Hunted Derick

Chapter Nine - Getting To Know You

★ Derick ★

Candice’s lead turned out to be a fluke. A dead end. We weren't able to track down the rogues after all. Carter had begged us to give it up and for us to just continue doing the best we could. To him that meant, staying home and continuing to live our lives without any violence or whatever. It wasn’t too hard, but it was at the back of my mind constantly. Those rogues deserved punishment for what they had done. Kaila had agreed and promised to look into it. Both Carter and I had given a description of the wolves. However, good things had been happening. The pack was growing daily, and we now had over one hundred members, which was exciting and scary all at the same time. Today I would be announcing Candice as the Luna of the pack, which was rather exciting and somewhat overdue. Although our relationship was moving slowly, we both had agreed that we needed to officially announce her as Luna. I glanced over at her as we stood casually outside of the packhouse waiting for all the members to join us. She looked so pretty that I couldn’t help but stare. She had on a pair of black leggings and one of my shirts. Yup, I felt proud as I realized that she had on one of my plaid shirts. It looked good on her and I didn’t question why she was wearing it. Candice turned to face me and blushed. f*****g hell, she looked so cute with her flushed cheeks. I watched in delightful pain as she bit down on her bottom lip and then her tongue came out as she licked them. I tore my gaze away, the growing hardness in my pants was becoming uncomfortable and I had yet to say anything to the gathering crowd.

“Sorry,” I heard her whisper, but I quickly shook my head as I smirked. She had nothing to be sorry for. She was attractive and I was a male. Oh, yes and she is my mate. That was something I couldn't forget.

“Hello everyone, thank you for coming out,” I spoke loudly, getting the attention of all the members. “I would like to officially introduce you all to your Luna, Candice Miller!” the crowd went wild, easily accepting her as their Luna. I could see Carter, Keith, and Jody smiling up at us and I smiled too. “I, Derick Parks, officially announce Candice Miller, as the Luna of The White Howlers Pack, welcome,” I turned to her and she was smiling and blushing and I couldn’t help myself as I moved quickly to her side and kissed her. The wolf whistles and happy yells fuelled my desire and I deepened the kiss.

“Get a room!” someone yelled, I think it was Keith, but I wasn’t sure. Candice pulled away first with a breathless giggle as she glanced over at the crowd. I couldn’t look away from her and when she glanced over at me, I just smiled. She had no idea what she did to me and I wanted her and everyone else to see. I was falling in love. For the first time in my life, I was actually falling in love. I thought about my deceased wife and cringed. I had never loved her, which was quite sad actually.

“Derick?” Carter’s voice eventually broke the moment and I turned to face him. “Can we have ice cream?” he questioned, and I burst out laughing.

“Ice cream for everyone!” I yelled out happily. Carter grinned as he bounced away to join the happy crowd as they made their way to the dining hall.

“Ice cream?” Candice questioned as we walked side by side, following everyone else.

“Yeah, Carter’s favorite so, I’ve made sure there is always enough ice cream. Candice beamed up at me and I was struck by her innocence. It was odd to me and I had wanted to know about the she-wolf beside me. I knew she was a cold-blooded killer and yet when I looked at her, I just didn’t see it. But then again, no one would look at me and think I was behind the crimes I had committed. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts as we entered the busy hall. Some had ice cream cones whilst others had bowls of ice cream.

“What’s your flavor?” Candice asked me and I smiled.

“Same as Carter’s, double chocolate mint,” I said as I tried to find the boy. I soon spotted him rushing towards me with two bowls and both were filled with our favorite ice cream.

“Where’s mine?” she asked her younger brother teasingly and Carter looked pained for a moment before handing over his bowl to her. She quickly shook her head and reached out to ruffle his hair before heading to the counter where they were dishing up or handing out ice cream. Carter looked worried for a moment but then shrugged as he began to eat his ice cream. I chuckled softly as I guided us back outside into the warmth of the sunny afternoon. We sat down at one of the many picnic tables. I was quite amused as I watched Carter slurp and devour his ice cream.

“What?” he asked as he caught me watching him. He looked rather sheepish with his lopsided smile.

“You and ice cream,” I remarked shaking my head as I too slurped up my ice cream. Candice joined us with what looked like plain vanilla in her bowl. Both Carter and I eyed her ice cream with distaste.

“What?” she moaned out. “Not everyone likes double chocolate mint,” she pointed out.

“No, but really just plain vanilla?” I looked away and the look on Carter’s face startled me. “Carter? Are you alright?” his eyes flickered over to mine and then he blushed, looking away.

