Charity Moon (14 page)

“Of course not. I respect that—a lot actually.”

“Thanks, Levi. I know when an alpha finds his female it’s in his nature to want to mate with her, but thank you for waiting until after the wedding. You’re fighting against your own nature for me, and well, it means a lot to me.”

“It’s not just for you, Charity. I want us to do this right. I want to make you happy. No, it’s definitely not easy, but I think I can hang with it—for a little while.” He smirked.

“Good. Um, we were speaking of Wesley earlier and I was wondering, has anyone ever taken a woman after she’s been marked?”

“Most pack members take our rules very seriously, but it has happened.”

“And what would happen if Wesley tried something after we’re married?”

He stared at me with great intensity and said the words slowly, “I will kill him.” A shiver went down my spine, and I knew he meant it.

We were making our way through the facility when we spotted a skinny, old man with gray hair walking down the hallway, talking oddly.

“Who’s that?” Ashley asked.

“Oh, that’s Mr. Bones,” Josh answered. “He walks up and down these halls every day, quoting scripture. He’s done it for years. He’s a good man though—nothing to worry about.”

Ashley and I exchanged looks and shrugged.

“This is our parking garage,” Levi said as he and Josh escorted us in. “Ashley’s car is on the other end.”

They had told us about the garage, but it was the first time we’d seen it. When we arrived, instead of entering through the garage they stopped the cars on the path and walked us through the forest so we could enter the facility through the tree. Levi knew I liked that tree. I especially liked the swooshing sound the door made. Levi and Josh watched in amusement as Ashley and I stepped through it repeatedly. I gave it the nickname, Godzilla, ‘cause the tree actually looked like Godzilla.
What did the pack do about naming things before I came along anyway?

But none of our discussions could’ve prepared us for what we saw as we stepped inside the garage. Ashley and I looked at each other in utter amazement as we took in the view. It was a massive garage with possibly as many as twenty cars in it. And it was all underground. Levi showed us the mega-filtration system that filtered out the carbon monoxide and brought fresh air into the facility. I’ve never seen anything like it. I have to admit, it was quite impressive.

“Wow, this is incredible, Levi. I guess this means you trust us now?”

“Absolutely. No more blindfolds for you.”

“But how do you get the cars out?”

“He walked over to the far wall and stopped in front of a panel loaded with buttons and levers. He pointed to a black button. “Do you see this button here? Well, when we hit it the forest floor drops down like a ramp, allowing us to drive out, and once we’re out the ramp closes back again. We also have buttons installed under our visors in our cars so we can get in and out. I’ll have them installed in both of your cars as well.”

“You’re kidding.” Ashley and I looked at each other again trying to comprehend it all.

“How do you know no one’s out there when you ride out?” Ashley asked.

“Well, this is private property so there shouldn’t be, but just in case look there.” He pointed to a wall full of cameras showing every angle of the immediate forest.

“That’s got to be the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” Ashley said, wide-eyed.

“Levi,” I whispered, “I have a few more questions to ask you.” 

“I thought you might. Come.” He took my hand and led me through the garage, ahead of the others.

“Well, I was wondering—how did your grandfather die?”

He stopped and turned to me, his expression amused. “Are you sure you want to know?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay—he was killed by a vampire.”

Suddenly I started coughing as I choked on my own saliva. “What!” I peered up at him in shock. “Vampires! Are you kidding me?”

“No I’m not. After what you’ve seen recently, is it so hard to believe that vampires exist? What else would we protect you from?”

All I could do was looked at him, my mouth gaping open.

“Ten years ago a coven of vampires attacked us. We joined forces with the east pack and destroyed them all, but not before my grandfather’s throat had been ripped out.”

“I’m sorry, Levi. What happened to your grandmother?”

“She became the second wife of the alpha of the east pack, Wesley’s grandfather.”

“Was it her choice?”

“No.”

“Where is she now?”

“She died a month later of a broken heart.”

“I’m so sorry. Couldn’t she have left?”

“Yes, but she would’ve had to leave everything and everyone she’s ever loved, including my father, Tara, and me. To her there was no choice.”

After a brief pause, I added, “Can I ask you something else?”

“Sure.”

“After we’re married, if you die, what will happen to me?”

He was silent for a minute before answering, and then reluctantly said, “You’ll become Wesley’s wife.”

“What! And if I refuse?”

“Normally, there is no refusing. If I had a brother you would become his wife, but I don’t.”

I contemplated that for a moment. “But can’t I just walk away?”

“That depends upon whether or not we have children. If we do then the alpha’s children have to be raised in the pack under the rule of an alpha male. If you were married to any other werewolf then you would be free to do as you please upon your husband’s death. But the rules are different for the alpha bloodline. We’re crucial to the survival of our pack. If you could leave our children to be raised by another then you could leave, but I know that would never be an option for you.”

