Twigs cracked and snapped as a group of seven wolves and myself made our way down the paths of our territory. I had been assigned to the patrol after Julie's husband felt too sick to go. I didn't argue I wanted to help out and get out of the house.
"Aylin, split off northwest." I heard a growl from my right command. I barked in response. I split off slinking through the undergrowth sniffing for anything that was amiss. I realized where I was when I recognized the same scents and brush from over a week ago. I had arrived by the wire fence again. Carter's house was straight ahead. Making sure my pack members were patrolling their different areas I continued on towards his house. It was around eight at night meaning Carter was probably inside but I had to just see his house one more time.
When I reached the clearing that connected to the house's back yard I crouched down behind a thorn bush to survey the yard. The lights were on in almost every room of the house and I could see the glow from a TV within the sliding glass doors to the porch. I didn't see any movement outside but a room on the second floor of the house was the only one with no curtains to hide anything from outside. A figure walked into the center of the window.
Carter. I wagged my tail as he came into view shoving some papers onto his desk next to the window. I snuck closer out into the backyard. My cream fur would definitely be noticeable against the dark blackness of the yard but I didn't care. Carter suddenly glanced outside. He didn't seem to see me yet but he was lost in thought. I could make out the details of his face as I got closer. His tousled dark hair was messier than when I saw him last.
My paws gripped the cold dirt that smelled of rain and earth. I didn't dare move in case he spotted me. The patrol would have to meet up back at the house soon but I wanted to stay here a little longer. Carter broke his trance and turned away from the window. He was wearing a gray t-shirt and black shorts. Our conversation in the library was the first I'd ever talked to him. It was just something about him that made me want to learn more. Who was he when he was alone? I wondered.
I crept forward again. He must have seen the movement because he turned searching the yard. I waited till his cold gaze locked with mine. It still gave me butterflies in the pit of my stomach despite the look in his eyes being different than at school. He looked curious. He disappeared making me wonder if maybe he didn't see me after all.
The patio door opening caught me off guard. I tilted my head. Carter walked outside onto the deck and stopped at the edge just like he did the other day. I padded closer this time. "You didn't eat the fry last time you were here, meaning you aren't here looking for food." He said. I looked at him amused. I came closer to where if he walked only three more feet he could be face to face with me. "Are you sure you're not a dog? Wolves aren't supposed to be this friendly." He asked. I wagged my tail a fraction of an inch. He took a step forward but before he could take another a whoosh sound of a door could be heard from behind him.
"Carter?" I bolted towards the edge of the woods into the brush. A moment later Carter's mom came out of the patio door in scrubs and held a phone to her ear. "What are you doing out here?" She asked. He looked in my direction for a few seconds then turned to her.
"Nothing." He told her walking passed her and inside. Once she had disappeared inside as well I released a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding.
After Carter had turned his lights off and I was sure he'd gone to sleep I silently padded back to the house. I felt guilty for approaching him. What was I thinking?
Surprisingly, when I arrived back at the pack house none of the patrol were there. I wasn't as late as I had suspected. I murmured a goodnight to Marcus who was sitting in the living room watching the tv as I passed. He grunted in response. Okay then. I calmed my nerves. No one saw me by Carter's. I reminded myself.
I walked down the road that lead to my house when I felt a strong breeze. I wanted to shift into my wolf and run as far as I could. I wanted to forget the complications of a loveless marriage and any worries at least just for a little while. I didn't get very far down the road when I heard a car coming from behind me. The car stopped ahead of me a little. I realized it was Max.
"What are you doing?" I asked when I reached the passenger side window and Max had rolled it down.
"Out for a drive." He sighed. I could tell there was a lot on his mind. I hopped in letting him drive towards town. It was Tuesday tomorrow so we had to get up early but a drive wouldn't hurt.
"So, about Reese, have you talked to her?" I asked breaking the silence. Max seemed to grimace.
"Yeah, we've talked and she told me she likes me, actually. Before I had even mentioned my feelings for her." He explained flipping on the turn signal as we came to a stop sign.
"That's great!" I exclaimed looking at him. His frown grew. Why wasn't he excited about this?
"You don't understand, Ay, what if she ends up finding her Bond and leaves me?" He sighed. I looked out the window at the houses that started to get closer and closer together the deeper we got into town. The conversation I had yesterday with Noah came flooding back. "Your mother ran away from your father and they were Bonded." He pointed out making me flinch. He was insecure about losing her he didn't mean it. I told myself.
"I don't think my mother left my father because of him," I murmured my voice giving away the sadness laced within them.
"Aylin, I didn't mean to..." he trailed off as I shook my head.
"No, it's fine. She loved my dad and everything. She just didn't want to be Luna. When she started having a family I think it scared her. The responsibility was too much and she just couldn't take it." I shrugged. Max sat in silence. I realized I wasn't exactly helping. "Point is if you truly love her and she loves you in return Bond or no Bond you can make it work." I didn't know if that made sense but Max's small nod made me punch his shoulder playfully like I used to do when we were kids.
"Thanks, Ay." He laughed and I flashed him a smile. For the first time in more than a week, I truly felt normal.
"I- MAX STOP!" I screamed seeing a figure dart out in the middle of the road. I grabbed a hold of the edge of the seat as Max slammed on the brakes. The figure just stood there staring at our stopped vehicle. My heart was beating out of my chest and with a quick inhale I unbuckled my seat belt and opened the door.