repeatedly. For his part, Aries doesn’t seem to mind. Or if he does, he doesn’t show it.
Ever since Cam came to the pack, Aries has had a soft spot for him. I’m not sure if it’s because of Cam’s brother missing, that his parents are gone, or if Aries just saw something in him and needed to help. Whatever it is, I see the two of them more like father and son than alpha and someone under him.
“Sorry,” I tell him. I am. I know better.
When I’m around Cam it’s like nothing else exists. I didn’t think to come to Aries before we went on patrol. That he’d want to know what we saw and that was stupid. Of course he would. There was someone on our property who shouldn’t have been there. Worse, who knows how long Caiden was there before making his presence known? I felt something off and so did Zion, yet we saw nothing until Caiden wanted us to.
“I wasn’t thinking,” Cam added.
Aries leans forward and puts his elbows on his knees. “If he shows up again, I need to know. This changes things.”
Something Caiden said stuck with me. “Why did he say, and let’s hope I’m quoting him accurately, ‘This is the last time I’m going to tell you, stop doing what you’re doing. You won’t win.’? Did he mean the pack? Me? The ones on patrol?”
Aries holds Cam’s gaze. “I’m not sure. Maybe he was referring to the pack.”
I snap my fingers to get Aries’ attention. I’m not someone who’s assertive, but there’s something he’s not telling me. Aries’ gaze moves to mine. “I want to know.”
“There’s nothing to tell. Caiden could have meant a lot of things.”
I quickly stand and dissipate the bubble of magic around us. “I know you look at me like I’m a child. But I’m not and I’m sick of being treated that way. You two are keeping something from me. I get it. There are probably a billion secrets within the pack, but this feels like more. So much more. Whatever, though. Keep it to yourselves. Don’t involve me in your stuff going forward. I hate being kept in the dark. I hate feeling like I don’t belong. You must have forgotten I’ve lived my life that way for far too long and am tired of it.”
I turn on my heel and walk out of the cabin. I quickly let the shift take over and let my wolf rule for a while.
My head is a mess. I hate when people keep things from me. I hate the lies of omission. It’s plain as day they aren’t telling me everything. If nothing else, I’m a male of my word. I won’t go diving into their heads to find out what they aren’t saying. Although, I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit there and watch while they have some secret conversation with their eyes.
I thought Cam was opening up to me. That something had shifted between us. It was foolish of me. I know better and yet I fell into the trap with him in this place of comfort and understanding.
To think I almost came out to him before we fell asleep. That would have been epically stupid. I don’t have many secrets. I was going to trust Camden with my most intimate one. Well, maybe not the most. That would be how I’ve had a crush on him since day one. I’m not ready to reveal that now, if ever.
The rest of the patrol goes by peacefully. Not one incident to report. And Cam never appears. I shouldn’t be surprised. The male does what he wants.
Back in the pack house, I sag against my closed bedroom door. I’m tired. Wrung out. I want a shower, a meal, and sleep. I let my glamour fall away, revealing my fae skin and pointed ears. The effort it takes to hide my true appearance is minimal at best. After so long of doing it every day, it’s a habit I’m not sure I want to break.
“Whit?” Cam’s voice floats to me.
My eyes fly open to find Cam sitting on the edge of my bed in the dark. So much for my fantastic paranormal abilities. I should have sensed him the moment I entered the room.
Pushing off the door, I decide to keep my true self showing. If Cam doesn’t like it, screw him. I go to my dresser and begin pulling out clothes to get changed in to. I could use