Imprint.

Fifteen

Bentley took off running the second I told him and Gage that Carter said he could go back to the house. He was on the verge of phasing, which wasn't good for Gage and I. We told him that if he just ran there without us, Carter would be pissed and wouldn't let him see Audrey. So he agreed to go with us.

Gage carried me on his back as he and Bentley ran. He was worried Bentley would phase and beat us there but he didn't. He stayed right with us, even saying something about how he hadn't ran in a while.

Carter was waiting outside for us. His eyes were rimmed with dark circles and he was in a sweatshirt. I expected him to be half-naked, like he always was.

He put a hand on Bentley's chest as he approached the steps. "One step out of line and you're done, understand?"

Bentley held his gaze and I could tell he was mad at himself. Bentley never did anything out of line. He was the perfect student, child, and werewolf. It was weird to see him in any amount of trouble.

He followed Bentley inside, his hands in his pockets. This was stressing him out, too. Carter didn't like drama and he hated having to get involved in any. I knew this was bothering him, too.

Gage and I followed and I was surprised to see it was just the five of us in the living room. The girl, Audrey, was sitting on the couch, the controller in her hands. Her dark hair was pulled into a bun on top of her head and a necklace with seashells around her neck. She was wearing a black t-shirt and sweatpants that I didn't think were hers. She wasn't looking at us but when Bentley walked into the room, she found him immediately.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly, keeping his distance.

She stared at him for a few seconds before her eyes flicked to me. Anger filled them like ink in water and she got to her feet, her nostrils flaring. A growl started, low and deep in her throat.

Gage shoved me behind him, lowering his body into a crouch. Carter stepped between the three of us and narrowed his eyes at the girl.

"Enough."

She stared at me another second before looking at Carter. Her body didn't relax but she stopped growling at me. She looked back at me, the anger still in her eyes.

"Audrey, enough."

Audrey focused back on Carter, her eyes softening. She whimpered before turning her gaze to Bentley. Her forehead creased and she whimpered again.

Bentley went to her without any hesitation, wrapping his arms around her. He mumbled something to her that I couldn't hear and she glanced at me again. The anger was completely gone but I still felt on edge. I couldn't defend myself in any way other than if I ran and I knew I wouldn't outrun her.

Carter relaxed, crossing his arms over his chest. He went into the kitchen and took a piece of pizza from a large box on the table.

"Where's Dean?" I asked, taking Gage's hand and going into the kitchen. I wasn't one for leftover pizza but I was hungry and anything sounded good.

Carter nodded his head toward the hallway. "She destroyed Bentley's room. He's in there now."

"You made him clean things up?" I sat on the counter, a large piece of meat lover's pizza in my hand.

"He was getting on my nerves."

Gage laughed. "Doesn't take much."

Carter pulled a chair out at the table and sat down. He let his head fall back against the chair, his eyes drooping.

"You should go sleep. We can handle things out here."

"Like hell you can." He mumbled.

"You're exhausted. You won't be any good if you can barely stay awake."

"What if something happens?"

"I doubt you'll sleep through much of anything." Gage said.

"Sometimes I hate being an alpha."

"It's no picnic for us, either." Dean said, standing in the hallway, his arms crossed over his chest.

Carter got to his feet and finished off his pizza. "I'm leaving V in charge. If you have a problem, come to me."

"V's not a member of the pack."

"Don't start with me." He growled.

Dean sighed and didn't move until Carter was in his room with the door shut. He walked over to Gage and I, completely ignoring Bentley and Audrey.

"What made you so mad?"

"Your brother. He's been so stressed lately and he's taking it out on me. Noah and Evan left the second they could."

"That doesn't mean you should be mean."

He leaned against the counter on the other side of me. "I really need something to do. I've been stuck here the past couple days and it's not much fun."

"You could clean my room." Gage said.

Dean rolled his eyes. "Don't start with me."

"You said you were bored."

"I'm not that bored."

I got down to my feet and went to the fridge. I pulled out several beers. "Get the cards.