And Kade? He wanted none of it. His chest still burned from May's words. More than that, his pride felt bruised, his heart ripped open and left bleeding. He didn't feel like mingling or pretending joy when inside he was unraveling.
When the last table was set, Kade excused himself and made the long walk home. He didn't linger in the living room.
In his room, he stripped and stepped into the shower, letting the water scald his skin until his thoughts blurred. He braced his palms against the tiled wall, steam clouding around him. She deserves better than this mess. Better than me. His wolf disagreed, growling that May was theirs, and only theirs. The war inside him never ceased.
When he emerged, he dressed in black dress pants, a crisp white shirt that strained slightly across his broad chest. He didn't bother with a tie.
