A Heart That Beats as Fast as Mine

Carter found Niall and Harry's relationship absolutely amusing, least to say. Rather unusual but then again he didn't really know a lot of people or friends so maybe it wasn't too strange? He took a liking to the group already though, especially Zayn but Carter may be biased since he was quite sure he had a instant crush on the other. That aside everyone seemed rather friendly and they weren't cold or even a little off with him staying over and he really appreciated it. Looking up at Louis across the table from him Carter shrugged his slender shoulders,"It's just a, like, very small place, with a parking lot, right by the trains and theaters and stuff" he tried to explain with as much 'detail' as he could muster in but even with a small smile Louis was sending him Carter still felt nervous.

"Must live by some educated people right? People who know that bestest isn't a word" Harry said in his slow drawl before there was a slightly hot carrot being thrown at his face and then a couple of spaghetti noddles which made Carter laugh, nearly chocking on the bit of food in his mouth. His hand came up quickly to cover his mouth and he knocked his elbow into Zayn by chance as he giggled, Harry retaliating by throwing a small piece of bread that ended up hitting Louis instead. His skin felt warm all over and a certain spot on his chest felt like it was tingling but he couldn't put any attention to it when Louis was angrily picking a piece of bread out his hair and declaring war on everyone.

---

Liam was about to agree with Stella when the food started to fly across the large rectangular table and he couldn't stop himself from laughing like a school boy because his friends were insane ad clearly couldn't even contain themselves in front of a guest. "Lads, come on, let's not be so messy here" Liam said quickly grabbing Harry's hand to stop him from throwing any of his mince at Niall since his first attempted failed so miserably."You know what Payno? This is for making me watch all toy story movies with you over and over again because you're getting old" Louis declared before he threw a baby carrot stick at Liam who hadn't been paying enough attention to dodge it. He knows he shouldn't join in on this, that he should just eat his food and let it die down but Liam was Liam and he couldn't, not when it was Louis.

"Toy Story is a master piece, don't act like you didn't cry!?" Liam growls before he takes the piece of bread Harry is offering him with a evil grin and throws it at Louis, hitting him in the cheek successfully. It was as if a fight had been declared and majority won the vote of fighting in it because the next thing happened was pieces of bread, chunks of vegetables, and mince was being thrown at one another, an outbreak of a food fight at the dinner table that happened surprisingly not as rarely as one would think.

@ sugarplum.

It had only been a matter of time before a food fight broke out, however once Carter's adorable laughter hit Zayn's ears a wide smile broke out across his face. "Come on guys, we have a guest." He told his best friends though he was ignored as a war had been declared and him trying to reason with them wasn't going to work, he did however take his plate into his hands so his food would be safe and he could continue eating. He didn't think anything of Carter's elbow accidently brushing against his arm, though within seconds he could feel a tingling sensation flow down the inside of his forearm. He didn't pay any attention to it however, as he was more interested in watching the food that was flying across the table. It was amusing to him and something he usually wasn't involved in, it did depend on what happened that day although this time would be one he would sit out on.

"You'll get used to this," He told Carter as he would most likely witness a few more food fights or play fights, it was all done in good fun as the wolves bounced off one another. Smart ass comments would be made back and forth because one lunged at the other, even Stella had gotten involved a few times although she'd usually the only one trying to calm everything down which is harder than it seems.

---

Stella had been eating her dinner and listening to Carter answer Louis' question, the next thing she knew she pulled a spaghetti noddle from her hair when Niall threw them at Harry. One missed and stuck onto the side of her head, it only took seconds before Louis and Liam joined in. Soon she had breadcrumbs falling onto her clothes, she didn't mind at all as she was used to this. She always made sure to cook slightly more food than needed, in times like this when a fight would start and her food was the closest thing to fight with. She tried to continue eating as she actually wanted to eat, that was until Louis threw a handful of mince across the table as he aimed for Liam. However the mince came apart in mid air and she wasn't a wolf, so she couldn't dodge anything.

Pieces of mince had settled in her hair and on her clothes, "I'm sorry Stella." Louis was quick to speak as she hadn't been his target, he watched as she took a handful of baby carrots and corn kernels and threw the food at him. She wasn't normally good at throwing or aiming but Louis was close enough that she still hit him. "Liam save me," She laughed sweetly as she took hold of his arm and moved it so it was covering her.

@ heart;;

Carter couldn't believe how funny this was, couldn't stop fucking laughing either because there was food in peoples hair and stains on their shirts and Niall and Harry seemed to be on the very opposite team of each other, to the point where one would think the two were actually trying to hurt each other with soft vegetables. He hadn't expected Liam to join in since the other seemed like he was more sensible and perhaps serious but that sort of image was broken when Liam was like a shooting machine and no one was safe."Can't believe these are your friends" Carter jokes as he picks up his plate and places it on his lap so it would be safe from anything being thrown in the air.

He wasn't sure if he could get used to food fights breaking out like this but he knew he would definitely enjoy them and have a good laugh that would settle in his stomach. "Hope that means this will be happening again," Carter whispered over to Zayn, the bundle of nerves inside of him calming down since he had something else to focus on, something to deter him from over thinking. When Stella joined Carter, couldn't stop laughing, gently clutching his stomach as his body shook, not minding the little bit of mince that lnaded in his hair or the sauce on his shirt from accidental crossfire.

