Chapter 11: Chapter 11

ELEVEN

Black walked up the stairs that led to Isaac’s office, passing a few pack members that were still around and training despite the late hour. It made him wonder why Isaac was still here, usually, he would have already gone home to his mate and son. The building was almost empty and Black liked it like this, it was quiet.

He opened the door to the office, Isaac was in the corner of the room on one of the couches with another man seated opposite. Black immediately recognised the man as Vincent, one of the pack's trackers. Vincent was one of the best men in the pack at getting his job done, he could get information and dirt on anyone faster than anyone. Black now had a hint of why Isaac had called him to the training facility. He took a seat as well on the same seat as Vincent but maintained a fair distance. He looked at both men before crossing his arms.

“What happened, you found something about the club?” He asked.

Isaac nodded. “Vincent, please tell Black everything you told me.”

Vincent took in a deep breath before turning to face Black. “I bet you already know that there are rogues hanging nearby,” He began and Black nodded.

“These rogues have been hanging around a nightclub that is in the small town near the pack. This is obviously weird because rogues move solo and if they are in a group, they are nothing but trouble—”

“Tell me what I don’t know, Vincent.” Black cut him off because he did not sign up for a lesson on rogues.

Vincent rolled his eyes. “Well, I found out that a man named Louis is the owner of the club and he is a rogue.”

“...so that I do not have to deal with all those creeps, Louis or you!”

Black remembered that clearly, Willow had mentioned that name when she was ranting about not wanting anything to do with werewolves. Isaac could see the gears turning in Black’s mind. He knew that Black would remember that name just like he did.

“Yes Black, it’s the same guy she mentioned,” Isaac said. Black looked up at Isaac before turning back to Vincent.

“Louis Conley and his brother Levi have been rogues ever since they were born and their mother died when they were young, I couldn’t find anything about their father. They’ve been running that club for almost three years but it was not always packed with rogues like recently. It’s a dirty place and apart from that they have a sex service for rogues that pay.”

Vincent had a disgusted look on his face. He had gone near the club and just being on the first floor was disgusting enough for him. When he asked around and found out about the second floor, it irked his soul.

“This is obviously not legal because they are forcing young girls and boys to be sex slaves. And then about the girl, Willow, I also found out how she is linked to Louis.”

Black’s entire body straightened and his ears perked up when he heard him mention Willow. He turned to glare at Isaac.

“You asked him to dig dirt on her as well?” He asked with disbelief and anger.

“Of course I did, I had to make sure that she is not a threat,” Isaac replied coolly.

Black grunted and turned back to face Vincent. “Continue,” He told the man.

“Willow Doyle, 22 years, lives with her aunt and works in a restaurant. After following her for a few days, I noticed a pattern in her schedule. She works at the restaurant during the day, goes back home, to Louis’s nightclub and spends the night there before heading back home in the early hours of the next day. She does that every day and every morning, she has a different bruise on her body.” Vincent explained. He had found it very weird at first but after finding out the truth, it tore his heart for the young woman.

Black flinched at the mention of the bruises. It’s not like he had not seen it. He had seen her limp and the marks on her face. Every part of him wanted to punish the one that had caused those marks on her body. But now that he heard this, it caused a different anger to course through his body.

“What do you mean?” Black’s voice was already deeper than before and his jaw was clenched.

Vincent could feel the other man’s anger, Black’s aura was strong because he was of Alpha blood. Isaac noticed Vincent’s uneasiness.

“Black, take a drink.” He ushered a cup of whiskey to Black who took it and downed the entire liquid before turning to Vincent.

Vincent breathed out. He did not know why Black was angry but he knew that it had to do with Willow and he was no longer certain if telling him everything else would be wise. He looked over to Isaac as if pleading but Isaac shook his head.

“I’m not telling him,” Isaac said and Vincent just breathed out.

“Willow Doyle lost her parents two years ago and then she met Louis Conley shortly afterwards. She’s been having financial troubles and her aunt has to work many jobs to support them...” Vincent paused before mustering the confidence to say more. “She’s one of the girls that has sex with the rogues on the second floor,”

Black could feel himself get angry, his hands also clenched and he stood up from his seat. The thought of someone else touching Willow angered him to the core. His wolf was also angry and that was never good, he could hardly make good decisions whenever he was angry. He still did not know why it made him so angry, she was just like every other woman and he could not stake a claim on her. Even if he liked her, he still had to respect that she was not his mate.

