Carter's POV
I was asleep for most of the drive, too overcome with emotion to stay awake or even sign. But Sloan didn't care. Not one bit. Instead, he picked me up carried me to the car, and buckled me in. He held my hand as he drove and he let me deal with my emotions all on my own. But still made it evident and known that he was right next to me the entire time.
I loved him for it.
Sloan had called Uncle James and told him about our situation and Uncle James and Byn immediately welcomed us. They told us to get here as soon as we could and that there would be a room ready for us. Turner was more than happy to hear that I was coming. I could hear him practically bouncing off the walls on the phone.
We just pulled up to the house and Sloan gave my hand a comforting squeeze before he got out. Uncle James and Uncle Byn were standing outside waiting to greet us. They looked toward the car, worry etched all over their faces.
The front door to the glamorous house flew open and I knew it was Turner. He ran to the car with a giant smile on his face. The kid was seventeen but his arms were covered in tattoos. I guess that's to be expected when your dad is a tattoo artist. He ran up to the passenger door and pulled the door open and I could feel my bad mood slowly slip away. How could I be upset around Turner? Trick question, I can't.
"Carter!" He yelled as he wrapped his arms around me. Moreso threw his body on mine and I sat there and let him. After he finally got his fill of physical touch he pulled away, his hair sitting sloppily on his head. And that's when I noticed he was still in his pajamas.
"Why are you still in the car? Come on!" He leaned over and unbuckled my seatbelt for me and I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Turner doesn't know shit about personal space. "Oh wait. Look." He took a step back and he pulled his face together like he was focused on something very serious. Then he did something I didn't expect.
'I am so happy to see you, Carter.' He signed, even though it wasn't perfect, it warmed my heart. I sat there smiling at him in awe of what he had just done. My heartwarming at the action.
"Sloan told dads that you were mute. At first, I was confused, and a little upset because that meant we couldn't talk anymore. But then they said you learned sign language so I've been teaching myself for the past two hours." He let out a deep breath once he finally slowed himself down. One thing about Turner was that he was a talker. The biggest.
I smiled at Turner and patted his arm. Hoping that he would get the emotion I was trying to convey to him. Gratitude.
I got out of the car and all eyes were on me. Something I was used to now. Sloan walked forward and put his hand out for me to grab which I did immediately and I gave Uncle James and Byn a smile.
"Turner, agarrar sus maletas." Uncle Byn said to Turner and he nodded and did just that. "Mi amor." He said to me and walked forward and wrapped his arms around me. Being here felt like home. They felt like home. "Come inside. It's too cold." Uncle Byn said and as I walked in Uncle James came to my side and rubbed my back comfortingly.
We walked in the house and I was hit with memories from when I was a kid and would visit them. When Uncle James and Byn would take me on trips to get me away from my dads. Looking back, they must have known what was happening but were too scared to say anything. I don't blame them.
Turner carried our bags to the opposite side of the house, the side that they barely go to, and showed us our room. Which was practically a suite. It was bigger than my room back at the house, and the bed had more than enough space for Sloan and me.
"Here you are, the nicest room in the house," Turner said as he set out suitcases down.
'Why aren't you at school?' I signed once I remembered what day it was and the time.
"He asked you why aren't you in school," Sloan repeated for me casually as he moved about the room and began to empty our suitcases.
"Oh! Right. Well, I was going to go but then when I heard you guys were coming I decided to stay home. There was no way I was going to be able to sit in class knowing my brother was home." Tatty and I sighed happily at the word 'brother'. Turner was nothing but light and happiness. Always has been. And yeah...the kid was my brother.
"Anyways, I'm going to do some homework. But will you join us for dinner? We can make pizza and watch cars like we used to?" Turner looked at me with those big puppy eyes and I nodded at him. How in the hell could I say no to the kid? Once he was out of the room, Sloan closed the door and turned to me. His face held nothing but curiosity.
"That kid loves you." He said and I rolled my eyes at his teasing.
'He's a ball of energy.' I signed as he walked towards me. Setting his hands on my hips pulling me into his chest.
"We should talk. When you're ready." I looked into his hazel eyes, finding comfort in them. And much, much more. I just nodded and leaned further into him. He pulled away grabbed me by the hand and led me to the bed where we both collapsed. We stayed wrapped up in each other's arms, finding our solace in each other.
'Hey, kid. You doing okay?' Tatty spoke and there was worry evident in his voice.
'I'm as good as I can be. Having Sloan helps a lot.' Tatty just hummed in response. Something was wrong. 'Are you okay?'
I waited for what seemed like forever to get a response from him. Tatty was always the strong one out of the two of us. But that didn't mean he didn't have his moments of weakness.
'I think I need to talk to Loren. Whenever is fine. But I--I need my mate.'
Tatty rarely asked for things. Especially when it came to Loren. He barely talked about him. But whatever was going on, it was something that I couldn't fix. But if the only way I could help is by letting him have time with Loren, then I'll do that. Easily.
'Okay, I'll tell Sloan.'
'No rush or anything I don't want to worry y--'
'Tatty, shut up. I said, I'll tell Sloan. If you need your mate, you need him. You know I'd do anything for you.'
I poked Sloan's stomach to see if he was awake and he just made a deep groan and mumbled a quick hmm. But his eyes still wouldn't open, and I needed him to see what I had to say. So I pinched his nose.
"Carter? I thought we were taking a nap?" He said with a yawn and finally, his eyes opened, and looked at me.
'Tatty needs to talk with Loren. Right now.' I signed and that seemed to wake him up. His eyes went wide and then dull, indicating he was talking to Loren and then he was back.