---

Liam, like the other lads, had a really good aim and dodge, that is when he is paying attention, and so whe he was focusing on Niall Harry easily dumped some of his sauce into his hair and when Liam went to retaliate Louis took the opening to throw carrots at him again. It was like a war, each one for their own since it was a battle to the 'deaths' or more so till no one had food or someone actually got hurt(Harry slipped on some spilled soup once and nearly snapped his neck in half). Whe Stella actually threw food back at Louis Liam laughed, loud and gleeful since now Louis had corn in his bangs and a carrot snuck its way into his top.

Wrapping his arm more securely around Stella Liam hunched over her so none of the food would land on her as he chuckled into the fabric of her too big sweater. "Keep throwing food guys, the more of a mess, the longer it'll take you to clean it up" Liam said loud enough over Niall chanting someone about Ireland pride for the group to hear. This made Louis stop near instantly and the so did Niall and Harry, none of them really enjoyed the task of cleaning but knew Liam was right as so the food started to cease fire and it felt like everyone was attacked at this point with no clear winner. Pressing the tip of his nose against Stella's cheek Liam nuzzled her skin,"You smell like tomato sauce, so very attractive" he teased.

@ sugarplum.

Zayn had a good hearty laugh as he watched, a little sauce had hit his shirt but it wouldn't take much to wash out. "Neither can I sometimes, but I wouldn't change them for the world." He smiled proudly knowing many people would have been annoyed by how the wolves act when around each other, though that emotion never filled his body because the guys had been his best friends since they were young and they were all a family now. It would feel strange if this didn't happen, "It'll happen again. Hopefully with food that's easy to clean up," He whispered to Carter as his dark eyes were filled with joy, there had been a food fight when he had cooked a curry for everyone. Sauce and rice went everywhere in the room, they even had to clean sauce up from across the room as it stuck to everything.

"Niall and Harry begun all this, how about you two clean up and then clean yourselves up. You two aren't going skating dirty," He told the two betas in a more fatherly tone of voice, he was the oldest of younger sisters so he was used to taking care of the people he loved the most. He turned to look at Carter, "This doesn't happen a lot. But you will walk in on other fighting, it's never serious so don't worry about it when you see it." He assured the other knowing two of them would shortly start a fight in the living room, the couch seemed to be a favored spot to play wrestle.

---

Stella smiled and giggled softly when Liam hunched over her to protect her from the flying food, "It's not attractive." She whispered to Liam and enjoyed him nuzzling her skin, she just loved being close to her mate even if they were surrounded by their friends. "We all need to clean up before we head out," She smiled as she reached up and rubbed the back of Liam's neck smoothly with her delicate fingers, she's change her clothes and make sure her hair wasn't hiding any more food. She couldn't be bothered taking a shower and having to dry all her hair again, "I'll wash up the dishes." Louis offered knowing he had to clean up something, he was just as involved in throwing food as Harry and Niall.

Stella smiled as she took Liam's hand into her small her and pulled him away from the table, she took him upstairs and into the bathroom. She got two face cloths damp so they could clean up, "I'm excited about skating. But I'm nervous at the same time, I could be horrible." She told him as she made sure her braid was clean which thankfully it was, she cleaned up some of her sweater knowing she'd have to spray it with stain remover so nothing stuck to the fabric. Once she had finished she moved into their room, she had only recently moved into Liam's bedroom as it felt right at the time. She searched through her collection of sweaters until she found another sweater that wasn't as oversized, it was a navy and incredibly soft.

@ heart;;

Carter couldn't stop the amount of fondness inside of him when Zayn was so proud of his group of friends while others would have gotten angry for the group embarrassing them. He liked the group already himself, they seemed to just not give a single fuck about anything and took their life in their own hands and did as they pleased, clearly not thinking about the consequences but accepting them as it is. Placing his empty plate on the table Carter stood up and decided to just help the others out since the mess was rather big and there was no harm in being nice with the others. They had brightened up his day after all with the food fight.

He sent Zayn a smile before he started picking up noddles from the table and placing them on the plate, chops of mince and vegetables included as Niall playfully tried to take the pieces of food before Carter could reach them."You've got some sauce in your hair" Niall commented, grinning at the other while Harry and Louis had a little tussle on who won. Carter made a faceat the comment before grabbing a napkin and wiping his bangs free from the sauce."I like your hair, is it like that naturally? Ginger?" Niall asked curiously, stepping in closer by Carter as they cleaned the table."Uh, yeah, I'm a red head" Carter said slowly, never having liked his hair but Niall saying he did was quite nice. Carter glanced over at Zayn and chuckled before he leaned over and pulled a spaghetti noodle from his hair.

---

Liam would have helped the others clean up as usual but instead he was being pulled by Stella up the stairs and into one of the bathrooms, for what he assumed was clean up. Liam was just going to go in for a shower, feeling better about getting himself all cleaned up rather than just running a damp cloth over his skin skin he could still smell the pasta and mince there unlike humans. Sometimes he really didn't like being able to smell and hear things so well, sometimes the smallest of noises down the hall could disturb him sleeping and when someone smelled bad he couldn't get it out his nose as quick as humans.

Following Stella into their room Liam watched her quietly before walking up behind her and kissing her temple,"You'll do fine and hopefully you'll have fun, you have me and the other lads, we wont laugh if you fall, well Louis might, but you know how he is" Liam told her as he just grabbed his towel from the hook and tossed it over his shoulder,"I'm gonna go in for a quick shower alright love?" he asked, searching through his drawers to pick out some clothes he could wear for the skating ring and placing it on their bed so he could put them on once he was out.

@ sugarplum.

