Sloan's POV
Carter was sleeping soundly on the bed, and I was grateful. I didn't want him to see just how angry and full of rage that currently was dripping out of me.
I was pacing back and forth and Loren was doing the same. We could still smell them in the house. They hadn't left and I don't think they will until they get what they want.
My Carter.
Over my dead fucking body. The moment our bond snapped into place I could feel him. I could feel his feelings it was overwhelming. So much sadness, fear, and anxiety. It angered me like never before. Loren told me that he was talking with Theo and was doing everything he could to soothe him as well. Both our mates hurting and in pain.
I debated locking us away in here until they left. No longer trusting that I could keep my temper at bay. But if I don't go down there, I know they'd stay. And right now, I need to put my personal feelings aside and focus on Carter and what he needs. His saying that all he wants is for us to be happy, and to continue the life we have created almost made me burst into tears.
I was trying so desperately not to scream and yell 'I love you' because it wasn't the time. But I do. I love him so much. So much it hurts and it's aching to be let out in any way possible.
I took a deep breath and looked at my sleeping mate. I buried him under the blankets, but not before changing his clothes and putting his sweats on. I knew what I needed to do. I needed to go and speak with them. Let them know that any conversations will only be had when I am present. I will be doing all the talking, and now that we have our mindlink he won't have to sign to tell me what he wants to say.
I'll be the only one communicating with him. And the only one to hear his beautiful voice for however long he sees fit.
'Loren, let's try to keep a level head while we are down there.' I knew I would be able to control myself, but Loren...Loren could take over me if he wanted to.
'I will try. Only for Theodore.' He growled and slightly bared his teeth.
I walked to Carter gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead and turned to walk out of the room. I made sure the door was closed to walk a different way than when he came up so they couldn't figure out what room he was in. Not that I'd let them get that far.
Once downstairs, Crispin and Dieter were in the living room. Looking worried as ever, leaning into each other for support. I wanted to spit at them.
'Now who needs a levelhead.' Loren teased but I ignored him.
Sean and Addi had appeared and were sitting as far away as possible from their parents, and poor Turner was nowhere to be found. I wondered if he was off telling Byn and James about what was happening.
I decided against sitting. I stood firmly in the doorway so that no one could leave without passing me. And I would make sure that they didn't want to. I crossed my arms and I squinted my eyes as they all noticed my presence.
Addi and Sean's faces held nothing but apologies, I wonder if that was real.
"Tell Carter we didn't say anything! I don't know how they found out." Addi blurted out. She looked almost afraid of me. Good.
"We wouldn't do that. Not after what we talked about today." Sean mumbled lowly and we made eye contact. I know when my best friend is lying...and as I look at him now I see nothing but the truth.
"Why are you here?" I turned back to Dieter and Crispin, both looked surprised that I held such a hostile tone towards them.
"We're here for Carter. To take him back home." Crispin spoke and I scoffed at him. Addi seemed to wince slightly at his words but they didn't notice.
"Over my dead body." I could feel Loren push to the front, just to let his presence known.
"I understand you are protective of him, and it was kind of you to follow him and take care of him. You are a good friend but Car--" I growled so low that it shook the house, and it reverberated off the walls. Crispin's eyes went wide and I noticed Dieter go on defense.
"You need to understand that Carter is not my friend. He is mine. Do you understand now?"
I'd never let anyone minimize the way I feel for Carter. Sure, friendship was something we had but he isn't and will never be my friend. He is the love of my life.
"You're mates? I'm sorry I didn't realize--"
"Of course you wouldn't. That would require you to pay attention to your son." I knew if my pops were here, he would tell me that I needed to be respectful. But fuck being respectful.
"You have no idea what you're talking about kid." Dieter sighed but his eyes were still firm on me.
"We know. We know about the bullshit curse." To my surprise, it was Sean who spoke up. He stayed firm staring at the ground. Crispin and Dieter turned to look at him and from the looks of it, they were surprised he found out.
"Who told you that?" Crispin asked, his voice low. It almost seemed that he was ashamed.
"It doesn't matter. You didn't. And now we all know. So I don't blame Carter for not wanting to come home, or him deciding not to talk to you." Addi said, tears falling down her face. Sean only took his eyes off the ground to look at her. He gave her a reassuring pat, but his eyes moved back to the carpeted floor.
"There are a lot of things you don't understand. Okay? Look, Carter has to come home, he has to run the pack." Crispin had said that last part to me and I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
"Carter isn't doing shit. Matter of fact he already said he is giving up his title." I'm sure my eyes were glowing at this point.
"This isn't a matter that concerns you. We will speak to our son about this." Crispin said even more firmly. Attempting to use his stupid alpha tone on me. But that shit never worked with my fathers.
"Do you not hear yourself? You just can't control it can you?" Sean scoffed and finally took his eyes off the ground. His eyes are hard as he faces his parents. "I don't know how I didn't see it before, but fucking hell. Carter was right. You're assholes."
