Charity Moon (13 page)

“I’m great, actually. But, what about your law?”

“Don’t worry. You leave that to me.”

“Okay, no need to twist my arm on that subject. So, if we get married in two years or so, that gives me time to get adjusted to this lifestyle of yours, time for us to graduate and for me to enroll in nursing classes at Windrake Community College. I’ll also have plenty of time to plan a beautiful—”

“Um, Charity,” Levi interrupted, “we can’t get married in two years.”

“Oh—okay, three years then.”

“No, I mean, we have to get married right away. The pack is already putting pressure on me. I have to fulfill this obligation immediately.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was an obligation.”

“Please, Charity, you know what I mean. I don’t have a choice.”

“Well, I do! I can’t get married to you while I’m still in high school! My mom would kill me! I’m only eighteen for cryin’ out loud!” I felt my anxiety level building.

“Do you even understand the seriousness of my predicament? This is life or death for my pack!”

“That’s your problem, not mine! You’re the alpha!”

“Charity, you don’t really mean that!”

“No! Of course I don’t! And why are you yelling at me?!”

“Why are you yelling at me?! And it’s not just my problem anyway! It’s too dangerous for you to be left unmarked! Wesley still wants you, and if he were to get hold of you—”

“I thought you said you could protect me from Wesley!” I attacked in exasperation.

“I can, but not for long! He’s very clever! He’ll find a way to get to you!”

“Either you can or you can’t, which is it?!” And stop yelling at me!”

“You stop yelling at me! I can protect you, but—”

“No you can’t! What if he finds me?! What if he forces himself on me?! I won’t live like that, Levi! I’ll kill myself first!”

“Stop, Charity!” His hands began to shake.

“No! I mean it!”

“Stop!” A growl came from deep within his chest, while at the same time his eyes turned a frightening color of yellow. He was trying to suppress the beast within him, but he was losing. I gasped as he began to shift right before my eyes. I froze in horror as his face grew and fangs shot out from his mouth. He shook his head from side to side, making painful growling sounds. It was a scene straight from a horror film and one I was instantly sorry I’d ever watched.

I screamed, stumbling backwards and falling. I scrambled to my feet and bolted through the forest, running as fast as my shaky legs would take me, dodging every obstacle in my path. Then, out of nowhere, the werewolf jumped in front of me, cutting off my escape. I screamed again and stumbled backwards, tears streaming down my cheeks. He came closer, growling at me! I shook with terror!

“Levi! It’s me, Charity!” But he kept coming! “Levi, please!” I screamed, raising my hands to cover my face. Then he stopped, cocking his head to the side and closing his eyes. After a few torturing seconds, he began to shift back into his human form. I let out a deep sigh of relief but began to hyperventilate.

Once his transformation was complete, he rushed to me, anguish on his flushed face. “Charity, I’m so sorry. Charity!”

I was vaguely aware of his arms catching me before I hit the forest floor.

When I woke, I was lying on the bed in the white room. I looked over to see Levi pacing nervously about the room and moaned as I pushed myself to a sitting position.

“Charity!” Levi called, rushing to my side. “I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!” His voice was pleading.

“I don’t really want to talk to you right now.”

“I blew it, didn’t I? You don’t ever want to see me again now, do you?” His expression was full of such pain—it broke my heart.

“Stop it, Levi, okay? Just stop. You scared the pig’s snot out of me, that’s all.” Without warning I began to cry. Again I was allowing myself to be vulnerable, and I didn’t like it one bit.

“Oh, Charity, I’m so sorry.” He took me in his arms. “I’ll never do that again. I’ll learn to control it, I promise you.”

I pushed him away. “I pride myself on being tough and now you’ve turned me into a crybaby.” I quickly wiped at my tears.

“No, you’re still tough. Most people would’ve died of a heart attack after witnessing that.”

I laughed through my tears. “Well, I almost did.”

“For the record, never run from a werewolf. It’s in our nature to chase.”

I gave him an incredulous look. “Gee, I’ll try to keep that in mind the next time I’m threatened by one.”

He took my hand in his. “I’m really sorry. I don’t like arguing with you. I guess when you said you would kill yourself that’s what pushed me over the edge. Please promise me you’ll never do that, ever.”

“I promise. I didn’t mean it. I would never do that. It was my anger talking. I’m sorry.”

He put his arms around me and pulled me into an embrace. “I love you,” he whispered softly into my ear, and I felt his lips kiss my hair.

I smiled, pulling myself closer to him and closed my eyes. “I love you too.”

At least thirty or more pack members, including little ones, had gathered in the huge meeting room. It looked more like a small auditorium, with a stage and chairs lined up facing it. Levi had asked me to sit in the front row with his parents, Joseph and Irena, and Ashley on my other side. He was going to make our announcement and wasn’t sure of the reactions we would get.

He walked onto the low stage and turned to face us, looking so incredibly handsome it made my eyes water. It was overwhelming to know he loved me. He could have any woman he wanted but chose a stubborn, smart-mouthed, quick-tempered, and untrusting girl such as myself, poor guy. A good ole pinch to my forearm was all it took to remind me that it was real and not a figment of my imagination. But, as I looked around the room at all the strange faces before me, a question came to my mind. What if they reject me? What if they make him marry someone else? What will I do? No sooner had the thoughts appeared when Levi began his speech.

