Charity Moon (26 page)

I heard a noise in the forest, snapping me from my dreaming. I spun to survey my surroundings—north—south—east—west—nothing. I laughed. “Get a grip, Charity,” I said out loud. “Stop being so jumpy. You’re getting married—not slaughtered.”

I turned and continued my walk, not stopping until I reached the lake, breathing a sigh of relief. Finally to see something that reminded me of why I was making such a sacrifice, or was it a sacrifice? I closed my eyes and reflected; I saw myself swimming in that lake, desperate to get to the man I love. I saw him pull me into an embrace after carrying me from the water, the relief he felt to have me safe again, the anger in his werewolf face as he saw me injured, the softness in his eyes as he released Wesley, and the warmth of his arms around me as we slept.

Next, I saw us sitting in the grass, Levi proclaiming his love to me and asking me to marry him. And lastly, I saw our passionate kiss as he picked me up and spun me around.

As I stood there—reflecting, suddenly the realization hit me; I remembered the day I prayed for salvation from Frank. The doorbell rang. It was Levi. He’d been sent to me that day to save me. God hadn’t forsaken me after all—showing me that He heard my prayer. I knew then, without any doubt, that I was doing the right thing—that Levi was sent to me—a gift of love. I let out a deep sigh and smiled, feeling peace for the first time in days.

In the next second, a hand clamped down over my mouth as I was pulled behind a tree. I tried to scream and fight until a beautiful voice whispered in my ear. “Charity, it’s me.”

He released me, and I spun to glare at him in agitation. “Levi Drake, are you trying to give me a heart attack? I thought you were Wesley trying to kidnap me again.”

“Are you kidding me? You don’t ever have to worry about Wesley again. It’s my mother I’m worried about. If she catches me here I’ll probably get a spanking.”

His expression looked so innocent I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, you deserve it scaring me like that.”

“I’m sorry beautiful, but I had to make sure my mother wasn’t following you. But it’s worth the risk to see you again.” He smiled.

“Why can’t I resist you,” I said, throwing my arms around his neck. “I missed you this morning.”

“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you. I tried to sneak back into your room twice, but my mom’s like a ninja. She came out of nowhere.”

“Now you know how I feel
all
the time. She would be very upset if she knew we were together.”

“Then we won’t tell her.” He pressed his lips eagerly to mine, and I became warm all over.

“You taste so good, like honey. Are you sure you’re a werewolf and not a pooh bear,” I teased, still keeping my arms tightly around his neck.

“I am definitely
not
a pooh bear. I think I like the wolf man better than that. By the way, I have something for you.” He released me and reached in the front, right pocket of his jeans. He pulled out a beautiful diamond ring.

My mouth fell open in surprise.

“With all that’s been going on I haven’t had a chance to get it until today.” He knelt down in the grass on both knees. “Charity Anna Bell, my mate for life and completer of my heart and soul, my gift from above—”

I gasped at his words.
Hadn’t I just thought that same thing
?

“Will you marry me?”

I smiled widely. “Yes! Yes!”

He put the ring on my finger, stood, and pulled me into his arms, kissing me until I forgot my own name.

“Levi, you know I can only wear this when I’m here.”

“I know. That’s why I bought you a chain to go with it.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a long, gold chain. “This way you can wear it close to your heart, and only the two of us will know it’s there.” He smiled his brilliant smile.

“Levi, you are the most amazing man, you know that?”

“Yes, I know.”

We heard a familiar voice. “I don’t think the two of you are supposed to be together.”

We turned to see Hector step out of the forest and into view. “Hector, if you say anything I will hit you in the head with another branch!”

He laughed. “Oh, Miss Charity, I wouldn’t say anything. I think it’s sweet that you guys snuck out to see each other, but it’s not safe for you to be out here right now.”

“I can keep her safe, Hector.”

“Yes sir, unless you’re outnumbered. Do you want to take a chance with so much at stake?”

“Hector’s got a point, Charity. Let’s get you back inside.”

“Hector, you party pooper,” I pouted.

We walked together back through the forest, Levi’s arm wrapped tightly around my waist. When we got to the secret entrance, standing in front of the Godzilla tree, Levi kissed me one last time before disappearing back into the forest. He was afraid to face his mother if he entered the facility with me. Personally, I can’t say that I blamed him.

“Don’t be late!” I yelled out to him before he disappeared completely.

It finally turned five o’clock, and I was about to get in the shower when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened and a cute, young woman with curly, blonde hair and freckles stepped into view. “Charity, I’m Sissy, the hair stylist. I came to give you a waxing.”

“Oh really. I’ve never had one before.”

“Well, you’re in for a real treat. Just lie down on the bed and pull your robe open at the bottom. And don’t be nervous, I see women all the time. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“I’m not embarrassed. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far if I were you,” she added with a smirk.

And soon I understood why.

“The pain will be all worth it. When I’m done with you you’ll feel like silk.”

And she was right. When she was finished, my legs felt as smooth as a baby’s butt, not that I know what a baby’s butt feels like, mind you.

