Torn

New Chapter 9✓

Carter 

My ears are ringing painfully and the ache in my head pulses with every beat of my heart. I can hear what sounds like muffled voices coming from outside the room. I peek my eyes open, squinting against the light and find myself in the middle of the bed in my grandpa's bedroom.

The king-sized bed sits in the middle of the room against the wall. To the left is a small wooden nightstand with a lamp. There is a large picture window overlooking the dense forest and dark gray curtains are pulled over to keep out the moonlight. In front of the bed is a long six-drawer dresser with four wolf statues arranged on top.

My eyes catch on a small picture frame sitting on the dresser and my nose stings when I realize what it is. A small girl sits on the swing, her auburn hair a frizzy mess as it sways in the wind. An older man stands behind her, pushing her higher. But it's the massive smiles on both of their faces that makes my heart ache. It's one of my favourite pictures of my grandpa and me. I'll never forget that day.

The muffled voices are getting louder, I look over at the door to the room and notice that it's closed over but not latched. I can hear the voices better now that I'm fully conscious. I strain my ears to try and catch exactly what is being said.

"You're a fucking fool, Xander! Do you realize what you've done?" Quinn's voice comes out cold and sharp.

"I'm not stupid, Quinn! I was pissed. I wasn't thinking. But don't for a second think that you're innocent in all of this! What the fuck do we do?" Xander sounds panicked.

What are they doing at the Cabin and how did I end up in grandpa's room? I think back and heat burns my cheeks when the last thing I can remember is how I was about to kiss Quinn and then someone knocked on the door.

I can't believe Xander had shown up at the exact moment he did. A few moments later and I would have known what it was like to kiss Quinn. I internally groan. I had only been fantasizing for over a decade about being with Quinn and Xander, so of course, something would come along to interrupt the moment. I roll my eyes at my damn hormonal self. Once more, Carter. You're skipping steps!

My internal monologue is interrupted by Quinn's sharp voice.

"I don't know what the fuck we should do! Carter never should have seen your wolf. You should have had enough restraint to control him!"

The wolf. It all comes back to me, a flood of images slam into my mind one after the other. Claws. Blood. Torn clothing. Wolf. My heart starts beating faster as each image morphs to the next. One second Xander stood there, and the next there was this massive wolf.

Quinn just said it was Xander's wolf. Does that mean that Xander is in control of him? But where did he go when the wolf appeared? I'm losing it. I've been telling myself all day that I'm going crazy and now it's just a proven fact. My mind just flat out refuses to acknowledge what is right in front of me.

"I don't give a fuck how pissed you are at me, you put Carter in danger tonight, you fucking idiot!" Quinn seethes and the deep vibrating thud of a body hitting the wall outside of my room makes me jump and suck in a sharp breath.

Their voices stop and I quickly close my eyes and pretend to be asleep. The door squeaks as it opens and the sound of soft footsteps approaching my bed fills my ears.

"Carter, love. We know you're awake. We can hear your panicked little heart fluttering." Xander says.

"That, and you're breathing heavily. You're not a good faker, little one." Quinn chuckles.

The bed dips down beside me, and I open my eyes to see Xander sitting on the edge of the bed. His blue eyes are soft and he looks so sad.

I sit up, cross my legs and look over Xander's shoulder to see Quinn leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed in front of him. He gives me a quick wink and tries to smile but it doesn't reach his eyes.