at Jaxon as he stalks off, muttering things under his breath.
I attempt to calm the waves of anger as I realise the situation has been diffused.
It’s not fun getting your face smashed in, but after enduring it for years, it doesn’t faze me anymore.
Sure, it hurts, but I’ve taught myself to become numb to it.
“Evan, go get checked out at the infirmary.” Jaxon beckons his head to the pack house.
“I’m okay.”
He stares at me with his darkening blue eyes. “Do not question me right now.”
I nod in response. My eyes lower as I turn my back on everyone’s gazes, and head towards the pack house. I’m throbbing all over, but I choose to ignore it as the pack doctors rush around me like I’ve lost both my legs.
I say nothing as they clean me up. I perch on the bed, feeling heavy and exhausted with life because I’m in here again, like it’s my second home.