“Okay, I’ll be back in about thirty minutes to do your hair.”

Once she was gone, I got in the shower and noticed my shampoo had been switched. But this shampoo smelled amazing. It was called raspberry cream. I was beginning to believe there were wolf fairies that sneak in my room and leave goodies behind.
With all I’ve witnessed I didn’t doubt it could happen.

Once my hair was done things started to move fast. A girl named Jamie did amazing things with my makeup, and I looked more like a model than a teenage bride-to-be, or is that a teenage wolf-to-be? Hmm, isn’t there a movie called
I Married a Teenage Werewolf
?
If there is I’m sure it’s a comedy.

Ashley bounded in my room with enthusiasm. “I ran into Mr. Bones in the hallway. I’m tellin’ you I’m not sure the guy’s all there. You know what I mean?”

“Oh, he’s all there, he’s just not all here.”

Ashley and Irena helped me with my dress and when I finally looked in the mirror I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Wow, I look amazing.”

“I agree. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look more beautiful,” Ashley commented. “I love the hair. Maybe we can get Sissy to do our hair for Prom.”

“Hey, that’s a great idea.”

There was a knock at the door and Irena went to see who it was. She peeped her head out, and after a few seconds she looked back at me. “I have to leave you for a few minutes, Charity. I’ll be right back.”

“Ash, something’s wrong.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Did you see Irena’s face? Besides, I can feel it. Something’s really wrong.” I started to panic.

“Calm down. I’ll go check, okay?”

“Okay, thanks.”

She was gone way too long, and when she finally came back, she looked worried. “Okay, here’s the thing, don’t panic, but Wesley’s pack are trying to get through and some fighting’s begun.”

“Levi?”

“I don’t know. He’s out there somewhere. But I’ve been assured he’ll be here in time for the ceremony. Don’t worry, Charity. He’s alpha for a reason. He’ll be fine, you’ll see.”

“I have to go to him.” I raced for the door.

“No!” she yelled, racing me and jumping in my path.

I used my advantage of size and pushed my weight against her, but she barely budged. For such a little twerp she sure was strong.

“Ashley, you know I love you, but if you don’t move out of my way it’s you who’s gonna have a fat lip.”

“No!”

“Ash, move!”

“No!”

“Just ‘cause you’re small enough to be my child doesn’t mean I’m gonna go easy on you.”

“Oh yeah, well just ‘cause you’re big enough to be my daddy doesn’t mean I’m gonna listen to you.”

“Move it!”

“No!”

“I think it’s safe to say we have a stalemate,” I said, my voice strained.

“Yeah, and if you had any sense you’d let the little girl win,” she said, her voice also strained.

“Surrender is not in my DNA.” Quickly, I used all my strength and determination and finally, with much effort, shoved passed her. 

I made a mad dash down the hall when two, big, dark hands appeared out of nowhere and grabbed me. Before I could even gasp, I was dangling over Hector’s shoulder. Ashley crossed her arms over her chest, smiled smugly, and turned and walked back down the hall and out of sight.

“Now, Miss Charity, you know I can’t let you go out there.”

“Hector, please, Levi’s out there. I have to go to him. Now put me down! As the alpha’s bride-to-be I command you to put me down!”

“I’m sorry, Miss Charity, but I only take orders from Levi.”

“That rots! I’m changing that rule as soon as we’re married! Don’t make me hurt you again, Hector!”

“Now, Miss Charity, you’re making me do this.”

“Do what?”

He carried me back into my room and sat me carefully on the bed before taking a stance in the doorway, arms folded across his chest.

I got up and walked over to him. “Please, Hector, let me by.”

“I can’t do that, Miss Charity. I have a responsibility for you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Last night, after the fight, Levi gave me a job. It’s to look after you, and keep you safe. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

“Great. So that’s what he wanted to talk to you about. And what did he offer you to do this?”

“Nothing. I want to do it. Keeping you safe makes Levi happy, and I like you.”

“Oh, Hector, that’s so sweet. Now let me by!”

He shook his head from side to side. “It’s not gonna happen.”

I sighed in frustration. “Don’t you have a normal job you can do and get paid for it?”

“No. Since Levi has appointed me in charge of your safety, that
is
my job now.”

“Boy, saying you’ve got your job cut out for you is an understatement, huh? What did you do before coming here then?”

“I’ve never worked. I guess it’s because of my size, but I’ve always been a member of the alpha’s elite team.”

“I don’t understand. So the elite don’t have normal jobs either?”

“I guess Levi hasn’t explained this to you yet. See there are three levels of rank amongst werewolf packs. The first are the alpha’s elite, which are picked by the alpha and can be anywhere from three to ten depending on the size of the pack. The next rank is the secondary; these are called upon when needed. The last are the reserves; these would consist of people like Doc and those only called upon in the case of an emergency, such as an attack. Levi’s dad has probably been added to this rank. The elite don’t have normal jobs because they, like the alpha, are always working to ensure the safety and functioning of the pack.”