Page 101 of Stalked By the Alphas
“I don’t even know what to do with that, Carter,” I admit. “I can’t just forget what happened.”
Carter nods solemnly. “I know, and I wouldn’t expect you to.” He takes a deep breath before continuing. “I’ve done a lot of soul-searching, Hazel. I realised how controlling and manipulative I’ve been, not just with you but in all aspects of my life. I let my parents’ expectations, and my own ego drive me for so long. But I’m done with that now.”
I raise an eyebrow, curious despite my distrust. “What do you mean?”
“I told my parents to go to hell,” he says with a wrysmile. “I’m walking away from the family business, from their money and influence. I want to build a life on my own terms.”
His words surprise me. I know how much his career and family legacy means to him. It’s one of many reasons why I left them all to begin with. I’m starting to think maybe I should’ve stuck around and taken the risk. “That’s… big.”
Carter nods. “It is. But it’s the right move. When I found out what my parents had said about you, I knew I was never going to forgive them. It hit home how I’m too much like my father, and that sickens me. I don’t want to be like him, Hazel. I can’t. It’s not really me. I don’t want to be that person anymore who thinks he can control everything and everyone around him. I want to be someone worthy of your trust and love, even if I never earn it back.”
I feel tears pricking at my eyes and blink them back furiously. His sincerity is killing me, but I can’t let myself be swayed so easily.
Or can I?
I’m so tired. Tired of being scared, tired of crying, tired of being lost, tired of being alone.
I stare at him, on his knees, for a long time.
Neither of us says a word.
Eventually, I walk up to him and hand the bear back to him, my hands trembling as I make a decision I might regret, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m done.
57
CARTER
My heart explodeswith pain as she holds out the bear to me. She is rejecting me, and while I should’ve known, I was hoping she would see how much I love her and need her. I didn’t say that. I should’ve. I was so nervous that all my planned mental notes went out of my head the second I looked at her.
I stare at the bear, not wanting to take it, but then I have to respect what Hazel wants. With a shaky hand, I reach out to grasp its arm, but she doesn’t let go. Instead, she drops to her knees in front of me and guides the bear to the hem of my tee. She lifts it up and shoves the bear underneath it, against my skin.
“So it can have your scent on it,” she murmurs, eyes lowered.
I let out a whimper of excruciating relief and joy. My arms ache to pull Hazel close, but I resist, not wanting to push too far too fast. Instead, I hold perfectly still as she presses the bear against my chest.
“Hazel,” I breathe, her name a prayer on my lips.
She looks up at me then, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I’m not saying anything yet,” she says softly. “But I’m tired of being alone. I’m tired of being afraid, and as much as I hate to admit it, as fucked up as it is with everything I’ve learned lately, I feel safe with you. I always have.”
Her words elate but humble me into complete penance. She is willing to try, and that is more than I could’ve hoped. I know how much it must have cost her to admit this. “I swear to you, Hazel, I will spend every day of the rest of my life earning your trust back. I will never take you for granted again. None of us will.” The question hangs there, and she sighs softly. I don’t know what that means. Is she denying Noah and Zach or accepting them into her life?
“Noah…” she starts but trails off. “He…”
“He will.”
She nods and I slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull away, reach out and cup her cheek in my hand. When she leans into my touch, I sob from the gift she has given me.
“Can I... can I hold you?” I ask hesitantly.
In response, Hazel leans forward, pressing herself against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close, inhaling her sweet jasmine scent. The bear is squashed between us, and it feels like coming home after being lost for so long.
“I love you, Hazel. I need you.” The words finallytumble from my mouth and I’m glad I said them, even if it doesn’t make a difference to her, it does to me.
We stay like that for several long moments, neither of us speaking. I’m afraid to break the spell, to say or do anything that might make her pull away. But eventually, Hazel shifts slightly in my arms.
“Carter,” she murmurs, her voice muffled against my shirt. “There’s still so much we need to work through.”
“I know,” I say softly, running a hand gently down her back. “I don’t expect everything to be fixed overnight. We have a lot to make up for, a lot to prove to you. But I promise you, Hazel, we will do whatever it takes. Are you giving us the chance?” I need to hear it, and I know she needs to say it, to consent, to have that control over her own life and her choices.
