Page 41 of Stalked By the Alphas

40

HAZEL

The car jolts along the bumpy country road, each movement sending waves of pain through my battered body. I cling to Carter, burying my face against his chest, trying to block out the world. His strong arms encircle me protectively, his warmth seeping into my chilled skin.

“You’re safe now,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my hair. “I’ve got you, Hazel.”

I want to believe him. I desperately want to feel safe again. But the horrors I’ve endured replay in my mind on an endless loop. The pain, the fear, the helplessness...

A sob escapes me, and Carter holds me tighter. “Shh, it’s okay. You’re okay.”

But I’m not okay. I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay again.

I hear Carter murmuring instructions to Leah, and then the car slows to a stop.

I tense, panic rising in my throat .

“We’re here,” Leah says quietly from the driver’s seat.

“Thank you, Leah. For everything.”

She doesn’t reply.

I can’t bring myself to say anything. I don’t know what to say. Maybe one day, when I can form a thought, I will contact her, but right now, it’s impossible.

Carter shifts, preparing to get out of the car with me still in his arms. I cling to him harder, terrified of losing contact with the one person who makes me feel even remotely safe.

“I’ve got you,” he assures me again. “I’m not letting go.”

As he carries me inside his home, I keep my eyes squeezed shut. I wanted to go home, but I suppose he realised he would have to break the door down to get inside.

“I know this house won’t make you feel very safe right now,” he says as he carries me upstairs. “But I promise you, Hazel. No one will ever get to you again.”

I nod absently, my mind drifting back to the other two alphas. Noah and Zach. Why didn’t they say anything? Why are they here as well? It has to be about the pact. My stomach churns, and I struggle in Carter’s grip when he takes me into the bathroom. I lurch out of his arms and make it to the toilet in time to throw up. He croons to me and holds back my hair as I retch. Tears burn my nose, and the bile stings my throat, but I can’t stop. Even when there is nothing left, I just want to purge my soul into the toilet bowl .

Carter holds me gently as I dry heave over the toilet, his hands soothing on my back. When the nausea finally passes, I slump against him, utterly drained.

“I’m going to run you a bath, okay?” he says softly. “You don’t have to get in if you don’t want to. But it might help you feel better.”

I nod weakly, unable to form words. The sound of running water fills the small bathroom as Carter busies himself, preparing the bath.

“Do you want me to help you, or would you rather be alone?” Carter asks, crouching down beside me.

I open my mouth to respond, but no sound comes out. Tears well up in my eyes again. I feel so broken, so helpless.

Carter’s expression softens. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You don’t have to decide right now. I’ll step out and give you some privacy. If you need me, just call. I’ll be right outside the door.”

As he turns to leave, panic grips me. I reach out, grabbing his arm. “Stay,” I manage to croak out. “Please.”

He nods. “Of course. Whatever you need.”

He helps me stand up and turns the taps on over the sink so I can rinse my mouth out.

Carter’s gentle hands help me out of his shirt, careful not to touch me more than necessary, and he helps me into the warm water.

I hiss as the water stings my cuts and scrapes, but the heat soon soothes my aching muscles. Carter kneels beside the tub, keeping a respectful distance .

“Is the temperature okay?” he asks softly.

I nod, closing my eyes and sinking lower into the water. I ignore him and submerge myself completely. It’s like a baptism. The hot water soaking into my skin, my hair, my bones, my soul.

Strong hands grip my upper arms and haul me out. I open my eyes, spluttering. “Hazel!”

“I’m okay,” I say, pushing him away gently. “Honestly, I’m okay. I wasn’t trying to drown myself.”

He nods cautiously, although he doesn’t look convinced.

“Can you make me a cup of tea?” I ask, just to get him to go away. I appreciate all of his help, but his hovering is driving me nuts.

Carter hesitates, clearly reluctant to leave me alone. “Are you sure?”

I nod, forcing a small smile. “I’m okay, really. I need a few minutes to myself.”

He searches my face, then nods slowly. “Okay. I’ll be right downstairs if you need anything. Just call.”

As he leaves, closing the door softly behind him, I let out a shaky breath. The silence of the bathroom is a relief after the chaos of the past hours. I sink lower in the tub, letting the warm water envelop me.

