Jamie sits back, a guilty look on his face. “Just making sure my friend is okay,” he repeats, clearing his throat as he rubs the back of his head.
Then it hits me as I take a deep breath in hopes of helping the throbbing in my temple. The sickeningly sweet scent of well… my scent.
My eyes widen in horror as I stare at the Alpha in my room who looks back at me with guilty eyes.
“It’s okay,” he starts and I’m shaking my head.
“No, no it’s not okay. Nothing about this is okay,” I rasp out, squeezing my eyes shut. My secret is out. He knows I’m not a beta. He knows what I really am.
My eyes snap open. “Please don’t tell anyone. I beg of you.”
With the scent blockers flushed out of my system, my perfume is going off like crazy as my anxiety shoots through the roof.
If he tells Henley and his pack, then my life at Crown Well is over. If it gets back to my father, then it's a worse fate for me. I can’t. I just can’t.
“Hey. Camden, it’s okay,” he says. “I’m not going to tell anyone, okay? I promise. I’m not sure why you… you’re ah, keeping it hidden,” he frowns. “But that's your business. I’m not going to be the one to out you.”
“Really?” I look at him skeptically. “Why not?”
He cocks a brow. “Ouch, that hurts,” he chuckles. “Because I'm your friend. And friends don’t betray one another.”
“But you just met me. You don’t owe me anything.”
“Camden. Just trust me when I say you're my friend, and your secret's safe with me…. And Beckham.”
“Beckham?” I ask in confusion.
He grins. “Mr. Kennedy,” he clarifies.
“Shit.” I whisper hiss. “Was he… did he…”
“Find you?” Jamie asks and I nod. “Yes. He did. He brought you here himself. He wanted to be here when you woke up too, but because he has classes to teach today, he asked me to come sit with you.”
“Why would he ask you?” I wonder. “Because he knows you're my friend?” He’s the only one I’ve got.
Jamie licks his lips, seeming to take some time to think about his next words. “Let’s just say, we’re… close.”
“Close.” I say slowly.
“Yes.” Jamie nods. “Now that's all I’m at liberty to say or I’m going to get my ass handed to me. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you're safe and okay.”
I can feel the cadence of how often he repeats himself, willing me to believe it as well.
“I’m okay.” I whisper more to myself as I let my eyes drift shut.
“Camden, whatever it is, you can talk to me about it, you know. And if you don’t feel comfortable, Mr. Kennedy would be an even better option. Seeing how he’s wiser, older, and has more experience.”
“And hotter.” The words are out before I can think better of it and I slam my lips shut, attention flicking over to Jamie. Is that jealousy I see flashing through his eyes? I wonder just how close these two are.
“Thanks.” Jamie deadpans after a moment. “I thought we were friends.”
A small smile slips onto my lips. “We are.”
“Good. Now. I have no idea how to act in a situation like this. But I want you to know I’m here for you. You are wanted. And if you left this world, I’d be behind bars.”
“Why?” My brows furrow.
“Because I’d be hunting down anyone who made you feel like you had to leave,” he growls.
