(Asher)
I had some explaining to do when I got home that afternoon.
I was about to head to the border for my afternoon routine that day since I was assigned to border patrol. But when I came downstairs, Dale, Carter and Sky were in my living room, and my parents stood apart from the future leaders. Sky appeared guilty given the meek expression he wore and his timid silence which was so unlike him. But I understood why.
Dale was stoic, silent as usual but his eyes said a different story. He was in alpha mode, his eyes demanding an explanation for what happened earlier in the day between Jaxon and me. He wasn't angry though.
Carter, however, was a fuming, flaming ball of anger as he huffed and puffed. No shit, no pun intended. He was acting like the big bad wolf ready to blow my little house down.
My parents already knew what was happening given how calm they appeared about the situation given that the three prominent future leaders were standing in our living room, two or whom whose aura radiated dominance and authority.
"Explain." Dale said, crossing his arms over his chest. And I couldn't help but notice that Dale got ten times more attractive when he went into alpha mode and got all dominant.
Carter puffed and growled causing me to roll my eyes.
"Isn't it obvious by now?" I asked, stating the obvious that the question was irrelevant. They knew my history with Jaxon wasn't as terrible as Sky and Jace's, but it hadn't been all that pretty until recently. And then, the kiss...
Wasn't the first, but it was certainly a lot more enjoyable the second time around. I wasn't sure how I felt about Jaxon as more than a friend. Granted, the mating bond destined us to be together, but right now, I'm not sure if that was best. I won't deny though, that the kiss meant something. If it didn't I would have pulled away.
It wasn't like the first time either, where it was just my attraction to him and curiosity that got the better of me. There was some feeling involved. One that was familiar, but I didn't want to dwell too much on it just yet.
I had to know what Jaxon was thinking. We hadn't gotten that far yesterday when we were interrupted by the bell ending lunch. And since we had no classes together for the rest of the day, I was hoping to catch him before we went our separate ways. But, Jaxon was taking forever to get to the damn students' parking lot, and I was running late for border patrol.
So, I resorted to sending him a message telling him that I wanted to talk about that kiss. He had yet to respond.
Carter growled, storming forward as he seized me by the front of my shirt. The moment he did, my father was on his feet. "Carter, step away. You need to calm down." my father said, earning him a snarl.
Carter didn't unhand me as he turned to glare at my father. "Watch your tone. I'm your future beta." Carter snarled, but my father's expression remained neutral for a moment longer before he lifted an amused eyebrow.
"Exactly. I don't answer to you, yet. Unhand my son or do I have call your father about your behaviour?" my father retorted. It was a rhetorical question meant to frighten Carter. The moment my father mentioned Chad, Carter's father and current beta of Marcana, the future beta immediately let go of me and retreated at least five steps. His gaze was glued to the carpeted floor of the living room, almost as if ashamed.
Carter has a rather strong wolf. One so strong that if he went all out and let his wolf instincts take control, he'd be strong enough to challenge Dale and even win. But gaining control over his ridiculously strong wolf had been strenuous, not just for everyone else, but Carter in particular. I suppose the future leaders of a pack needed time to gain control over their wolves. Sky had to do the same, as well as Dale. But Carter's was a little longer.
It had been trying such that Carter had to forcefully be restrained and locked away from the rest of the pack when he was practically losing to his wolf. He didn't want to go, but it had taken Isaiah, Chad, Sky's dad, Steven, and my father to successfully capture and restrain Carter. They didn't come away without a few scratches and claw marks though.
Carter had fought them hard, every step of the way. Screaming and barking, cursing and growling while they dragged him into the isolation cabinet, situated in the woods a little farther away from the holding cells. It was a small building, that held nothing but a trap door that led to the isolation room underground.