My mind drifts, fragments of memories flashing through my head. David’s cruel smile. Ayden’s hands on my skin. The terror of being trapped in that dark cupboard.

I shudder, dunking my head under the water again to wash away the thoughts. When I resurface, gasping, the water has cooled off, and it’s no longer soothing.

Reluctantly, I climb out of the tub, wrapping myself in a large, fluffy towel. My reflection in the mirror catches my attention, and I pause, really looking at myself for the first time.

Bruises mottle my skin in shades of purple and yellow. Cuts and scrapes mar my arms and legs. My neck bears an angry red line where David’s knife pressed against my throat. Luckily, it wasn’t that deep, or I wouldn’t be standing here right now.

Tears well up in my eyes as I take in my battered appearance. Will I ever feel whole again? Will I ever be able to look at myself without seeing the marks of what they did to me?

A soft knock at the door startles me out of my spiralling thoughts.

“Hazel?” Carter’s voice comes through the door. “I’ve made you some tea. Can I come in?”

I hesitate, looking down at my towel-wrapped body. Part of me wants to hide away, ashamed of the marks that cover my skin. But another part craves comfort, connection.

“Okay,” I call out softly.

Carter enters slowly, his chest now covered up by a black tee, a steaming mug in his hands. His eyes sweep over me, taking in my battered appearance. Pain and anger flash across his face before he struggles to get his expression into something gentler. His scent washes over me, and I feel a deep purr stirring in my throat .

I choke on it, grabbing the tea and taking a burning sip.

“Careful, it’s hot!”

“Gah,” I splutter, spitting it back out into the sink.

Carter chuckles at me. “Bet you wish you had my mouth right about now.”

I giggle despite everything, and it feels good. Wrapping my hands around the warm ceramic, the familiar scent of chamomile wafts up, soothing my frayed nerves slightly.

“Thanks,” I murmur.

Carter nods, hovering awkwardly. “Do you need anything else?”

“Just my pyjamas and bed.”

“Okay,” he says quietly. “Come.”

He leads me to his bedroom where my clothes are still stuffed in the suitcase. The cam bear sits on the pillow. I notice Carter give it the side-eye and hide my smile behind the mug.

Carter lifts the suitcase onto the bed and unzips it. He pokes through and finds my pyjamas, taking them out and placing them on the bed. I move in closer and reach out to touch the enormous bruise on his temple before dropping it to brush over his side, where I saw the stab wound.

He freezes.

“Are you okay?”

Carter’s eyes soften as he looks at me. “I’m fine, Hazel. Don’t worry about me. ”

I frown, dropping my hand. “But you’re hurt. Because of me.”

“No, not because of you. Never because of you. This is because of those monsters who tried to hurt you. I’d take a thousand more hits if it meant keeping you safe.”

His intensity startles me, and I clench my fist, suddenly feeling exposed in just my towel. Carter seems to sense my discomfort and steps back.

“I’ll let you get dressed,” he says softly. “Do you want me to wait outside?”

I hesitate, torn between wanting privacy and not wanting to be alone. “Could you... could you just turn around?”

He nods, turning to face the wall. I put my tea down and quickly drop my towel. Pulling on my pyjamas, I wince as the soft fabric rubs against my various cuts and bruises.

“Okay,” I say quietly when I’m done.

Carter turns back, his eyes roaming over me as if checking for any new injuries. “Are you hungry? I could make you something to eat.”

The thought of food makes my stomach churn. I shake my head. “No, I just want to sleep.”

He nods in understanding. “Of course.”

He moves to leave, and panic flares in my chest. “Wait,” I blurt out, my hand reaching for him instinctively. “Could you... could you stay? Just until I fall asleep?”

Carter’s expression softens. “Of course, Hazel. Whatever you need. ”

I climb into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. Carter settles on the floor, leaning back against the bed, close enough that I can feel his presence but not so close as to make me uncomfortable.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “For everything. For saving me.”

Carter stares out of the window but doesn’t say anything for a moment. “I will always come for you, Hazel. Always.”

His words should comfort me, but instead, they stir up conflicting emotions. Why is he really here? What does he want from me?

Exhaustion pulls me under quickly, bringing relief and oblivion.