Astrophile (Paul Lahote)

fifty five

࿔*:･fifty five ࿔*:･
°. *࿐ ༻༺ ࿐°. *

Carter stared at the picture over her father’s shoulder as Charlie rubbed his tired eyes, “you know,” he began, “I really thought we’d heard the end of these killings when we killed that bear in the forest but,” he shook his head. 

Carter leaned forward to get a closer look at the picture and felt anger surge through her. This was his doing and everyone in the room save Charlie knew it, and Carter would’ve told him, that is if his guns would do any good against him. 

But they all knew they couldn't because that would mean revealing the Cullens and that was not a risk they were willing to take yet.  

Carter nodded, “you think it's a bear?” she asked him and Charlie sighed, “Honestly kid, I don’t know what it is anymore,” he shook his head, “A bear doesn’t kill like that.” 

A bear didn’t leave two very obvious puncture holes in the side of a human’s neck, “yeah I bet,” she muttered as she walked over to the corner where Paul sat with Jayden and Vera. She grasped Paul’s already stretched hand and gripped it tightly, “We need to catch him, and soon.” 

Paul nodded, “we could've done that last night if you hadn’t stopped me,” he whispered back to her and Carter stared at him, “we would've lost.” she argued back.

“He was outnumbered,” Paul retorted but Carter shook her head, “and a newborn. You know how much stronger he is right now or have you forgotten when we fought Victoria’s army…” 

Carter stared at him sharply but he simply looked away with a nod of his head, “well it doesn't matter now so.” he muttered. 

Carter straightened up and in a clipped tone muttered, “Right.” 

Her two friends continued to watch them back and forth, not intervening at first before Jayden sighed, “there really isn't a point in arguing with one another now,” he said tightly, “you doing exactly as he wants you to do. He’ll isolate Carter to make her more vulnerable because that's exactly what he did last time too, don’t let him.” he insisted. The cousins didn't wait for a reply before they got up and walked into the kitchen where Carter’s mom and Sue stood. 

Paul sighed again, “he’s right.” he cupped her face gently before pulling her in and joining their foreheads, “I'm sorry about that.” 

Carter broke out into a small, teasing grin, “my, my, is the Paul Lahote apologizing?” she asked and her imprint snorted with a roll of his eyes, “shut up,” he grumbled, causing her to chuckle. She sobered up quickly and bit her lip as she stared at him, “I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have underestimated you,” she sighed, “maybe if I hadn't stopped you yesterday, we wouldn't have a dead person on our hands.” she groaned as she rested her head against Paul’s chest but he quickly shushed her, “hey, don't think like that,” he muttered gently, “its not your fault that he's an evil little-” 

“Hey, Carter?” she turned around to face Charlie, and since he’d gotten here, she got a proper look at him. Her uncle’s eyes were rimmed red and he looked more worn out and tired than ever, “can I talk to you?” 

Paul let go of her, “I'll go see if Sue and Abby need any help in the kitchen,” he nodded and Carter shot him a grateful smile before following Charlie out to the back porch. 

She leaned against the railing as Charlie sniffed slightly, “Everything good, Uncle Charlie?” he tucked his hands into his pocket, “Yeah, no, it’s just…” he trailed off before sighing, “it’s just I'm worried about Bella,” he nodded. 

Carter's heart ached for the older man, “I mean,” he scoffed, “I mean she was fine when they went on their honeymoon but then she got so sick and they didn't even tell me they were back, and now suddenly they're off to Alaska?” he shook his head, “it doesn't make any sense.” he muttered.