Cocking his head in surprise, Carson stared at his mate, reading the sincerity in every line of his face. "Okay," he replied simply, uncertain what else to say. His mate's expression gave him not only hope, but the strength to get out of that car and head into the church. He could do this. He could meet the family of his mate. Pausing at the door, he settled a hand on Jared's shoulder and whispered, "I'll hold you to that, mate."
Without another word, the pair walked into the building. Carson and Jared were greeted by the men he'd met the other night, Larry, Tom and Brady. He smiled and shook the hands of each, returning their greetings. Ten minutes later, Terry came and gave each of them a quick man-hug, complete with backslapping.
Following behind him were two well-dressed couples. One man had dark hair and hazel eyes and Carson immediately pegged him as Jared's father. The woman on his arm had blonde hair and brown eyes, a fine bone structure and although she smiled, a worried crinkle still lined her eyes.
He felt Jared's arm go around his waist in a claiming gesture and Carson cast a smile in his man's direction while grinning at Terry. "Congrats, man and I'm honored to stand with you and your friends."
Terry grinned. "After taking that punch for me, how could I do any less?" His eyes fixed to the slight discoloration on Carson's jaw. "Doesn't look too bad. Hope it doesn't hurt much."
Carson shook his head. "Naw. I've got a hard head."
"Good. That's good. Thanks again. I can't imagine what Brandy would have said if I'd showed up to our wedding with a black eye," Terry said with an exaggerated shudder. He turned, pretending to notice the couple of parents for the first time. "Mom, Dad. Mr. and Mrs. Templeton. This is Carson Angeni." He grinned. "Good man to have watching your back and Jared's boyfriend."
"Never could get used to that term," Jared muttered.
"I could have used a few others," Terry pointed out with a smirk.
"I think boyfriend will work just fine, young man," a heavy-set brunet admonished before turning to Carson. "I'm Lila Brussels, Terry's mother. Please call me Mrs. B. All Terry's friends do and from the way you saved the day, I'm certain you will become a close friend in no time, especially since you've snagged the attentions of Brandy's brother." She grinned and turned to Jared. "What a handsome boy, don't you think," she said, winking at Carson.
Carson chuckled, suddenly feeling more relaxed, knowing that at least one couple didn't have a problem with them. He turned and looked at Jared, meeting his eyes and giving him a heated stare. "Yes, ma'am. I do believe you're right."
A throat clearing had Carson smoothing out his features and turning to the other set of parents. Jared settled his arm on Carson's shoulder. "Mom, Dad, this is the man who's talking me into moving back here." He lifted a brow and gave them something Carson could only call The Look."Be nice!"
Mrs. Templeton stepped forward and held out a hand. "Well, I think it's wonderful that my baby boy has finally found someone to bring him back home. It's very nice to meet you, Carson."
Carson reached out and took her hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed it old-world style, which made Jared's mother smile, just as he'd hoped. "The pleasure is mine."
Mr. Templeton stepped forward and Carson took his hand as well, although he refrained from kissing it, offering pleasantries instead. "Good to meet you."
After receiving a look from his wife, the man cleared his throat and said, "I won't lie and say I'm okay with this." He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "It'll take some getting used to, but since it's been years since we've seen Jared … I'm happy he's found a measure of happiness." He grimaced and looked between them. "That's all any parent really wants for their child. Happiness, right?" he growled, obviously uncomfortable.
Jared smiled and slapped his father on the back. "Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it."
The wedding coordinator took that moment to come scurrying through the place and hollering for everyone to get into their places. Carson thought it sounded more like a theatrical production than a wedding, but what did he know? Jared grinned from where he stood next to him and winked. "That went well, huh?"
"Yeah, good thing I don't have parents you need to meet," Carson growled softly.
That had Jared frowning. "Why don't I get to meet your parents?"
Carson shook his head. This was so not the place for this conversation. "They're deceased," he whispered. He knew he'd have to explain about poachers trying to clear out the wolves in southern Oregon eventually, but now was not the time for it. Besides, it had been almost fifty years since it had happened. That's another thing I'll have to explain. I'm ninetyseven years old and Jared's aging will slow down. Another time.
"I'm sorry, Carson. How'd it happen?" Jared whispered.
Carson's reply was cut off by the sounds of an organ and then the bridesmaids Carson found himself know down the aisle, praying she didn't see anything into it and that he'd never see the woman again.
appeared. A few moments later, escorting some woman he didn't
Chapter Eleven
"D
amn it!" Jared snarled, slamming the phone onto the holder. Carson had refused to answer his calls every night for the last five days. Pacing the room, Jared thrust his hands through his brown hair and thought furiously. Sure they hadn't confirmed any real plans, but he'd told Carson that he'd be back. Jared just hadn't been able to give a date. After the amazing twelve hours they'd spent together in his hotel room after the wedding, how could Carson just shut him out like this? They'd talked every night for a week, then all of a sudden, nothing. The man refused to answer or return his calls!
Picking up the receiver, he dialed another number. A moment later, a deep voice answered. "Didn't think you'd be calling me for a while. What's up?"
"Damn it, Grady. Is Carson okay? He hasn't answered my calls all week. What the hell is going on out there? Is it the scientists again?" he couldn't stop his rant, desperate to think it was something other than that Carson just didn't want to speak with him. "If it is, I'll hunt down each and every one of those sorry sons of bitches and-"
"Whoa, there, Jared. Stop before you say something that makes me have to arrest both of us! Carson's okay, although a little out of sorts. With his mate halfway across the country, I'm not surprised. I saw him yesterday at Declan's. What's going on?" Grady asked. "Carson said he spoke with you the other day."
Jared let out an angry snarl. "The other day would be Sunday night. It's Friday. I can't get him to pick up! I talk with Casey more than I talk with my mate. What the hell is that man's problem?"
He heard a longsuffering sigh come over the phone. "Is he not happy with the time-table you've established for you to come back? Yesterday, he seemed upset when I asked when you were supposed to return. He said you were still discussing it."
"Fuck!" Jared yelled, throwing his brandy glass across the room. It shattered with a satisfying spray of glass.
"I'll take that as a no. Is it still a month out or something?" Grady asked slowly, having obviously heard the shattering crystal.
Letting out a long breath through his teeth, Jared pinched the bridge of his nose. "I haven't given him a date, yet," he admitted.
"Bloody hell, man! What's your problem? You know his wolf can't handle a prolonged separation," Grady reprimanded. After a second of silence, because really Jared had no idea what to say, Grady warned, "Distancing from you is probably the only way he can keep from going out of his mind. He needs you, man."
"Okay," Jared whispered, thrusting a hand through his hair. "I miss him, too. I knew the minute I stepped onto that god-damned plane that I needed to get back to Carson as soon as possible. As soon as I hit home I started moving around accounts and erasing electronic trails so I could do just that, but when he stopped answering my calls I just … " He shook his head, suddenly realizing he should have given Carson some kind of timeframe. "Fucking hell. Do you know his schedule for the week?"