It had been really bad, what happened was... incredible.
"I'm fine, let's go home," Kayler told me. "It was just a graze, the bullet didn't penetrate me."
I breathed a sigh of relief, and we quickly left the place.
"The pack members will find out what really happened, why hunters were allowed into our territory."
"And are you sure they're not wolves?"
"Of course not."
When we arrived home, we entered the house, both of us feeling somewhat scared, well, mostly me, because of what had happened. I felt like I was losing Kayler, and it felt terrible to see him lying there. I couldn't hold back anymore and hugged him, feeling his scent and not wanting to let go. I don't want to lose him... even though he lied to me, I couldn't live in a world without Kayler Brown, at least not if I continue being a wolf.
"I thought you were going to die," I whispered. Kayler also hugged me tightly.
"Fortunately, it didn't escalate," he replied.
"Yes, but I still felt awful. I don't want to lose you," I blurted out. I instantly regretted saying that; he might think I can't live without him.
"I don't want to lose you either, Carolina," he said, pulling away to look at me.
"Thank you for taking me hunting, believe me, I was very satisfied. Something good came out of all this."
"I'm glad, I'm sure our baby will grow strong and healthy, as it should be."
A car parking in front of the house put me on alert; it could be Piper or even the hunters, maybe they were tracking us.
"Who is it?" I wanted to know.
"It's your mom and Kylie."
I breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's good."
Mom and Kylie entered the house, chatting animatedly as always. I'm surprised at how quickly Mom has grown fond of her.
"I've brought your daughter back safe and sound," Mom tells Kayler. "She's a very obedient girl, you wouldn't think she's Piper's daughter."
I gave Mom a reproachful look because she said it right in front of Kylie, without caring that she heard.
"Thank you, Mrs. Lane."
"How are you, Carolina? You've seemed really strange lately. Come, let's talk," Mom took me by the hand and led me to the kitchen. It's such a hassle to explain things to Mom.
"I'm fine, Mom, I'm fine," I snapped.
"Don't you have anything to tell me?" She looked at my belly.
"What? Nothing."
"Carolina! Why are you doing this to me? I'm your mother. I can't believe you hid the fact that you're pregnant from me."
I opened my eyes in astonishment because I didn't know how she found out.
"How did you find out? Was it Anne?"
"No, Kylie told me."
I frowned, when did Kylie find out? It didn't matter, I didn't want Mom to realize, at least not yet. First, I wanted answers about Kayler and me.
"Did you plan on hiding it from me?" she reproached. "I don't recognize you."
"Obviously, I couldn't hide it from you for long," I rolled my eyes. "There you go, now you know that I'm expecting a baby."
"From Gadreel, I suppose, because as far as I know, you want nothing to do with Kayler."
I looked at her in astonishment, did she just mention Gadreel?
"No, Mom. The father of this baby is Kayler."
"And since when have you two...? You reconciled, and you didn't tell me."
"No, Mom, we haven't reconciled. It was something that happened, and now leave me alone," I left the kitchen feeling stressed. I've never liked being bombarded with uncomfortable questions. I don't like discussing these private matters with her; it feels weird. In the living room, Kylie was playing with her stuffed bears, and Kayler was waiting for us. He obviously heard everything.
"Carolina, don't be rude," Mom said, following me.
"Don't go on, Mom; Kayler, say something," I leaned on him, asking for his help to get rid of my mom.
"Mrs. Lane, I can explain," Kayler said to her. "Come with me."
Just then, someone knocked on the front door, and I went to open it.
"Anne."
"Hello, Carolina. How did it go yesterday? I'm sorry things ended up like this," Anne commented as she entered my house.
"It doesn't matter; it was inevitable with Gadreel and Kayler in the same place."
"Did something happen with Gadreel?" she asked.
"Nothing, we just talked, that's all," I replied. "Gadreel is a good guy, Anne, if Kayler weren't in my life, I would definitely consider falling in love with him," I admitted, just as Anne looked behind me. "Let me guess: Kayler heard me."
Anne looked at me and nodded slightly.
I turned to look at Kayler, who had his jaw clenched.
"So, you want to fall in love with Gadreel?" he reproached me.
"That's not what I meant, Kayler," I admitted.
"Whatever, we'll see if you can. Come on, Kylie," Kayler took his daughter's hand, and both of them left the house. Where are they going? Curiosity was killing me. Did he go to meet Piper? If so, I would have liked to know.
"I came so we could go check out some places in town. The idea of opening a café is bothering me," Anne smiled.
"All right, Anne, let's go," I took her hand without taking my eyes off Kayler. They got into Kayler's car and drove off. "Hurry!" I told her, leaving the house and heading towards my car. I need to know where Kayler is going. I got into the driver's seat while Anne, not understanding anything, sat in the passenger seat.
"Where are we going? Carolina, don't tell me you're going to follow Kayler."
"Of course I am. Kayler Brown is on probation, and I still don't trust him, so I need to know his every move," I sped off, trying to catch up to him without him noticing.
"Carolina, I feel like old times," Anne murmured.
"The difference is that now I know about the wolves," I replied. Kayler was at a considerable distance; it was impossible for him to realize I was following him.
"Yes, now it's about Piper."
"Let me tell you, I was hunting in the forest with Kayler, and hunters appeared," I told her. "I was terrified when they shot at Kayler, but luckily the bullet only grazed him."
"What? Carolina, that's really bad. There are no hunters in this forest. I think it's a very serious problem."
I furrowed my brow, not understanding.
"Why do you say that?"
"There have never been hunters around here, Carolina. If that happened, it's because someone disclosed the information that there are wolves here."