Page 73 of Stalked By the Alphas
His expression softens. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m worried about you.”
“I know,” I say, my anger fading as quickly as it came. “But I need to do this. I need to feel like I have some control over my life again.”
Carter nods slowly. “Okay. But will you at least let me come with you? Just to make sure you’re okay?”
I hesitate, torn between wanting independence and acknowledging that I might need support. “Fine,” I concede. “But you stay in the background. It’s my shop, and I don’t want you to interfere.”
A small smile tugs at Carter’s lips. “Deal.”
We sit in silence for a moment, the weight of everything that’s happened settling over us.
“Carter,” I say quietly, “I know we need to talk about... everything. But I’m not ready yet.”
He nods, his eyes serious. “I know. There’s no rush, Hazel.”
I chew my lip and then settle back in the bed, closing my eyes. If I’m going to get out of this bed and pretend like nothing has happened tomorrow, I need to rest as much as possible. As sleep lulls me into a dazed state, I catch a whiff of Carter’s cedarwood scent. It’s familiar and comforting. I turn my head instinctively and find that he has laid a t-shirt on the pillow next tome. It’s a sign of possession that doesn’t make me angry. If anything, it makes me realise that maybe fighting this pact is the wrong thing to do. The three alphas showed up for me yesterday and saved me from certain horror and trauma. That has to mean something.
Doesn’t it?
44
HAZEL
When I openmy eyes later, the sun is high, telling me it’s afternoon now. My stomach growls, and I groan when I turn over, reaching for the water I set down earlier this morning when Mrs Lewis arrived. My fingers hit the glass, and I grip it, forcing myself to a sitting position to gulp it back quickly.
Carter isn’t in the room, but I can hear him moving around downstairs.
Well, I hope it’s him. Last time…
My hands shake and I eye up the bottle of anti-anxiety tablets on the pillow next to cam bear. The sight of them makes me sick and is like a slap to the face with a wet dishcloth. I didn’t need them. This whole time, I didn’t need them. I wasn’t going crazy. It was those two fuckers messing with me. I clench my jaw so tightly that I give myself a headache, allowing myself to remember briefly what the guys did to them before I shove the horror of that under the mental mat.
I wonder where Noah and Zach are. Why haven’t they come to see me yet? Maybe it’s good they haven’t. I need time to think about what to say to them and how to act.
I force myself out of bed and shuffle to the bathroom, I catch sight of myself in the mirror and grimace. My face is pale and drawn, with dark circles under my eyes. The thin line from the knife is visible, and I wonder what Mrs Lewis must’ve thought.
Turning away from my reflection, I use the toilet and then wash my hands and face, trying to feel more human. I brush my teeth, and the minty taste helps to clear some of the fog from my brain.
Back in the bedroom, I rummage through my suitcase for clean clothes. I pull on soft leggings and an oversized tee.
Taking a deep breath, I make my way downstairs. The smell of food hits me as I reach the bottom, and my stomach growls loudly.
Carter looks up from the stove as I enter the kitchen. “Hey,” he says softly. “How are you feeling?”
“Hungry.”
He nods. “I’m making some soup. It should be ready in a few minutes. Do you want tea?”
“Please.”
Carter busies himself, making tea and stirring the soup. I sit and watch him move around the kitchen, feeling out of sorts. It’s strange seeing him in such a domestic setting after everything that’s happened.
He sets a mug of tea in front of me, and I wrap myhands around it gratefully, inhaling the comforting scent.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
He nods and turns back to the stove. We sit in silence as he finishes cooking, the only sounds being the gentle bubbling of the soup and the occasional quiet thud of the wooden spoon against the pot.
Finally, Carter ladles soup into two bowls and brings them to the table, along with some buttered bread. The smell makes my mouth water.
