Chapter Five #3
Turning toward his home, Carter considered texting Aaron just to check in.
Maybe Aaron would appreciate an update on the puppies.
Plus, Carter needed to find a way to get Aaron back to his house that night.
The more time that Carter spent around Aaron, the easier it seemed to handle all the changes in his life.
And they were big changes. Aaron made everything feel right though.
Yes, a nice dinner and some puppy time would be the perfect excuse to lure Aaron in for the night. And wasn’t a phone call better than a text? Carter pulled the truck to the side of the road before he scrolled through his list of contacts and found Aaron’s name.
He hit the button to dial and waited.
Carter was concerned that Aaron wouldn’t pick up when he finally heard the other man’s voice.
“Hey, Carter.”
“Hey.” Carter had to clear his throat. “Hey, Aaron. Got a minute?”
“Yeah, sure.” Aaron sounded distracted.
“If this isn’t a good time, you could call me back,” Carter offered.
Aaron sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s fine. Is everything okay?”
“I just got done with the vet,” Carter explained. He licked his lips nervously, not that Aaron would be able to tell. Why was he so damn anxious? It was just dinner. “I thought I could tell you about the visit over dinner tonight?”
“Dinner?” Aaron repeated.
“Yeah. We could talk about the vet recommendations and eat. You do need to eat.” Please say yes.
“The pups are okay though?” Aaron said quickly. “Do I need to come now?”
“They’re fine,” Carter assured him. “Need to put on some weight but healthy as can be expected for all they’ve been through.
Aaron blew out an audible breath. “Okay, good. I really didn’t need any more bad news.”
“I take it the meeting didn’t go well?” Carter asked. He was dying to know what Aaron had been up to all morning.
“It’s…fine. Just finishing up.”
Carter was getting tired of hearing Aaron saying fine when it was obviously not. “If you can’t make dinner I’ll understand—”
“No!” Aaron shouted. “Sorry. I mean no, yes, dinner sounds good.”
Carter chuckled, amused by Aaron’s excitement. And relieved. At least he wasn’t the only one. “My house?” They could go out, but Carter wanted Aaron in his space. And the puppies shouldn’t be left alone.
“I take it you’re cooking?” Aaron asked.
“Of course I am,” Carter replied. It was the one skill that Carter could use to try to impress Aaron. He seemed to have enjoyed the sandwiches that Carter had quickly put together the previous evening. This time Carter could really step it up. “Whatever you want.”
“I couldn’t possibly pick,” Aaron said. “And truthfully anything would be great. I’m sorry I missed breakfast.”
“How does chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy sound?” That was a specialty of his and one of his brother’s favorite meals. And if Carter promised Hudson leftovers, he was certain he could bribe Hudson and Bastian into giving them a few hours alone.
Aaron moaned. “That sounds so good.”
The sound Aaron made had Carter’s body waking up. Or at least one part of him. How else could he get Aaron to make that sound? Carter would love to find out. And maybe find out what other sounds that Aaron made.
“Chocolate cake for dessert,” Carter added, sweetening the offer.
“You’re killing me!” Aaron whined.
“And…” Carter teased. “Puppy kisses.”
Aaron laughed. “Oh! You’re pulling out the big guns there.”
“I’m trying,” Carter admitted. “I know you haven’t been sleeping well. If you’re too tired, I’ll understand.”
Aaron made some weird sound before replying quickly. “I already agreed. I’m not too tired. I’d love to have dinner with you and the puppies.”
Perfect. “Seven o’clock?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Aaron said.
Looking up and out of the front windshield, Carter grinned. He had a date. Or kind of had a date. Dinner at least. It was like being a teenager again with the anticipation and fear that pumped through his veins.
Wait! Was that smoke?
Carter leaned forward to peer out the window.
“Carter? Are you still there?”
“Yeah, sorry.” Carter put the truck into drive. “I think I see smoke.”
“Smoke?” Aaron’s voice rose. “What do you mean you see smoke? Where?”
Pulling back onto the road, Carter pressed his foot down on the gas. “Just off the highway and headed back into town. I need to call the fire in.”
“No!” Aaron yelled. “I mean yes, call the fire in, but don’t drive out there.”
“I’m close. I need to make sure no one’s in danger.
I can’t tell what’s on fire,” Carter told him.
He took the next right and then a left, taking him even closer to the fire.
He was right on the edge of the state park.
Between the state park and town. There were no buildings out here. Was the fire inside the forest?
“Carter! Please don’t do this.”
“I really need to call this in. I’ll talk to you later.” Carter disconnected the call as Aaron was still yelling at him before he dialed 9-1-1.