Zayn couldn't help himself from smiling fondly when Carter begun to help with the clean up, he was the guest and didn't need to lift a finger but here he was helping out with a mess he wasn't involved in. He may be shy and awkward when people that he didn't know, but he seemed to be fitting very well into Zayn's group of friends. He walked into the kitchen and filled the sink with hot soapy water for when Louis was ready to wash the dishes, walking back over to the table he smiled at Carter who had picked out a spaghetti noodle from his hair. "Thanks," He spoke quietly to the other, he took the bowls into his hands and carried them over to the kitchen. All the food had been eaten, well apart from the food that had been thrown. Setting the bowls beside the sink so it would be easier for Louis to wash up, he listened to the voices of his friends and knew that Carter was always going to be welcomed in their home.

He stood there watching as Niall stayed close to Carter but in a friendly way, the blonde wolf was always the friendliest when it came to meeting new people. So it was no surprise that he wanted to get to know Carter on the day he arrived, that was just how Niall was but he knew better than to force people to talk to him or answer the mountain of questions that he always had for people.

---

Stella knew how sensitive Liam's noise was and always made sure to smell extra nice for him, just like she made sure to be quiet at time so she wouldn't disturb him. "I know Louis probably will laugh and I will have fun, I always have fun with you." She smiled and nodded her head lightly, "Okay babe." She watched him walk out of their room so he could take a shower, she changed into a pair of black pants that fitted her very well but would also be easy to move in. She picked up her dirty clothes and walked over to the bathroom where she heard the shower going, she knocked on the door and stepped in.

"I'm just going to take our clothes to the laundry," She told Liam making sure not to look at him, even though she really wanted to. They hadn't moved to that level of their relationship yet, sometimes Stella really wanted to although she wanted their first time to be really special and that chance hadn't come up yet. She stole a quick glance at Liam but made her eyes stay on his face.

@ heart;;

NIall is the easiest person of the group to talk to, very relaxed and filled with laughter, easily made Carter feel as if he knew the other as well as he knew Stella, even told better jokes than Harry who kept trying to make Carter laugh but instead carter ended up making funny faces at the other, not understanding any of the puns or them just not being funny. With all five of them helping clean up the dinning room was spotless in no time, looking as if there had never even been a food fight in the first place, that is until you look at the boys and their clothes that was splotched in tomato sauce and different liquids.

"Wanna kick a ball around?" Niall asked excitedly, pointing outside with his thumb. Carter smiled faintly and shook his head,"Sorry, I'm gonna go for a shower, don't really like smelling like mince" he said pulling at the hem of his shirt where he had a stain."But mince smells so good!' Niall pointed out,"Yeah, I guess so, but like, not on a person, you know? Don't think anyone will take interest in me if I smell like mince" Carter said as he made a face, Harry coming around with a sultry smile, rather charming with the crescent dimples in his cheeks,"You sure about that? I'm sure someone would , and by someone I mean me." Harry said bluntly, Carter's brows furrowing and his cheeks burning red before he backed away and towards the stairs,"I'm just, uhm, gonna go, and like, shower" he said before quickly turning and leaving to the guest room for the en suite.

"Harry you scared the shit out of him, come on, I wanted to play ball"

"I think I was very smooth"

---

Liam nodded as he walked into the bathroom. He was quick to strip out of his clothes, leaving them at the side in a small pile before he walked into the shower and turned the water on completely hot, his skin being able to take the burn, if anything he found it oddly calming and relaxing, his skin getting red and beat by the water. Grabbing the shampoo he started off with his hair so he could get it cleaned and smelling coconut, a smell he hadn't known he would like till Niall came running home from a big sale at some store with different lotions, shampoos and much more.

Hearing the door open Liam didn't bother making sure tat the curtain was covering him, he didn't care if he was honest. He was comfortable with Stella and it was just his body, he didn't think much of it. Rinsing out the suds from his hair Liam pulled the curtains back and glanced at Stella,"Yeah, that's fine" he said before ducking back behind the curtain and scrubbing at his skin to make the spell of their dinner leave. "Babe, could you also put my grey beanie in the wash? Harry spilled chocolate over it last week" he asked kindly, washing his skin with water.

@ sugarplum.

Zayn rolled his eyes as he watched Niall and Harry as they talked with Carter, he chuckled when Carter excused himself before making his way upstairs. "You weren't that smooth, Hazza. Trust me, he's not going to be interested in anyone. Not after he arrived here," He said not actually telling them that he had found his mate, he needed to be positive and see Carter's name appear on his skin first. "Go clean up before you do anything else and don't get anything dirty," He told the three wolves as he walked upstairs so he too could clean up, he and Carter were probably the two that were the least dirty but he still needed to change his clothes. "Why wouldn't Carter be interested in anyone? Does he not date?" Niall asked in a rather confused tone of voice, he didn't understand what Zayn was trying to say.

Zayn grabbed a towel from the linen closet and walked over to the guest bedroom, he saw Carter there looking through his duffle bag. "I'm sorry about Harry, he tried the same thing with Stella and anyone he finds attractive. Here's a towel for you, I can show you to the bathroom if you like?" He offered as there were three bathrooms on that level of the house, it was just easier when there were so many people living there. He could hear Liam using one bathroom, but the other two were free. There was a bathroom right across the hallway from Carter's room which was handy, it was also the bathroom that Zayn mostly used.

