Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CARTER
“Idon’t like this plan,” Connor growls, his arm wrapped around Netti’s waist as they stand in Rose’s living room.
The late-afternoon sun filters through the curtains across her cream loveseat and matching recliner.
With three wolves and two witches crammed inside, the place feels overcrowded, and I’m more than ready to have my witch to myself.
For once, we agree on something.
Connor glances at me, and I throw my hands up, the corner of my mouth twitching. “You should know as well as I do that controlling a witch once she’s made up her mind is nearly impossible.”
My twin chuckles darkly, eyes glinting as he looks down at the petite, pink-haired witch at his side.
“Hey,” Netti protests, though the smile tugging at her lips gives her away. She turns toward Rose, who stands in the kitchen, hip propped against the laminate counter.
There are far better ways I’d like to put that counter to use.
“Do I have to?” Alexandria whines, throwing herself onto the couch and covering her eyes with a fluffy yellow pillow. “I don’t want to go back. What about my job?”
“I already told you—after you graduate in two months, the internship will be waiting for you. And it won’t just be covering the front reception, but shadowing me,” Rose says as she pushes off the counter and grabs the handle of Dria’s new black suitcase.
We’d had to help her repack after she left clothes strewn across the room while trying to decide what to wear today.
“I don’t see why I can’t just stay here. What are two months really going to teach me?” Dria growls, sitting up, eyes flashing gold.
Easy there, pup. You’re in a room with two full-grown wolves and their mates. One wrong move, and going home will be the least of your problems.
A loud rip cuts the air, and the room goes still as we all turn to look at Alexandria.
“What you need to learn is how to control your wolf so you don’t hurt yourself—or anyone else—when that happens.” A muscle ticks in Connor’s jaw as he crosses his arms and nods toward the claws tearing into the yellow throw pillow in her lap.
“Oh.” She glances down, then tucks her hands under her arms, guilt written across her face as she looks up at Rose. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. It’s just a pillow. I don’t even like the color. I was thinking this summer, when you come up, we could redecorate this place.” Rose smiles and pats her shoulder.
My heart warms at the gesture. I watch as Dria’s features soften under the soothing wash of Rose’s magic, impressed as always by my witch.
Mine.
“Really?” Dria’s eyes light up as she jumps from the couch and wraps Rose in a bear hug, her voice muffled against her shirt. “Thank you.”
“Alright, time to get going,” Connor grumbles, glancing at his watch before taking the luggage from Rose. He always carried a strict air, especially since stepping into his role as Alpha—though beneath it not much had changed.
“Are you sure you can’t stay for dinner? There’s a great Italian place in town,” Rose says, hugging Netti tightly. “It’s a little fancy, but the food is to die for.”
“I wish. But even leaving now, we won’t get home before ten.
I promise I’ll be back for your grand opening.
Connor already promised to take a couple days off to come celebrate with us.
” Rose glances up at him, and my brother tries to appear disinterested, but I can tell he’s never been happier.
“Besides, I’d be turned away at the door looking like this. ”
“Netti, you look like a million bucks. No one would dare turn you away,” Rose chides.
“I promise—not today—but we’ll be back before you know it.” Netti squeezes Rose in a final hug before stepping back beside my brother.
“I’m holding you to your word about coming back up. I thought after we both graduated last year we’d see each other more, not less.” Rose wraps her arms around her torso, shoulders slumping.
“I know how much this event means to you. I wouldn’t miss it,” Netti murmurs, then turns to the teen sulking on the couch. “Come on, let’s get the car packed and hit the road.”
“Why can’t I ride back with Carter?” Dria looks at me with pleading puppy eyes.
“On his motorcycle?” Rose’s brows shoot up, her cheeks flushing as she flashes me a sidelong glance. “Absolutely not. Motorcycles are dangerous.”
“But you rode on it,” Dria whines.
“You did?” Connor and Netti say in unison, first looking at her, then at me.
“Only because he gave me no other choice,” Rose hisses, glaring at me—but her eyes betray the mock anger. “I was perfectly happy calling a cab.”
“I wasn’t going to let you ride with a stranger after your ex slashed your tires.”
“What?” Netti exclaims, whipping her head toward Rose. “You never told me this. What’s been going on?”
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Rose mutters, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Besides, don’t you guys need to get going?”
It won’t be a big deal once I get my claws in that asshole and shred him to pieces.
“Do you need me to send—” Connor starts.
“No,” I growl, stepping toward Rose. “I’m staying in town until the opening. I’ll be helping her with the decorating.”
