“That’s Bo. Alpha of the hellhounds. He’s taking the hyenas with him,” Aaron said.
“Taking?” Carter’s question was answered as Bo waved his hand and the space over his shoulder burst into swirling colors.
“Portal. Bo is going to take the hyenas to hell through the portal. They’ll face judgment for their crimes,” Aaron explained.
Carter nodded as Axel picked up the hyena leader and tossed him into the…portal.
Sirens blasted through the quiet of the aftermath. “I think I need to sit down.”
“Probably a good idea,” Aaron said softly, directing Carter back to his truck.
Chapter Six
Carter
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Hudson sat at the kitchen table with his hands folded in front of him. “That was not exactly the introduction to the family that I wanted you to have.”
Carter pulled the cubed steak he had marinating from the fridge for the chicken-fried steak before turning to face his brother.
Hudson was not hiding his anxiety very well.
After returning home, Carter had gotten the puppies settled before throwing himself into preparing dinner for later. He even baked the chocolate cake from scratch, just to give himself something to do.
Aaron had driven Carter back to the house before leaving to go to his office to meet with Leo and Bas. Carter had wanted to ask Aaron to stay with him, but he’d chickened out in the last second. At least, Aaron had looked reluctant to leave him as well.
Hudson had still been putting out the fire when Carter had been taken home. His brother had showered before coming home, finding Carter deep into preparing for dinner. And Hudson had agreed to stay at Bas’s cabin for the night. It hadn’t been hard to convince Hudson, as he wanted to check in with his new friends anyway. And EJ, who had apparently been camping in the state park before being taken to the main house.
“Carter?” Hudson said again.
“I’m processing,” Carter replied. It was one thing to hear about the paranormal world or even being in a dream, but seeingeverything unfold before him was a whole new level of crazy. That wasn’t even adding in the fact that he’d watched the hyenas being taken to hell.
“At least we’re safe now,” Hudson said.
“I know. And I am grateful for that,” Carter replied. “I just can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I didn’t know about the paranormal world. Or how much I missed in the past because I didn’t know.”
Hudson shrugged. “I went through that. Wondering what was so obviously in front of my face that I missed because I didn’t know about this whole world.”
“Do you regret finding out?” Carter questioned softly. “If you hadn’t spotted Bas in that tree, you could be living your life without knowing any better.”
His brother was already shaking his head before Carter got done asking his question.
“You’re that sure about all of this?” Carter didn’t mean to sound pushy. He was genuinely curious.
“I wouldn’t have Bas,” Hudson said. “That’s what it would come down to. And I know you still don’t believe me, but I know in my heart that Bas is my forever. Mates isn’t just a word to them. It’s everything.”
“Mates,” Carter repeated.
“You and Aaron haven’t talked about what that means?” Hudson asked the question while looking everywhere but at Carter.
“What you really want to know is if Aaron has told me that I’m his mate,” Carter stated.
Hudson perked up. “He did? Oh! I’m so relieved. Bas was worried that Aaron would put it off until it was too late.”
“He didn’t tell me,” Carter revealed.
“But—” Hudson’s eyes grew huge. “You tricked me!”
“I really didn’t.”