---

Stella lifted Liam's dirty clothes into her arms, "Of course I can." She smiled as she smelled the coconut scent fill the bathroom, a scent that she loved on Liam. Actually she loved all the scents that Liam used, from body washes to colognes that he had. "You always have the water so hot, it's getting steamy out here." She laughed softly as the mirror was covered in steam already, she was tempted to step into the shower with Liam though then she'd most likely not want to get out to go to the skating rink. She opened the cupboard under the sink and placed a little perfume behind her ears on her neck, it was the perfume that she knew was Liam's favourite on her.

She washed her hands and wiped the mirror so she could make sure that she looked alright, she only had a few seconds before the steam found it's way to the mirror again. "I don't smell like dinner do I?" She asked Liam as she couldn't smell sauce or mince on herself, but that didn't mean that Liam couldn't as his senses were better than her's.

@ heart;;

Carter searched in his bag for something to wear, something comfortable and loose and cozy which described most of his style. He picked out a thin and soft pullover that was two sizes too big for him and a pair of black sweats and boxer briefs from his duffel bag, neatly folding them on the side so he could carry them with ease when Zayn came into the room with a towel. Biting his lip Carter nodded as he picked his clothes up and walked over to the other, taking the towel from him and placing it over his arm, and clothes. He wondered if Zayn was a creature of habit like Harry then, did he go around being extra friendly with the guest?

He hoped not. Would take away from the beating of his heart as he mumbled a thank you to the other."Yeah, uh, that'd be great" he replied, shifting from one foot to the next before he smiled automatically, as if being around Zayn he just couldn't keep a frown or neutral face on because he would break out into a softly tucked smile no matter what. He was going to have to Stella sometime soon, Carter had no idea how to deal with a crush, and he didn't even know if Zayn had a mate already or if he was even into boys at that. He didn't want to go off and embarrass the life out of himself.

---

Liam couldn't help but smile, Stella being such a good girlfriend to him and so compliant when he ask for a favor which he tries to not do too much since he doesn't want her to think that he was just going to make her do what some men thought woman should always do;house work. "You're the bloody best" Liam said as he continued to wash himself, the smell of mince was gone by the time he was putting some conditioner in his hair so he could keep it soft for Stella to touch and rake her fingers through(something he loved more than cooking with her, probably more than he loved cuddling as well).

Liam could smell it the moment it was sprayed, soft and delectable, the smell of passion fruit and berries, something so fruity it would put actual fruits to shame. It was his absolute favorite perfume Stella owned and he would always tell her she smelled amazing when she wore it, sometimes pouting for minutes for her to put it on."You smell delicious, so maybe you do smell like dinner, might decide to munch on your tummy" he joked as he turned off the water and pulled the curtain, stepping out and grabbing his towel he wrapped it around his waist and sent Stella a cheeky grin,"Always wanted to eat human"

@ sugarplum.

Zayn glanced down at the neatly folded clothes that Carter had in his arm, he saw a glance of the pullover and it looked so incredibly soft and would be wonderful to cuddle up with, while Carter was wearing it of course. He turned out of the room and pointed out the two bathrooms that were down the hall, Stella having hung cute little bathroom signs on the door before he showed Carter the bathroom across from the room. "Take your time," He gave him a small smile and walked into his bedroom, it was than that he realised that he was feeling a tugging feeling towards Carter. He knew that Carter was his mate and it was confirmed when he pulled his dirty clothes off, a 'C' was forming on the tanned skin of his inner forearm. A wide smile spread across his face and he felt at ease, he had waited for this to happen for so long and now he couldn't even remember how he felt before he had first seen Carter.

He sat down on his bed in just his bower briefs and enjoyed how he was feeling, he sat there only for a few seconds before he stood up again when he heard no one was using the third shower and Liam had just finished. He grabbed some sweats and a long sleeve top, he grabbed his towel as he walked down the hallway to the spare bathroom and instantly stepped into the shower. He washed his hair and body before drying off, he got dressed and towel dried his raven hair. He walked into his room hanging his towel up before he combed through his hair and let it air dry completely.

---

Stella smiled knowing that Liam didn't think she should just do housework, but she was taking the clothes down to the laundry anyway. "I know," She grinned when he called her the best, even if she wasn't doing much. She turned around to face him when he stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist, "Then you'll have to find another human. Because you aren't eating me, even if I would taste amazing." She grinned at him as she leaned up closer to him, she kissed his lips tenderly and rested a hand on his firm stomach to keep herself balanced. "I love you," She whispered as she pulled back from his warm lips, she took the clothes back into her arms and stepped out of the bathroom.

She walked into their room and located his beanie, she walked downstairs and to the laundry where she sprayed any mark so a stain didn't form on the fabric. She dumped the clothes into the hamper which would need to be washed tomorrow, it was Louis' turn to wash clothes and towels. She walked back out only to hear three voices going upstairs to also clean up, she walked into the kitchen and took her cake out from the oven. She set it on a cooling rack knowing they may eat some after ice skating or tomorrow depending on if they got themselves a hot chocolate. Which she was because she loved hot chocolate so much.

@ heart;;

Carter thanked Zayn before he walked in and set his clothes aside and undressed, getting into the shower with a bottle of body wash that smelled of lemon and coconuts which was his favorite scent possibly ever. He didn't bother taking his time, didn't like to spend too much time in the shower because he didn't like the feeling of his skin wrinkling. Once he finished washing up and shampooing his hair Carter dried himself off and pulled his clothes on, folding up the long and loose sleeves of his pullover just a few inches above his wrist. He didn't bother looking at himself in the mirror, didn't need to as he just raked his fingers through his damp hair to the side and dumped his clothes where they belonged and left.

