The back of Cael’s neck turned hot. He needed to shift. There was too much fury contained in his human body.
“Do you know what that did to me?”
“Yes! I know what that did to you,” she cried. “Did I ever, even one time look away during that forum? No. I watched your face, every feature. I saw the heartbreak. The betrayal. And I wished, wished, with everything in me that you would see I was lying. That you would just move on, knowing in your heart that I didn’t mean those awful things I said.”
Silence stretched between them like a thick sludge. Despite the avalanche of emotions piling on top of them, no words came. Just the breathing of lungs and the rapid beating of hearts and enough pain to fill an ocean. Would they ever be able to get this right?
“Please,” she whispered. “Say something.”
Cael shook his head. “I can’t think. I…” He glanced at the door. “I need to run.”
“Don’t go.”
“I need to think, and I can’t do that when I’m near you. Just… I’ll stay close.”
He was out the door before she could argue, the night air hitting him like a much needed punch. He and his wolf had some reckoning to do.
Chapter Seven
Besh hung her head, letting the tears fall where they may. She was so damn tired of crying. It was all she’d done for the past twenty-four hours. And even though Cael had taken her explanation badly, it felt good to get it all off her chest. Every minute she was away from Jax, another weight was lifted. Having everything out in the open was the biggest relief.
She dried her tears on the sleeve of her sweatshirt. He’d be back soon, and maybe they could talk more. Maybe he’d hear what she was really saying. Didn’t he understand that her choices were done for love? He’d have done the same to save her.
Besh busied herself by picking up the place. She put the peanut butter away and washed the spoon. She straightened the bedroom, returning the hiking boots to the closet. Then she returned to the living room to wait for Cael.
The fire was hypnotizing but it was her only source of company. She added another log before curling on the couch with a blanket. She closed her eyes for only a second, but it was enough to throw her into a nightmare.
Vesh cried from the corner while mother screamed. She threw a shoe at him, but missed. She made sure the second one made contact before turning her attention back to Besh.
“You’re disgusting,” she spat. “You have no reason to turn your nose up to him. You’re not better than him. He’s an elder and a good paying customer, you lazy excuse for a whore! You’ll do this, or I’ll make sure the whole pack knows what you are. Do you think any boy will desire you after the entire camp knows you fuck people for money?”
“You make me!” Besh cried, her chest burning with rage and humiliation. She tried not to look at her brother. She didn’t want to see how scared he was.
The back of mother’s hand smacked Besh’s face, sending her sprawling and her cheek bursting with a shot of pain.
Vesh’s small growl filled the room as he lunged at mother, but she grabbed him by the neck, forcing him to the ground. “Maybe he’d rather have you,” mother snarled. “Shall we see?”
“No,” Besh argued. “I’ll go. I’ll do it.” Vesh was still so young. She’d do anything to spare him this hell.
An evil grin spread mother’s face until she looked like a demon clown. “Too late, darling. Your brother will take your place. I’m sure our customer won’t mind. He might even prefer it. It’s time for Vesh to earn his way.”
Vesh shook his head. “No. No, mother, please.”
She faltered, seeming to reconsider. “Your sister then? It’s your choice. Time for you to be a man and make a decision.”
Vesh swallowed, glancing at Besh. She shook her head and mouthed, “I’ve got this.”
His face grew hard before he looked away to stare at the soil covered ground. “Me. I’ll go.”
“No, Vesh!”
Mother laughed. “Oh, this is fucking priceless. The little shit, trying to save the whore. Fine, then. Come.” She dragged him by the arm out of the room.
“No! No, no, no. Mother, noooooo!”
Besh woke on a mute gasp, her throat sore from screaming. She struggled against the hands that gripped her face until her eyes landed on Cael’s.
“Shh. It’s okay, you’re okay. Nothing can hurt you now.”
She drew in a breath, trying to stem her panic. It was a dream. A nightmare. But it was also a memory. She squeezed her eyes closed, breathing deep, but her heart still raced like the grim reaper was after it.