I took great satisfaction at Levi’s expression as I came down the stairs. Ashley helped me choose a pale blue wrap dress, saying it greatly enhanced my eye color. My mousy brown hair was parted in the center and cascaded down my back and shoulders in long, loose curls. His mouth fell open and strong emotion was in his eyes. My stepfather was also in awe though lucky for him he remained silent.
“Wow, Charity, you look beautiful,” my mom said admiringly.
“Thank you.”
“You kids have fun, but be safe.”
“You don’t have to worry, Mom. I’m safe with Levi.” I turned to him and whispered, “I am safe with you, aren’t I?”
“Funny. Goodnight, Mrs. Hansen,” he called over my shoulder. “It was very nice to meet you. Charity won’t be home late.”
“Okay. It was a pleasure meeting you too, Levi.”
“Your mother is very charming,” Levi commented as we were pulling out of my driveway. “Though I almost ripped Frank’s head off. He was practically drooling when you came down the stairs. Lucky for him your mom was there. You do look exquisite.” He reached out and took my hand, kissing it gently.
“Thank you, Levi. You look amazingly handsome yourself—for a wolf man that is.”
He gave my hand a little squeeze. “Oh no, will the teasing never end?”
“Are you kidding? I’m just getting good and started.”
“By the way, please try to stay away from the east side of town for a while until I can get a handle on this Wesley situation.”
I peered at him blankly, my mouth agape.
“What? What kind of fiancée would I be if I let you go into the enemy’s territory unprotected?”
“You followed me this afternoon?”
“Not necessarily, but I have ways of knowing things. Please promise you’ll stay away from the eastside until further notice. For me, please?”
“No problem. There’s nothing for me there anyway.”
“Thank you.”
He took me to Giovanna’s, a romantic, Italian restaurant just outside of town. The older waitress escorted us to a booth in the farthest corner of the room, away from everyone, with low lights and candles lit on the table. Something told me Levi had the whole thing set up ahead of time.
“Can I ask you some more questions?” I asked once we were settled comfortably into our nice, cozy booth.
“Yes, of course.”
“Well, how do you become a werewolf?” I was careful to whisper the word.
“One has to be born a werewolf.”
“So, what would happen to me if you bit me?”
“Well, you would be in pain, there would be blood, and you’d probably be very miffed at me, but you wouldn’t become a werewolf, if that’s what you’re asking. That’s a myth.”
“Okay, good to know. What other myths are there?”
“Well, silver bullets are a myth. Any bullet would do the trick. For the most part we can die in the same way you can, though it’s harder to kill us because of our strength and speed. Only on occasion does one of us get a disease, but we can die from a broken heart, as you already know. Wolfsbane is the only real threat we have.”
“Wolfsbane? What’s that?”
“It’s a plant, also known as Aconitum, and it’s very poisonous, especially the roots. Many years ago warriors were known to poison the tips of their arrows in the juice from the roots. If we touch it, it seeps quickly into our bloodstream and weaken us, preventing the change.”
“So you have to stay away from Wolfsbane—got it. Okay, I have all the negatives, so what are the advantages to being a werewolf?”
“Well, we’re strong, fast, have a great sense of smell. I can smell fear in someone. I can sense if someone is lying. Sometimes we can even sense if a person is sick. We have very sharp eyesight, especially in the dark. We have a strong sense of family unity, and we’re very protective of those we love, which I believe you said was one of the qualities you required in a man.”
I gasped in shock. “You heard that?”
“Another perk—we have excellent hearing.”
I shook my head. “What else have you heard?”
“Well, I’ve pretty much heard everything. I heard you tell your mother last night that I was, I believe the words you used were, gloriously gorgeous.” He smiled.
“You’re unbelievable. You know, it’s very rude to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.”
He shrugged. “If you had the ability—would you listen to me?”
“Okay, I see your point. Well, that surely explains how you knew so much. That reminds me. On that first day, was it you who rang my doorbell?”
“Um yeah. I was curious about you, so I rode past your house. I parked at the end of the street and listened. I was listening for any clues as to why you were so unfriendly to me. I’m not really use to that, you know. But I got my answer when your stepfather came home. I knew I couldn’t barge in there and rip his throat out, so I figured if I rang the doorbell that might allow you the opportunity to escape. Then I went around back and heard you out on the roof. I knew then you were safe, though I stayed in the neighborhood until your mother came home.”
“Oh, Levi, thank you. That was very sweet of you.” I took his hand in mine.
“I told you, Charity, I fell in love with you the first moment our eyes met. Your crystal blue eyes instantly captured my heart. Even on that first day I couldn’t stand the idea of someone threatening you like that. You don’t know how bad I wanted to kill him, how much I still want to kill him.”