"Watch how you speak to my mate, Sean," Dieter growled but Sean just bared his teeth back at him.
"Watch how your mate speaks to my brother." Both were on their feet, it was intense to watch. It was strange seeing the change in Sean. Seeing him stand up for his brother in this way, I only wish that he was down here to--
Addi made a soft gasp which caught everyone's attention. All eyes were on something behind me. I knew it was him, I didn't need to turn around and see it. I heard him step closer and soon he was right beside me. Their faces were stone cold as he looked at the people in front of him.
'How much did you hear?' I asked through the mind link.
'The last five minutes.'
"Carter! I'm so--" I watched as Crispin's face lit up but only for a moment and it was strange. I thought he was going to say that he was glad to see him but the words got caught in his mouth. "Umm...we should leave soon. The pack needs their alphas." Crispin grimaced, and his face contorted in pain as the words left his mouth.
Loren was itching to jump out and beat him to a pulp. He was purposefully ignoring me and what I had told him.
"No." That was all I said. Carter's not leaving my side. Ever.
"Sloan, don't make me call your father. This is a family matter, stay out of it." That only confirmed some thoughts that I have had these past few days. My fathers knew about it. They probably didn't know the extent like Rena but that still doesn't excuse it.
"What the fuck is he going to do? I'm here, he's there." I clenched my fist and I felt my breathing quicken. "No one is leaving. Not, Sean, not Addi, and especially not Carter. None of them will be leading that pack or will have to be subjected to that fucking curse. I will not repeat myself."
Both Sean and Addi turned to me when I said their names. They may still have unresolved bullshit with Carter, but no way in hell will they go back to that toxic household. I couldn't bear it.
"Do you think we asked for this? Do you think I asked to be a part of this family? That I wanted my life to be plagued with the idea of a curse?" Dieter started, anger written all over his face. But more towards himself and not us. "I didn't get a choice!"
"Yes, you did!" I yelled shutting him up. I was tired of the fucking pity train he was about to go on. He needed to own up to what he did. "Rena and Danielle told us everything. How you choose Crispin. That you are still actively choosing Crispin so he doesn't feel bad. What? Aren't you supposed to be a big bad alpha? You can't even handle your jealousy for your son to experience a relationship with his father? But it all makes sense now, you must have confused your 'fatherly' instinct with your 'brotherly' one."
Silence.
For a moment I felt like I had said too much. But Carter put his hand firmly on my pack and rubbed. It was then I knew I was okay. And he was thankful for what I had done.
"What kind of father gets jealous? Who would choose to not be a father to make someone feel better because of their insecurities?"
"It was the curse! All of it. I couldn't control it, no matter how hard I tried." Crispin broke down crying, leaning into his hands and Dieter stood silent. Crispin seemed like the most affected in this, but Dieter? He has no excuse.
"You are so focused on Carter, that you haven't realized that your curse isn't just for him, but your other kids as well. Dieter you choose to be this way, you both need to own up to it." Carter gripped me tightly, my fists slowly unclenching and that burning rage on the inside of me calmed me down.
Silence fell over us again, and I had no idea what to make of it. There was a heaviness surrounding us all at this information. I knew nothing would be fixed in one conversation. Who knows if anything could be fixed at all? There were too many things, too many years of hurt that couldn't be fixed.
"I made a bad call. Looking back I realize that." Dieter sighed and he stood. He leaned over and grabbed Crispin, tears still free-flowing down his face. "I made the wrong choice. At the time I thought-- but it doesn't matter now." He cleared his throat and for what seemed like the first time in a long time, he looked at Carter. The mask fell and I saw hurt, pain, suffering.
This whole situation was fucked up.
"We should go. I'm sorry for...everything. I know that doesn't mean anything but I am. Whenever you're ready to talk we will be here." I grabbed Carter and moved us out of the way so that Crispin and Dieter could walk through. Heads low, shame dripping from them.
"We should go to," Addi said but she looked reluctant. "My mate--and all our things."
'Are you going to be okay?' Carter signed, and I repeated it for them.
"Yeah, don't worry. I don't want to lead that bad. I thought I did, but seeing what it's done to us...it's not worth it." Sean shrugged and stood to his feet.
"What are you going to do then?" I asked, worried for my friend.
"Take my things, leave the pack. Might take my chances in the human world." We all made a face at that. "Not for a long time, just to clear my head. Process."
Carter nodded in understanding and seconds later they were gone. Leaving Carter and I to process all that has happened. Which was a lot. A lot has happened.
"What do we do now?"
'I think it might be time for us to go home.'
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DUN DUN DUN
Heavy chapter guys, so much that still needs to be said and talked about. Also don't you LOVE that they can mindlink now?
Also, Sean standing up to him?? 10/10! I told you Sean was going to have a redemption arc! And just you wait, it gets better.