We met up with the others in the parking lot. I could tell by Kai’s uneasiness, something was wrong. She paced, running her hands through her hair. Jensen held Dylan, who had come to the parking lot as well.
“Ok – I can tell something is wrong.”
Surveying the area, I noted that Chris, Kai, Jensen, Dylan, and Joe were all waiting on us. “Hey, where’s Carter?” quickly realizing he wasn’t with everyone, “Why isn’t he here?”
Kai sighed, “He’s missing.”
“What? What do you mean missing? He was just here.” I looked at Paul, who turned to Jensen.
“What’s she talking about Jensen?”
Jensen took a deep breath, “He and Mike went to scout the woods.”
“Wait, where’s Mike?”
“Back at the house. Roxy came and got him, she and Hayley are there trying to mend him injuries. There was a pretty bad fight or something. We aren’t sure,” Dylan kissed Jensen, wrapping her arms around him tighter, “Mike isn’t talking – yet. When they didn’t come back, Joe went to check.”
“Yeah – I found Mike just inside the trees. He was bleeding bad and unconscious. But…” Joe shook his head, “Carter was nowhere around.”
“Let me get this straight… you sent them into the woods. Can’t you know…” I waved my hands around, “talk through the pack link or something?”
“Yes – but not if their unconscious or dead.”
“DON’T,” Kai yelled, “He isn’t dead. DO YOU HEAR ME?”
I moved from Paul’s grasp, “Kai, I’m sure he’s going to be fine,” pulling her into a hug, “We will find him, right Paul?”
“Yes… We will.”
“Look, we can’t do anything from here. Joe said they are headed in the direction of the house. Let’s go home and come up with a plan.”
Jensen took Dylan’s hand and walked her to where her car was parked. They embraced, Jensen kissing her before shutting her car door. He jogged towards his bike, swinging himself onto the seat and pulling off behind her.
“Kai, I’ll drive with you. You are way to upset to drive alone. Mike,” Chris tossed his truck keys at him, “drive my truck. We’ll see you at the house.”
Kai stepped out of my embrace, “Thanks, Carly,” and walked towards her own truck. She was obviously hurting – hell she never let anyone drive her truck, Earl. And she was willingly climbing into the passenger seat.
Turning to face Paul, “Why is he doing this? I am nobody.”
“No Carly – you’re everything. I don’t think this is about you… I think this is about hurting all of us. You just happened to fall in love with a guy whose family is a target.”
“I don’t care. He’s not scaring me away from you… or any of the pack. Dylan is like my sister – hell she’s the only family I really have.”
Pulling me into his arms, “You have me now. I’m sorry it took so long to realize you were exactly what I needed… even if I don’t deserve your love. Carly, I will make up the last three years. I promise. You deserve that.”
“I don’t care about the past, Paul. I only care about the future. Let’s go. The others will be waiting on us.”
As we got on the bike, I couldn’t help but feel immense anger. We didn’t deserve this. Carter was out there, hurt. I wanted to tear off Dan’s face…he was about to see how much of a bitch I could be. He was messing with the wrong redhead.
The ride seemed short as we pulled down the long-wooded drive. Everyone was already there, probably waiting on us. Sliding off the seat, I heard Kai screaming inside the house.
“Shit – come on, let’s get in there.”
Paul darted around the bike, moving faster than I’d ever seen him. I had to jog to keep pace with him as we made out way into the kitchen. Kai was in a full-blown rage.
“HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?”
“Kai – calm down… please.” Jensen was trying to calm her, but she jerked free of his grasp.
“Fuck you, Jensen. If it were your mate taken, you’d be out there – looking.”
“My dear, calm down. Getting angry like this will lead to becoming irrational.” Haven had joined everyone in the kitchen. Tessa bounced, there now one year old on her knee. Roxy and Stephanie had also joined the group.
“Haven – if I recall, Tessa stopped at nothing to save you. So why is it that I am being told no? Why – can you tell me that?”
“Well for starters – you’ve rejected your mate. So why now Kai?”
Kai threw her glass in the sink, “I was scared… am scared.”
Dylan walked up behind her, placing her hand on her shoulder, “Scared? Of what Kai? You know that Carter is your mate.”
“I was afraid of losing myself to him… and now… now I may never find out.”
“Kai – I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”
She turned, seeing me at the doorway with Paul, “You silly girl – this is not your fault. We should have never let him go in the first place.”
“Ahhh… so this is actually my fault.” Dylan spoke.
“NO!” Jensen yelled, “This is no ones fault – No ones but Dante’s. He lied to Carly… to do exactly this – destroy our family. Well, I won’t let him. Dylan, can you see if you can track Carter with magic?”
Dylan paled, “Um…”
“Actually, can Haven do that? I need to talk to Dylan in private – if that’s possible?”
Dylan eyed me, nodding her head, “Haven – can you do it?”
“Of course, I can do it. I will just need something of his. An article of recently worn clothing or something.”
“I’ll get it.” Kai disappeared down the basement steps.
“Dylan, let’s go upstairs while they work. I’ll be back in a few Paul,” leaning in I kissed his lips and turned to walk up the stairs.
“Damn – that was a close one. I haven’t told Jensen that I can’t do any magic right now. He’d start asking questions.”
“I know, that’s why I suggested out talk.”
“Thanks, Carly.”
We walked upstairs, walking into my room and plopping on the bed.
“Dylan… Do you think this is my fault? Maybe if I hadn’t gone out with him, he wouldn’t have done this.”
“No – Carly don’t blame yourself. I suspect I should have taken care of him when I had the chance. But the thought of killing someone… well, I couldn’t. However – I will not extend the same courtesy this time.”
“Carly?” Paul stood at the door.
“Paul – what’s wrong?”
“Haven thinks he’s found him. We are getting a team together.”