Carter's Tryck [Brac Pack 17] by Lynn Hagen Page B

knew it! Being mated to Tryck was life-changing. He wasn’t about to have his independence taken away.
    Carter enjoyed his freedom, cherished popping in and out of different places, different continents. He loved seeing other cultures and popping into a ballgame and rooting for the other team.
    Tryck was not about to take that from him. It was bad enough he had a shackle on his wrist preventing him from enjoying life. He didn’t need one around his neck.
    “Do you not remember the vampire that just tried to attack you? It isn’t safe for you to wander around on your own. You are a Santiago now. You stick with us.” Tryck grabbed Carter’s arm, pulling him back toward the house.
    Carter dug his heels in, wrestling to free himself. “I understand the dangers, but I won’t be caged. Now let go, damn it.” He twisted and squirmed, but Tryck wouldn’t release him.
    Carter knew what his mate was saying was true. There were a lot of dangers out there, especially around this place, but if he let Tryck dictate his freedom to him now, he would forever be shadowed. He couldn’t have that.
    “I don’t need you.” Carter curled his lips in as soon as the words left his mouth. He saw the pained expression on Tryck’s face before his mate masked it. Tryck growled, shoving him toward his brothers.

    54
    Lynn Hagen
    “Guard him.” His mate walked away, leaving him with Law and…just what was the other guy’s name? He wanted to run after his mate, apologize for the harsh words, but Tryck was already gone.
    “He’s only acting like this because he cares and is frightened for you,” Law said as the brothers led him into the house.
    Carter turned around and stabbed his index finger into the palm of his hand. “Would that have been so hard for him to say instead of the he-man act?”
    Law shook his head as he crossed his arms over his barreled chest.
    “Yeah, it is. Tryck doesn’t do well with weak emotions. Never has.” He didn’t seem to do so bad with them when he claimed Carter.
    As a matter of fact, they poured out of him. What was with the dual personality? Was he afraid to show softness in front of others?
    Carter couldn’t live with that. He wasn’t going to have a mate that was tender in bed but a gruff sourpuss around everyone else. If he couldn’t show Carter some warmth in public, Carter didn’t want to be mated to him.
    Too late for that. Oh, shut up.
    Carter groaned. He was arguing with himself now. This couldn’t be good. “Look, I need to get home. So either one of you guys can take me or I’m walking. It doesn’t matter either way to me.”
    “I’ll take you.”
    “Just what is your name, anyway?”
    The man chuckled. “It’s Dagon. Nice to meet you, little brother.” Carter eyed him. “Don’t call me that. It means Tryck is my brother, too, and that’s just gross.” Dagon gave a deep laugh. “I like you.”
    “Too bad, Tryck caught me first.” He giggled. “Fine, let’s go.” Carter looked around as they made their way to the front door, wondering where his mate had gone off to. He felt bad for what he said, but he had to stick to his guns. Well, some sticking, he was still being escorted.

    Carter’s Tryck
    55
    Carter sighed. He had a feeling trying to keep his independence was going to be one tough battle.

    * * * *
    Carter was uncomfortable walking to his dwelling. It seemed the entire tribe was watching him. He knew mating outside of his race was extremely rare, but what was he going to do? Deny the other half of his soul? It wasn’t his fault fate chose Tryck as his mate, and he wouldn’t change it, no matter how pigheaded the man was.
    And if he was totally honest with himself, he wouldn’t change it.
    Tryck was stubborn and pigheaded, but Carter liked being mated to him.
    They just had to work out the whole public display of affection thing, along with his independence.
    The brothers must have seen the looks. They moved closer to Carter until he was at his dwelling. He