“Well, thank you for resisting the urge. It would break my mother’s heart, otherwise I would’ve done it myself by now. I keep telling myself if I can just get through graduation then I can move out and be rid of him. In the meantime, I just have to stay one step ahead of him, which hasn’t been all that hard until recently. I make a copy of his work schedule every week without him knowing. When he’s off, I go to Ashley’s house after school. Mrs. Lewis thinks I’m practically one of her own. When I’m not at Ashley’s I pretty much stay in my room until my mom gets home.
“He didn’t start showing interest in me until after he and my mom married, but even at fifteen I was smarter than him. I learned to recognize the signs, and when my mom leaves the room, so do I. I’ve never been alone with him since the first time his feelings became known to me, except lately, of course. I guess I’ve been a little too distracted to be on my game. I can’t imagine why.” I smirked at him, but he was deep in thought.
“I’m sorry, Charity. You shouldn’t have to live like that. It makes me very angry. Why don’t you just tell your mom the truth?”
“Actually, I’ve tried a few times, but she’s so happy with him. Maybe once I’m gone everything will be fine.”
“But she loves a lie, and you’re letting her. The man she loves doesn’t really exist.”
“Yes, well she doesn’t know that. I love her too much to break her heart like that. After my dad died she was a mess, and Frank helped her come out of it, although I would’ve preferred she wait longer than a year after his death to get married again. I think he deserved at least that.” I grimaced. Just talking about my dad made my heart constrict in pain.
“How did he die?”
“Hmm?”
“Your dad, how did he die?”
“He was murdered during a home invasion when I was fourteen. He was trying to protect my mom and me. They shot him right in front of us. He was so brave though. He didn’t even seem scared when they pointed the gun at him. He almost dared them to shoot. I went to counseling for a year after. That’s where my mom met Frank. He had the same counselor. Apparently he has hang-ups over his first wife, a woman named Val, though I never cared enough to ask about it.”
“I’m so sorry. That must’ve been a nightmare for you, losing your dad that way. But I can see that you inherited his braveness and tenacity.”
“You really think so?”
He laughed. “Yes, I total
ly do.”
After we ordered, I reached into my purse, pulled out my lip balm, and saturated my lips.
Levi eyed me curiously. “That reminds me. I’ve been meaning to ask you about that. Is this some sort of obsession of yours? I see you putting it on all the time, especially when you’re anxious.”
“Yeah, I guess I am kind of obsessed over it. I have to have a tube on me at all times. I guess that sounds a little OCD, huh?”
“No, not really. Well, maybe, but I think it’s kind of sexy. Actually, I like it. It tastes good. I guess there are worse things you could obsess over, like me.” He flashed me his brilliant smile, and my pulse quickened.
“I’m definitely obsessed over you.” I smiled in return. “Hey—I wanted to ask you something—earlier you said when my stepfather came home you knew why I was being unfriendly to you? What did you mean by that?”
“Well, once I understood the threat he posed, I understood why you had walls built up guarding yourself from guys. What I don’t understand is why you so easily agreed to go out with Jeffrey and then Wesley.”
“That’s easy, I was trying to make you jealous. Did it work at all?”
“Miserably,” he grimaced.
“Well the truth is—I felt something powerful for you that first day too, and it scared me. I thought if I was nasty to you that would keep you away. I just didn’t figure you to be so obstinate. You just kept coming back for more punishment.”
“That I am, especially when I want something. But I was conflicted too. After all, it was against the rules for me to be with you. Technically, I shouldn’t have even been associating with you.”
“Is that why you shunned me the day after you rescued me from Frank?”
“Yeah, sorry about that. You touched my heart deeply that day—the way you responded to me—the kiss. It was intense, like you said, and I felt it too. But I knew it was against the rules, so I tried to push you away—like you did with me. It was so hard lying to you like that.”
“Well, lucky for you, you suck at lying. I guess we’ll have to face the facts that we’re fated to be together.”
“Do you believe in fate?”
“Yes, of course. My dad taught me that God has a plan and destiny for all of us.”
“So, how do you explain what I am?”
“Well, you’re human. You have a soul and the ability to love or hate God, so I believe He made you just like you are. You said it yourself—werewolves protect humans. So maybe that’s your purpose. I mean, look at all the crazy creatures God’s made, and all of them have a purpose. Take the porcupine, for instance, it has a purpose, although I can’t imagine what it is, and it even has a mate. Can you say ‘ouch’?” I laughed.
“Hang on. Are you comparing me to a porcupine?”
“Hmm, well—”
“Don’t answer that.”
Chapter Thirteen
We had a lovely dinner and when we were back in the car Levi asked, “Would you like to see my home in town? We could watch a movie or something.”
