Imprint.

Nine

"Thanks for staying here with me." I said, rubbing my arms. It was great that the boys helped pay to keep the house mine but not having heat or television was rough. I never had to pay for it when I was living at college. That was the hard part about being an adult.

"Are you cold?"

"I'm fine. It's just chilly in here." I grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch, the second blanket, and wrapped it around my shoulders.

"Come here."

"What?"

Gage moved closer to me and pushed the blankets off.

"What are you doing?"

"Relax, Victoria."

I sighed and let him move closer to me. I could feel the body heat radiating off him and I didn't want to argue any further.

"Better?"

I lifted his arm and moved closer to him. His body heat was ten times better than the blankets were. "Much better."

"Victoria, if this is too much... just tell me. I don't want to make you mad at me or-"

"I'm not mad at you. I just... I need things to move slowly for a while. I need time to adjust."

He nodded. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable around me."

"I don't want to be either."

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I opened my eyes and sunlight was coming in through the windows. I'd fallen asleep on the couch. I looked around the room and saw Carter sitting in a chair across from me. His hands were on the arms of the chair, his knuckles white. His jaw was set tightly and his eyes were cold.

"I wish you'd have told me you were leaving for the entire night."

"I didn't come here alone. I'm fine."

"I see." He said, narrowing his eyes.

I sighed and sat up. On the couch behind me, Gage groaned and I realized why Carter was so upset. "Carter-"

"You don't get it, V. I thought you would have known better."

"I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself."

"Not if a wolf comes after you and-"

"That wouldn't happen, Carter." I said, rolling my eyes.

"You don't think so? Will was attacked and he was no match against that wolf. Do you think you could do any better?"

I got to my feet and walked toward him. He stood up as well, towering over me.

"Don't talk about Will."

"You can't act like he never existed."

"It's too hard."

"You're the only one making it hard, V."

"You have no idea what I'm going through."

"He wasn't just your boyfriend. He was my friend. He was in my pack-"

I shoved him back toward the chair. "Shut. Up. He was my fiance and I knew him better than anyone."

"Victoria-"

Gage stepped in between us, his eyes focused on Carter. "Enough."

Carter growled low in his chest.

Gage stood up straighter and I knew if I didn't stop him, he'd attack Carter. It was never a good idea to attack an alpha.

I pulled Gage back toward me. "Stop it. The last thing I want is for either of you to get hurt. Carter, just go. I'll be home soon."

Carter held my gaze for several seconds before he stormed out the front door, leaving it open behind him.

I turned around and looked at Gage who was shaking, his hands balled into fists at his sides. "Gage?"

He hesitated before he met my gaze. "Victoria, I can't... I need to go-"

I pulled his face toward mine and held his gaze. I knew Carter was going to phase and let his anger get the better of him. I couldn't let Gage do the same. "Fight it. Stay with me."

"But you don't like me."

"When have I ever said that?"

He opened his mouth to speak but said nothing.

"Relax. Just focus on me. This worked with Will a lot."

"I'm sorry... about what he said..."

"He gets mad and says things then he regrets it and apologizes later." I said, shrugging. It still hurt me to hear him say what he did to me but he was my brother and I knew he only wanted the best for me.

"He still shouldn't have-"

"I'm fine. I'm not mad."

"You should be."

"He's my brother. I can't hate him forever." No matter how many times I'd wanted to, as a kid. Carter and I fought constantly when we were growing up. I was surprised at how close we became.

"He was right though. I should take you back."

"This is my house, you know."

"Victoria, I'm not leaving you here by yourself."

"I don't need you to stay with me. If you want to go then go."

He was hurt. His shoulders fell and he stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans. I felt bad telling him I didn't need him around, when that was basically all he wanted to do. But I wasn't a little kid that needed babysat all the time. I was an adult and I knew how to survive on my own.

"Gage, I-"

"I should go." He started backing toward the door and I wasn't sure what to do. I'd screwed things up. I pushed him away and now he was leaving.

"Please don't leave."

"You wanted me to go so I'm going."

"I... Gage, stop."

He stopped, his hand on the door, but stayed facing away from me. "I'm not him and I want you to know that. I can't ever be him."

"I know."

He turned and met my gaze, his eyebrows raised. "And I don't want to be your babysitter. I don't want you to feel like I'm constantly bothering you."

I knew the werewolves who imprinted felt lonely a lot. They were like a parent who lost their identity. The imprinted human was the same. Will and I were the same way when we met. Only Carter knew me as me and not Will's imprint. Over time, that changed but I had a feeling things would be like that with Gage and me. But reversed.

I nodded. "Okay."

"What do you want to do now?"

"Let's go get something to eat."