“Brain freeze,” he lied. I knew it was a lie, but Candice giggled softly as she began to eat her ice cream. It was at this moment that I knew something was wrong. Although Candice is my mate, I still feel the protective bond with Carter, and I didn’t want him to be upset about anything. Not even about Candice. I decided as I finished off my ice cream that I would spend some time with Carter and find out what is bothering him.

★★★

“He doesn’t like me,” Candice whispered as we stood in front of the forest. I glanced over at her, completely surprised by her declaration. “Don’t look at me like that, it’s true,” she argued but I shook my head.

“No, I don’t think so,” I said. “I think he just doesn’t know you,” I added. “But that is exactly why I want to spend some time with him, talk to him, you know?”

“Yeah, thank you, Derick,” she leaned up and kissed my cheek and then turned around to head back to the packhouse. I smiled softly as I watched my mate leave and then I too, turned away and headed into the woods. Carter would be waiting for me at our spot by the river. It didn’t take me too long to reach him and I stopped, watching him as he was sitting under our tree with his eyes closed. He looked tired and I frowned. The death of his twin was working heavily on his mind and I wished I could ease his pain, even for a moment. I wanted to be able to understand what it is that he is feeling but I was very much aware that I couldn't push him too much. I knew Carter would close up if I did. Carter opened up his eyes and spotted me. He slowly smiled and I went over to him, sliding down to sit next to him.

“Hey buddy,” I said softly as I bumped my shoulder against his.

“Hey…so, what did you want to talk about?” he asked me. He knew me all too well, even though I hadn't requested him to talk to me, he knew that it what I wanted. After all, I had just asked him to meet me here.

“I just wanted to find out how you were,” I said casually, not wanting to make a big deal out of anything. Carter glanced over at me, but I kept looking straight. He leaned towards me and rested his head on my shoulder.

“I miss Conner and I don’t know Candice, it’s weird,” he said.

“Hmm,” I hummed in response, not really knowing what else to say. I felt bad for him. Losing his brother, the way that he did, and then all of a sudden, his long lost sister is back. He doesn’t know her; she doesn’t know him. Candice is protective over him but other than that they are two strangers who share the same surname and blood. They are far from family, or at least the definition thereof. I had no idea how to help him with either of it.

“Derick, do you think Candice even likes me?” Carter suddenly asked. I thought about it for a moment and then smiled.

“Yes, I do think she likes you,” I paused as I shifted to put my arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer to my side. It was quite late in the afternoon and the wind had gotten chilly. It would be dark soon and I knew Carter hated the dark. 

“Do you think she likes it here?” he continued to ask his questions.

“I do think so yes,” I said. “And before you think its because of me, I will tell you that Candice wants to get to know you,” this wasn’t a total lie, but I was stretching the truth, just a tiny bit.

“She does?” Carter seemed surprised but pleased and I quickly nodded.

“Oh yes, I know she feels bad for not being around but Carter, you have to know she loves you right?” I shifted a bit more so I could look down at him and he glanced up but quickly looked away.

“I guess,” he mumbled out and I squeezed him gently.

“You know you can talk to me buddy,” I added, wanting to comfort him.

“Thanks, Derick, I just miss Conner,” he said again and I felt him shiver so I wrapped my arm tighter around him, basically pulling him onto my lap. Carter was by no means a child, but his small frame made it easier for him to be warm and comfortable on my lap. He didn’t protest or anything, he just snuggled closer against me as he sniffled. I figured he may cry so I cooed out soothing words to help comfort him. After a long time, I heard his breathing had stabilized and I knew he had fallen asleep. I sat under the tree for a while, my head resting against the bark and I thought about things as I looked up at the sky. It was growing dark and I knew it would be best for us to return back to the packhouse. Not wanting to disturb the boy too much, I eased myself up as best I could. Once standing, Carter had wrapped his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck as he rested his head on my shoulder. I made my way back home and I was pleasantly surprised to see Candice sitting on the porch steps. She smiled warmly at me as she saw us approaching and quickly got to her feet to open the front door of the packhouse. As soon as I walked inside, the warmth of the home draped around us. I carefully made my way up the stairs and headed straight to Carter’s room. Luckily, his door was open, and I easily went in and placed him down on his bed. Candice came into the room and closed the curtains as I went to his cupboard and took out his PJ bottoms and a simple white top. I looked around for a pair of fluffy socks since I knew the boy loved to wear them to bed. I turned back to him and Candice had taken off his black and red striped top and wiggled his denim off his legs. She left the room then and I quickly slipped on the top and left on his boxers before putting on his PJ bottoms and socks. Once none I went out and gestured for her to come back inside. She followed me in, and I gently picked him up. Candice pulled back his blanket and I placed him down, Carter immediately snuggled up with his favorite pillow and Candice covered him again. I threw his clothes in the laundry basket and we left the room, putting off the light and closing the door behind us. We headed back downstairs and I followed Candice to the kitchen.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?” she offered.

