Chapter 4. A Carter Trait

I just chuckled at her, and she looked at me like I was some crazy old man. I took off my jacket, which had a hoodie, and gave it to her. At first, she just stared at it, but then, when she must've felt my parents' presence going up the stairs, she immediately grabbed it and put it on. When she flipped her hair because she was putting the jacket on, her sweet, addicting scent surrounded me.

Even more so, as her room had a small window enough for the breeze to come through, the wind must have wanted to tempt me even further because I inhaled her sweet fragrance. Her scent is like a combination of fresh but crushed strawberries, just so you could really take a whiff of its smell and the exquisite chocolate that makes you want to take a bite together with the strawberry—a perfect combination. And with each bite, it makes you crave more. The blended aroma really makes me crazy. 

Since she is near me and because of the bond, I know she is suppressing herself; I can feel it deeply. Although that also means that she knows what I'm currently feeling and what I am trying to hold back. When my parents arrived at the room, my mom grinned at me when she saw Addison wearing my jacket.

"A Carter trait indeed," she mumbles, and they then look at each other. Mom to Luna Anna and my dad to Alpha Daniel. They nodded at each other as they were communicating through the mind link. I just noticed the twins were glaring at me the whole time, as if wanting to rip off my neck for just being here. Even worse, I am in front of their little sister, saw her naked body, and even gave her some personal clothing. Knowing they are really protective of her, ripping my neck is an understatement.

"Mom, Dad, what happened to the rogues? Did they spill out some useful information regarding the accident?" Addison broke the silence, and I was grateful for it because it was really getting awkward. Well, I guess all of them are Addisons right now, but you know who I meant. She caught the twins' attention, and it made me breathe a little as their glares were suffocating. 

All three of them—Alpha Daniel, Luna Anna, and Jayden—just looked at each other, and you didn't even need to guess what they were communicating about in their minds. It was so obvious that 'Who's going to tell her?' was written all over their faces. Addison sighed as if she already knew what had happened.

"You guys did it again, did you? This is why some of the wolves from other packs seriously thought we all had gone mad and insane!" She scolded her family with her hands at her waist. Goddess, it was a sight to see.

"I repeatedly told all of you to calm down when interrogating some rogues and criminals. Oh Goddess, he's already dead, isn't he?" She sighed and asked while looking into her father's eyes. Alpha Daniel looked away and slightly bumped Luna Anna for help. Luna Anna just shrugged, and to make things worse, Jayden opened up his mouth.

"They are already dead, Sophie. Two of them. Alpha Frank and Luna Mia caught the one who pulled your hair." Jayden admitted. I felt Addison twitch and tremble slightly for a second, but I continued to scold them.

"Of course they're dead; I'm not there to stop any of you bloodshedders. The elders will surely be on my case again. They even gave up on scolding or reminding any of you not to kill them unless necessary, and that speaks volume." She clenched her tiny, cute fists, inhaled and exhaled deeply, then opened her palm again to rub her forehead. We heard Aidan chuckle, but Addison turned to him and said that he was also part of it, even though she knew he wasn't really downstairs. She must've meant that as a whole, pertaining to other circumstances.

After what happened in her room, her parents and mine just talked about informing the community council about what happened and that they would just meet there to have a meeting.

I glanced at Addison for the last time and was happy that she was still wearing my jacket. My mom then pulled my shirt to remind me that we were already going back. I bid everyone goodbye, even though the three men just ignored me. Luna Anna just nodded. And Addison just stared at me blankly. To be fair, I guess I really deserved that.

We wolfed out and ran from Crescent Moon to our packhouse, which is a bit far since the direction of their pack is in the opposite direction to ours.

As we arrived after quite some time, to the point that it was almost dark, I jumped on my bed and took a nap.

Hours later, I woke up when I heard mom calling me to go downstairs to eat. She told me that tomorrow would be the meeting with the council.

"What? So soon?" I asked as I ate some medium-rare meat that mom cooked, although it was actually more rare than medium, our favorite.

"Of course it should be; the only daughter and the Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack were attacked. Well, I mean, all of them technically were attacked." Mom reminded me. I just nodded and munched some of the steak again. Dad was oddly quiet the whole time, and when he is, it is never good.

"Then, I'll be at Woodhill since I have to prepare a lot of things," I told them so that they wouldn't be surprised if they didn't find me here tomorrow. I won't be able to see them either.

"Oh no, young man, you are coming with us. You have to be with your mate and protect her in case something happens," Mom sternly demanded. I accidentally dropped my spoon and fork and faced her eye-to-eye. She can't do this to me! Of course, because Addison irritatingly denied my rejection, I have to do my part as a mate. The special bond is making it hard for me to get away from her once I am around her. That is why, as much as possible, I want to avoid her. Mom and dad know that and are trying to get me to be with her.

"Mom! School's starting in five days! I have to--" Mom cut me off brutally as I tried to make an excuse. But it is a valid one! She raised her eyebrows at me, not caring a bit about my reaction.

"Go with mate; you already failed to protect her once!" Luke sneered in my head, and it is causing me headaches. I didn't mind him and was about to retaliate even further, but of course, mom won't let me.

"Okay, then I guess I just have to ask Henry; I'm sure he will be more than willing to help watch over Sophia," Mom said, and she was about to stand up, but she stopped when she heard me furiously growling. She looked back and smiled triumphantly. They must have heard about what happened earlier from the principal, and they are now using it against me. Mom sat down and continued eating.

"I guess that's a yes then." Dad finally spoke, and I am guessing he is just waiting for the topic to be raised because he knew I would never say no to mom, and if on some rare occasion that I did, mom would undoubtedly find a way to make me agree, either the easy way or a brutal one.

I have no choice but to accompany Addison; maybe I can convince her in private to accept my rejection so we can just go with our own lives. Although the connection will still be there, at least it is not that strong anymore to make me constantly want to mark that delicate neck of hers.

The night gallingly passed by, as if the skies were in a hurry to tease me into being with her this instant. We just wolfed out, considering that it has been this way ever since I was just a pup, and as always, we used the special clothing so that we would not be naked when we shifted back. The community council is composed of some of the past alphas and lunas of almost every pack and some elders. It is located in the innermost part of the city, as it is necessary for them to overlook everything that has happened or is happening and to prevent future conflicts, even war. My grandpa and grandma would be there, and I'm sure they would scold me more than anyone would for what I did or even what happened to Addison.

When I saw her get out of the car, my chest tightened, and I wanted to hold her right away. Luke was not helping; instead, he made me crave her touch even more. I clenched my fist and calmly walked my way to her.

"Of course you had to be here," she commented, holding her temple. I can feel that she hasn't fully recovered yet. What the fuck did that rogue do to her? I am truly glad he died, but I hope he wakes up so that I can inflict pain upon him again and again and kill him the second time around.