Carter's Savior

Seventeen

Tatty's POV

Goddess, why did I agree to this? 

I love Carter I do, and I would do anything for him. I really would. But this right here, almost caused me to say no to the kid. But I didn't. No matter how badly I wanted to...I couldn't. I wasn't going to add to Carter's stress, and I could feel just how excited he was when he asked Sloan about his tiger...about Loren. I couldn't let him down.

So here I was fronting, which is nothing new to me. But it's the first time since being in this house and it was strange seeing it again. So close. Unlike Carter, I don't hold many happy memories here. Crispin's wolf, William, who I had assumed was my father never spoke to me much. Very rarely did he say things to me, but he was protective of Carter which is all that matters I suppose. 

I have not told Carter this. And perhaps I should.

"Theodore." Loren's voice was music to my ears. It buzzed through me and made me feel like I was floating. 

I was sitting on the couch, my legs tucked against me as I waited to see him again. I wouldn't say I wasn't happy, but I wasn't over the moon. There was history with Loren and me, from when we were young. It is what caused the dissonance between us, and I am sure Loren is going to want to talk about it today. 

I peaked to look at him, and he stood with his shoulders back, and a dominace that wrapped around my throat, slightly choking me in such a pleasurable way. His eyes were glowing bright orange. Our favorite color. And I'm sure mine were glowing yellow to show my presence. 

He slowly walked forward and sat on the opposite side of the couch. Leaving more than enough space between us.

"It's good to see you," Loren said, breaking the silence among us. "You look beautiful as always." 

Loren was always such a sweet talker. He always knew the right thing to say and how to say it for me to let my guard down and fall into his trap. I was thankful that Carter had decided to give us privacy and was letting me block him out. I don't think I could handle knowing Carter was in the back lurking and listening and feeling what I was feeling about Loren.

'Out of respect for Carter, I will not speak.' I signed to him and he nodded. Though I could see the slight disappointment in his eyes. He has not heard my voice in years...and he might never again. Just that thought in itself is painful.

"Of course, I'd expect nothing less from you, Theo." He offered a small smile which I did not return.

'What is it that you wanted to speak about?' I asked quickly, knowing I should probably start the clock. I did only say five minutes. But I don't. Not yet.

"I wanted to talk to you about our last interaction. And apologize for my behavior. I think you interpreted it the opposite of what I had intended."

The last time I saw Loren was when Carter was seventeen, and Sloan was fifteen. He had just shifted and he changed in a lot of ways. This was before his graze so he had a hard time keeping Loren under control and sometimes he'd slip through. We'd never fronted at the same time though until a few months later. 

Crispin and Dieter had said some words to Carter and I could feel him start to lose himself. So I took on the burden for him. I fronted as his fathers spat at him, and made him feel less than. I took it easily. Because I knew I could. I also blocked Carter out at that moment. He has no idea what was said to him, and he never will. 

There are many holes in Carter's memory, only because they aren't his, they are mine. I only ever fronted when I knew the next thing that was said to him would break him. And I'd never let anything break Carter. Never.