Chapter 29 He led me to the dining table, where breakfast waited. I caught sight of our joined hands and panic spiked through me. I yanked my hand back, avoiding his eyes. 'I can manage, I mumbled, settling into the chair across from him. He didn't comment on my withdrawal, just took his own seat. That's when I noticed the plate of blueberry scones. My favorite blueberry scones. "Go ahead, he said, noticing my stare. "Eat." "I'm not hungry." My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly. Traitor. My face burned with embarrassment. Caelan's mouth twitched upward. "Eat," he repeated, gentler this time. I took a bite of the scone, expecting hotel catering quality. Instead, familiar flavors exploded on my tongue - buttery, sweet, with just the right amount of tartness from the berries. "This tastes exactly like I stopped mid-sentence, staring at him. "Did you buy these from Sunrise Bakery?" "Yes." "But Sunrise Bakery is thirty minutes away. How did you-" "I drove there this morning because I know you like their scones." His answer was matter-of-fact, like it was perfectly normal to drive an hour round trip for pastries. "How did you know I like these?" His smile turned mysterious. "Because I've been here before. Because of you." The scone turned to dust in my mouth. "Been here before? When?" "First year. Second year. This year. He leaned back in his chair, studying my face. "Every year since you left." My blood stopped flowing. My thoughts scattered like leaves in a hurricane. "You've been… watching me?" "Not watching. Visiting. He corrected gently. 'Making sure you were safe. Happy." This cant be real. The evidence was everywhere now that I knew to look for it. The lived in clothes. The personal items. The way he'd known exactly where to find my favorite bakery. My heart hammered against my ribs. When I thought I was alone, he was watching over me. 1/3 Chapter 29 The wright of that realization crashed over me I stood abruptly, needing space, needing air The coffee table caught my hip as I tried to sidestep it. Hot coffee splashed across the surface and onto my hand. "Shit! Carlan moved faster than should have been possible. His hands captured mine before I could pull away, examining the reddened skin. "Let me see." The contact sent electricity racing up my arm. I could feel his pulse through his palms, steady and strong. When he lifted my hand to his mouth and blew gently across the burn, I forgot how to breathe. His attention was completely focused on my injury, but all I could focus on was the ring on his finger. A black band shaped like a serpent, eating its own tail. I'd seen him wear it for years, but never really noticed it before. "It's nothing, I managed. Just a little hot." "Hmm. He didn't release my hand immediately. Instead, his thumb traced across my knuckles in a soothing pattern. The simple touch was more intimate than any kiss I'd shared with Darrell. This is dangerous. "I should probably find another place to stay," I said, finally pulling my hand free. "Your room is flooded. Hotel's booked solid." "There are other hotels." "Not decent ones." He crossed his arms. "Besides, this suite has two bedrooms. I'll take the guest room. You can have the master." He held up his hand before I could protest. I give you my word - complete gentleman. You'll be perfectly safe." Safe from him, maybe. But what about from myself? I weighed my options. Gabriel's surgery was tomorrow. I needed to be rested and focused, not dealing with the questionable accommodations Moonridge's cheaper motels offered. "Fine." I kept my voice cool. "But just for tonight. After Gabriel's surgery, I'm going back to my pack." Carlan's expression flickered with something I couldn't read, 'Of course. That's why I'm here. To take you home." An awkward silence settled between us. I fiddled with my coffee mug, avoiding his gaze. "Oh Caelan's voice drew my attention back to him. "About your mother's necklace…" My head snapped up. "What about it?" "I contacted a jewelry restoration specialist. She works exclusively with antique pieces." Hope fluttered in my chest before I could squash it. "And?" "When we get back to Blackwood, I'll make an appointment with her. His expression softened. She specializes in heirloom repairs. Emotional significance pieces." 'Really? The word escaped before I could stop it. It can actually be fixed?" 2/3 7:17 pm; Chapter 29 Caelan nodded. "I sent her the photo you sent me before and she said there's a ninety percent chance of complete restoration." For a moment, my carefully constructed walls cracked. Mom's necklace could be whole again. The last piece of our time together, restored. I looked away quickly, blinking back the sudden moisture in my eyes. "Thank you." "You don't need to thank me for everything, Sabi." There he goes again with that gentle tone. I stood abruptly. "I need to go to the hospital. Work stuff." "Something urgent?" "Tomorrow is Gabriel - my patient's surgery. And I have prep work today." I moved toward the door. "Chart reviews, pre-op consultations. Making sure he's mentally ready." "Can I come with you?" I stopped mid-stride. "What? Why?" Caelan's expression shifted into something that could only be described as… pitiful. His shoulders drooped slightly, and he gazed at me with wide, innocent eyes. "I'll be bored here all alone." I blinked. "You`re the Lycan King. You're the Lycan King. Don't you have thirteen packs to rule and world peace to maintain? I thought you'd be buried under royal paperwork until the next century."." "I'm in a strange city where I don't know anyone." He sank deeper into his chair, the picture of abandonment. "What if I get lost? What if bad people try to take advantage of me?" "Are you serious right now?" "I've never been alone in an unfamiliar place before. His voice took on a theatrical tremor. "What if someone tries to rob me? I might not be able to defend myself." I stared at him - all six-foot-four, muscle-bound, powerful Alpha of him - claiming he couldn't handle Moonridge's mean streets. "You're joking."