Chapter 16

I stood in my usual spot behind everyone else listening as he discussed pack business. As usual his words went right over my head because I was just too focused on watching the many different expressions play out on his handsome face.

This was probably why I loved pack meetings so much; because I was able to watch him with total abandon and no one would question my stares.

“The council has informed me that they have selected a group of some of the bravest and strongest she wolves for the…role of my mate.”

I looked up as he said this, my eyes growing wide. Mumbling started in the crowd, getting louder and louder as people began expressing their views with each other. Carson stood silently on the platform his eyes skimming the crowd to land on me. I gave him a small smile and he continued.

“I know many of you have been questioning why it is that I don’t have a mate yet or if I’m even going to find a mate before the full moon but as much as I appreciate the council’s aid and be assured that I have absolutely nothing against the women they have chosen, I won’t be choosing a mate produced by the council. When I mark my mate it will be my true mate and whether or not that person comes before or after the full moon has no bearing on the situation.”

After this announcement, people couldn’t keep quiet any longer. Everyone was talking, some animatedly, some disappointed and others disapproving.

“If you all will just quiet down we’ll move on to other notices.” Carson said softly and not for the first time I was amazed at how he could get a pack of over four hundred wolves to obey him without even raising his voice. My heart swelled with pride.

“You’ll be happy to know that hunts will continue from now on, the forest is no longer out of bounds however you are all expected to stay within the territory. No one is allowed to cross the border.” His voice was firm and I held my head down in shame when he looked at me again.

He was obviously saying it to me. Not that he’d have to worry about that anymore. I was done breaking the rules, I’d learned my lesson the hard way and I certainly wasn’t interested in getting a second dose.

Cheers rose up within the pack at the news that the hunt was now open. Everyone had been so restless for the past month and a half and we were all pretty excited to get back out there, feeling the wind in our fur, the smell of the forest and the dirt beneath our paws.

“Don’t forget, everyone should travel in pairs or more but no one should go out alone. That is all.”

With that the meeting was over and in no time, guys were stripping down and others had already shifted into their wolves. Their excitement was contagious as I found myself longing to run with them.

“You coming?” I looked around when I heard his voice to see him standing beside me naked to his waist.

“We’re gonna hunt?” I asked excited.

“Think we’ll leave the hunting for next time I was thinking we could go for a swim.” He smiled down at me, his eyes warm with happiness.

I pulled the shirt over my head and dropped it to the dirt. Then I gave him a wink and before he could respond I shifted and darted off into the forest, heading towards our lake.

It didn’t take long for him to catch up and then we were running side by side, step for step, breath for breath. It was great to be back out here. I had missed this and the way my wolf was all but prancing between the trees I could tell he was happy to finally enjoy the forest once more as well.

…………….

Much like the first time I’d come here, it was deserted which meant Carson and I had the lake all to ourselves! I shifted and stripped off my pants, unashamed that he was seeing me naked. This wouldn’t be the first time after all, or the second…or the third…or the…well you get the point. .

I heard a loud splash behind me as soon as I jumped in and turned in the water waiting for Carson to come to the surface. I yelped when I felt strong hands grab my feet and pull me under the surface, I kicked out at them and rose above once more gasping for air to find Carson laughing at my expression. I splashed him but couldn’t help but join in.

We spent most of the day playing around, much like we had before, trying to dunk each other or see who could stay under longer. It was fun, but then every moment spent with Carson was fun.

I was now sitting on the bank, my feet in the water, watching him. He was floating on his back right at my feet.

“I know an alpha doesn’t like to let people know his weaknesses, but would you tell me some of your fears?” I asked.

He squinted up at me; “I’d think you’d have figured it out already…losing you is my biggest fear.”

I smiled and ran my feet along his side; he floated further away then flipped around, went under for a second and broke the surface once more, this time standing. I watched the water glisten in the sun as it streamed down his chest. My eyes shifted to his face when he walked over to where I sat and pulled himself out of the lake to sit beside me.

“Ok before you met me, what was your biggest fear?” I tried again.

“Meeting you.” He said with a chuckle.

“Carson! I’m serious!” I said pushing at his shoulder.

“But it’s true, because I knew that if I met you and I got to know you, we’d get close and my father would take you away from me.” He had picked up my hand and was now playing around with my fingers.

“Okay, other than anything to do with me, what else do you fear?”

He thought about it for a second; “Not being able to protect my pack.” He said softly.

I nodded.

“What about you, what are your fears?” he asked, looking at my face.

“Spiders.” I said and he started laughing.

I chuckled; “ No, for real though, I guess I’m afraid of what my parents and the pack will think if they ever find out about us.”

“His face grew serious; “It doesn’t really matter what they think because I won’t be choosing them over you…never again.” His hand tightened on mine and I looked down at them with a smile. Somehow, those words were believable.

………………….

“No Carson stop!” I screamed at him, trying to push him away from me. I scrambled to the edge of the bed only to have him drag me back to the centre and his hands were all over me again as he tried to tickle the very life out of me.

“Just say the magic words Laken, that’s all you have to do.” he grinned taking pleasure in making me squirm. I was just a giggling mess of a boy, rolling around on his bed as he continued his tickle fest.

