Page 11 of Soul Fated

I was far enough back from the fire, I hoped no one besides Lana would notice me leaving the fire ring. I pushed up from my chair and walked into the woods. I should've predicted Evelyn's hawk-like attention since she hadn't stopped watching me since I'd arrived.

"Hey, you okay?" She jogged to catch up.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just tired." How many times had I said that? It was losing its punch just like the words 'I can't' had failed me earlier.

Evelyn stopped next to me when we were well into the shadows. It felt safer here. Away from the light and curious glances. The sounds of the campfire and murmuring pack members faded slightly, replaced by the rustling of leaves and chirping frogs. "I didn't mean to interrupt Rowan's speech."

Evelyn shoved her hands in the pocket of her sweatshirt. "He won't care. He's just trying to bring people together. Make them less afraid."

"Are people afraid?"

Evelyn sighed. "How could they not be? After what happened?"

Fair. I hadn't thought much about it. I used to think about people besides myself, didn't I? I wanted to be that girl again, but these days, the pain was all-consuming. I couldn't come up for air.

Evelyn reached out a hand. “I’m sorry?—”

I flinched, wincing and pulling my arm back.

Evelyn frowned. “What the hell was that?”

I dropped my arm to my side, trying to keep my expression even. “Nothing."

"You flinched like I slapped you."

“I have a bruise?—”

“We don’t keep bruises.” Evelyn’s eyes shot to mine. “Show me your arm.”

My heart rate skyrocketed. “I’m wearing my jacket?—”

“Show me your arm, Calli.” Evelyn crossed her arms over her chest. The sound of boots on dry leaves sounded behind us, and we both turned to see Rowan's silhouette in the orange glow of the fire.

He looked between the two of us. “What’s going on?”

Evelyn nodded to my left side. “Callista has something wrong with her arm.”

Rowan’s brow pinched. “From tonight? Let’s take a look.”

I wanted to run. Why was she making such a big deal out of such a tiny motion? I wanted to bolt past them and get in my truck and drive, but I knew that wouldn’t accomplish anything. Rowan could outrun and outdrive me, and if I turned and ran back in the house, I wouldn’t put it past Evelyn to break the door down. She’d gone after her crazy ex, and Nathan Black was a hell of a lot scarier than me.

“It’s not a big deal?—”

“Take off the damn coat!” Evelyn barked.

“Someone hasn’t had their french toast,” I muttered, pulling off my jacket and rolling up my sleeve.

“I wonder whose fault that is.” Evelyn took a step closer as I revealed the bandages. I didn’t wait for her to boss me around a second time, I just started pulling at the gauze.

Chapter

Six

Callista

“Callista—” Evelyn’s words died in her throat as she held my arm toward the firelight and saw the wound.

“What the hell?” Rowan leaned in, his expression turning to stone.

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