Dieter's Prize

Twenty

Dieter's POV

The rest of the week was pure bliss. 

I've never felt so connected to someone in my entire life. I see why the goddess brought us together. 

Crispin saw me in a way no one else has, and he understands me. He makes me laugh and brings out a side of me I didn't know I was capable of having. There are times when I find myself wondering what I did to deserve such goodness in a person. Because that is what he is. Goodness. He is light and joy and it leaks out of him and onto me. 

But all good things must come to an end.

"Deder, why do you have some of Daddy's clothes?" Carter asked as he watched me pack. 

My plane was leaving tonight. 

The week was over. And I had to leave. 

"Well, because it smells like him and I want to have it with me," I told him as I moved around the room like it was mine. Though it felt like it now. Crispin sat quietly on the bed watching me. Watching Carter. 

Thankfully they were able to smooth things over between them, or at least it seems. Carter still seems apprehensive of Crispin sometimes.

"You go for a long time?" He asked me. Carter seemed just as sad as Crispin.

"Not a long time. Soon, you'll come visit me and meet my family." That seemed to make Carter happy as a giant smile covered his face.

"You have a mommy and daddy?" 

"Yes, and a sister, and a grandma and grandpa."

"Wow! Daddy doesn't have a mommy or daddy anymore," Carter said innocently, but my gaze found my way to Crispin as I felt his annoyance through our bond. I wondered why though. He didn't say anything to warrant that kind of reaction.

My mind can only go to one thing...yet again. 

It's happened a few times since Carter has been back and since we have marked each other. This thought. But I push it deep down and away. I haven't yet mentioned it to Crispin, afraid that I could be wrong and I could be causing him unwarranted strife. 

But it's there. 

And once I am home, I'll be able to get the answers that I need.

"Deder, why go?" Carter asked me pulling me from my thoughts.

"Well, you know how your daddy is an alpha?" Carter nods. "I am one too. And that means I have a pack to take care of, just like Daddy. They need me." Carter frowns slightly and sticks out his bottom lip. I guess that didn't suffice. "I will see you very soon. I promise." I lean down and give him a gentle kiss on his forehead and he lets out a sigh.

"Carter, go play in your room for a bit. Please." Crispin spoke, his voice a little rough around the edges. I couldn't help but notice that Carter stiffened at it, but didn't look his way. Maybe they hadn't smoothed things over. Maybe because Carter was talking to me I thought things were better between him and Crispin. 

"I'll see you later, Deder." Carter smiled at me. However, I couldn't focus too much on it as jealousy flooded my body. Not from me, but from Crispin as he watched our interaction. It was overwhelming jealousy and anger. It was strange and I pretended to not know what was happening. But it was paralyzing almost.

Carter jumped from the bed not looking or saying anything to Crispin and walked out. I could feel the hurt Crispin felt in our bond. I wish there was a way to fix it for him. But I couldn't. Not until I knew the answers to my questions.