I was not disappointed with his reaction. It was priceless. The overpriced dress was worth every penny he gave me to buy it.
He looked me up and down, eyes bulging. “Oh my! You are—well words can’t express what you are.”
“I take that as ‘hey, kitten, you’re beautiful’.”
“No. That would be an insult. You are magnificent. I am the most blessed man on earth.” He picked up my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly. When he smiled down at me his dimples showed and my heart almost stopped.
“Well, I guess we match because you are beyond magnificent. But did I tell you I was wearing black?”
“Not exactly.” He didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t press the matter.
“Hm.” I shrugged.
I hunted around for the gang and spotted them already in their proper places, alphabetically. Wow, I guess I’m later than I thought. I smiled at each one of them, saving Missy for last. I had to admit I had a soft spot for the girl, such a sweet thing with a big smile.
I was the first of us to walk across the stage and accept my diploma. When I did I was astonished to see so many pack members present. Hector was the most visible, with his shiny, bald head towering over the rest, with his wife Tosha to his right and his son Jeremy on his lap. To his left, was a round, gray-haired, old lady whom I’d never seen before. I even spotted Raven amongst the crowd, with his brooding dark look. By their numbers I’d say the whole pack showed up. It was a good thing we were outside because all the noise they were making was deafening. When it was Levi’s turn to take his walk the noise was almost unbearable, many covering their ears. Josh was the last of us to take his turn, but by then everyone was used to the screaming and cheering.
Once our caps were in the air I felt free at last. I don’t really mean free from school, although that was a good feeling too. I meant that now I was free to live my life with Levi, something I’d been dreaming about for many weeks.
Afterwards, I immediately found my friends. We exchanged hugs and tearful promises to never lose touch, each one of us soon to be going our separate ways.
Toby was accepted to NC State, Stacy to Belmont Abbey, Missy to Lee University, and Delaney was gonna try her hand at modeling.
“Mrs. Charity,” Hector began, “I’d like to introduce you to my grandmother. My grandfather passed away recently and now she’s going to be staying with us. Everyone calls her Grandmammy Goodfeeling.”
I swallowed my laugh as Levi elbowed me. I looked over at Hector’s serious face and had a hard time imagining his last name being Goodfeeling. How had I managed not to know that? After all, that’s the last feeling anybody gets when they see him coming toward them, unless you’re like me and he’s always saving your butt. Or is that me saving his butt? “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Goodfeeling.”
“Oh, honey, I insist you call me Grandmammy. Charlie is it?”
“It’s Charity.”
“How lovely, dear. We’re gonna be great friends. I make the best moonshine anywhere around these parts, cure any ailment from a cough to the flu. You just come on by my room and get some anytime you feelin’ run down. My door is always open. You hear me, Charlie?”
“Yes ma’am.”
Hector took the arm of the old woman. “Come on, Grandmammy, let’s get you back.”
She pulled free. “Are you a jokin’? I’m gonna go party. Because of Grandpappy I haven’t been able to party for years, and I ain’t gonna let any sonny a mine tell me any difernt.”
I started to laugh at her accent but Levi must’ve sensed it, giving me a stern look of warning, which sobered me at once. Sometimes it’s no fun being the alpha female.
Hector lowered his head in reverence. “Yes ma’am.”
As I watched her walk toward the parking lot, big butt swaying back and forth, the back of her dress higher than the front, I realized who she reminded me of—Tyler Perry’s character, Madea.
“You’re committing a crime covering up that dress,” Levi whispered, unzipping my graduation gown and slipping it off my shoulders, allowing his hands to linger on my skin. “There, that’s much better.” A look of pride swelled in his eyes.
“Are you as excited as I am?” I asked. “Now we can begin our life together. I mean, really begin it.”
“I’m so excited I can hardly wait. Once you move in with me I’ll never have to spend another night without you wrapped in my arms.”
“Oh yes, and I’m gonna start working on that right away.”
