22

Dieter's POV

Numb.

That was the only thing that I have felt since leaving my mate across the country. So far away from me. On top of the newfound information about Carter and him being the sacrifice. Life is shit right now.

As well as my pack. Our numbers from sparing went down again and the members are getting sneakier in hiding themselves in the pack. Which I suppose is good for them. My patience is at an all-time low, and if I were to see another one again I might snap their neck.

I was currently fighting the urge to join sparring, but I knew I shouldn't. I would kill someone if I joined. Especially now since Crispin's phone broke and I haven't spoken to him in a day. Every nerve in my body was on the edge. Anger was swallowing me whole. In a way that was leaking out of me. I was seconds away from snapping something in half.

The separation was affecting me differently than my Crispin. He was in pain, and I knew it was worse seeing as he was all alone there. He had no family, and no support system other than Rena. But even then, she was constantly talking with Danielle.

It ached my heart to know he was alone and I was here. His family was here. I knew it wouldn't be as bad for me, I busied myself with pack matters and my family was constantly on my ass to make sure I am working. As well as Koa and Tino. As they prepare for Sloan, they keep me busy. But Crispin didn't have that. He was left with his thoughts.

I can't imagine how bad I'd be if I was left with my thoughts.

I'd probably kill someone. Or someones.

"Dieter!" Danielle's voice was filled with worry as she yelled. I turned and saw her running and my body went ice cold. Something was wrong.

She was before me in an instance holding her phone for me to grab. In big black letters read Baby which I assume is Rena. I put the phone to my ear and took a deep breath.

"Hello?" I rumbled out. Anxiety fills my bones.

"Dieter. I'm putting Crispin on a plane, and you need to pick him up from the airport." She spoke too quickly, it was too hard to understand.

"What? What happened?" Anxiety riddled my bones. Guilt began to make an entrance, I should have known, but over the past few days our bond has been strained and it's hurting us. Making it harder to feel what the other is feeling.

"He will land at at three in the morning. Make sure to be there." I held my growl in annoyance at her not answering. But she sounded just as flustered.

"Rena, is he okay?"

"No! He's not okay! You two are idiots! Marking each other then thinking you could be away from each other again! I've never seen him like this! He looks sick and he is depressed. He didn't even feed or take care of Carter at all today! I found him outside in the dark, alone! What the fuck."

I never pegged Rena to be a yeller, she always seems to have a levelhead. But her voice held nothing but pure, unadulterated anger.

"Carter was outside? Is he okay?" I asked hurriedly. My chest tightens and Carlisle whines, unable to do anything to get to our family.

"No! I found him crying, wet, and hungry! It's cold here, Dieter! He was outside in nothing but a jacket! It's 40 degrees! Crispin didn't even care! Didn't get up to look at him at all!"

I wanted to cuss her out for talking badly about our mate. But I couldn't bring myself to defend him. Not about this.

"He told him to leave! Are you hearing me?" Rena spoke, moreso yelled again.

"Yes, I hear you," I whispered. Shame dripping in my voice.

"You've fucked up Dieter! Both of you. I'm sending him to you, and don't have him come back until he is fixed. Understood?" Usually, I'd be upset about being told orders but this I had to take. Because she was right. I did fuck up.

"What about Carter?"

"What about him? He's staying with me until you get Crispin under fucking control. I can't believe he did that shit." She said the last line more under her breath but I heard it. There must be more to the story that I'm not getting for her to be this upset.

All I know is that it's happening. It's getting worse. The tear in their relationship. Which meant I had to tell him. And soon.

"Okay...yeah. I can do that. Three A.M?"

"Yes." She said through gritted teeth. And let out a deep sigh.

"Rewa..." I heard Carter's voice and that caught my attention immediately. And Carlisle's. He sounded so sad and it was breaking my heart.

"Can I talk to him? Please." I was begging, something I've never done to anyone before. Rena groaned and I could hear her sigh again.

"Fine." I heard shuffling and I heard Carter say who is it. "It's Dieter, he wants to talk to you is that okay?" The difference and change in her voice were jarring.

"Hi, Deder." His voice was hoarse and let out a soft cough. Was he sick?

"Hey, kid! What's going on?" I tried to sound as casual as possible but it felt like I was butchering this conversation.

"Deder! I found you! I went to find you cause daddy is sad. And daddy is happy when Deder is home."

The sentence was enough to make a grown man cry. And it did. My eyes began to water and I wanted nothing more than to go to that little boy and hold him.

"Yeah--" My voice croaked and I cleared it so I could speak clearly. "You found me. I'm going to take care of Daddy I promise. Then I'm going to take care of you too. I just need you to stay with Rena for a little bit okay?"

"Oh...stay with Rewa?" I couldn't help but feel the disappointment in his voice and it made Carlisle whine again. And my chest burns.

"Not for a long time! I promise."

"You promise, Deder?"

"Yeah, kid. I promise. I'll get you so soon!"

"Okay, Deder." I could hear it in his voice. He didn't believe me. It just broke my heart even more.

"Hello?" Rena spoke pulling me from my thoughts once more.

"Okay, I am going to send Danielle to you. She can help watch the pack until Crispin is better, and help with Carter." Danielle's eyes went wide in surprise but I could see the excitement that covered her face of her going to see her mate again.

"Sounds like a plan. I'm at Crispins' place, packing his suitcase and Carter's things. Then I'll drop him off at the airport. Fix him." And with that, she hung up leaving me stunned.

Danielle slowly took her phone back and watched me. But my eyes were glued to the moon above. Something I once looked at that was so beautiful but now haunts me.

"I should go pack then?" Danielle said softly, his face holding concern.

"Yeah, and I should get my room ready." I sighed. "When you go, please take care of Carter. And if you must, tell Rena."

She gave me a nod and turned away leaving me. She knew what I meant. Tell Rena about the sacrifice. Maybe if she knew she'd understand. Or one could hope.

All I knew now was that I was right. My worries, and fears. I was right.

Carter was the sacrifice.

It was the only viable option for Crispin to treat him so cruelly. But I never thought it would get this bad this fast. I knew our good times were too good to be true, and so I knew our sacrifice would be great. Being with Crispin was just easy. But I didn't know our sacrifice would be Carter...I would be fine with anything else but him.

I suppose that's why it's him.

Though that was looming in the back of my head, the feeling of joy and anticipation filled me. I was going to see my mate again and even if it hadn't been two weeks I missed more than I needed to breathe.

But I feared that once I told him about Carter... he'd never look at me the same.