The Alpha's Choice

Part 5 in which Cade sleeps in his shoes

"I'm sorry about that," I mutter as we roll down the dark, empty streets in town.

"Oh, it's not your fault," he shrugs. He's so understanding, that's one of the reasons we stuck together so long, he didn't ask questions.

"James," I start, feeling the tightness in my chest, if I wait any longer it will reach my throat and render me mute, so I keep talking, "this isn't going to make sense and I want you to know it's not your fault and it was never anything you could have done." I start and he looks over at me.

"You're breaking up with me," he says. Was it that obvious? "Abby told me you met someone today," he sighs, "I didn't think it would be so soon."

He looks so sad and it breaks my heart to look at him. "It was actually a long time coming," I lie, making it up on the spot, "I met him online a while ago but I never thought anything of it, until I met him yesterday unexpectedly." That works... Right? Doesn't make me sound crazy?

James nods slowly, facing forward. "I understand," he says with eire calm. "Would you like me to drive you back to your apartment?" I look at him surprised by the offer.

"Uh, yeah. Thanks," I say thankfully. The ride is in silence until he pulls into the driveway.

He finally speaks up. "Can I just get one last thing?" He asks and I turn to him with so much gilt and sympathy.

"Anything," I say sincerely.

"Can I have one last kiss goodnight?" The sadness seems only exaggerated by his blue eyes.

"Of course," I lean forward, he meets me half way, his hand gently placed on my cheek as he kisses me warmly, sweetly, and slowly, like he's trying to catalog every bit in memory. He releases my lips and keeping his eyes closed, rests his forehead against mine.

"Goodnight, Cade," he practically whispers, "I love you."

"Goodnight, James," I reply, matching his volume.

He lets go of my head and sits back in his chair. He doesn't watch me get out of the car, or wait for me to walk into the building before driving away.

"How'd it go?" Tanner looks up at me from the couch.

I close the door behind me and lean on it a moment, taking in what just happened.

"Are you ok?" Tanner asks, suddenly worried. He gets to his feet and walks over, placing a hand on my shoulder he looks me up and down. "You don't look so good, kinda pale. Do you wanna sit down?" He offers waking me to the couch. I still say nothing, letting him lead me. "Cade, you're starting to worry me," he says, trying to look me in my eye, but he just so seems so far away. "Cade!" He takes my face in one of his large hands and turns it to his so I'm forced to look at him. "Say something," he says desperately.

"He didn't even cry," I breath.

Tanner relaxes a little, but is still holding my face. "You told him."

"Not even glossy eyes or stuffy nose," I mutter, "he didn't shed a tear for me."

"He probably will when he gets home, he just didn't want to face you," Tanner rationalizes, but I think he's just saying that.

I shake my head. "Did he even care?" My voice sounds far away, like everything else around me. I feel so isolated, even sitting right next to my mate. He pulls me into his arms, my face presses against his warm chest. His scent reaches me on my island and I don't feel so alone. I wrap my arms around him, pulling his body closer to mine and breath in his scent, his sweet, prefect smell.