“You’re right. I could never leave our children behind.”

“I’m sorry, Charity.”

“And if Wesley has a wife and he dies?”

“He has no brothers either so she would become my wife.”

I felt like I was going to vomit. “Does that mean you’ll have to be intimate with her?” I asked, horrified at the thought.

He was cautious as he answered. “Not necessarily. It really depends.”

“It depends on what, Levi?” I asked through gritted teeth while refraining from punching him in the snout.

“If you and I have a healthy son. If not, I have to pass on the alpha gene to a son.”

“And if I can’t have a son?”

“Then the pack would demand that I take another wife. I’m so sorry, Charity, I know this is hard to hear, but our society is not like yours. This is the way of the pack. Our pack has to survive.”

“I’m sorry too, but I don’t think I can live with that. I won’t share you with anyone, and I’m afraid if that’s the case then I can’t marry you. Come on, Ashley, let’s go.”

“Wait, Charity—do you love me?” he asked, his tone desperate.

“Yes, but—”

“If you love me then everything else will work out. We don’t have to worry about all this stuff right now. Just say you’ll marry me, please.”

“Levi, I don’t know. It’s just so much to think about. You’re asking me to do things for a pack I don’t even know.”

“No! Forget about the pack! I’m asking you to marry me because I love you!”

“I need some time to think about all this. It’s so overwhelming.”

“I know, Charity, but please.”

“Don’t worry, Levi,” Ashley interrupted, “I’ll talk to her. She’ll still marry you.”

Levi smiled at her as we got into the car, but didn’t look convinced. “I’ll see you Monday, Charity,” he called to me as we drove up the ramp. Once we were out, the ramp closed back and disappeared. Cool!

I struggled with all of my emotions on the way home. Ashley understood, but in the end said I needed to follow my heart. Some help she was. She wasn’t faced with the decision I was. But somehow I felt like, if it were her, she’d have no problem making her choice. Things were always so clear to her—black and white. For me—well I complicate things—always have.

When I got home, I took a long, steaming bubble bath and recounted all the details of my conversation with Levi. When I emerged, some forty-five minutes later, my whole body one giant prune, I wrapped a towel around myself and stepped into my room, squealing to the moon at the sight of Levi sitting on my bed.

“Geez, Levi! You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“I think if I were gonna give you a heart attack you would’ve had it by now.”

“Good point. What are you doing here? Didn’t I just leave you?”

“Well, I needed to tell you that someone will be watching over you tonight. So if you hear some howling or growling, don’t be alarmed, they’re with me. Soon, Wesley will hear about the wedding, so we’re on extra high alert. Also, Doc wanted me to make sure your bandage was being changed regularly, and since you just showered—now’s a good time to check it.”

“And you thought I would just drop my towel and let you wrap my bandage, huh?”

“No, I didn’t think it—but I hoped it.” His smile grew wide.

“Not gonna happen wolf man.”

He sighed. “Do you have to call me that?”

“Does it annoy you?”

“Yes.”

“Then yes.”

“I can think of another name you can call me,” he smirked as he stood, taking the few steps that put him directly in front of me.

“Oh yeah, and what’s that?”

“Lover.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his lips eagerly to mine, parting them and ushering the kiss deeper.

“I’ll tell you what,” I said, pulling away before I lost all control and looking up into his magnificent eyes. “I’ll let you wrap my bandage because Ashley’s not here, but you’re going to do it with me fully dressed.”

He made a frown in mock disappointment.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.” I grabbed some things from my dresser, snatched up my jeans from the chair, and headed into the bathroom.

When I came out I was fully dressed. I walked over to him and lifted my shirt up slightly, exposing my still bruised ribcage. “Okay, I’m ready.”

He knelt down on the floor so he could reach me better. “I’m so sorry, Charity.”

I peered down at him curiously. “For what?”

“This must be very hard for you. You’re not just getting me, you’re getting a lot of things you didn’t ask for, including this injury. I’ll try to be more sensitive about it. I know I can be a jerk sometimes.”

“Thanks for saying that. I was thinking it, but I didn’t want to say it. Okay so I did say it, just not to you.”

He laughed as he meticulously wrapped the bandage around and around, trying to avoid his fingers from touching my skin. Occasionally his skin would graze mine, leaving a trail of tingling in its place. He looked up and met my gaze, desire in his eyes.

“Are you trying to drive me crazy?” I murmured.

“No, I’m not trying.” He smirked. “All done.”

“Good, come here!” I grabbed his shirt, pulling him off the floor and up to my lips. We kissed feverishly and fell onto the bed, bounced, and slammed to the floor, his arms holding me so carefully I never felt the jolt.

“Charity!” my mom called from the hall.

I jerked up. “Yes ma’am?!”

“Are you all right? What was that noise?”

“I’m fine! I just fell off the bed!” I pulled Levi up and shoved him toward the window.