“Only to me, I’m sure, but that’s because I know you so well.”
That was a relief, at least. She’d hate to think Carter’s pack mates had picked up on it. Werewolves couldn’t sense that kind of stuff, right?
Hadley sipped her coffee, cupping the mug between her hands. “When I’m with Carter, I feel more alive than I’ve ever been. It’s like I’ve known him all my life. And yet…”
“And yet?”
“I’m afraid I’m projecting a little,” she said. “Gideon becoming a werewolf and killing himself are defining moments in my life. I’m worried the only reason I’m drawn to Carter is because he’s a werewolf, too.”
Karissa considered that. “Even if that’s true, it doesn’t make what you feel for him any less real.”
It was Hadley’s turn for some introspection. That made sense, she supposed. Was it really any different than being attracted to someone because they had blond hair?
“That still doesn’t solve my dilemma. If I wanted to have a romantic relationship with Carter, I’d need to turn his therapy sessions over to another doctor. And while it would be the professional thing to do, the thought of abandoning him—especially after what happened to my brother—turns my stomach. Even if I could bring myself to do it, he isn’t like my other patients. I can’t hand him off to a different psychiatrist and expect them to be cool that he’s a werewolf. I have to help him.”
“Then help him,” Karissa said. “But don’t ignore what you feel for him. Let things between the two of you happen and see where they go. Because being with Hale has taught me one thing: When it seems the world is filled with nothing but monsters, having someone who’s on your side and always there for you is the most amazing feeling in the world. If you think there’s a chance Carter might be that person for you, then you have to go for it.”
Hadley let out a sigh. She truly didn’t want to bail on whatever this thing with Carter was and the idea of having someone like him there for her as a sounding board, a friend, a lover… “I could be going round and round in circles about this for nothing. Carter might not even be attracted to me.”
For some strange reason, the thought made something deep inside her hurt.
Karissa’s mouth curved. “He’s into you. Trust me. I mean, he asked you to stop by his place tonight. You are going to take him up on the offer, right?”
“What? No!” Hadley paused halfway in her purse for her wallet. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Well, I think you should consider it,” her friend suggested casually, her credit card already in hand. “You know, so he won’t worry.”
Hadley wasn’t used to having anyone worry about her. Other than her parents, of course. It was decidedly nice.
She made a noncommittal sound as she took out her credit card to pay for her coffee. Despite what she’d told Carter earlier, showing up at his place wasn’t a good idea.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Hadley seems nice,” Trey said casually from beside Carter as they walked through the lobby of the hotel where Lydia and Kamden were staying. “I guess the therapy sessions must be going well since you felt comfortable enough to come clean about being a werewolf.”
“It’s not like I had a choice,” Carter said with a shrug as he took in the high ceilings, expensive furnishings, and classical lines of the 1920s-style building. “I wolfed out right in front of her.”
Knox motioned toward the bank of elevators in the alcove off to one side. “If she can handle seeing you change, and then talk you down from an episode, she’s the perfect person to help you, right?”
As they headed for one of the elevators, Carter couldn’t help thinking just how perfect Hadley was but decided to keep those observations to himself. His fellow werewolves were way too curious about the dynamic going on between him and his shrink. Carter had no desire to listen to them ragging on him about where things might be going. Even if a nagging voice in the back of his mind did have some thoughts about where he hoped things might end up.
Fortunately, those thoughts were distracted by the sound of Trey’s phone pinging with a text notification that caught his teammate’s attention, if the frown on his face was any indication.
“I think so,” Carter said in answer to Knox’s question when it was clear Trey wasn’t going to tell them what the text had been about. “I mean, I was stunned how easily she calmed me down after I lost control.”
“Maybe she’s some kind of werewolf whisperer,” Knox said, pushing the button for the floor right below the penthouse.
Trey leaned back against the wall of the elevator, regarding Carter thoughtfully. “Unless there’s something else going on.”
“Something else?” Carter repeated slowly, his heart beating faster.
He knew his pack mate was messing with him, but after the morning he’d had, he wasn’t in the mood for ribbing.
Not about this.
Carter closed his eyes and took slow, deep breaths like Hadley had suggested during their first session. It wasn’t as good as her massaging his fingers and humming lullabies, but it helped a little.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Trey said softly. Carter opened his eyes to see his buddy holding up his hands in a placating gesture. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just pointing out that maybe these therapy sessions are going so well because of the connection between you and Hadley. After seeing the two of you together at lunch, it’s obvious there’s a spark there.”
