Alpha Soldier's Mate (Romano Series #5)

Part 1

He should have expected this. The celebrations of him coming back. It still felt weird but something he could not avoid. The look in the Major's eyes when Major said that he should go home was something he could never forget. His worst fear was right there coming back to life in that moment. He was quiet, that's what they are taught to be and packed his duffle bag without any questions asked.

Tightening the strap around his shoulder he stared at the huge packhouse in front of him. Nothing had changed. Only the grass looked wild that's all. The fairy lights on the door made his eyes squint. Suddenly he was aware of the darkness around him.

It was a bright morning when he decided to leave the camp. Travelling back was always difficult for him, unlike others who were bursting with joy and enthusiasm at the thought of going back home. He just couldn't tell the reason why. Finding a decent ride back from the hills was a difficult task but he managed somehow. Carter calculated the time in the back of that truck but the driver made too many stops in between to take an exact guess.

"He's here! Carter's here!" Someone yelled from inside. His jaw clenched at that shrill voice. How many times did he tell his mother to put a goddamn curtain on the window instead of blinds?

Shaking his head he took further steps. The wind was prominent and blowing at his hair. A stark reminder that the winter was approaching. Just then he remembered how was the last winter. Back in the camp.

Alphas tend to have thick skin no doubt but the last winter was horrendous. The camps were set up and few of the betas fell ill due to the harsh weather. Carter feared that his entire squad would be infected. It was difficult to hold a fire in the open and too risky to burn it inside the camp.

Unfortunately, they didn't invest in the heaters so blankets and jackets were the only solution. Carter shuddered just thinking about the number of people they lost in that campsite. Few betas and Alphas. The Council paid their family the compensation amount but it was not enough. He never felt angrier at the lack of care than on that day. Heavy protests rose due to that and they had to let go few of them because of the consistent conflicts. He hated thinking about that. 

Before he could knock on the door it was pulled open. His mother stood there with tears in her eyes.

"My baby" She threw her arms around him to which he stumbled back. The omegas hiding behind giggled at the action while he simply rolled his eyes. Sometimes his mother can be a tad bit overdramatic. Then again she had every reason to cry and hug him because it had been two years since he last visited them.

"Mom please" He sighed. She smelled the same even after all these years. Cinamon and lemon. He patted awkwardly and stepped back. The Alpha still felt strange at being hugged because he was never the one to show affection. The pups giggled and ran away when he glared at them. He still doesn't understand why his father doesn't let everyone get separate place as Archer suggested. There would be less commotion. Of course, the married Alphas and omegas had their own cabins but the little pests- pups he mean, were always in the packhouse.

"I missed you so much" She sniffed, wiping at her tears.

"That's why I'm back" He tried to pull his lips together in a smile but failed.

"Then I hope you are not leaving again"

He tensed at that. The main reason he avoided coming back home was because of his mother. She wanted him to quit his duty after serving in the military for merely six years. How can he quit when that's the only thing keeping him sane? All she wanted was him to settle down and manage the pack with a Luna by his side. He never even thought about those things.

"At least let him inside" His father's voice echoed from behind and Carter stilled. It had been too long since he heard that voice. Two long years.

They never really had an affectionate relationship. Maybe because of the fact that his father was always focused on training him and disciplining like they were in the military. His father served for 14 years before he took up his position as the Alpha of the pack. That's all his father talked about even when Carter was young. Evan and Erik Romano, his cousins were his partners in crime so they all decided to apply as soon as they got the letter. Then they left. He thought bitterly.

"Good evening General" His father cleared his throat, interrupting Carter's thoughts.

"Evening Major" Carter echoed back. That's how it goes. Their greetings. No one was remotely surprised at the lack of affection from either side. They were habituated by now.

"Had a good journey I presume?"

"It was alright"

"Aled let him atleast shower." His mother, Eunice interrupted in between and took Carter's arm. He was thankful for the interruption because he really needed some space.

"I'm just making a conversation"

Eunice scoffed, "You have plenty of time for that."

"Where is Zaid?" Carter questioned as he looked around. He thought that his best mate of all people would welcome him. There were some random faces in the packhouse that he didn't recognise because they might be new. His father would brief him in detail about it anyway.

The Luna smiled, "He'll be back soon. His sister is in labour right now. I have to rush there as well but I was waiting for you" 

"Sofia is pregnant?" He blinked his eyes, a frown on his face. The last time he saw her she was running around with other pups.

"She's nineteen now Carter, of course, she is expecting"

He never understood the need to procreate so soon. Instead of arguing about his mother on that he retreated back to his room. Everything was the same as he left and for the first that day he felt like he was home.

***

Zaid was in the packhouse. It was easy to sniff his scent. Carter had showered and laid down on his bed for a while before he decided to eat something. His mother would otherwise send someone and disturb him anyways.

Zaid Pathan was the beta, supposed to be Carter's beta when he takes over the pack. They have been friends ever seen Carter ended up with his boots stick in thick snow. Zaid rescued him and ever since they were inseparable.

"You're really here?" Zaid's voice filtered through as Carter stepped into the living room. The pups were fortunately back to their own cabins because it was quiet.

"Is it that hard to believe that I would visit you?" Carter meant it to be a joke but it felt flat. Zaid inched closer to him and hugged him anyway. It felt nice and Carter was overwhelmed seeing his friend and cracked a smile for the first time on that day.

"How are you?"

"In one piece" Carter replied, trudging towards the refrigerator. He was thirsty and coffee solved everything. That's how he survived most of the days. Heaps of caffeine. Sometimes it felt like that was the reason he couldn't sleep at night but he cannot quit.

Zaid snorted, pushing himself on the barstool and turning it in Carter's direction, "That I can see. I'm asking how are you? I heard that the Council sent you home"

Carter's grip tightened on the handle of the fridge. He didn't want to talk about it. Not when it was still raw. For the first time, he acted stupid and impulsive and was facing the consequences over it. The Council had given him two options- either a paid vacation or permanent resignation. He knew what he had to choose. They knew what he was going to choose it was no rocket scientist. When he called back home his mother didn't even question she was on top of the world just by the thought of seeing him. Carter never really had the opportunity to talk to someone about the entire day and he wasn't going to anyway.

"I'm fine" He gritted shutting the door a little harsher than necessary. There was no milk in there. How was he going to drink coffee now? He thought looking around.

Zaid sighed, sensing his emotions and stood up, "Let's go"

Carter quirked his eyebrow, "Where?"

"My coffee house. You know the one on next block"

"But it's so late"

Zaid made a noise, "Wow mate didn't know you had a curfew past ten"

Carter rolled his eyes, his lips twitching as he got his coat from the rack. He could never say no to coffee. Zaid opened the door and then they were walking in the deserted street. 

"I forgot to ask how is Sofia?"

Zaid smiled, "Resting. She was blessed with twins. Boys"

Carter winced, "Two pups? That's a lot of work"

"Eh they are excited besides I got two nephews to spoil"

He just hummed at that not knowing what to say. Sometimes Carter did feel content that he was a single child. Other times it was worst because their parents had all expectations on him.

"I didn't know you ran the cafe past ten"

Zaid grinned, "They usually aren't but this new omega thinks it's good for business. Bless her we are earning a s**t load money because of the genius idea"

"Really? An Omega? Who?"

"Amelia Knight"

***