Going down the steps peeped Stella's long hair in the kitchen and walked after her. He didn't want to scare her so he made himself known by saying her name just as he pulled up beside of her,"Oh" he extended,"It looks really nice" he said watching the steam rise over the top of the rather large cake."I've missed your dumb face" Carter said suddenly, wrapping his arms around her neck and pulling her in close because being without his best friend was tough and upsetting and exhausting and so lonely that it felt hard to breathe some days, feeling utterly lost and unsure of everything he did since he didn't have Stella by his side with her pretty smile and encouragement.

---

His own 'I love you' was caught in his throat, just a soft whisper Stella may not have even heard him say as she left the bathroom. With a sigh Liam walked out of the bathroom and made it into his room, drying himself off and pulling his clothes on, black jeans, black boots, black long sleeves, and a black jacket he was planning to wear once they left. He didn't feel upset or anything, just loved the look of wearing everything black, brought him some warmth. Tying up his boots Liam dried his hair with his dryer and styled it up till he was satisfied before leaving the room. He could hear Stella and Carter downstairs and very, very faint noises from outside which had to be the other lads playing football stil.

If Liam didn't know better he would have thought those three were robots, well besides Harry who absolutely sucked at ball but he was such a good sport that it was impossible to not let him join. He couldn't hear Zayn but he could smell him in his room and decided to check up on the other and let Carter and Stella spend a bit of time as just them two. Knocking on Zayn's door he didn't bother opening it, knowing better than to break privacy like that."Hey it's Liam, mind if I come in Z?"

@ sugarplum.

Zayn had just been admiring the 'C' that was forming on his skin, it wasn't much of a 'C' yet but it was still there. "Yeah, come in." He surprised himself with how happy his voice sounded, he stood up from where he had sat on his bed when Liam had stepped into his room. "Look, it's starting." He instantly showed his best friend as they were the only ones who had mates, he was beaming and even though his cheeks were becoming sore from how much he was smiling, he didn't actually care because he had found his mate and everyone liked him. "Stella should have brought him here sooner," He didn't actually care because Carter was there now, Carter was in his life and that's all that matter to Zayn.

"I never want to stop feeling like this, I've never been this happy. I didn't even know that I could be this happy, now I understand why you always want to be around Stella." His dark eyes focused on Liam and he could just imagine how he was going to act now, he'd be a lost puppy without Carter and that wasn't a thought that he even wanted to consider. Though he knew he would because Carter would still want to move into his apartment, though at least they'd have a place where they could be together in private. "How should I tell him?" He asked not sure if he should wait or just blurt it out, knowing him he'd get nervous and it'd fall from his lips.

---

Stella smiled at Carter and instantly wrapped her arms around his waist tightly, "I missed your pretty face more," She smiled as she held her best friend tightly and nuzzled the tip of her nose against his soft cheek, "I'm sorry that I hadn't been out to the farm lately. But now you'll be closer and we can always see each other," She smiled placing a kiss against his jaw line, her fingertips lightly pressing into his sides as she didn't want to let him go. She was happy with Liam, she was so happy but she still needed Carter in her life. He was and always would be her best friend, nothing would change that and she needed to see him more often.

She felt like she could breathe once again, she could be lazy and cuddle with Carter all day long. They could talk about anything together, she felt like she was complete as now Carter wasn't missing. He was a large part of her life and of her heart, she didn't feel right when he wasn't around. She had missed his sassy comments, his love of food and just seeing his ginger hair everywhere she went.

@ heart;;

Liam was surprised when he walked in and the first thing Zayn had on his face was a smile, the genuine one where his nose would do that little thing and his eyes would crinkle. A smile that the other hasn't had on his face in far too long. He took a look at the beginnings of Zayn's markings and smiled, it was clearly going to form into a 'C' and had a rather not shape to it. He remembered how he felt when Stella's name first started to appear on his skin, took just half an hour before the word 'Stella' was in a gentle script across his left chest and was ingrained there forever. It was so exciting, had him smiling for days on end and he could see it all just radiating off of Zayn.

"It gets better, so much better I promise you, when your mate loves you back whole heartedly, when you could hold the other and feel the same emotions, it's a whole other world" Liam explained, not being able to do so rightly because it was something that Zayn would have to experience himself to know just how amazing it was."I don't know Zayn, be cool maybe? Don't think you should just shove it in his face, talk to him I guess, I'm not sure honestly, he's rather shy so be gentle or like smooth? Maybe write it on in like food? Stella said he likes food" Liam pursed his lips in thought, unsure of how Zayn could go about it."Be yourself honestly, do it however you feel is right, maybe don't even tell him and let him realize it, I don't know Zayn, Stella and I just knew right off the bat that it'd happen and it happened so quick and easy, just go down and talk to him or something"

---

Carter chuckled into her skin, of course she would be sweet with him while he was the one calling her face dumb."It's okay, you moved so, so far away but we're back together now right," Carter said with a cheeky smile as he pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose. He couldn't believe this was happening, he had a job he knew he could actually live off of, a place to live, and being close to Stella and able to visit her whenever she was available. He couldn't wish for a better life when he had this one already."I've got a question" he said slowly, deciding that now would be a good time to ask Stella about Zayn.

"So like Zayn, is he single, or something? I mean, does he even like boys?" he asked, even getting nervous around her which was far to unusual. But he was so nervous about it, he really, really liked Zayn, just an automatic attraction and although he more than likely wasn't going to do anything about it he was still awfully curious."I'm asking for a friend," he joked, trying to lighten the mood though it was clear he had an interest in the other.