“Please please please!” I got out between giggles.

“Wrong!” and he caught be around the waist tickling my belly, then my sides, under my arms, my neck, everywhere until I didn’t know what to do with myself.

“Haha stop!” I squealed again.

“Not until you say it.”

“Fine fine I love you!” I got out, knowing it’s what he wanted to hear and just like that the tickling stopped and I breathed a sigh of relief then opened my eyes, surprised to see his face so close to mine.

“I love you too.” He whispered then took my lips between his and a moment later it wasn’t his tickles that had me squirming.

…………………..

Later we sat on the ground in front of his wide screen TV, game controllers in hand. He was wiping my ass at battlefield. He’d killed me so many times I had to wonder if my character had it left in him to come alive again.

When he got in another kill I dropped the controller and folded my arms. “This game sucks.”

He chuckled, “Don’t be a sore loser babe.” He said ruffling my hair.

You told your mom you’re staying at Lyla’s right?” he asked while flipping through the different TV channels.

“Yeah but I don’t think she believes me. She thinks I’m in some kind of gang, she even gave me a lecture on drugs before I left!” I said, shaking my head.

Carson laughed. “If only she knew.”

…………………….

The next day I sat in the cafeteria with my usual ‘crowd’ that being Lyla and Matt.

I had just finished telling them about Mr. Sage and how he was a shape shifter with a huge crush on me.

“Aww that’s so cute!”

“Really a shape shifter, that’s so cool!”

They had both spoken in unison. Oh did i mention Matt finally believes that i'm a wolf? Yeah i'd given him a little demonstration a few weeks back. He took it well.

I responded to Lyla first.”How is that cute? And I thought you liked Carson.”

“I do, but come on Laken, the guy actually stayed here for you, he turned into a wolf form to make you comfortable around him and he’s teaching at your school. Don’t you think that’s sweet?” she enthused.

“No I think it’s creepy.” I answered.

Of course Lyla would like the crazy guy, they had a lot in common after all.

“I say forget him and stick to Carson. This guy sounds like some crazy stalker.” Matt said.

She glared at him.

“Of course I love Carson, he’s a great guy but, Laken you’ve only ever had your eyes on Carson, what if someone better comes along but you’re too gaga over Carson to notice? I say give this guy a chance.”

“Would you leave Matt to give some other guy a chance?” I asked her. Matt looked over as well.

“Of course not, I love Matt!” she announced.

“Exactly and I love Carson!”

“But it’s not the same, I’ve been with guys before Matt so I know that choosing him was the right choice, you’ve only ever been with Carson so you don’t know what else is out there.” She said.

“I don’t want to know what else is out there. There’s nobody better than Carson for me.”

She sighed, throwing her hands up in the air; ”I give up!”

“Good.” Matt said and she glared at him again, and then smiled when he kissed her pouty lips.

“Give him a chance.”

“No stick with Carson”

I looked up at them both. Yep it was official Team Carson and Team Lucas, staring me right in the face.

……………

After school that day as I walked through the front door leading outside I spotted Lucas leaning against the railing at the end of the stairs. He straightened up when he saw me and pushed away from it to stand directly in front of me, blocking my path.

“Hey Laken, I wanted to talk to you for a bit.” He said.

“Oook.” I replied wanting to be anywhere but here.

“I know I came off a bit strong the other day and I wanted to apologize. I guess I was just so happy that you finally figured out who I was I just got caught up in the moment. I came off sounding like an ass and I want you to know that’s not who I am.”

By now my eyes had gone wide at his words. I could tell he wasn’t playing around with me, his eyes were sincere.

“I was wondering if we could just forget about that whole mess and start over.” He smiled, not the cocky smile that I had gotten accustomed to seeing n his face, A real smile.Gentle and true.

“Hey Laken let’s go.” I looked around to see Carson standing behind me, his eyes glaring down at Lucas.

“Can’t you see we’re having a conversation here?” Lucas’s voice had gone steely and his eyes narrowed.

“Does it look like I give a damn?” Carson said, then took my arm, pulling me away from him.

“Don’t you think he has a mind of his own, or is that what you do? Control everything he does.” I heard Lucas say.

Carson stopped then dropped my arm.

“Fine, Laken, what do you want to do?” he asked still glaring at the teacher.

I looked between both of them, annoyed that they’d put me on the spot like this.

“C-could we maybe just continue this some other time? I really do need to get home.” I called after Lucas.

Iwatched as his face fell and I felt a twinge in the region of my heart. I really didn’t like the thought of hurting people.

“Sure.” He said plastering a smile on his face. He glared at Carson once more, then turn and entered the building, leaving us alone.

“What was that about anyway?” he asked me as we walked towards his car.

“Do you want me to give you a detailed description of every conversation I have with him or something?” I asked, eyebrow raised.

“Fine, keep it to yourself then.” He gritted out and I sighed.

“He was just apologizing for the way he acted the other day.” I told him, buckling my seat belt when i sat.

Carson didn’t answer but just started up the vehicle and maneuvered it out of the parking lot.

I sighed once more. Nothing good would come of this situation.

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-unedited.