Carter had spent close to two weeks in there, by himself. Of course, the prominent leaders visited him and tried their best to help him get his wolf under control. At the end of the first week, Carter had come along nicely, and Isaiah had agreed that he was fit to return to the pack. But Carter didn't want to leave just yet. He was unsure of himself and didn't want to run the risk of hurting someone. He'd even went as far as demanding that they didn't let his mother visit him in the isolation room.
Oftentimes, I saw Carter wandering into the woods. He'd go in and wouldn't come back out until well after sunset. I had my suspicions that Carter hadn't gained complete control of his wolf, but he was trying. I suspected that sometimes, he went back to the isolation room and barricaded himself inside for a few hours.
And based on his reaction right now, Carter might have realized he was slipping up.
"We're not here to fight. We just need to know. Marcana and Black Rock didn't exactly start off on a good note." Dale reminded. I expelled a deep breath.
"Okay, fine. Jaxon and I are mates. I didn't tell you guys because I was trying to avoid causing trouble." I explained, my gaze settling on Carter, who huffed childishly, crossing his arms over his chest and turning his head sideways. He was such a child when he wanted to be.
"So, he's not causing trouble or anything like that?" Dale reiterated, motioning his hands in a gesture to ensure we were on the same page. I nodded, confirming exactly what I had said just now, and for further effect, I voiced it.
"No, he isn't." I replied. Dale seemed to accept that and take my word for it as he glanced to Sky and gave a slight nod of his head. Said dominant expelled a deep breath, his timid aura- which is completely unlike the Sky Daniels Jasper Falls knows- disappeared immediately and he was back to his normal self.
Just then, Carter stepped forward, his gaze settling on my face. "I'll take your word for now. But if he fucks up..." he trailed off, not really needing to finish since I caught on. I offered him a small smile. He was not at all okay with the idea that Jaxon and I were mates, but he knew there wasn't anything he could do about it, other than try to accept it as it was.
Nodding my head, I gave him a knowing look. "I can take care of myself. You just focus on you." I advised, and he glanced away for a moment realizing that I knew he was having trouble with his wolf. It would explain the recent one-eighty in his behaviour; the aggression and violent tendencies, and the hot and cold behaviour. He could he be so calm and sweet one minute and the next, a flaming ball of anger.
He was becoming unpredictable. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but given the situation with his wolf, it was best he had complete control.
Carter gave a slight nod of his head before he left my house. He was on border patrol today as well, so I suppose I would bump into him later on in the evening. Dale gave me a slight nod of his head, while Sky simply frowned, his gaze moving from between Dale and me, and then to the door that Carter had exited.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He calls himself Carter Hayes' best friend, yet he didn't know Carter was obviously having trouble keeping his wolf in check. I could slap him for that.
**
The sun was really low, just peeking over the horizon painting the trees in black, the sky in orange and black. But the darkness didn't prove to be a problem because of our night vision as werewolves. We had excellent vision twenty-four seven.
Border patrol was important, and sometimes it was fun. Other times, it was probably the most boring thing I could do especially when I was guarding a portion of the border where I was the only one, or my companions weren't fun.
Now would be one of those times. Then again, the roster that had been assigned today mainly consisted of mature men and women who weren't as spontaneous and energetic as the wolves closer to my age. They were all serious and were no fun at all. They kept saying that border patrol was to be taken seriously and wasn't the time to play around.
I never said that. I just said that we should do something to pass the time. Even a game of cards, or maybe hide and seek, or something. We'd be doing our jobs but at the same time, having fun and just like that, the time would pass, and it would be the nest roster's shift.
So, after failing to find something to entertain myself around these grown-ups, I wandered off to another part of the border.
And I was in luck, too. Because the person I found was Carter Hayes. As unpredictable as he could get right now, I'd prefer his company over the boring adults, because at least he'd give me something to do even if it means escaping a near death experience. However, as I approached him, he seemed to be lost in his own little world.