“That would be great, thanks,” I said before sitting down at the kitchen table.

 ★ Candice ★

I haven’t been this nervous since I went for my very first shooting test. I glanced over at Carter as he led me through the woods. Derick had spoken to me sometime last week and asked me if I wanted to get to know my brother. I had not hesitated to say yes. Of course, I wanted to get to know him. I was just worried that he wouldn’t like. It already felt like he didn’t like me, but Derick had told me that I had to try and rebuild my relationship with my brother.

“Why didn’t you ever come back?” Carter questioned as we neared the river. He wasn’t looking at me and his voice was soft and cautious. I didn’t want that, but I knew it had to start off this way. We didn’t know each other.

“I couldn’t come back,” I stated. “You see, Gale, raised me to hunt, to track and to kill,” it wasn’t something I was proud of, but I had to tell him. he had a right to know. “I was often hired to take out people or wolves,” I added.

“Did you like it?” he asked as he sat down under a tree. I joined him but I sat opposite him so that we were facing each other. I needed to see his facial experiencing.

“No,” I finally answered.

“Then why did you do it?” he frowned as he asked me this and I wanted to reach out and brush the strands of his hair from his eyes, but I stopped myself.

“Because whether or not I liked it, I was good at it. Tell me something Carter, how was it with Keith and Jody?” I changed the subject for a reason, although I was hoping he would figure it out for himself. Carter seemed lost in thought for a while and I didn’t push him. I let him process things at his own pace.

“Keith and Jody are like my older brother and sister, not quite like parents, not that I would know what that felt like,” Carter said sadly. “I mean, they took good care of us, clothed us, and fed us. I must say though, I don’t know how they did it,” he trailed off as he gazed around the forest. Please, Carter, figure it out. “Did you um…did you send them money or something?” he finally asked, and I nodded. “That makes sense, thank you,”

“No problem, so you see, even though I didn’t like what I did, it brought in the money. That way I was able to send money to Keith for you and Conner,” I explained.

“But why wouldn’t you talk to us?” he asked quite angrily. I couldn’t blame him.

“Because Carter, I missed you both so much and it was so hard staying away. I became very skilled at my job and I was sought after, in both a good way and a bad way,” I continued to explain to him. Carter avoided my gaze and I wondered why.

“So, a phone call was out of the question then,” it came out more as a statement than a question, but I nodded anyway.

“Even the conversations I had with Keith where short, I could never risk put you in danger,” I said. I felt bad then, as I realized that my efforts had been for nothing. “Not that it mattered, Madam York, found out about you two anyway, and…and…” I could feel the tears stinging and I blinked quickly, trying to stop them from falling. Carter was looking at me weirdly, but I supposed I must have looked odd blinking so rapidly. “Conner is gone because of me,” I whispered, and Carter gasped in surprise.

“Why on earth would you think that?” he asked. “Derick told him to stay, he told us both to stay but Conner didn’t listen. He is to blame, not you and not Derick. We can blame that b***h instead!” he said with passion.

“Carter!” I scolded as he cursed.

“What? I am twenty-one,” he argued with a smirk and I giggled.

“Yes, indeed you are,”

“Do you love Derick?” Carter suddenly asked and I blushed.

“I like Derick,” I answered. “We still need to get to know each other and fall in love,”

“Oh,”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, Derick means a lot to me and I don’t want you to hurt him the way you hurt us,” I was shocked by his words.

“What do you mean? How did I hurt you?” I asked curiously. I felt guilty but I wasn’t sure why and I waited for Carter to explain.

“You left us, Candice. What’s to say you won’t leave us again?” Carter pushed himself up and stalked over to the river. I didn’t follow him, and I thought about his worries. He thought I might leave them again. Damn it, how am I going to explain that I would never do that to him when I already did. I slowly stood up and bowed my head down in shame.

“I am not perfect I am far from perfect, but I am trying to be better Carter,” I said softly. Carter turned to face me, and his face was blank, he was hiding his emotions from me.

“Try harder,” he snapped before storming off. I had no idea what to think about that, or what to do. I was here. I had told Gale to never give me a job again. I was done, done with it all. I knew I had to work on the trust between us, but was it really necessary for him to be harsh? Maybe it was necessary. I headed back to the packhouse slowly as I thought about how I was going to prove to my brother and my mate that I was here to stay. I wondered if it would help if I worked on my relationships with both males. Maybe if Derick and I got married, Carter would feel more comfortable. I realized that I still didn’t know anything about my brother, and I decided that I would have to talk to Keith and Jody. They knew Carter better than anyone and if they could help me then maybe, just maybe I would stand a chance to have a proper sibling relationship with my younger brother.