Torn

Chapter 61✓

Carter

My ears are ringing loudly and a dizzy, spinning feeling over comes me. I keep my eyes closed and focus on my breathing as I try to regain my senses when an incredible smell hits my nose. My mouth immediately begins to water, and the nausea starts to fade. What is that? It was like two scents were coming at me all at once.

I inhale deeply to try and decipher what it is that I'm smelling. It's like freshly fallen rain and pine trees mixed with something earthy and something a little spicy. Clove maybe? I feel an internal pacing and I'm startled to realize that it's my wolf that I'm feeling. It's a surreal moment and I can't help but smile.

Hello, Lupin. I say to her internally.

My Carter! I have missed you. She yips at me in excitement, and I can feel her spinning in circles in my mind.

I didn't realize how complete I would feel when I accepted you. I am so happy to have you, Lupin.

I am happy to be back, my Carter!

The incredible scents hits my nose again and a low groan escapes my parted lips.

What is that delicious smell? I ask Lupin.

It's the scent of what is ours. I need it. Open your eyes. I need to see. She is bouncing around in my head and growling playfully.

The damn wolf makes no sense. The scent of what is ours? I try to open my eyes, but it takes more energy than what I expected. I blink rapidly, a white light fills my sight and burns my retinas. Instantly squinting, I take a moment before trying once more.

It takes a few moments before I can finally open my eyes. Once I am fully adjusted to the fading white light my heart begins to beat rapidly. I notice that my head is resting in Quinn's lap while Xander is standing above me with his eyes bulging out of his head. He keeps blinking and shaking his head like he cannot believe what he is seeing.

Mate! Mate! Oooooh. No. Mates! Two mates. Happy wolf, happy wolf, my Carter! Lupin says excitedly, looking back and forth between Xander and Quinn.

"Holy shit." Xander whispers.

"Mate." Quinn growls deeply.

"Mine." Xander growls in reply.

"No. She's ours." Quinn snaps back and I shake my head and smile in return.

I try to sit up and yelp at the tight pain in my chest. I run my hand over the place I was shot, and I'm surprised to feel smooth skin underneath. What ever happened, my body has healed, though the pain still runs rampant throughout me.

The sound of my cry of pain seems to set Quinn and Xander into motion. They both begin fussing over me and trying to get me to lie still and remain on the ground. A low chuckle fills my ears and draws my attention back to the enemies that surround us.

Quinn sighs heavily when he realizes that I refuse to remain lying down and reaches out to help me up. The moment the skin of my palm touches his, tingles shoot up my arm. A low growl escapes his lips, and he moves to take his place at my left while Xander moves to my right. Their bodies are tense and prepared to continue this fight.

My eyes immediately snap to Viktor, who is holding a pistol to my mother in law's forehead. Tyler and a woman I don't recognize stand beside him and a deep growl rips up my throat.

Everyone's eyes snap to mine, and I force myself hold my ground, not showing how shaken I am by that as well. Xander and Quinn must realize that not only am I their true mate, but I now have my own wolf. I will have a lot of explaining to do once this is over. I snarl at Viktor and Quinn and Xander follow suit.