He was sitting on a large boulder which was situated near some trees and brush. There was a smaller boulder next to the one he sat on, his knees pulled to his chest and arms around his knees. He was just sitting there, spaced out and staring at the open woods beyond. I wasn't sure if he was thinking, focusing on the woods, or just lost in his own world. But as I got closer, he still hadn't moved even when I same to sit on the boulder adjacent to his.
It was only when I looked at his side profile, did I know why. The bit of remaining sunlight shone on his face, making the few tears glisten.
"Carter." I called, gently, and he stirred but didn't turn to look at me. It was as if he heard me but didn't really hear me loud enough to register our proximity. Unsure about this, I touched his shoulder and called his name again, bracing myself for a violent response.
He turned his head, tears glistening on his cheeks and in his eyes before he finally seemed to register the situation. He quickly turned his head to face forward, wiping away the tears with his sleeve. Carter sniffled lightly before apologizing, which had me frowning a moment before I shook my head and gave a small reassuring smile. He shouldn't apologize for showing emotion or allowing himself a moment of weakness.
"How are you holding up?" I asked, realizing that ever since the altercation this morning, I hadn't gotten the chance to consider his feelings. If anything, I was more upset over Carter threatening Jaxon when he didn't do anything other than spend time with me.
I had been a bad friend to him this morning, only concerned over Carter potentially hurting Jaxon and not considering that he was facing his own issues with his mate.
Carter sniffled lightly, placing his arms over his knees and his forehead against them. He was my friend, and honestly, it hurt seeing him like this when he always carried himself in such a strong, stable, confident manner. He looked so broken and vulnerable right now.
He didn't answer for a while, and minutes had gone by enough for a comfortable silence to settle between us. By the time he chose to respond, I had taken a position of sitting on the smaller boulder, legs folded beneath me and my phone in hand while I tried to beat the next level in Candy Crush.
"She left me."
I bore no reaction, other than a momentary pause playing the game on my phone. Sneaking a glance at his face, I noticed Carter was staring out at the woods beyond again, a faraway look in his eyes. His tears no longer fell, but they shadowed his eyes and glistened in the fading sunlight.
Dammit!
I'm such a terrible friend.
I shouldn't have told Kelly to reject Carter and let him move on. What I should have done was tell her to at least try and make things work with him. And now, I felt guilty knowing that he was practically falling apart because Kelly left him.
"She rejected you." I responded, more like an acknowledgment rather than a question. When Carter said nothing in response, I figured she'd really gone through with it. She'd severed their bond by saying those hateful words; words that no werewolf wanted to hear fall from the lips of their fated one.
I didn't know what to say. How do you comfort someone whose been rejected by their soulmate? What do you say to make them feel better?
Another round of minutes passed by us as we sat in silence. And with each passing moment, I felt guiltier and guiltier as if I had some part to play in it. Was it wrong of me to suggest that Kelly reject Carter? I didn't mean to hurt him. I just couldn't stand seeing Carter tear himself up over their relationship knowing what I know.
What was I supposed to do? Stand by and watch him fall in to desperation, despair and depression? Watch him push everyone away while the root cause of his heartbreak had no interest in building any relationship, much less a life with him?
Maybe suggesting the rejection wasn't the best idea. But it beat watching Carter slowly kill himself.
"You knew, didn't you?" Carter spoke up then, the question slapping me hard. When I didn't respond, Carter stole a glance at my face, and I suppose, I had 'guilty' written all over my face because he chuckled. It sounded so heartbroken and cold at the same time, and I knew without a doubt, Carter was angry with me.
"Don't do that!" I snapped, the words leaving my mouth before I had the chance to think better of it. Carter snorted indignantly. "You've pushed enough people away. Don't do the same thing to me. Okay, I did know she was cheating-"
"How long?" he questioned, his voice cold and hard. He didn't even look at me, and I guess I understood why. We were friends. Childhood friends. You'd think we'd tell each other everything. I'd be mad too if I found out that someone I trusted and loved as a friend, kept such a secret from me.
