Page 33 of Carter

Later that night, as I sit on Ashton’s couch, I tell him my heart was broken into a million pieces. I didn't go into detail about the mate thing; instead, I tell him he found someone else who will make him happy. Ashton is a good friend, and even though I trust him, I would never betray Carter’s trust. We talk and Ashton asks me what I plan to do now. I guess the short answer to that question is I go back home.

“So, that’s what you want to do?” He questions before taking a bite of his pizza.

I nod.

“Yes, I’m returning to the States after I settle a few things. As I told you, I have this new business venture and I think we should open up a law firm in Italy. Seeing as my parents are from there and we go there often, it would be a great opportunity. I can run the office there, and you run the office here and we both manage the office in New York.”

He nods, agreeing with me but I can see the concern in his eyes. “You should eat, Lea. I heard you throwing up earlier. You need to eat.” He says with concern on his face. He’s right. I should probably eat something seeing as I emptied my stomach contents earlier. Before I can even think about anything else, Ash continues. “You have my support in whatever you decide, and I see the potential of hitting the Italian market. Even though I would hate for you to leave, being here won’t do you any good. Have you heard from him?” He questions, but we both know the answer to that since I had turned off my phone from the constant calls and text messages I was getting from Carter, Isabella, and even Liam.

I let out a sigh before answering. “I don’t know. I turned my phone off.” I pause. “Ash, if he comes looking for me or anyone comes looking, can you let them know that you haven’t heard or seen me, okay? Also, please don’t kill him.” I say, giving him a warning look. He laughs, but I need to make sure he won’t go looking for Carter. “Ash, I’m serious, don't do anything. Remember, we are professionals, and I know you won’t do anything to jeopardize our reputation. Plus, I want you to keep them as a client. It will help the firm seeing as they have hotels and other business in which our firm will be the main point of contact regarding legal matters.”

He gives me a devilish grin, and I know that no matter what, he’ll be a professional inside the office, but he won’t make it easy on Carter. We talk some more, eat and watch movies. When I look at my watch, it's already three in the morning. I know we're both tired and ready to sleep, but I want to ask Ash for one last favor.

“Ash, I need a favor. When you start interviewing potential candidates for the internship, can you give Finn an opportunity? He seems like a great kid, and something tells me he’ll make it big one day.” I say with a smile remembering our conversation. A pang of sadness hits me as I won’t be there to help him. He nods his head in agreement.

“Goodnight, Ash. Thank you.” I say, hugging him as he squeezes me tight, placing a kiss on the top of my head. Pulling away, he wishes me goodnight and kisses my forehead. I head to the guest room and try to get some sleep.

Chapter twenty-nine

Carter

My head is a mess. Fuck! Everything was a complete fucking mess. Leandra has not answered any of my calls or messages. When I went to the penthouse two days later, all her clothes and personal belongings were gone. I couldn’t even sleep in our bed, so I've been at the pack house since then. Isabella isn't even talking to me.

“Have you heard from her?” I ask her softly as she feeds Eva in the kitchen. She glances at me before she turns away and I know she’s still pissed. Silence, that's all I've been getting from her. “Isabella please, I know you’re mad at me, but it’s killing me. I’m worried she won't answer my calls or messages.” I say, begging her to answer my question.

She sighs. “I hate myself for not doing more. I should have warned her more. I told her not to get attached, but I didn't insist. I only talked to her that one time. I asked you, Carter, I told you to be careful. Why didn’t you listen to me, huh?” She’s angry, but she’s also hurting. I can see her eyes cloud with tears. She lost her best friend, and Eva lost her Godmother.

“It’s not what you think. Sienna and I —”

Isabella doesn’t let me finish my sentence when I see the death glare she is giving me. “I don’t give a fu—” She stops herself from cussing in front of Eva. She pauses for a few more seconds to calm herself down. Breathing in and out. “Carter, I honestly don’t care about you and Sienna’s relationship. I can’t even talk to my best friend and the Godmother of my daughter.”