@ sugarplum.

Zayn couldn't wait to experience everything with Carter, now they each had someone if they wanted to go somewhere or do something new. Carter would never have to be put off from doing what he wanted, either he was nervous about the amount of people or just not liking to go to new places. He had his mate there now, Zayn would offer friendship and protection and security. "I really can't wait, I've waited so long for this to happen. I went to the forest so many times and this is how I find my mate, by opening the front door. I still can't believe it," He felt like he would be speechless, though talking with Liam who knew how he was feeling, made him feel more relaxed and he wanted to tell his friend how he was feeling.

He listened and nodded, "I'll take it easy. I'll see how he is after you all leave, if he's too tired than I'll wait." He smiled as he could even draw something to let Carter know, though that would take time as Zayn would want his art to be perfect. So maybe art would come later or maybe even as a home warming present, he'd start to tell Carter when they had some privacy and see how he takes it as he didn't want to shock him or tell him too much all at once.

---

Stella smiled warmly at her best friend, "I'll never let us go that long without each other again. I need you in my life, Carter." She told him something that she usually did so he already knew, but she liked telling him. She looked at him with her big brown eyes and couldn't help but smile, he never really asked about another boy. In fact in all the years that they have been friends, Carter has never asked her about anyone before. Although she knew something was up, Liam was acting different and Zayn wasn't sulking in his bedroom. The last couple of days, she or Liam or Niall have resorted to taking food and drinks to Zayn because he didn't want to leave his room.

She was honestly beginning to become worried, but now Zayn was joining them for dinner and he was talking and she even saw him smile once. "Yes, Zayn is very single. In fact I've never seen him take such a liking to someone before, not this quickly at least." She told Carter as she prayed Zayn had found his mate in her best friend, it would be perfect. "You can tell this friend, that Zayn is actually looking for his mister right." She smiled giving his sides little gentle squeezes as she looked at him, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to each of his cheeks.

@ heart;;

Liam couldn't be happier for Zayn, he knew the other had been looking for his mate far longer than anyone else he knew and it was finally paying off, it was finally happening, it finally happened. He wanted Zayn to feel everything. He wanted him to know how good it felt to wake up beside your mate in the mornings, to be able to give them kisses and cuddle them whenever he pleased, to be able to protect and love them unconditionally and have them do the same for him. It was so strange and yet so amazing. Not everyone found their mates, there were some people whose mates actually die before they could meet them and he hated knowing that, it honestly brakes his heart.

"Really gonna wait till we all leave?" Liam asked, raising his brow as he motioned to leave the room. He could smell cake downstairs and he was so tempted to have a slice."I hope you don't scared the courage out of you. You sure you don't want some support or something? I could always stand by and if he breaks your heart I'll make sure to change the soy milk to actual milk" Liam jokes as he walks beside of Zayn and down the steps where he could see Carter and Stella standing in the kitchen by the cooling racks. He could faintly hear Carter, just a tiny, tiny whisper while Stella's voice was clearer. Wolves were always more in tuned with their mate, could sniff them out a bigger crowd, could hear them from farther away, could sense their presence.

---

Carter couldn't wrap his mind around Zayn taking a liking to him so quickly, wouldn't be able to accept it since he wasn't anything special. He didn't ooze sex appeal or have an amazing laugh, he wasn't bright like the sun or mysterious, he was sort of just there, quite happily so."Cool, I'll go tell my friend that once I stop pissing myself" Carter said with a snort, his skin felt so warm with the thought of Zayn. Automatically he rubbed at his collar bone where soft etches of a 'Z' and A' were already formed, with half of a 'Y', the soft skin there tingling. "Kinda really like him, but he's like intimidating, like he's so good looking I feel like the Gods and Goddesses could call him back home into the sky any moment"

He wasn't going to lie, the thought of Zayn being his mate was amazing, he would probably have a minor heart attack and never let Zayn go even though he didn't know the other too well."Well, hopefully not before I can get my mouth on him" Carter said filthily, only ever being so naughty and playful with Stella who knew that although he was shy he had a mind of his own and his thoughts may never match up to what people would think his mind was filed with."He has such pretty brown eyes, Stella, and he's quite nice too, and he's so fit" Carter complained as if those were the worst things about Zayn.

@ sugarplum.

Zayn's arm was still tingling and he wanted to walk around without his shirt, just so he could watch his mark grow on his skin and also for his close friends to see. Though he'd talk to Carter first before he told anyone else, Liam only knew because he needed to talk to someone who has gone through finding his mate. "I'm sure, he's shy so I think he'll feel better if we were alone. I'm not going to back out of this, I've waited too long. I want him in my arms so badly," He stepped out of his room and the delicious warm smell of cake filled his nose, he smiled knowing that he had so much support from the people he loved. "I don't think he'll break my heart, besides if you did change the milk you'd have Stella to deal with. I've seen her when her cupcakes didn't turn out right, I don't want to see her angry." He chuckled softly as he had such a good feeling about this, a wonderful feeling actually.

He smiled when Carter's voice, though still soft, sounded in his ears as he walked downstairs with Liam. Suddenly the noises from outside also fell silent, "I guess we aren't the only ones who smell the cake." He chuckled hearing the wolves rushing to get inside from continuing the game of ball, they made it into the kitchen and seeing the ginger hair caused a rush of pride and joy to fill his body. Zayn felt like he could take on the day, like nothing could ever hurt him or stop him. He stood up straighter and his shoulders were back, his eyes were shining as Carter was the sunshine in his life.

