Page 66 of Stalked By the Alphas
I giggle despite everything, and it feels good. Wrapping my hands around the warm ceramic, the familiar scent of chamomile wafts up, soothing my frayed nerves slightly.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
Carter nods, hovering awkwardly. “Do you need anything else?”
“Just my pyjamas and bed.”
“Okay,” he says quietly. “Come.”
He leads me to his bedroom where my clothes are still stuffed in the suitcase. The cam bear sits on the pillow. I notice Carter give it the side-eye and hide my smile behind the mug.
Carter lifts the suitcase onto the bed and unzips it. He pokes through and finds my pyjamas, taking them out and placing them on the bed. I move in closer and reach out to touch the enormous bruise on his temple before dropping it to brush over his side, where I saw the stab wound.
He freezes.
“Are you okay?”
Carter’s eyes soften as he looks at me. “I’m fine, Hazel. Don’t worry about me.”
I frown, dropping my hand. “But you’re hurt. Because of me.”
“No, not because of you. Never because of you. This is because of those monsters who tried to hurt you. I’d take a thousand more hits if it meant keeping you safe.”
His intensity startles me, and I clench my fist, suddenly feeling exposed in just my towel. Carter seems to sense my discomfort and steps back.
“I’ll let you get dressed,” he says softly. “Do you want me to wait outside?”
I hesitate, torn between wanting privacy and not wanting to be alone. “Could you... could you just turn around?”
He nods, turning to face the wall. I put my tea down and quickly drop my towel. Pulling on my pyjamas, I wince as the soft fabric rubs against my various cuts and bruises.
“Okay,” I say quietly when I’m done.
Carter turns back, his eyes roaming over me as if checking for any new injuries. “Are you hungry? I could make you something to eat.”
The thought of food makes my stomach churn. I shake my head. “No, I just want to sleep.”
He nods in understanding. “Of course.”
He moves to leave, and panic flares in my chest. “Wait,” I blurt out, my hand reaching for him instinctively. “Could you... could you stay? Just until I fall asleep?”
Carter’s expression softens. “Of course, Hazel. Whatever you need.”
I climb into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. Carter settles on the floor, leaning back against the bed, close enough that I can feel his presence but not so close as to make me uncomfortable.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For everything. For saving me.”
Carter stares out of the window but doesn’t say anything for a moment. “I will always come for you, Hazel. Always.”
His words should comfort me, but instead, they stir up conflicting emotions. Why is he really here? What does he want from me?
Exhaustion pulls me under quickly, bringing relief and oblivion.
41
NOAH
Zachand I trudge back to the car, exhausted and covered in dirt, sweat and blood. The grim task of burying the bodies weighs heavily on us both. Throwing the shovels back into the false bottom of the boot, I slam it closed, and we climb into the car. I pull off my mask, finally able to breathe freely.
