Chapter 8 Rey #3
Rey stifled the growl he wanted to release.
He knew their laws could be harsh. There was zero tolerance for creating a shifter.
Created Ones were too unpredictable, driven by their animal instincts, and could expose them all.
“He broke pack law. You know why Created Ones are dangerous. To all of us.”
“I am well aware of it,” Cole snapped. “But there are exceptions to every rule. I won’t fight you on this. Thayne is a part of my pack now, and he is more than welcome. Created One or not. I just hope your pack shows the same care for any of my wolves who mate with one of yours.”
Taking a deep breath, gathering the calm he’d cultivated over the years, Rey tipped his head in a brief nod. “Carter will be well taken care of, Alpha. I give you my word on that.”
“I don’t doubt it. I won’t keep you any longer, as I’m sure you are eager to get back to him.”
“Alpha,” Rey said, then turned toward the stairs, taking them two at a time to the third floor. He located the room Cole had directed him to, found Carter’s things, stuffed the few items laying on the bed into the bag, and headed downstairs once more. Cole had already left by then.
Kaia still sat beside Carter when Rey reached the Senaka pack lodge.
Laughter drifted across the clearing, settling something in Rey’s heart when he saw the wide smile on Carter’s face.
His chest swelled, and he knew Carter would be so much happier with him in Senaka.
No one deserved to be made to feel less than for being who they are.
“What’s so funny?” he asked as he set Carter’s bag on the ground near the bench.
“I was just telling Carter about the time you were forced to sing karaoke because you lost a bet.”
Rey’s eyes widened in horror. “You didn’t!”
Carter grinned at him and nodded. “She did.” He reached out and patted Rey’s forearm. “It’s okay. I think it’s cute. Ariel.”
Groaning, Rey shook his head. “I didn’t choose that stupid song.”
“Nope,” Kaia said, popping the P. “Talon chose ‘Part of Your World’ because his niece is a huge Little Mermaid fan. In fact, I think there’s a video lurking around of Rey’s performance.”
“No!” Rey barked. “Absolutely not, Kaia. Don’t even think about it.”
“But I want to see!” Carter pouted. “Please, Rey? I promise I won’t poke fun at you. Please?”
Seeing the sparkling happiness and hope in Carter’s eyes, Rey knew he couldn’t deny his little wolf anything. He hung his head. “If she can find it,” he grumbled.
Kaia laughed and whipped out her phone. It took a few seconds for her to find it, but Rey groaned when he heard the first notes play.
Carter rose to lean over the table, drawing Rey’s gaze to his pert little behind.
A low growl rumbled from his chest, but the others, engrossed in the video, didn’t notice.
“Oh my god! They even made you wear a red wig and purple bikini top?” Carter shouted.
“How did they even find one to fit you?”
Rey planted his face in his palm, distracted from the sight of Carter’s ass at the reminder of just how far Talon had taken the bet. Kaia shrieked with laughter, drawing the gazes of several nearby shifters. Heat spread through Rey’s cheeks in embarrassment, but he stamped it down.
“Send me that video!” Carter cried once it had finished. “Please?”
“Sure. What’s your phone number?”
Carter frowned. “I lost my phone. Can you email it to me?”
Kaia nodded, and Carter gave his email address. “Sent,” Kaia said.
Rey was surprised Carter hadn’t realized his phone was missing sooner. “We’ll get you a new phone when we stop to get the computer.”
“I don’t have the money for that!” Carter protested.
He gave Carter a patient glance. “We’ll talk about it later, sweetheart.”
They remained at the table, chatting, and Kaia revealed even more embarrassing things about Rey.
Rey didn’t mind if it made Carter laugh.
His laugh made Rey think of a clear sky on a warm summer day, a soft breeze blowing through the trees around Senaka.
If he had to embarrass himself a thousand times over just to hear that sound, he would.
It was late by the time Kaia and Dakota said good night.
Rey stood and grabbed Carter’s bag. “I moved us into an unoccupied room.”
Carter followed him into the lodge. When they reached the room, Rey closed the door behind them and put Carter’s bag on the bed. “Why don’t you take the bathroom first, little wolf?”
With a nod, Carter grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt from the bag, along with a little zippered pouch, before heading into the bathroom and closing the door.
Rey usually slept naked, but he knew it would be too much temptation, so he took out a pair of boxer briefs, stripped out of his clothing, and slipped on the briefs.
When Carter exited the bathroom, Rey went in, relieved himself, washed his hands, brushed his teeth, and returned to the bedroom. Carter had already climbed into bed and lay on his back, stiff as a board. Frowning, Rey slid in next to him, gathering Carter close. “Something wrong?”