Runaway Rogue

Chapter Eighteen: Caspian's POV

Indigo was off when Caspian returned. He was exhausted from wrangling his warriors and guards, adjusting schedules to make sure there was enough coverage. There was a delicate balance between having enough men to do the rounds and make it look like they had a small army at their disposal. Yes, Alpha Andrew claimed it was a friendly visit, but wars with wolves were often started over nothing. He could come in, see how weak they were, and attack them full force within a week.

The men and women who would be on shift that day had a hundred questions and that was another fine line, giving them enough information to keep them aware, but not so much that it frightened them. Wolves were egoists who loved to show their fear the same way they showed anger: through aggression. They couldn't afford to have someone puffing up their chest and mouthing off right now.

Forest had finally released Caspian after what felt like years though it had only been hours when his own mate smoothed his hair and told him she wanted to go for a walk.

Caspian thought that he would melt into a pitiful puddle of Indigo ever did that, but he couldn't deny that he was excited to be released. Even if it was just to sit on opposite sides of the couch with her.

One day, he told himself, she would crawl into his lap and pepper him with kisses. One day, she would wrap her arms around him and he would soften into her hold. It just took time and some patience.

They had made great strides already. And he was learning about her. In tiny fragments, really, little clues that she left like a trail of crumbs, but he was grateful for them. Even when they hurt. Even when he wanted to tear the world apart because of them.

He did his best to greet her like normal, though it felt impossible to keep his gaze off her neck. Some fucker had done that to her. And now he assumed that she hadn't wanted it at all.

Thankfully, she didn't notice his heavy stare as she had one of her own, attention turned out the window entirely.

"How was your day?" he asked carefully. He was trying to gage her, but even his wolf was unable to label the feelings whirling through her.

"It was fine," she said, unable to look at him.

He could manage this. This was nothing. This was a blip, he was certain. "I found this recipe I wanted to try making with you, if you're up for it," he said. "It's a pasta with shrimp and parm—"

"I'm not really in the mood to cook...or even eat," she said with a grimace. At least, when she finally did look at him, there seemed to be genuine disappointment in her face. "Sorry, Cas."

He would have melted at the little pet name if he hadn't felt anxiety creeping up his throat. "Indigo," he said softly, reaching his arms out to her. She stubbornly stood out of reach. "We don't have to cook or anything. Are you okay? Did something happen?"

"No, I said it was fine." She forced a smile this time, so sharp it was almost frightening.

Had she always been such a terrible liar or was he just getting better at sensing? He couldn't be sure, but he didn't buy her words one bit. "Indie," he prompted gently.

"I don't know," she sighed, turning her shoulders away from him as she returned to gazing out the window. "Maybe I'm just getting stir crazy or maybe this place doesn't feel like home."

Caspian could be grateful for her honesty and still a little hurt by her words. He knew his home wasn't something exquisite, there was no marble to be found, no indoor swimming pool, no enchanted library with a spiral staircase, but he thought it was a home. And he kind of hoped that it would feel like hers too.

But, this wasn't about him. "Okay, what would make you feel at home?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe having my own clothes or something."