“So, you haven’t heard from her?” I want to know the answer. She looks at me with pity as she answers. “No, Carter, I haven’t.” My heart sinks. There has been no word from her, and her firm won’t give me any details. My eyes begin to tear up again. I’ve been a wreck these past few days. Fuck, my wolf doesn’t even seem that happy that we found our mate. I can say he feels confused.

“I miss her. I can’t stop thinking about her.” I admit. Isabella looks at me with disbelief as she laughs humorlessly at my words. “Tell me, Carter, is your mate not fulfilling your expectations? She’s not what you wanted? Huh!” my hand balls into a fist at my side. I stare at her in disbelief that she could think that low of me like she hasn’t known me for years. “You might think that of me, Isabella, but I would never do that to Leandra.” That was true. I couldn't even think about having sex with Sienna. My body didn’t crave it or want it. The thought of giving my body to someone who isn’t her makes me feel dirty.

“Really? Because if I remember correctly, Carter, you chose Sienna over Leandra? And if I also remember correctly, you assured Liam and me that you loved her enough to choose her!” She spits as her eyes shoot me a glare. I let my anger get the best of me as I can’t control my wolf any longer. He’s pissed. “I didn’t choose anyone,” I grit out.

“My wolf needed time with Sienna. I wanted my wolf to have time with her.” She stares at me with sadness in her eyes. She releases a sigh she’s been holding. “I understand that our wolves need and crave the mate bond. But imagine how that looks to Leandra. She doesn’t understand what your wolf feels. She has no idea what it’s like to have a wolf and a bond. Come on, Carter, how can you expect her to be okay with that?" She shakes her head in disappointment.

As if I didn’t feel guilty, now Isabella has me feeling even worse. “I don’t expect her to be okay with this,” I say as she leaves the kitchen with Eva in her arms, ignoring me.

Punching the wall angrily, I leave the kitchen and try to find Sienna.

I find Sienna sitting on the dock, looking at the lake before her. Her feet dangle as her red hair blows in the wind. She turns around as she hears me coming. “Hey,” she smiles warmly as I approach her.

“Hi,” I say, taking a seat next to her. “So, I —” We both try to talk simultaneously. “You first,” I nod, letting her know to continue. She takes a deep breath and then lets it out. Her face moves to look at me. “I think we need to talk.” She tells me.

“This isn’t working out, is it? Us being mates.” She questions, but we both know the answer to that. Letting out a sigh, I nod, giving her my answer. “Honestly, Carter, the bond isn’t what I expected. Don’t get me wrong, it feels nice, but I feel like we're missing something.” She explains, running her fingers through her hair in the process. “This is probably silly, but I always thought I would feel the Fourth of July fireworks when I met my mate. That I would crave them like a kid craves chocolate on Halloween.”

I can’t help but laugh internally at her description, but I feel sadness within me too. “Yeah, I know what you mean,” I mumble out, remembering how I felt with Leandra. Being with herwaslike the Fourth of July fireworks. I craved her more than damn chocolate, and I needed her just for me to breathe. I won’t lie and say that our mate connection wasn’t there because it was. At first, Sienna and I were like magnets, and we physically couldn’t stay away. Our wolves have spent time getting to know each other, and the closest we have gotten to physical contact is when she holds my hand, like right now, or when our hand's brush.

I needed to be by her side for the sake of my wolf, not dying from heartbreak. Though as the days went by, I've been noticing our mate bond starting to weaken? Break? Was that even possible? I could still feel the need for the bond and the want, but it wasn’t enough. It didn’t feel right. I was missing something…

Or someone.

This wasn’t anything like what Liam and Isabella have. I was getting lost in my thoughts when she brought me back to reality with her next statement.

“No offense Carter. You're a handsome male, but you’re not my type.” She smiles before she laughs. I can’t help but laugh at her reaction. Now curious as to what her type is. “What’s your type?” I question with a curious look on my face. She hums and wraps her arms around her knees. “Let’s just say you don’t have the correct equipment between your legs.” She says her cheeks getting red in the process.

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