“How’s your mom taking it?”
“She’s nervous that Ashley and I won’t be able to afford the rent. Actually, she thinks we’re not ready for such a big move.”
“Well, she’d probably be right if things were really working out that way. She has no way of knowing that the pack is paying for your rent.”
“She’ll be fine. She’s got Doc now.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. I’m mixed. On one hand I’m glad she has him, but I’m afraid that once she realizes what he is, and therefore what you are, she’ll freak.”
“Well, we don’t know if it’s that serious, or if it’ll ever be. Doc can tell when she’s ready for the truth, if he chooses to tell her, that is.”
“I have to admit, it would be nice to share my life with her.”
“Share your life with who?” my mom asked, coming up behind me. Hmm, why didn’t Levi warn me?
I scrambled for a quick answer. “Oh, with Ashley. I’m excited about moving in with her.”
“When do you think you two will start apartment shopping?”
“Tomorrow,” I responded with excitement.
“Hopping jalapenos!! That soon?”
Wonder where she got that one? “Well we’re in a hurry to be grown-ups.”
She laughed. “Boy, don’t I know that. You ready to go? I think those guys over there are hungry.”
I turned to see the guys from the pack making silly faces and gestures like they were dying of hunger. Irena and Joseph rented a nice restaurant for the evening and all of us were heading over there to stuff our faces and have some fun.
Josh came up to us and handed Levi a set of keys.
“Thanks, man,” Levi said, slapping Josh’s shoulder in a manly gesture of friendship.
My mom smiled and left to mingle with my other friends and their parents. I looked at Levi suspiciously.
He took my hand and led me toward his car. “I have something to show you.” We stopped in front of his car, but then he sidestepped and turned me toward another car right beside his.
“What are you doing?”
“This is a graduation present. I hope you’ll accept it. It’d make me very happy.”
“Are you serious? This car is mine?!” I was staring at a brand new, red Mustang GT. I was suddenly struggling to regulate my breathing. Levi caught me before I hit the pavement.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Charity, baby, are you all right? Answer me!” I was slowly regaining my awareness, looking up into Levi’s worried eyes. Had I just fainted? More importantly, did my husband just give me a car?!
“I’m okay,” I said, still feeling groggy but letting him help me to my feet. “I was just a little overwhelmed, that’s all. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I guess I just can’t believe you bought me a car. This is so amazing. No one’s ever bought me a car before. Thank you, Levi. I don’t know what to say. I love you so much.” I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed.
“You’re welcome.” He laughed. “I knew you’d love it.”
“Well, of course I love it. It’s something I always pictured my dad doing. He would’ve loved to give me a car for my graduation.” To my surprise and disappointment, I began to cry.
First fainting and then crying—what’s up with me tonight anyway? It’s not my time of the month.
“Oh, kitten, I’m so sorry. I didn’t
mean to make you cry.” He took me in his arms and held me tight.
“Is everything okay?” Ashley asked. “I heard you got an amazing graduation present. Care to share it?” She smiled.
I looked up at Levi and wiped my tears. “Do you mind?”
He peered down at me, amusement in his deep blue eyes. “The car’s yours. You can do with it what you want.” He reached up to wipe the tear I missed.
“You’re the best.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, at the same time, snatching the keys from his hand and dashing to the door. “Come on, Ash, let’s go! We’ll meet you guys at the restaurant!” I yelled out before squealing out of the parking lot. I gave Levi one last glance before disappearing. He was covering his eyes while shaking his head. Does he have no faith in me at all? Ha—who cares—I have a new car!!!
We were having a blast, speeding, blaring loud music, and laughing uncontrollably—that is until I spotted blue lights flashing in my rearview mirror. Uh oh!
“Um, hello, Officer. How are you today?”
He didn’t smile, but I noticed how he was checking out my long, bare legs.
I smiled.
“It’s about time you guys made it back,” Josh said as Ash and I exited the car.