---

Stella moved her hands down to hold his hands in her warm ones, "Zayn is not intimidating. So what if he's really good looking? You're good looking and don't bother telling me that you aren't, you are." She told Carter firmly in a way to boost his ego a little, "Zayn is looking for his mate and perhaps you could be his mate. He's so nice and caring, he's quiet so he'll suit you perfectly and you deserve to be happy. You have a job and an apartment and now you need someone to love," She smiled as she swung their hands ever so slightly, she would love if Carter had a mate. Most humans didn't so they didn't actually understand how strongly mates feel for each other, she would be completely lost without Liam and wouldn't know what to do.

She giggled softly, "I'm sure you'll get your mouth on him many times. Whenever you want, actually. I'm going to try and get my mouth on Liam soon, I want to plan a romantic getaway." She grinned as her mind wasn't as bad as Carter, wasn't anywhere near what he thought about. But she still knew what she wanted, she wanted Liam and she wanted to start being intimate with him. She's mention it to him first but it was the right time, at least for Stella it was. She glanced behind Carter when the wolves came into the kitchen, "Everyone who wants cake will have to grab a plate." She smiled kissing Carter's forehead sweetly before giving him a cheeky little wink.

@ heart;;

"You're going to be really happy," he said softly, a little out of it as he thought about how happy he was with Stella.Liam knew that Carter wouldn't break Zayn's heart, he didn't think mates could actually do that? Stop loving one another? They were pretty much were destined to be together. It was said that you were born with a mate, while other tales said that your mate is never defined, always changing as you change till times come down and you meet that person when you're complete by yourself. Liam didn't believe in any of those tales, he only believed in the name on his skin and he wasn't going to question it for as long as he lived. He knows he loves Stella, he can feel it now, could feel it before they even meet, all of his senses acting up on him and going haywire till he found her.

Liam would never try to anger Stella on purpose, he was always careful to be good with her just as he was good with all of the others. He was far to aware of himself to muck up really bad but he knew it could happen. Coming down the steps with Zayn Liam watched Louis race in first, faster than Niall and Harry, and go straight into the kitchen to where Carter and Stella were standing,'Animals, all of them I swear" he joked. Walking up the the group that was already grabbing plastic plates he took one as well since he wouldn't miss dessert for the life of him,"Smells so good, what kind is it?"

---

"Yes he is" Carter mumbled. He was sure that if he ever saw Zayn on the streets he would have crossed to the other fucking road because of how intimidated and nervous he would have been to even walk past the other. Carter didn't really think he needed someone to love, or for one to love him. He was happy with just his job and apartment but he guessed that would be a bonus if anything. Carter had never been fussed with the idea of having a mate or looking for the other, he was quite content just the way his life was going now after all though it'd be nice? He wasn't sure, he had off feelings about that 'mate for life' sort of stuff and didn't really like it if he was to be honest. Didn't sit very right with him. Did the person love him for him? Or did they love the idea of him and 'soul mates', with the marking of ones name on their skin at first touch.

Sighing he fixed his rolled up sleeves of his baggy pullover and looked up, nearly coughing up a lung and his heart at the sight of Zayn just walking down the stairs without a damn shirt on. Ducking his head Carter quickly looked away because he just knew he was going to do or say something stupid if he kept an eye on Zayn and the expansion of tattoos over his skin. Carter wasn't sure if he was going to make it out alive in two weeks. "Want some cake Carter?" Harry asked as he came around, slightly shiny with some sweat as he held a plate out for him, Carter glanced over and shook his head,"No thanks, gonna go for a, uh, nap," he said, still tired for the days drive and needing to get away.

@ sugarplum.

Stella smiled warmly as she looked at her best friend, "You have a nice nap. I'll make sure some cake is left for you," She told Carter knowing that he would have been tired from the drive but he also wanted to get away from Zayn, who she saw wasn't wearing a shirt. She knew it would be torture of Carter, much like the first time and every time that she saw Liam without his shirt. With his jeans or just a towel wrapped low on his hips, it took all her strength to not push him down on their bed or a chair and take her way with him. However it was exactly the same way Liam felt about her when she wore certain pieces of clothing or was only covered by a towel after a shower or bath, she had agreed with Carter once before. She didn't like the idea of being born and already having a part of your life planned out, no matter how small that part was because she wanted to make her own life and be her own person. All that changed the second her eyes landed on Liam, she still believed in that of course but she was still her own person.

She had her own life but now she had Liam in it and that only made her life better, in every single way. "It's vanilla with fresh raspberries, I was going to make a syrup as well but it seems like no one can wait." She smiled as she found a knife and started cutting slices, the raspberries had stayed whole in the batter. The cake was still warm and so fluffy, she served the slices to each wolf who happily ate the cake. "What do you think?" She asked Liam after he had taken his first bite, it was a cake that she hadn't baked before so she wasn't sure how it tasted or if she needed to change anything in the recipe.

---

Zayn took a slice of cake onto his plate and thanked Stella before he started eating, "This is so good." He murmured with a mouth full of cake, he glanced over to Carter and suddenly felt an emotion that wasn't from his own body. He felt tired which he knew was from Carter and not himself, but then he felt a different emotion and one that he couldn't put his finger on. He stood there and focused on the heightened emotion, it took his a good few seconds before he realised that he wasn't actually wearing a shirt. It didn't even cross his mind that maybe Carter wasn't as open about having a mate, just because he had been looking for a mate didn't mind that everyone was. He had seen and heard humans say that they didn't care about find their mate, he guessed it wasn't as important to humans as it was to werewolves.

