Surviving My Fate

Chapter Eighteen Interrogations

Four thirty in the morning came early. I had hardly slept all night tossing and turning unable to put my mind at ease. Carter is already dressed and is waiting on me. Mel agreed to watch the kids since her presence isn't needed. Mine really isn’t either but I told Carter I want to be there.

I throw my hair into a messy bun and slip on my sneakers. The athletic attire I’m wearing hugs my body accentuating all my curves. The green stretchy fabric reminds me of carters eyes and feels like butter against my skin. I curl my fingers over the sleeves of the cropped sweater. The thumb holes and the crisscross front quickly make it a favorite piece of mine.

One last glance in the mirror and I leave the closet. Carter is sitting on the bed his eyes glazed. He must be linking his beta and gamma.

The fog clouding his emerald eyes clears and he drinks me in raking his lust-filled gaze from head to toe. My body heats under his sensual stare causing me to look away.

“Mine” Carter growls sweeping me off my feet and kissing me passionately albeit dominantly he's fully controlling the kiss. His teeth graze my bottom lip tugging it into his mouth and eliciting a moan from deep in my throat. Carter takes that to his advantage plunging his tongue into my mouth and tasting every inch before pulling away leaving us both breathless.

“Yours” I breathe out still trying to catch the air he took from my lungs.

We’re staring into each other’s eyes for what feels like an eternity. My body is still gathered to him held by his strong arms and then his eyes glaze over breaking the moment apart and ripping me from the security of his embrace.

“We’re late.”

“Okay let’s go.” I head out of the room knowing he’s following, I will not be the reason he’s late. His pack depends on him just as my son depends on me.

I make it to the bottom of the staircase and then stop. I honestly have no idea where the training grounds are. Carter seems to realize this taking my hand and leading me around the long hallways and out a back door I didn't know existed.

We step into a large clearing the cool morning air nipping my exposed skin. The sudden chill sends a shiver down my spine and a gust of wind has me wrapping my arms around myself. Without the sun to shine rays of warmth into me the cold easily sets in.

Winter is definitely among us.

Carter pulls me close to him wrapping his large arm around my shoulders, his heat pours into my body like lava warming me in more ways than one. I push the desire away focusing on the task at hand as we make our way toward the dark shapes in the distance. I know they can see us and Carter them. I am not as blessed. The closer we get the better my view becomes and I see the warriors, some of whom I recognize, standing in a line, hands by their sides as if they’re about to run military drills. Marcus and Levi stand before them arms crossed over their chest, blank expressions plastered across their faces.

Carter strides up taking his stance next to Marcus and Levi leaving me slightly behind. I square my shoulders, raise my chin, and take confident meaningful steps placing myself beside Carter.

“Alpha” The synchronized welcome followed by the bow shows the warrior's undeniable respect and dedication to their leader.

“Marcus, Levi, have you shared why we’re here today.” Carter queries turning to them.

“No Alpha,” Marcus replies meeting his brother's eyes.

“Good, let’s begin then shall we,” Carter states facing his men once more. “As you all know Ashley was exiled from our pack three days ago.” He pauses to gauge their reactions. Their expressions remain stoic not showing any emotion towards the she wolf. I on the other hand stiffen just hearing her name. “She will be considered a threat. Anyone who sees her should come forward immediately.”

“Yes Alpha” their voices ring out.

“I need all of you to answer a few questions.” Cain is at the surface the aura strong and demanding unlike the calm exterior being presented. I brush my hand over his garnering a quick look from him.

“If you’ve slept with Ashley step forward.” He commands.

All but three of the twenty-eight warriors take a step toward us. She really made her way around.

“Tacticians move to Levi, border patrol to Marcus, strategist in front of me, everyone else remain.”

Why is he separating them? Grouping them like that? The analytical part of me the psychologist takes over. It’s an interrogation method he’s in complete control no one here is more dominant than the Alpha.

The men move with rapid speed and accuracy everyone aware of the other's positions, their bodies glide past one another never touching as they do what they are instructed to.

Marcus has the largest group, Levi, the second largest, and Carters is the smallest three men stand before us. Older, wiser, and more calculating than the rest, even behind the young exteriors.

Only two warriors stay put they’re both young no more than eighteen. They look like some of my students. Probably weren’t specialized in a specific area yet.

The three left behind from the first question are watching with rapt attention.

Carter starts to speak again his voice becoming softer like a friend. “I know many of us were fooled by that seductive she-wolf myself included.” My blood boils thinking of them together and I shut down the stream of thought before it can continue. I see what he's doing, he’s reversing techniques acting as a friend to lower their guard. “Which is why we’re here. We have to find out what she may know. War is coming. Everything I do now is to protect my mate, your future Luna, and our pack.”

One of the younger wolf's feet shuffles and Carter's gaze lands on him. “Xavier” the wolf looks up his eyes are filled with fear. I know the other men can smell it as well. Carter steps towards him leaving his group standing in front of me. Xavier is standing with the border patrol group he visibly shrinks into himself, further cowering from the Alpha with each step Carter takes.

“What did you tell her?” Cain growls grabbing Xavier by the shirt and lifting him off the ground.

Knowing it’s time for me to step in I walk to my mate wrapping my hand around his and gently uncurling his fingers.

“Cain give me Carter back, scaring the boy to death will not get us answers,” I tell him pulling him down to meet my ever-serious eyes.

“Mate,” he says inhaling my scent and the gold flecks disperse.

***

The questions continue for another two hours the sun has risen and the warriors who had no entanglements with Ashley are sent off with Marcus to patrol the border. Carter is becoming easily riled up along the way pushing me to step in so that we don't lose one of our own.

As it turns out Xavier told Ashley a lot, and so did many of the younger men who were caught up in her beauty and the desire to be with her.

She practically knew every guard station, patrol pattern, and tactical move we would’ve made had Carter not ordered them all to be changed. The strategists gave up the least to the evil wench knowing it could be used against us. Their namesake served them well seeing they thought that a possibility even when no one else had.

I’m deep in thought when Carter dismisses them to Levi barely noticing his sudden arrival until his nose brushes against mine.

“What’s on your mind beautiful?” He asks running his hands up and down my arms tracing small circles each time he reaches my shoulders.

I tilt my head back confident in my decision. I need to learn to fight. I needed to train.

“Teach me how to defend myself.”

“No, you’ll be someplace safe with someone to protect you.” He argues.

“Carter I need to know how to protect myself and my son. Train me or so help me I will have someone else do it.” My jaw locks and my eyes become slits he will not resign me to being some helpless maiden.

I am strong and capable.

He doesn’t speak aiding in my anger.

“I will not be cast aside as weak and in need of protection Carter.” I duck out of his grasp striding in the direction of the warriors prepared to learn by myself when he catches up to me.

“You win Cassie. Follow me.”