come into their powers. Instead of loving them, helping them, they find someone to sell them to. Make a profit off of a being they don’t want anymore because they’re different. Horrible, terrible people do these things.
“Camden,” Whit says softly. It’s just my name. One word. And it has goosebumps breaking out over my arms.
Whit has never shown an interest in me romantically. Never once shown an interest in anyone unless there’s more to him and Caspian. I can’t let my head go there. But my body reacts to Whit. My wolf recognizes something in his. I’m not sure what or why. Maybe I’ll never know. However, I want him here. I want his friendship and kindness.
“Why?” I ask. I have so many questions. So many things I’d like answered but am too afraid to ask.
Why do you hang around me while we’re out on patrol? Why does your wolf react to mine and mine to yours the way they do? How do you always seem to know when I need you? Why haven’t you found someone special to spend your life with yet? Do you think about me like I think about you? Do you feel what I do?
I have to wonder if he’s good at blocking my thoughts out or if he simply doesn’t hear them. Maybe I don’t project them. Maybe I do and he ignores them. There are so many things left unanswered because I’m too scared to voice them.
But he doesn’t answer my question. How can I expect him to when I said one word?
Whit walks around the bed and sits on the opposite side with his back to me. He takes a deep breath and lets it out. I roll toward him and place my hand on his back. Something is bothering him, and I’d be a horrible friend not to acknowledge it.
“Whatever it is, you can tell me,” I say to him. “Or you can just lie here with me and say nothing. Or you can leave. I’m sorry for pressuring you. That was wrong of me.”
He shakes his head. “You didn’t. You’re not. There’s something I want to tell you, but I don’t know if I’m ready.”
“I’m here whenever you are. I won’t repeat anything you say to me. I know I come off like a jerk most of the time, but I would never betray your trust.”
Whit turns to face me. Tears pool in his eyes. It causes my chest to constrict. “Who hurt you?” I ask. I’ll kill whoever it is. Murder them.
“No one,” he laughs and gives me a watery smile. “It’s just a lot some days. I know what you’re going through in a way. We have some things in common.”
“Whit, you don’t have to.”
“I know. But maybe it will feel good to get some of it out. I loved my parents. My dad… there was no one better. When he died, I felt like my world ended, but then Mom was there picking me up. She loved me. I have no doubt about that. However, that love wasn’t enough to fill the gaping hole my dad left in her when he was killed. She suffered every day. Horrible hurt at the loss. I thought she’d eventually be okay. Or maybe it was more like I hoped she would. She never was. Then I lost her, too.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ve ever said that to you.” I feel horrible for not saying it. Seeing what he went through with his mom reminded me so much of what I lost, and instead of being there for him, instead of helping him like Caspian and Titus did, I retreated. Went the other way. It was foolish on my part. I couldn’t face the stark reminder of my own pain.
“You didn’t have to say the words for me to know what you felt, Cam.”
I tense. “You read my mind?” The thought of Whit in there, of him seeing all the things I’ve thought about him. The jealousy. The envy. The desire. He’s said in the past he doesn’t. I can’t help but wonder.
“No, I wouldn’t do that. I don’t like to dive into others’ heads like some paranormals do. It’s not me.” It’s not. I knew better than to say it. “I could see in your eyes how you felt, Camden. I could see the raw pain when you looked at me after it happened. That comes from someone knowing exactly what it feels like to have their world ripped