“Sorry,” Elijah mumbled, looking down.
“You’re my guest,” Carter said. His voice was still stern and hard, and not in a sexy way. “I expect you to act with respect.”
“Yes, sir,” Elijah said. Everyone was quiet for a minute, the mood tense. John sipped his coffee and wondered if it would be rude to go take a shower just to avoid the awkwardness.
“My point is that I’m tired of hiding from the pack,” Carter said. “I know that I’ll end up being outed, and I’m okay with that. I’m going to make a life for myself where I can be with who I want without being ashamed.”
“It’s just weird to think about,” Elijah said, hurrying to continue when Carter’s expression darkened. “But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It’s just taking me a second to wrap my head around a human being pack. If this makes you happy, I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you,” Carter said, still stiff. John had never seen him so defensive on edge before, and it was sad. He lifted his foot and rubbed it against Carter’s ankle, trying to comfort him.
It seemed to work. Carter relaxed, his shoulders sinking as he took a deep breath.
John hadn’t realized that Carter would be outed to his whole pack as a consequence of his plan. No wonder Carter was on edge. It was amazing he was holding it together as well as he was.
John remembered when he came out to his family. He’d known that they’d have nothing but encouragement and support for him, and still it had been terrifying.
But this wasn’t John’s world. He didn’t understand the rules and taboos, and there was nothing he could do but be there for Carter as long as the werewolf would have him.
He just hoped that it would be enough.
***
