We're Not Brothers

Chapter 15

Charlie's POV

One second I'm talking with Teddy in Ashton's car, and the next I feel intense pain rip through my body.

"ASH! STOP THE CAR!" I scream fumbling for the door latch.

Ashton stops the car abruptly, slamming us all against our seatbelts. "Why? What's going on?!" He whips around to ask me, but I've already bolted out of the car. "CHARLIE!" I hear him shout after me.

I immediately shift and start sprinting down the road.

Cam's hurt! I can't keep the panic inside.

I know. I can feel it. Harlow's slipping. Raven says, panicked as well.

I can hear Ashton's car turn around and follow me. Together we make our way back down the road, looking for Cameron. After a few moments, I see marks on the pavement from tires skidding. I look around and see evidence of a car going over the side and rolling. I sprint toward the side of the road, and see Cameron's car upside down.

No. No, no, no. I gasp.

I make my way to the car, sniffing and looking around. It doesn't seem like anything flammable is leaking. I stay low to the ground and peek through the gaps that I can see into the interior.

Cameron is not there.

DAD! I link him.

We're coming, Pup. Cam managed to link us that he was in an accident. He replies.

He's not here. I sob into the link.

What? Dad sounds shocked.

The car is empty. I reply. I felt something happen, so I told Ash to stop the car. We went back up the road, and I'm looking at Cameron's car. It's empty. He's not here, Dad.

We'll be there in a minute. Just wait for us, Charlie. Dad says softly.

I wobble back to the road and lay down. I hear Dad and Papa's car pull up. Papa picks me up and holds me, while Dad goes to check the car, in case I missed something.

I haven't shifted, so all I can do is whine and whimper. But Papa holds me close.

"I know, Pup." He coos softly. "I know. We'll find him."

"I don't know, Stacy!" Dad yells into his phone. "All I know is there's marks on the pavement, and my son's car is in the ditch upside down, but he's not in it!" He's quiet for a moment. "Yes, I know." He sighs. "I apologize, but this is my son, Stace." Another pause. "Alright, please let us know as soon as you hear anything."

"What did Stacy say?" Papa asks, as Dad kneels next to us.

"She's going to call Kai and Logan." Dad say tensely. "Charlie, we need you to shift back. I know you're low on energy, but it will be better for the pup if you're in your human form." He pets my head. "We need to make sure you're eating and taking your prenatals, Pup."

I weakly look up at him and drop my head. I can't Dad. I whine. I just got him back. I can't believe he's gone again.

"This wasn't his choice, Pup." Papa says softly. Their fingers ruffle through my fur together. "Call Eric, Den. Have him come over, see what we can do."

"Got it." Dad pulls out his phone again. "Eric, meet us at the house." He pauses a moment. "Yes, it's an emergency." He waits as Eric responds. "Great, see you soon."

Papa bundles me into Ashton's backseat as the triplets were in the backseat of Dad and Papa's car. Papa rests my head on his lap, stroking my head. We all speed back to the house.