Chapter 32 Caleb
CALEB
Jaxon’s face is nearly red when he turns back to face me. “I’m sorry about that,” he says, eyes hardening. “Your pack shouldn’t have to witness that.”
I shake my head. “It happens.”
My fingers itch, and I resist the urge to glance over my shoulder at Evan as he walks towards the infirmary. Blood drips down his pale skin, and those blue eyes look lifeless.
For a few moments, I witnessed the fight, and I realised he still can’t fight for shit. No skill, no technique, no form—it’s all arms and legs with no conviction. But I have to admit, he put up a good fight despite all of that.
He didn’t sit back and take it; he took control. And as for Sam. I’d like five minutes with the kid. Who the fuck does he think he is?
“Can I do something?”
Jaxon looks at me. “No, I don’t want to waste any more of your time on my mess of a pack.”
I shrug. “We’re working on becoming one as a district, right? We can carry on training. It doesn’t have to end because of Sam.”
“Yeah,” he rasps. “You’re right.”
We attempt to pick up the morale and get back to sparring, but my mind doesn’t drift from Evan.
I pray he’s actually gone to the infirmary and not shut himself in his room.
I have no idea what Sam was saying to him, what resulted in the fight, but I’m going to find out and make sure he doesn’t lay a finger on him again.
Or I’ll be the last face he sees.
Jaxon dismisses his pack but encourages my pack to carry on, as they still have lots of unspent energy. I hand over to Felix before heading over to Jaxon’s pack house.
No one bats an eye at my sudden appearance. We’ve been spending a lot of time around each other over the past few months. It wouldn’t be unusual to be at their house.
I follow my instincts down to the infirmary, where I spot Evan sitting on the edge of one of the beds. My chest relaxes, and I let out a soft breath of relief to find him patched up and being looked after.
“How are you holding up?” I call out.
Evan glances at me, and I internally wince at the damage to his face. It churns my stomach, knowing his wolf doesn’t heal like the rest of us, but I know if he works on accepting himself, it might come back.
“So-so,” he sighs.
“What happened?” I ask as I perch on the opposite bed.
There’s nothing I want more than to cuddle him like the possessive mate I’ve suddenly become, but I’m not in the comfort of my own home or privacy. Anyone could walk in, and I’m not risking anything.
“Sam running his mouth as usual.”
I frown and fold my arms over my chest to stop myself from reaching for him. “Does he bother you a lot?”
Evan avoids my eyes. “Sometimes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m easy to bully, I guess. He’s done it since I moved here.”
I’ve changed my mind. I wouldn’t need five minutes with him; I’d need three seconds to knock the fucker out.
“You stood up for yourself,” I comment.
Evan chews on the inside of his cheek. “Only because I’m sick of being walked all over,” he murmurs, sadly. “Still can’t fight, though.”
My eyes roam his sad exterior, and it guts me. “We’ll train together.”
“What?”
When he glances up, confusion is written all over him.
“I said we’ll train together. Did I stutter?”
His brows crease. “Why would you do that? I didn’t actually think you were serious when you said it a few weeks ago.”
“Because I know you want to improve your techniques and skills. It might be worthwhile for you to learn from someone who isn’t Jaxon or Kayden,” I suggest. “And besides, it gives us time to spend together.”
Evan blinks at me in surprise. “But how are we going to get away with that? I’m certain people will start to get suspicious.”
I’ve been ignoring that possibility. I know I can’t keep him a secret forever, but until I’m in a better situation with my father, I’m making sure that he’s off the radar.
One word to Ryker, and it could be game over, and I’m not putting Evan in danger, definitely not at the hands of that monster. I’ll die one hundred times over before I let him rest a hand on my mate.
“Integration,” I state. “We’ve been talking about strengthening us as allies. I could suggest we swap members to bring us closer together. That we have some amateur trainers who are willing to learn.”
Evan listens as I speak, but he doesn’t seem convinced.
“We’ll work it out,” I say eventually. “I promise.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t let Sam’s comments get to you.”
He snorts. “Trust me, I don’t care about his words. I was angry that he thinks he can treat me like that. Nothing he says will hurt me, but now I want to take control of my life again.”
My mouth starts to curl into a proud smile. He once told me that he’s not living, but this sounds like living to me. This sounds like determination and grit. If he had given up by now, I wouldn’t have seen him fight back today.
“You are something,” I murmur as I study him.
“A mess.”
“No,” I say heavily. “You’re strong, resilient, and on your way to healing.”
Evan’s eyes dip, and he avoids my stare. “I can’t accept those words yet.”
“Yet.” I nod. “But you will.”
“Evan.” The doctor pokes her head into the room. “You’re free to go. Just rest up, and you’ll be okay.”
“Thank you.” He forces a fake smile before hopping down from the bed.
I follow him out of the infirmary, towards the hall.
He glances up at me. “Probably should go, don’t want people wondering why we’re standing together.”
My forehead creases at his words. “What does that mean?”
“Oh, come on, Caleb. No one would expect us to be together, and probably would never even imagine someone like you hanging out with someone like me.”
“And you vouch for me now, do you?”
Anger starts to bubble in the pit of my stomach. I despise it when people speak for me, jump to conclusions, and don't give a second thought to the real reasons.
He throws up his hands in defeat. “It’s obvious. You’re an Alpha with a respectful reputation. All I am is a drag-along who would probably be dead without Jaxon and Ava.”
Respectful reputation? Yeah, right. I snort and recover.
“What has that got to do with anything?”
Evan blows out a breath. “We come from totally different walks of life. You can be buddy-buddy with Jaxon, and Kayden because you’re all muscly, strong-willed leaders. But I’m at the bottom of the food chain.”
I stare at him for a long second. “So, because I’m an Alpha and bigger than you, that means we can’t be seen together…even if they think we’re friends?”
“Friends?” He laughs sourly. “No one wants to be friends with me, Caleb. I’m their outcast, and as hard as I try, I’m never going to fit in. I stick out like a sore thumb, even now.”
My jaw grits together. “That’s not true. I want to be your friend.”
Evan’s mouth parts. “You wanna be friends?”
Fuck no, I shout at myself.
“We’ll never be just friends,” I clarify deeply. “But I do want us to be best friends in our relationship. Nothing less.”
He blinks up at me, emotion streaking across his irises unexpectedly.
“And what you said is a lie,” I say sternly. “I know Ava, Kayleigh, and Lucy want to be your friend. Along with those guys you spent time with when you helped out with the integration of my pack. You might not think these people have time for you, but they do.”
He sucks in a sharp breath.
“And you’re not worthless, Evan. People have fought for you, but now, it’s finally time to fight for yourself.”
For a long moment, he’s silent, and then he nods. “You’re right,” he croaks.
“And it might be hard,” I say as I take a step forward. “But I’m going to be there for you every step, okay?”
Evan bites down on his bottom lip. “Okay.”