"Loren is ready. Let's give these animals what they want."
*****
Tatty's POV
Carter worked fast at pushing me to the front, letting Loren and Sloan know what I said. It felt strange asking for Loren, given we still had things to work on but there was a lot I was feeling and I needed to tell him. And this...I couldn't tell him about this. He was still in a fragile mental place, still trying to grow and change and I didn't want to add more pressure to him.
I knew Loren was fronting by the way he began to rub my back, in a soothing and possessive way. I had yet to meet his eyes, nervous to find something I wasn't ready to admit to myself yet.
"Theodore, what troubles you?" His deep voice rumbled in his chest. Vibrating my face in the most comforting way. I sighed in contentment. Just being here in his arms made all my worries fade.
'Is Sloan blocked?' I asked, making sure this information was between us. I had Carter blocked as well, but I knew he didn't mind it. He just worried for me, almost as much as I worried for him.
"Of course, my love." His opposite hand went to my chin and slowly lifted my head for me to look at him. His usual, hazel eyes now shined bright gold. He rubbed his thumb softly beneath my lower lip, his eyes tracing the movement. "Does this have to deal with William and Carlisle?"
I could feel my eyes begin to water and a jerky nod was my only answer. I hated that I was crying. I was supposed to be the strong one out of us two but I wasn't. I was nowhere near strong enough for this. But I couldn't let Carter know that. He relied on me too much, and if he found out I was just as affected he'd feel guilty for using me as a shield. But it's my job as his lycan. To protect him. So I welcome the nasty words and pain, but that doesn't mean I still don't hurt.
'They tried to contact me. To talk to me.' I signed slowly and I saw anger rise in his eyes, but he stayed quiet. I waited to speak until I was done. 'They were pestering me. Asking me a million questions about where I was. It was the most they've ever spoken to me.'
And as the words left my mouth, I felt tears run down my face. Loren moved his hand to wipe my tears away, but with every wipe more followed. I shouldn't feel hurt at this. But I do. I try not to compare the two things, Carter's relationship with his dads and mine. But at least he spoke to him on occasion, granted it was never good. I was constantly met with silence.
"What would you like me to do?" Loren asked, rubbing his thumb gently across my face. Looking at me with such intensity and...love. "You'd know I'd do anything...for you."
And I did. Which was the scary part. He'd do anything for me. Sloan would do anything for Carter. I've never been loved in such a way before. Felt so needed in this way before. Never felt so fucking important. So much so if I told Loren to kill someone for me...he would. Without blinking an eye. That shouldn't make me as happy as it does.
'I know you would, tiger.' I sighed, leaning into him more. Drowning myself in his scent. I knew at some point we'd have to go back but as time goes on I miss my tiger more and more. 'Is their bond strong enough?' The question was simple, the meaning behind it was heavy.
Carter and Sloan's relationship has been progressing greatly but until it reached a point of it being unbreakable, I wouldn't be able to talk to Loren through the bond. Only when the bond reaches a point where it is deemed unbreakable will we be able to talk?
"Not yet, my love. But I believe it's getting closer. A few days perhaps."
Fresh tears fell on my face at his words. I hated this. I hated not being able to be around him and feel connected to him 24/7. Sometimes I was jealous at the fact that Carter was able to experience everything firsthand, and I lived life through his eyes. But he didn't know I felt this way. How could he? I never told him these things for fear of what it might do to him.
Carter feels a lot. He's an empath, whether he realizes it or not. He can feel other people's emotions too. And with everything else going on in his life, I'd rather not add to the stress. But now as time goes on...and the bond between Loren and I grows. I selfishly want more.
"I know, it's not enough for me either. I wish we could have more time together." I wrapped my arms around him and buried myself in his neck, taking a deep breath.
"Why don't I speak with Sloan? See if he and Carter can give up one day a month just for us." The idea was beautiful, and I wanted nothing more than for it to be true. For it to be real. But I had fears...why? I don't know.
"Do not worry, my love. You know Carter loves you, and if he knew what you desired, do you think he wouldn't give it to you?" Somehow Loren knew exactly what to say, and he was right. I know Carter loves me. And I know our relationship is beautiful and strong. "Look at me."
I did as told, lifting my head to see him and see nothing but goodness in his eyes. I couldn't help as my eyes landed on his lips. The urge to kiss him for me was so strong.
"You no longer have to take care of everything. I will take of this and anything else in the future. You've carried everything for so long...let me carry you." His words were music to my ears as he leaned forward and gently pressed our lips together. A smooth burning erupted in my face as he moved his lips against me.
Everything I've known about Loren was put into this kiss. His soft, yet dominant nature. His smooth sensuality. It licked parts of my body that he hadn't even touched yet. And he wasn't going to. Not yet. Not until he was able to have me all to himself for hours and hours. This I was sure of.
He slowly pulled away, leaving my lips tingling with the need to feel his again.
"I will see you again soon. That is a promise."
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Okay, so a bit of a different vibe for Tatty and Loren. Tatty is strong but my baby has feelings too! Plus the relationship between Loren and Tatty is a bit different than what I've done only because the relationship they have with Carter and Sloan is so strong.
Because of their strong bond, it leaks into other areas. Like them needing more than the average wolf mating. It also doesn't help that they are a tiger/lycan pairing and the feelings they have are much stronger.
Also Turner?? What a cutie pie! He's so sweet I swear. Oh and let me say...Turner is also important and will be a recurring person in future stories.
But of course, as always let me know what you think.