* * * * *
Aaron
“Fuck!” Aaron threw the bottle of water at the wall before he took off at a run. He raced through the office and toward the conference room. “Leo! Bas!”
Leo popped his head out from the door. “What’s wrong?”
“Fire,” Aaron shouted. “Carter is out there. He wouldn’t listen to me.”
“Let’s go,” Leo said turning and strode toward the front door while pulling out his keys.
“Where?” Bas demanded as he jogged to catch up.
“Highway coming back into town beside the state park,” Aaron told him. Damn it! How was Aaron going to keep his mate safe if Carter went off chasing after fires? That wasn’t even his job. Carter was a cop, not a firefighter.
“I’ve got my bike. I’ll get there faster,” Bas called as he raced off.
Leo clicked the key fob to his SUV and Aaron jumped into the passenger seat. As soon as Leo had the vehicle in motion, Aaron was texting Carter.
‘Carter! Are you okay?’
‘Carter, please answer me!’
‘Don’t go near that fire!’
‘I’m serious! This could be a trap!!!’
Aaron gave Carter a few seconds to text back. When nothing came, he sent another round of text messages.
‘It could be the hyena pack.’
‘Okay, I know you won’t stay away if someone needs help. Just be careful.’
‘Can you just stay in your vehicle?’
‘Carter?’
“He’s not answering!” Aaron cried.
“I’m sure he’s either driving or on the call with 9-1-1,” Leo told him.
“He shouldn’t be anywhere near there! What if he gets hurt?” Aaron asked as he held his phone tight. He bit his lower lip until he could taste blood. Was this his fault? The dream had come too late? He was so frustrated that he couldn’t even keep his mate safe with his damn defective powers!
“Carter is a cop,” Leo said. His voice was low and calm. Usually that would reassure Aaron. Not this time. Not when Carter was driving into what was likely a trap. “He’s trained for this.”
Aaron glared at his best friend. “He is not trained to go up against a hyena pack!”
“You need to calm down,” Leo told him.
“Calm down?” Aaron growled. “Would you be calm if this was your mate that we were talking about?”
“I don’t have a mate,” Leo reminded him. “And you just got done telling me that you don’t want to talk about yours. Did you change your mind? Are you ready to tell me why you aren’t claiming your man?”
“No,” Aaron snapped. “Can’t this SUV go faster?”
“It’s going fast enough,” Leo responded.
Aaron went back to texting. Leo could be a stubborn asshole.
Although he was Aaron’s stubborn asshole.
And Aaron knew that Leo was right. Aaron was running out of time on telling Carter the truth.
Or the rest of the truth. Dread settled in his gut.
If they got out of this unharmed, Aaron was going to have to decide on how to proceed.
‘Carter? Please answer me? Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine.’ The response came.
Aaron let out a relieved breath. ‘Are you sure.’
‘The fire is in the forest. I’m worried it’s going to spread.’
‘We’re on the way,’ Aaron promised.
‘I called it in. No one else seems to be around.’
“Fire is in the forest,” Aaron told Leo.
“This is Axel’s property,” Leo responded. “I’ll call him.”
“Tell them to prepare for an attack,” Aaron ordered.
“I will.” Leo was already on the phone.
‘Get back in your truck,’ Aaron told Carter. ‘We’re calling Axel.’
‘I’m fine. Like I said, no one is around. We need help here fast.’
‘Help is coming.’ Aaron just hoped they got there in time.
* * * * *
Carter
Five trees were covered in flames and the fire was spreading fast. Carter had used the small emergency extinguisher from his truck but it wasn’t enough. He hadn’t even made a difference. This gorgeous piece of land was going to be ruined if the water truck didn’t get there soon.
Carter looked around, feeling at a loss.
There was nothing he could do until the fire department arrived. Carter wasn’t prepared for this. He glanced down at the phone in his hand as it vibrated again. Aaron was really worried about him.
‘Get back in your truck,’ Aaron told Carter. ‘We’re calling Axel.’
Yes, they were close to the property owned by the paranormal family.
Hopefully they would be able to see or smell the fire and could come help.
Carter hated not being able to do anything.
Although it was sweet that Aaron was coming.
Coming for Carter. ‘I’m fine. Like I said, no one is around. We need help here fast.’
‘Help is coming.’
Carter smiled, reading the words.
He turned to head back to his truck and the street so he could direct the fire department when they arrived when he heard the growling. Slowly Carter looked to the left where the large trees that weren’t on fire rose up to the sky.
The growling grew louder as large animals, six of them, stalked out from between the trees.
This was not good. He’d never seen hyenas in real life yet there was no doubt that the animals approaching him were what Aaron had been warning him about.
Carter clutched his phone.