“I would love to since it might be my part-time home someday.”
“Charity, I’ve been wondering about something. When you had your dates with Wesley, did he really kiss you?”
Uh oh! Here we go. “Um, why do you ask?”
His knuckles turned white as his hands gripped the steering wheel. “Please, Charity, just tell me.”
“Yes he did.” I winced, waiting.
“More than once?”
Oh boy. “Yes.”
He clenched his jaw as he closed his eyes. “How many times?”
“Two.” I felt the panic rising up inside of me as Levi looked like he was going to break the steering wheel right off.
“Did you like it?”
“Of course not! Levi, please,” I begged. “Please don’t shift, please.”
He looked at me, and seeing the panic in my eyes, he relaxed. “I’m not shifting, Charity. I won’t scare you like that again. I’m sorry. It’s just that I can’t stand the idea of him touching you. I’m not shifting,” he said in a reassuring tone, taking my hand and giving it a little squeeze.
I let out a deep sigh of relief. “You should know you’re the only man who can kiss me with enough electricity to wake the dead.” I scooted over as close as I could get to him and laid my head on his shoulder.
“You know, speaking of kissing, we’ll be at my home all alone with no one to hear our cries of passion. Are you sure you don’t want to rethink the waiting-until-after-the-wedding thing?”
“Levi Drake, are you out to ruin my virtuous image?”
“Yes ma’am.” He smirked.
“Well, I’m sorry wolf man, but you’re going to have to wait to do your howling until after the wedding.”
“You’re a hard nut to crack, you know that?”
“Yes, but once I’m cracked, I’m worth all the effort.”
“You really shouldn’t talk like that to me.”
“Oh please, you don’t scare me. Not in this form anyway.”
He laughed. “You don’t have to be scared of me in my wolf form either. I won’t hurt you.”
“Well, you almost did in the forest, remember?”
“I lost control, yes—but I wouldn’t have hurt you, Charity. You ran remember? Besides, I’m not some mindless monster. Okay, technically I am a monster, but I’m not mindless. I love you too much to ever hurt you.”
“Okay, I believe you, but I still don’t want to see you like that, and I want you to promise me you’ll never try to heal me either.”
“Fine, I promise. Unless you ask me to I won’t try to heal you.”
“Good. Thank you.” I knew I was acting childish, but didn’t really care.
“Wow, Levi, this is a pretty house,” I acknowledged as we pulled into the driveway.
“Thank you. I have some good memories in this home. I came here often as a child with my parents.”
Levi got out of the car and came around and opened my door for me. As we walked to the front door of the house I asked, “So, if you and Wesley don’t have jobs, how is it that you both have such nice cars?”
“Well, hopefully you won’t think this is weird, but all of the pack members who live at the Drake House, which is what we call our facility, combine their resources in order to support our way of life.” He opened the door and we stepped inside. “For example, Doc makes good money at the Windrake Clinic. He puts fifty percent of his earnings into the Drake House fund and keeps the other half to use as he pleases, to buy nice cars or other houses in town, etc. But all of his needs are taken care of at the facility. Everyone else does the same. We have people assigned to the funds, and they take care of the food and supplies. The people who don’t work offer their services in other ways. We have our own carpenters, lawyers, accountants, plumbers and electricians. We even have a professional chef. Everyone sort of does their part.”
“Actually, that doesn’t sound so weird. It makes more sense than anything else you’ve told me. But you still haven’t exactly answered my question.”
He took me through the entryway and led me into the den. The house was decorated very modestly and simply, but still had a cozy feeling about it. I shivered.
“Are you cold?”
“Just a little chilly.”
“Have a seat on the sofa while I’ll make us a fire.”
“That would be great.”
“But, to answer your question, that’s the weird part,” he said as he piled the logs into place. “The alpha doesn’t work. All of his, and his immediate family’s needs are met completely. All he has to do is lead the pack and oversee the facility. Wesley and I will never have a normal paying job.”
“Wow, that is a little weird, but it makes perfect sense to me. I mean you have the full responsibility of the pack on your shoulders. In order for the pack to run smoothly you have to always be on your game. If you worked a normal job and then had to come home and run the facility, and all that entails, the pa
ck would suffer, and so would its alpha.”
“I know you’re right, but I’ve always felt weird about it. Even when I was a small child and they were grooming me for this position, I still felt weird about it. I guess I’m just sensitive, but I believe that’s another one of the qualities you require.” He smiled at me, wiggling his eyebrows up and down, causing me to laugh. “But about the cars, my parents bought my car as a present when I became alpha. I’ve always loved Mustangs. Wesley, on the other hand, bought his Corvette with the pack’s funds.”
Charity Moon Page 12