He didn't get the feeling that Carter wanted nothing to do with him, it wasn't like that but there was some doubt there. So after he finished eating his slice of cake, he set the plate down on the kitchen counter and made his way back upstairs. He took the staircase two steps at a time and grabbed the first shirt that he could find in his room, it was a simple dark grey t-shirt but the fabric was so soft. He stepped through the hallway and lightly knocked on the guest bedroom door, he popped his head through just enough for Carter to see who it was. "Just making sure everything is alright?" He asked as he wanted to make sure Carter was still okay with staying there with them.

@ heart;;

"Thanks," Carter said, sending her a quick smile before he excused himself and left the kitchen, making his way up the stairs and into the guestroom he was assigned. Coming inside he made himself comfortable on the bed with his phone in his hand. He switched the pillows from the top of the bed to the bottom, untucked the blanket and slid beneath, wrapped in warmth he signed contently before lazily looking at the text his father and mother had sent him, ranging from asking if he was alright to demanding to know if he had arrived safe, asking for a picture for proof that he was alive. They honestly worried too much about him, they treated him as if he was five and although he felt smothered sometimes he loved the to death and knew they just wanted him as safe as possible. Yawning softly Carter ran his hand through his hair before sending his mother and father a text each of him sleepily in bed.

Looking up when there was a knock on his door Carter tried to not smile when he saw Zayn's head peek in. He found the other far too nice, nicer than anyone he has ever meet if he was honest and he really, really liked that Zayn kept coming around and making appearances."Oh, well, everything's fine here" Carter told the other, biting down gently on his lip as he rolled onto his stomach and propped himself on his elbows, the wide collar of his pullover dragging over his skin and revealing part of his shoulder and slight of his chest."Thank you, for being so nice to me, I really appreciate it"

---

Liam along with the others grabbed a plate and lined up to get a slice, dessert being one of their favorite meals of the day, it sure was Liam's even if he would say that breakfast is the most important meal and all of that other healthy crap he feed the others in hope of making sure they ate 'right'. If he could he would eat cupcakes, jello, flan, pudding, and any other dessert every single day for the rest of his life, have that as his food source. Once he got a slice Liam grabbed a fork and sectioned a piece off, eating it with a inwards moan that he couldn't help but to let out. Sure before Stella lived with them the guys would bake cakes once in a while and make it last for a few days, but those were always made from the box and consisted of plain vanilla or chocolate. Those cakes could never compare to what Stella can bake, flavors the lads didn't even know were possible.

"This taste amazing Stell, honestly so good" Liam couldn't even be pouty that there wasn't a syrup to glaze over the cake, it was amazing already, though he wouldn't complain next time if there was some glaze, probably would make the dessert one hundred and ten times better."You should become a baker, open up your own little shop and name it 'Want Buns?" Liam said once he swallowed a mouth full, Harry behind them broke into a laugh at Liam's offered bakery title."Ignore his laughter because I am being serious here baby,"

@ sugarplum.

Zayn smiled when his eyes landed on Carter, he shook his head lightly. "You don't have to thank me, I don't think I'm doing anything special. Sometimes I'm not this nice, especially if I don't get enough sleep or someone records a TV show over mine." He grinned remembering when Louis had accidently done that, however Carter didn't know his memory. "Besides I think everyone will agree when I say Stella is the nicest one here, I'm really glad that she offered to let you stay here. Maybe you could have five more friends now," He grinned knowing Carter would be getting at least two new friends, himself being the first although Niall will try to be a very close second. "You're probably exhausted so I'll leave you alone," He was kicking himself mentally at how horrible he was at this, he felt like a school boy trying to talk to his crush. He shouldn't be so nervous but that's just how Carter was making him feel, he didn't want to mess anything up or say the wrong thing.

He tilted his head a little to the side when he noticed the end of the bed that Carter had curled up on, "That's a different way of sleeping." He couldn't help but smile, his mate was even more adorable with the blanket right up around his neck and he had a sleepily look on his face. Like he'd fall into a deep sleep the second his head hit the pillow, "If you need anything, then my room is right beside this one." He only wanted Carter to come to him if he needed something, either him or Stella but he preferred it to be. Even if it was the middle of the night, he wouldn't care.

---

The second that she heard Liam's moan, Stella knew that the cake was a keeper. She really did love trying out new recipes as she knew the guys would be honest with her, Liam would try to say it nicely unlike Harry or Louis. Though she didn't mind because she'd just throw that recipe away, she cut a small slice for herself and sighed contently when she tasted how wonderful the cake was. She remembered the first day she was there, Niall offered to cook dinner and although it was nice, it was simple without a lot of vegetables. She could only imagine what else they had been eating and cooking before she arrived, but now she could cook like her Grandma and make more than needed. She had five hungry werewolves to feed and no food went to waste, she even froze cooked meals so they all had easy lunches on days when they couldn't be bothered cooking anything.

She smiled as she licked her lips after finishing her slice, "I am ignoring him. I love your idea, baby. Harry should be careful with his laughter, he may not get anymore cake." She grinned when Harry stopped laughing, only to whine instead. She leaned in closer to Liam and pressed a tender kiss to his soft lips, "Shall we start getting ready for ice skating now?" She asked as she gazed into the familiar brown eyes that she loved with every fiber in her body.

@ heart;;