"Since Saturday. Jaxon and I stopped at the supermarket...and I saw them together. I got angry, and I told Kelly that if she had no interest in you, she should let you go."
Carter was silent. But he was fuming. He was unbelievably angry, and I had a feeling that if I kept talking, he might let his wolf instincts take over. I might be a warrior wolf and fourth-in-command, but I probably wouldn't last in a fight with Carter if he was angry and his wolf in control.
"That wasn't your call to make. My relationship isn't any of your business." he said, his demeanour changing, and I could sense the beta mode he was slipping into especially since he practically growled the last words of his statement. But, I saw my chance to flip the tables on him, and maybe make him see reason.
"And I would remind you that so is my relationship with Jaxon. Yet, you feel the need to intervene-"
"That's different!" he fired, before I could finish. But, how was it any different? I don't think either of our motives for intervening were different. "Jaxon has caused problems for Marcana before. Why would this be any different?"
"Why would I lie about Jaxon and I being mates? If we were just, just friends, I would understand if you wanted to always be on guard."
"And you don't think I should be even if you are mates?" he retorted, glancing at me, his stare firm and serious. I shook my head. We were straying off topic. I may have brought up Jaxon, but this wasn't about Jaxon and me. It was about me, knowing about Kelly and Bennett and 'intervening.'
I stayed silent for a moment, letting the time for this pointless part of our argument pass by before I hit the nail on the head. "What's so wrong about me intervening anyway? If you could do it, why can't I?"
"Because-" he started in a rage, but I held up a hand cutting him off as I shook my head.
"You're my friend, Carter. I'm sorry if my intervention offended you, but I am sick and tired of seeing you push people away, snap at the same people who care about you. I'm tired of seeing you beat yourself up trying to make things work with Kelly. If I hadn't intervened, how was I supposed to face you, knowing what I know? Am I just supposed to watch you destroy yourself over somebody who doesn't care about you?"
He fell silent, a slight shimmer of tears moistening his eyes. He focused his gaze on the woods in front of us while he blinked his tears away. He chuckled then, a heartbroken sound, and when he turned to look at me, something in me broke. I'd never seen Carter look this vulnerable.
"I kept asking myself what I did wrong. I tried so hard to make her happy..."
I shook my head. "You didn't do anything wrong. Except maybe love the wrong person and love a little too much." I pursed my lips, tucking my phone away. "I would comfort you, but you're so unpredictable right now, I feel like you might kick my ass for trying." I whined, and Carter huffed a laughed. But then, I thought better of it, and decided to chance it. He really looked like he could use a hug right about now.
"You know what? I'm still gonna hug you anyway." I said, shuffling off the boulder and crossing the small gap between the two boulders. Carter laughed as I draped my arms around him and gave him a light squeeze. While holding onto him, I laid my head against his. "Don't worry. The right one for you is out there somewhere." I gave his hair a light pat, and he chuckled.
"Thanks, I needed this." he said softly. And while I knew he was talking about our argument, and my reassurance that despite the break-up, there are people who still love and care for him. Friends who would stand by him when it truly mattered. Still, I couldn't helping poking fun if only to keep away from the depressing topic that is Kelly.
"There's plenty more where that came from." I joked, referring to my hug as I stepped back to scoot onto my boulder. "So, don't be afraid to ask." I tacked on, and he laughed again, shaking his head.
"So, you and Jaxon, huh?" he said, glancing to me. I shrugged my shoulders, a small smile playing at my lips when I remembered our kiss from earlier. Carter glanced back to the trees ahead of us, before his features scrunched together. "Really? Jaxon?"
"Oh my gosh!"
"I am sorry." he started, defensively. "Just, last time I checked, you hated him." I shook my head at that, folding my legs under me, my elbows propped and my chin in my palms.
"That's the thing. I don't think I truly ever hated him. Could pass as hate, though. I don't know. I guess sometimes, you just gotta hate before you love."