“You are?” My brother shoots me a questioning glance. “I never knew you to be a decorator.”
“There’s a lot about me you don’t know.” I bite my tongue as soon as the words leave my mouth. We’re still working on mending our relationship after the years he spent away from the pack.
He just had to go there, didn’t he?
My wolf prowls restlessly under my skin.
“You really don’t have to,” Rose says quietly, resting a hand on my forearm. “I can handle this on my own.”
“Actually, I do. I promised to assist if you helped me find the girl, remember?” I can’t stop the grin tugging at the corner of my lips as Rose shuffles on her feet, clearly searching for a way out.
Joke’s on her. After the way she’d responded to my touch the other night—proof enough her feelings for me hadn’t changed—I was ready to do whatever it took to win her over, even if it meant crawling on my knees.
“Is it time to go yet?” Dria whines, and we all turn to her—then burst out laughing, the tension in the room breaking at last.
“What happened to not wanting to leave?” Rose chuckles as we walk the three of them to the front door.
“Well, if I can’t stay and I can’t ride with Carter, we might as well get this over with instead of talking the day away,” she says over her shoulder as she heads toward Connor and Netti’s grey SUV parked at the curb.
“Text me when you get home,” Rose says, giving Netti one more hug goodbye.
“I promise. And you owe me a phone call to fill me in on exactly what’s been going on lately,” Netti replies, lips pressed together as she glances at Rose, then at me. “And you.” She points a finger at my chest. “You’d better take care of my best friend, or I’ll curse your next birthday cake.”
“She’s in good paws.” I smirk over my shoulder, which earns me a punch. I feign hurt, rubbing the spot. “Ouch. Careful there, kitten.”
“I told you not to call me that,” she hisses, her face pinching adorably as she scowls.
“Play nice, kids,” Netti says before turning, her pink hair twirling as she jumps into the passenger seat.
Connor circles around to the driver’s side of the SUV, and I fall into step behind him.
“Connor, wait.” I press a hand against the door before he can grab the handle. Through the tinted glass, I glimpse Rose and Netti still locked in animated goodbyes, while Alexandria scrolls on her phone in the backseat.
Connor exhales, crossing his arms over his chest, weight shifting onto his heels. “Yes?”
“Do you remember Alexander—the one who used to play bass guitar?” My mind flicks back to the wolf shifter we’d known years ago, the one who’d ditched pack life to tour with his band while I stayed behind to take on Alpha duties. We’d lost touch after that.
Connor squints at me. “Yeah, I remember. Why?” His gaze keeps darting to the car, restless.
“Do you still keep in contact with him?”
“Yes.” His tone is clipped. Then, with a knowing look: “This is about Rose, isn’t it? Her band canceled for the lounge opening?”
I blink. “Wait—how did you know?”
“Netti told me.” He leans casually against the SUV, though the glance he sneaks at his watch betrays his impatience. “Let me guess. You want me to reach out, see if he can come through last minute?”
Relief flickers in my chest. “I’d owe you.”
“I’ll see what I can do. No promises.” He pushes off the SUV, opens the driver’s door, and slides inside with that finality Connor always carries. “Goodbye, brother.”
“Goodbye, Connor.” I step back onto the sidewalk, tamping down the spark of excitement that he might actually fix the last snag for the lounge’s grand opening. Rose and I lift our hands to wave as the SUV pulls away from the curb, disappearing into the slow flow of traffic.
We stand side by side in silence, the late-afternoon sun warm on our shoulders, until the SUV turns the corner and disappears from sight.
“You can give them a head start before heading home to save face,” Rose says as she turns to head inside.
I reach out, catching her by the wrist and turning her back to me. My other hand slides up the curve of her neck, and she gasps as I cradle her cheek.
“Mhmm, I don’t think so,” I whisper, my lips a breath away from hers. Her pulse flutters beneath my palm. I let go of her wrist and grip her hip, pulling her flush against me. Her eyes fly open as the evidence of my arousal presses between us.
“Carter,” she breathes.
I claim her lips, inhaling her sweet berry scent as I swipe my tongue against the seam of her mouth. My hand trails down her neck to her chest, grazing the swell of her breast. She moans, her body melting into mine—
And I let go, stepping back abruptly.
“You owe me dinner.” I smirk, taking in her tousled hair and kiss-swollen lips from my teasing. She has no idea what she’s in for tonight.
“What?” She blinks at me, staring as though I’d spoken a foreign language.