Sloan's POV
'Will you teach me how to cook one day?' Carter signed as he leaned against the kitchen counter.
We woke up about an hour or two ago and lazed around all morning until our stomachs were screaming in protest. Carter and I talked and we decided that Rena and Danielle should come over again, but this time I be with him. So, they are currently on their way as we speak. Carter was again, wearing my clothes, and both of us wearing sweaters as the weather was getting colder.
"You know you don't have to ask, right?" I smirked at him and he rolled his eyes.
Carter stood up and walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. It was hard to wrap my head around this sometimes. That he was so open with me now. That he fully trusted me. I'm forever grateful. But there's this heavy fear that I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Things are so good, but something is going to come and ruin everything for us.
But I of course don't tell him that. I don't want to put that worry on Carter and have him withdraw from me. I'd never want that. So I just push my fears deep down and hope that they are just that. Fears.
'I like hugging you.' Carter signed against my chest, and I felt my cheeks warm up in delight. Loren purred in appreciation and I could feel that very strong feeling begin to erupt in my chest.
"It's because I'm so big isn't it?" I teased him and Carter gently slapped my side and pulled away. Not before I saw the smile that sat happily on his face. Goddess, I love that smile.
'I want to try something.' Carter was looking at me full of determination and I stood watching confused. I had no idea what was going on but I wasn't going to stop and question him.
"S--ss--Sloan." His voice was raspy and thick, seeing as he hadn't used it much. But just my name on his lips was enough to make my heart burst with joy. I had this overwhelming need to grab him and pin him against the wall, but I needed to restrain myself. "Sloan." He said again, but this time much more sure and it held that Carter confidence I was used to.
"What are you doing?" My voice was as low as a whisper. Lust heavy in my throat.
'I'm not scared to say your name.' He signed and a small smile sat across his face. 'When it comes to other words I still can't say them. And talking to anyone other than you is going to take some time. Or might not ever happen who knows? But all I do know is that I'm not scared to say your name.'
I thought I knew what happiness was. I thought I knew what love felt like. I thought I knew what feeling felt like. But fuck, I didn't know shit. Until now. Those words he uttered to me, were so sweet, so genuine, so real. To know that even in his need to protect himself, he still found me as a place where he doesn't need to. Because he knows I will. He knows I'll stand in the gap for him. And now his body knows. His body knows that I am here and will protect him.
There is nothing greater than this.
'I don't know what to say.' I signed to him. I knew if I tried to speak my voice would fail me and my words would get caught. I was overcome with emotion and I hoped as I looked at him, he saw in my eyes just how much I meant it.
'You don't have to say anything. I just want you to know...that you're special to me. That's all.' He looked away shyly as he signed but I found myself pushing off the counter and going toward him.
I grabbed his face in my hands and I smashed my lips to his. Part of me wanted to devour him, but I knew what Carter needed right now was something soft. Was something real that didn't lead to anything else.
I need him to know that I also need him.
I moved my lips against him gently, slowly and steady. Reacquainting myself with the taste of him. The feel of his lips on mine. His hands were gripping my sweater tightly and he let me ravish him. Take control and take the lead. He never fought me or tried to take dominance. He willingly submitted to me in this and it made Loren and myself uncontrollably happy.
There was a knock on the door indicating that Rena and Danielle were there. We slowly pulled away my eyes met Carter's green ones. There was so much I wish to say...one of them being the words that ached deep within my soul for the past years. But I knew right now was not the time to say it. But I hoped as he looked at me, he saw it. He saw just how much I loved him.
Carter gave me a soft smile and he pulled away from me and headed to the door. I went back to finishing the last touches for breakfast when I heard the door open.
"Carter, I'm so sorry." I recognized Rena's voice and I turned and watched as she wrapped her arms around him. Carter just patted her back until she let go.
'It's okay, come on in.' He signed but Rena and Dani looked confused. Still not understand sign language.
"He said you can come in," I spoke from the kitchen and they all gave me a soft smile and walked in. Rena and Dani didn't waste any time as they walked and sat at the table. Carter joined them and I started to bring over all the plates filled with food.
"Thank you for cooking Sloan. This looks great." Rena said as I placed the food in front of them.
"Of course." I decided that while they were here I was going to actively make sure I was speaking and signing at the same time. I didn't want Carter to feel left out because he communicates differently.
"Carter I--I want to apologize again for what happened last night. I didn't mean to upset you even more. You asked and I didn't want to lie to you." Rena's eyes held nothing but sincerity toward my Carter. I wanted to trust that she meant what she said. That she wanted what was best for Carter, but I was weary of them. I am weary of anyone who gets near Carter. He's been hurt too much and I can't stand it any longer.
Carter began to sign happily, with a smile on his face. And I took it upon myself to be his interpreter, finding it very unnecessary to make Carter write just because Rena and Dani didn't understand him yet.
"I know you didn't, and my reaction is not on you. I wanted to know, I wasn't expecting the news to be so big." I said as I sat down and everyone began plating their breakfast.
"So, you two seem to be getting along much better," Rena spoke with a smile on her face and my cheeks started to heat up from blush. I wanted to reach over and hold Carter's hand but I knew that would restrict him and what words he could say.
"Yeah, you could say that," I said with a smirk I noticed Carter go stiff and I had to hold in my laugh.