I shot Ashley a warning look.
“Well, we had to make sure the car was in working order,” she reluctantly answered.
That’s my girl.
“How’s it run?” Levi asked.
I approached him, smiling mischievously. “Like something out of a dream. An intense, sexy dream.” I put my arms around his neck and kissed him.
“Maybe we should ditch this party,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around me.
I laughed and turned to walk into the restaurant.
“Tease!”
I walked in through the door and froze, my mouth falling open in surprise. “Was the whole blasted town invited to this event?” I asked Levi.
“I think some people just showed up. But does it really matter? Everyone we love is here, including Raven.”
“Hey, Rover, I don’t like your tone.”
“Oh, good grief,” he said, squeezing the bridge of his nose.
I spotted Grandmammy conversing with some of the younger pack members. She had a tight hold on her big, heavy, flower garden purse, and I instantly found myself wondering what she was hiding in that purse, and had a bad feeling about Mrs. Goodfeeling.
I spent some time socializing with the gang from school before taking my seat beside Levi.
After dinner, I was making my way to the ladies room when I spotted a couple making out in a dark corner. Hey, why hadn’t I thought of that? As I stepped closer, however, I realized it wasn’t a couple, it was Raven and a woman from our pack, Teresa I think her name was. Levi had made it a mandate that all pack members were accessible to Raven whenever he needed blood. He had helped save our pack after all. It wasn’t safe anymore for him to feed outside of the protection of the pack. Not with the vampires looking for him. We found it worked better for everyone if we set up a schedule, and roughly every seven days a volunteer showed up to feed him. No surprise that the volunteers were all female. Truthfully, he loved it. He said it himself, werewolf blood is more appealing to vampires than human blood.
For some reason I found myself intrigued and inching closer. He was holding her in his arms and it looked as if he was kissing her neck, but as I drew closer I was able to make out the act of feeding. There was no blood visible.
Suddenly he stopped. Uh oh, he sensed my presence. I knew I should leave, but I couldn’t seem to move. My curiosity held me there, frozen in a state of fascination. At once he ushered Teresa away and held out his hand to me. Surprisingly, I took it. He pulled me to him, backing me against the wall. Okay, he did save my life, and Levi did it, so why can’t I?
Something tugged at my mind, telling me that I probably shouldn’t, but I had no power to stop it. His hand grazed my skin as he pulled my hair to the side, exposing my neck to him. He tilted my head back and inched his mouth closer. When he bit down there was a sting and some pain, but not as bad as I had anticipated. Somehow I knew he was being extra gentle with me, and not at all the same scene shared with Levi only weeks before. Actually it was rather pleasant, having a slightly sexy feel to it. He was holding me close and his hands, both pressed against my back, were tightening and releasing like a cat when he’s finding a comfy spot to rest. I half expected him to start purring.
I suddenly snapped out of my daze and was standing in front of the Ladies Room, wondering what had just happened. Had I just been daydreaming? About what I didn’t know. Weird. I shook it off and went in to do my ‘thang’.
“You okay?” Levi asked once I was seated again.
“Um, I think so. Remind me to tell you something once I remember what it is.”
He laughed. “My silly Charity.”
The evening was very enjoyable. Our gang sat around for hours telling funny stories of our last year together, and I seemed at the center of most of them. Funny, but I hadn’t realized I was such a busy body before. When all of my human friends from school, along with my mother, finally cleared out, the gang began to reminisce about their life since meeting me. Josh joked about how whipped Levi had been after only our first meeting, and how even then he couldn’t function without me. How he would talk about me constantly and watch me from the woods behind my house. Jared told about how Levi saved me from a fight with Jeffrey, who I only went out with to make him jealous, and how he saved me from being crushed during a fight between our rival football players. Hector piped in and told of all the times I’ve tried to escape from him, once even hitting him over the head with a branch, knocking him unconscious. Jordan reminded me of when I cracked my rib when Ashley and I hid out in the clearing to spy on Levi and then discovered they were all werewolves. They all recounted our horror struck faces that night and laughed. Stinking werewolves.
