Cara’s POV
When we arrived back at my house, I knew it was only a matter of time before Alaric started talking me out of my desire to stay in the competition. His protective instincts were fierce, even though he clearly had been trying to fight them lately. I knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back at least suggesting my quitting, to keep me safe.
We made it all the way to the kitchen, where I poured us each a glass of wine before he finally cracked.
“I want to respect you and support you,” he said, and sounded like he was building up to something.
“Then don’t ask me to quit,” I said.
He closed his mouth a moment, and his jaw clenched. His eyes were tight, and he gripped the edge of the kitchen island so tightly I thought he might snap off the corner of it.
Maybe repressing his instinc
