Saving Bennett Reid (Book 3)

Consequences of Officiality (Part 1)

(Carter)

"Hey, calm down." Bennett urged, reaching over to entwine our fingers as we waited for the door to be answered.

I expelled a slow, shaky breath. "Sorry. Just really nervous." I admitted, and a moment later, I was firmly grabbed by the shoulder and turned to face my mate who cupped my face with both hands forcing my focus solely on him.

"You have nothing to worry about. You trust me, don't you?" I nodded. "Then trust me when I say, you're going to be fine. Just be you, and everything will be okay. You're Carter Kristian Hayes. Future beta of Marcana. King of Jasper Falls High School. What do you have to fear, huh?"

Too much!

"Making an ass of myself. Messing up and having your mom and stepfather forbid our relationship and bond. Revealing how incompetent I am given our social class division. We're not as classy as these guys, you know. Pissing myself when your stepfather shakes my hand. Shall I continue?" I listed off, making my mate smile, withholding the urge to laugh. Bennett spread his arms suddenly.

"Come here." he instructed, and I didn't miss a heartbeat, stepping closer and enveloping him in my arms. He draped his arms around my shoulders as I buried my face into his shoulder, taking in a deep whiff of his scent, letting the absence of space between us work its magic in helping me calm the fuck down.

The door opened and I jumped away from him, awkwardly standing there fiddling with my fingers, avoiding the stern stare of the person who had answered the door. I heard my mate scoff, followed by him face palming.

"Mister Bennett?" the person called, and I glanced up to see an elderly gentleman who looked to be in his fifties. He was decked out in black dress pants, a black dress shirt and waistcoat. He was bald around the middle of his head, his graying hair well maintained as well as the dusting of a beard on his face. He had a kind face and looked surprised to see us.

"Hey, Anthony. Sorry for popping by unexpectedly." my mate apologized with a sweet tilt of his shoulders.

A warm smile suddenly broke out onto the man's face, and again, I could tell, like with Russell, this man was also pretty fond of my mate.

I'm beginning to think he was born in the wrong pack. Then again, maybe not. If he lived in Valley Heights, what would have been the chances we'd run into each other?

I didn't want to imagine the torture of feeling the pull toward him, never meeting him and being driven insane not knowing who this person was. It had already been difficult enough when he ignored me and showed his displeasure in having me as his mate. It had hurt bad enough when he went to unnecessary, petty measures to keep away from me. Gods know what would have become of me had he lived elsewhere, and I was left to be tortured by the pull never really knowing where to look.

The only reason the bond had helped me locate him that one time in the slums of Jasper Falls, is because we had both acknowledged the bond, spoken, touched at some point strengthening the power of it. Had we never met would be a whole other ball game and Marcana would have an unstable, disgraceful future beta.

"Not at all. I'm sure the Alpha and Luna will be happy to see you." My attention snapped back to reality rather than the confinements of my unnecessary thoughts as Anthony spoke again. "But, may I ask, to what do we owe the honor of having Marcana's future beta visit?" Anthony queried, curiously glancing my way. My jaw moved soundlessly as I failed to introduce myself but luckily, my very wonderful mate helped out my incompetent ass.

Bennett glanced to me fondly, making my cheeks heat up as I felt the mother of all blushes coming onto me. I cleared my throat in hopes it would go away.