"That's great! I'm very happy for you guys." Dani chimed in. I could tell she was a woman of few words, just like her brother. It was strange for me to see that, only because the only Mickaya that was anywhere close to being as quiet as Dani, was my brother Ambrose.
And even Ambrose had his moments of him being loud and annoying.
"How long are you planning on staying?" Rena asked. The million-dollar question. I didn't know how to answer that, and neither did Carter by the looks of it. We've been here for a month and a half now, and at some point, I know we have to go back and face reality but at the same time... I liked the bubble we are in. I loved it.
"Carter and I haven't talked about that yet. But I don't think it'll be any time soon." I told them confidently and started eating away at my food. Carter let out a sigh of appreciation and gave me a soft smile.
I watched as Rena gave a nod of understanding and turned to Dani. They were hiding something, or wanting something. I could see it. It caused both of me and Loren to go on alert.
"What is it you have to say?" I said through gritted teeth. They both turned to look at me, surprised that I was able to read them so clearly. Carter looked between the three of us, confusion laced on his face.
'Sloan? What's wrong?' He signed to me under the table but I held firm.
"Maybe you should plan a trip. Go somewhere tonight and stay for the weekend." Dani said keeping her eyes firmly on mine. She was the alpha and she was doing her best to try and make me submit. But I'm a tiger. I submit to no one.
"What did you do?" I didn't like this. Not one bit. Even though I had no idea what was going on.
"We didn't do anything--but--but maybe--" Rena started talking worry etched on her face as she sighed. "Crispin and Dieter are coming to the pack. A surprise check-in, I suppose. Sean and Addi will also be coming."
My heart stopped, and anger began to surge in me. Carter was stiff and I could see his face and energy change completely. Which angered me even more.
"Why do you continually find ways to bring bad news?" I asked as a thick growl sat in the back of my throat. It took everything in me to keep Loren under control but he was itching to get out. To hurt. To kill.
Rena hung her head in shame, hurt flashing through her eyes. Dani bared her fangs at me, but I didn't care. She was a werewolf. There was no way she would beat me in a fight if it came to that. Part of me wish it did.
"We didn't know. Not until right before we came here." Rena's voice was soft, her eyes looking over to Carter who was still unmoving. It was scaring me.
"How much time do we have? Where the fuck are we supposed to go?" My voice was quiet, but I felt nothing but pure white rage.
"We don't know, we just wanted to spend time with Carter--a--and that was selfish of us. We should have told you right when we got here." I didn't want Rena's half--asses apologies. Why was everyone is Carter's life so fucking selfish? Why did no one see just how much they hurt him when they say stupid shit like this?
"Yeah...that is fucking selfish." I gritted through my teeth. "You need to leave." Rena's eyes went wide and she went to look at Carter, completely ignoring me.
"C--Carter?" She asked him, but he was still unmoving.
"You don't get to speak to him. Not anymore. Not until I decide you can. Both of you leave. We have to fucking pack." I hissed and they both stood. It was slow as hell but they finally got to their feet.
They muttered a small 'I'm sorry' to Carter before I kicked them out. Carter still sat unmovingly, he was processing. I needed to let him until he said he needed me. Then I'd be there beside him within an instant. Instead, I walked through the house as fast as I could. I grabbed all our things and began throwing them all in our bags. I made sure to grab Carter's photo album and the picture of his mom. Plus his favorite lightening McQueen, blanket. Once that was done I was back downstairs, cleaning the dishes as fast as I could.
I grabbed the baby pictures of Carter from the walls and tables, and then I grabbed his mom's cookbook and had that join the rest of our things. I didn't know whose car to take. Both of ours were outside. But mine would be less recognizable so I decided to leave mine here and just park it down the street at one of the empty houses.
Once I was done doing that, I came back and grabbed all our things and put them in Carter's truck. Though, Carter was still sitting at the table in shock. I slowly approached him and put my hand on his shoulder. My heart is in pain seeing him so broken by the hands of inconsiderate people.
"Carter, baby..." My voice trailed as he turned to look at me. His eyes bright red, and his cheeks glistened from the tears he had cried.
"Oh, baby...I--I'm so sorry." My voice croaked, and my words seemed to fail me. I had nothing to say. Nothing could bring him comfort.
His family was coming.
There was nothing I could do about it either. And my goddess did that make me feel helpless. He let out a soft whine as he stood and wrapped his arms around my neck. Burying himself into my neck. I wrapped mine around his and held him as close as I could. I wish I could have let us stay there in each other embrace, but I couldn't risk it. Any minute now, his parents...Sean could show up. I needed him away from them.
"Come on baby, we have to go. I think it's time we pay James and Byn a visit."
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UHHH OHHH real life is kicking in...
Don't hate Rena and Danielle guys, they were just being parents and were blinded by love for their son. Anyway, we're really about to hit a point where we have a lot of plot for the next few chapters. Which means a lot of emotion on Carter's end...and maybe redemption for Sean?
Please don't hate him guys because if you do....anyways.
ALSO to clarify some things...Sean and Addi are also affected by Dieter and Crispin's sacrifice just in a different way, which will be explained further in the book. But I don't want you guys to think that it's Carter that has a shitty relationship with his parents.