“Not to change the subject too badly,” I snapped, “but I seem to remember when I saved all your butts from a fight with Wesley’s pack. I also saved your butts again when you were wrapped in chains and being beaten to death by vampires. Remember that? Not to mention the other day in the clearing. And did I do that with my muscles or even my brains? No—I did it with a whistle and my strong vocal cords. So show some respect, will ya?”
I laughed at all their mouths hanging open.
“Hey,” Grandmammy said, “if this here Charlie did all that, maybe she ain’t human. We should have her checked out. You know ‘cause she might be a werewolf after all.” Her face was so serious.
They all looked around at each other for a moment and then burst into laughter again.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mom thought I was spending the night with Ashley, but in truth I followed Levi, in my new car, to the Drake House to spend the night there. That was another reason I would be glad when Ashley and I got our apartment, I wouldn’t have to lie to her anymore. Okay, technically I’d still be lying just not as bad, if that makes any sense. I’ve lost count of all the times I’ve had to pray for forgiveness.
When I woke, Levi was lying on his side watching me. “Good morning, my sweet wife. I brought you breakfast in bed……and coffee.”
“Oh, Levi, that’s so sweet. What’s the occasion?”
“Well, it’s our first real day together. We’ve graduated, and now we can be together all the time. Have I mentioned how much I love being married to you, Mrs. Drake?”
“Aahh, I love the sound of that. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.”
“I hope not, Mrs. Drake. Now, what are we gonna do today?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Levi, but Ash and I are gonna go apartment shopping today. I can’t put it off any longer. I’m so excited. As soon as we move in, I can really move in here. I don’t want to wait another day.”
He laughed. “Okay, kitten, you go and find your apartment. I’ll find things to do here. Now, why don’t you eat your breakfast.”
> I glanced down and spotted my lip balm sitting on the tray in front of the steaming cup of coffee. I peered up into Levi’s sparkling eyes. “I love you so much, Mr. Drake.”
“Oh baby, not as much as I love you.”
After Levi was gone, I got up, dressed, and rushed out of the room at record speed. After a few turns I was already tired. Why again had I insisted on Levi and I having the bedroom on the opposite side of the facility? Oh yeah, for privacy. I was only halfway across when I ran into Raven.
“Why the urgency this morning, my queen?”
I bent over to catch my breath. “I’m supposed to meet Ashley in the parking garage so we can go apartment shopping, and I’m late.”
“Say no more.” He picked me up and began to run, and in less than ten seconds he set my feet down in the garage.”
I was stunned as I peered up at him. “Gee, thanks. Can you be handy every day?”
He laughed. “You have only to ask, my queen.”
“You know, come to think of it I think I’m supposed to be mad at you.”
“For what, may I ask?”
“Hmm—I’m not quite sure, but when I remember—look out sucker. Pun intended.” I laughed at my own joke, even snorting. Hey—it was funny.
“You know, my queen, you truly amuse me.”
“Thanks. And I like the queen thing. Keep it up. Ashley, are you ready to take a ride in my speed machine?!”
“More than ready. What kept you? I’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes.”
“Hold the phone, Blondie! I had to find just the right clothes to wear for this day. I’ve been waiting a long time for this. Let’s go find an apartment, shall we? Can you text Levi and tell him we’re leaving?”
“If you weren’t so technology stupid you could do it yourself.”
“But that’s what I have you for.”
We spent hours looking for just the right apartment, but it was worth it. The one we finally agreed on was amazing. And since Levi was paying for it, which he insisted on by the way, we spared no expense. It had a great view of Windrake Mountain Park from the balcony.
By the time I arrived back at the Drake House I was feeling slightly rundown. I began making my way back to my room to lie down when I ran into Grandmammy in the hallway.
Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) Page 13