He’d really fucked this up.
“Not unless Grayson asks me to. If this was all engineered by him to take me down a peg, then there’s nothing really that I can do without challenging him. If it wasn’t, then he’ll order me to help when it suits him.”
“Well, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,” Owen said, putting his coffee cup down on the coffee table. “I have to say I’m disappointed, though. I was looking forward to seeing Grayson getting his ass kicked.”
Carter laughed bitterly, shaking his head. He’d have loved to be the one kicking Grayson’s ass.
“Have you considered making Luke the alpha?” Carter asked. It wasn’t something he wanted or would support, but there was no question that Owen had the power to make it happen.
Owen shook his head vigorously.
“Oh, God no. I love him, but Luke would make a terrible alpha. Besides, he’d never want to become alpha if it wasn’t on his own merit.”
Carter nodded. He could definitely respect that.
With nothing more to say, Carter took a last sip of his coffee and said goodbye. Owen walked him to the door, a thoughtful look on his face.
“Was there something you wanted to talk about?” Carter asked, stopping in the doorway.
“Well, not really. I was just thinking… there are magical ways of engineering attraction. It wouldn’t change your sexuality, but there are spells that could make you attracted to a specific person. Have you ever looked into anything like that?”
“No,” Carter’s throat felt tight. His heart was hammering. “Is that something you can do?”
“No. Usually those kinds of spells are used as curses. But my grandmother might know someone who could help you out.”
Carter licked his lips, not saying anything, and Owen winced.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. Using magic to engineer attraction is perverse. I should have known you wouldn’t—”
“I would,” Carter interrupted. “Would your grandmother be willing to help?”
Owen shrugged, looking uncertain. “I can ask her? I mean, it would be expensive, but you’re not exactly strapped for cash. Right?”
“I’m not,” Carter agreed.
“Okay. I’ll give her a call and then get back to you.”
Carter nodded. He was feeling dizzy. If he could be attracted to a werewolf, that would change everything. He could mate. Fit in.
He could be alpha.
“Are you okay?” Owen asked. He looked worried.
“I’m fine. Thank you for… everything. I’ll talk to you later.”
Carter made his way back to his truck, his thoughts whirring around his head like they were trapped in a hurricane. He hadn’t felt this off kilter since he was a teenager. For the first time since those dark days, when he’d first realized that he was different, there was light at the end of the tunnel.
Climbing behind the wheel of his truck, Carter gripped the wheel tight and took a deep breath. He needed to calm down. Owen was obviously not an expert, and Carter couldn’t afford to get ahead of himself.
There was every chance that nothing would come of this.
But still, it was hard not to have hope.
***
