Page 45 of Break The Ice

Callan lifts his coffee to his mouth, and I find myself captivated by the movement. He’s wearing a plain white t-shirt and black track pants, which I decide promptly are a crime against the planet. He’s not wearing shoes.

He looks perfectly normal.

And mouthwatering.

I could see a life where I woke up happy to be in the presence of an alpha who walks barefooted into his kitchen, coffee in hand, his hair deliciously messy.

Every morning getting older together. Serene and happy just to exist.

I turn towards the fridge, trying to dispel the images of a future that I can’t have. Why torture myself? I should go back to bed and see if I can wake up without all these feelings.

“Did you find out what was with the boxes?” I throw out to distract myself.

“Yeah, they were empty. It was strange, but the kids down the street often play with Kit, so there’s a good chance it was them.”

Callan puts his cup down and turns to the bench behind him. When he turns back, he has another mug in hand, and he holds it out to me.

I move closer to him, but that only emphasizes how small this kitchen is. How narrow. I take the cup, and he walks past me. We don’t touch, but I’m enveloped in a cloud of parchment and tea.

I sway towards him, inhaling that scent for as long as I can.

“Breakfast?”

“Sure.” I hesitate, but I have to do it. “About last night-”

“No, you were right.”

I snap my mouth shut with a click. I’m right? “No, I was rude, and it was absolutely not my business. I should not have done that.”

“I don’t know how you do it,” Callan murmurs.

“Do what?” I turn my cup anxiously, trying to see his face, but he’s turned away from me.

“You’re so brave and you seem to know what’s the right thing to do, even if it upsets people.”

I’m confused. His shoulders tense and stay that way.

“Why would I care what other people think?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“I can’t control their thoughts, and, at the end of the day, the only people’s opinions who matter are-”

I slam my mouth closed, unwilling to say the rest.

“Who matters?” Callan asks. “Who are the people you hold dear? The ones that keep your behaviour in check?”

I lick my lips.You. I’ve never met anyone I cared enough to check my behaviour with until I met you.But I don’t say that, I can’t, because this is too fast, and I don’t get attached like this. I have rules. Keep people at arm’s length because I’m leaving. I’ll always be leaving.

But it’s too soon to have these soft, warm feelings for this pack. Ugh, what is wrong with me?

I take my coffee and raise it in his direction. He’s facing me now, that kind look in his eyes and a soft smile on his lips. “Excellent coffee.”

“Fine, keep your secrets.”

I smirk at the frustration in his tone.

“Thank you for last night and for trying to go to the coach. I’m glad Raider didn’t let you. None of us want you to be in trouble.”

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