“I have gathered you all here to make an announcement.” Everyone stirred in their seats with anticipation. Did they know what he was about to say, I wondered?

  “As you all know, it’s a rule that an alpha male can only wed another pack member for the sole purpose of keeping the bloodline pure. However, I am here to dispute this. It is my strong belief that the alpha gene passes to the male children regardless of the species of the mate. I have witnessed it again and again through observing you. Some of you have wed humans and still your males are werewolves. Since the alpha gene is stronger, it stands to reason that this would also be true. And since some of you
have
wed humans, if I picked your daughter to wed, would she not then be considered as impure? With this in mind, I plead with you my fellow pack members, for the sake of your alpha’s happiness, for your support as I break a rule and, therefore, change it, by taking Charity Bell, a human, and the woman I love, as my bride.”

I winced waiting for the opposing arguments, but none came, only silence, which in some ways felt worse. But then someone began clapping, then another, and another, until the room was rocking with thunderous applause. Levi looked at me, a huge smile stretching across his face. Instantly, my worries were gone. He motioned for me to stand with him and, when I did, the applause grew louder. I couldn’t believe what I was experiencing. Here I was, nervous and squirming in my seat, expecting them to deny us of a union, but everyone just seemed to want their alpha to be happy. It warmed my heart to see the love and felicity in that room. Everyone genuinely seemed happy for us. In that moment, one thing I was certain of was that, over time, I would come to love each and every one of them.

“Well, that went better than I expected,” Levi said to me as everyone began to disperse.

“I have to admit, I’m a little overwhelmed by their response, although I have my suspicions that Ashley was the one who started the clapping.”

“I wondered about that myself.”

“I’m so happy for you two,” Irena said, hugging us both in one large embrace.

“Good choice, son. I have no doubt this young lady will make you a good wife,” Joseph said, shaking his son’s hand.

“Thank you, Joseph. That means a lot,” I said, smiling up at him.

“Oh, call me Dad,” he insisted, pulling me into an embrace.

“We’re glad to have you join our family. So, how soon can we plan this wedding?” Irena asked, excitement in her voice.

“Well, Mom, Charity’s having a little trouble with rushing the wedding before graduation.”

“I understand dear,” she said to me, taking my hand in hers, “but that’s weeks away yet. I don’t think we can wait that long. If we didn’t have Wesley to consider then perhaps, but if he gets his hands on you—”

“Yes, Mom, we know.”

I cringed at the thought. “Okay, I get it. I’m in danger. What do you all suggest?”

“Well,” Levi started, “I think we should plan the wedding as soon as we can.” I started to protest, but he interrupted me. “We wed, but in secret, with only the pack and Ashley present. Then you can continue to live at home until after graduation. Then you and Ashley can get an apartment together and take your nursing classes at Windrake Community College like you planned. But in truth, you’ll be living here with me, for the most part. Once an acceptable amount of time has passed then we’ll marry for the rest of the community.”

“You’ve really thought this through, huh? Actually, that doesn’t sound like such a bad plan, but what if I get pregnant?”

“Well, then we’ll have a perfect excuse to wed for the public, and we can stop pretending.”

“Yeah, except everyone will think we’ve been having sex before marriage. Do you have any idea how hard I’ve had to work to remain pure? I’m not gonna have anyone think that about me.”

“Well, we’ll know the truth, and that’s all that matters, right?”

“No, that’s not all that matters. All a girl’s got is her reputation.”

“I’m sorry baby, I know this is hard, but what else can we do? I really don’t see any other way. We’ll be careful so that you don’t get pregnant until at least after graduation. Does that help?”

I smiled slightly. “Yeah, a little.”

“Okay then, it’s settled,” Irena piped in. “I’ll find Ashley and we’ll get started on the planning.” Before I could protest any further she danced away.

“Oh great, she’s just as perky as Ashley,” I murmured under my breath.

“I heard that,” Levi said, looking at me incredulously.

“Sorry.” I shrugged. “Levi, after we’re married, will I be safe from Wesley?”

“Yes. After I mark you, he’ll have to leave you alone.”

“Gee, you make it sound so romantic. Why don’t you just pee on me instead?” I scowled.

Joseph laughed.

“I’m sorry, Charity, I didn’t mean it like that, besides, we only pee on trees.” He smirked.

“Everyone’s a comedian. You know, if I’m going to risk my reputation to save your pack, you better rock my world wolf man.”

“Yes ma’am.” He flashed me his brilliant smile, and oh those dimples.

“I’m not listening,” Joseph said, covering his ears.

Levi grabbed my hand and led me back down the hall and into my bedroom.

“Why are we back here? Ash and I should probably be getting home. We’ve been gone all day.”

“Yes, well I was thinking about this rocking your world thing, and maybe we should start early. You know, that way you won’t be in danger from Wesley.”

I laughed. “Nice try, but you’re not doing any rockin’ until after we say ‘I do’. Got it? It’s just that my dad raised me to believe that it would be worth it to save myself for my wedding night, not that I ever really thought I’d have a wedding night. And on top of that I’ve never trusted anyone enough to let them get that close. Does waiting sound stupid to you?”