Isaac remained in his seat and looked at Black get angry to the point where his eyes were shifting between his green eyes and his wolf’s cool grey ones. He knew that Black was going to lose control of his wolf if he did not control himself. Vincent did not like the shift of atmosphere in the room, Black’s anger weighed on him like dark smoke choking him.

“Who?” Black growled out.

Isaac understood that question, and he now knew that his hypothesis was true. He only had to get such a reaction from Black to affirm it. He quickly signalled for Vincent to leave the room and the man wasted no time, he left and closed the door in a hurry. Isaac stood and faced Black.

“Relax Black or else I won’t tell you the rest,” Isaac warned.

“Fuck you!” Black flipped the table in the middle and sent the bottle of whiskey and the cups to the floor, crashing and breaking.

Isaac looked at the mess and frowned. The whiskey stain was going to be hard to get rid of on the carpet. “I swear Black if you break anything else and don’t relax right now, you can forget about knowing anything else about Willow.”

Black’s chest was heaving, he was livid and he needed to direct his anger towards something or someone. He could feel himself losing control with every passing second. After hearing Isaac’s words, he tried to control his breathing and anger. Control is something he had harboured since he was young and he knew how to be in control. It took him longer than usual to cool down and after a few minutes, he sighed and looked up at Isaac.

Isaac gave him a bottle of water. “Are you okay?” He asked and Black nodded. “Willow gets those bruises from the people that have sex with her at the club.”

Black could feel his control slipping away once more but he remained still while drinking his water.

“I think she is doing it for extra money because of her troubles. She's in a relationship with Louis too.” Isaac said. “You should forget about her bro, she might not be as innocent as she looks.”

Black growled and threw away the bottle of water. Forget Willow? That did not please him or his wolf. It angered and hurt him to even think about never seeing her. Heck, he had gone through a week without seeing her and it felt like a punishment.

“I can’t do that!” He growled. He could only think about her being in the arms of others and it angered him, he hated the thought. If this Louis guy was truly with her, why did he not take care of her? How could he stand the thought of her being touched by others?

“Be sensible Black, all we have to do is make sure that those rogues leave the town. You can’t hope for anything more with Willow.” Isaac told him and to Black, it all just sounded like rubbish. “She’s in a relationship with Louis,”

Despite everything Isaac said, Black could not get the look on Willow’s face when he had first spoken to her out of his head. He could remember how panicked and frightened she looked whenever she told him to stay away or when she said she knew nothing. She looked so scared when she mentioned Louis’s name. Black convinced himself that something else was happening. Why else would Willow look so distraught and scared?

“No,” Black whispered while shaking his head.

Call it a gut feeling, but Black could sense it. There was something more to what was going on. If Louis loved Willow, he would not let her go through what she was going through. He would not be able to see those bruises on her body.

“Black—”

“I don’t care, Isaac! I have to help Willow.” Black cut Isaac off before he could say anything more.

“What exactly are you going to do, huh?” Isaac’s voice had a mocking tone. “She isn’t even your mate. For god’s sake, she could be Louis’s mate!”

That snapped all of the control Black was trying to hold on to. His eyes immediately glazed over and he growled at his cousin. His claws sank into the couch, tearing up the leather before flipping it. It took him a second to get to the door and remove it off its hinges before he walked out of the room.

Isaac remained standing in the room with a scowl on his face. His office was a complete mess and now his cousin was angry and had wandered off. He feared that Black would do something stupid while angry, it was a common trait in their family. They always did something stupid when their emotions got the best of them.

He looked at the door once more and sighed. Hopefully, Black had only gone for a run to cool off.

“What a mess and I have to pay for it,”

.......

Willow was walking down the road, hand in hand with Levi like they did yesterday. She had insisted on paying him back for paying for her for the entire week and he had told her that if she wanted to pay then the payment could be walking with him every night on his long walks. She pretended to think about it and accepted it because it was a great deal and she loved his company.

Now as they took the same route as last night, she could not help but be thankful. Levi was such a relief to be around and she was glad to be here with him. She watched him and listened as he talked about his mother, meeting his mate and wishing for happier days. Both of them had the same hope...happier days. They both hoped for better lives.

“When I was four, Mother had promised to make sure we could find a pack to finally accept us but...” Levi paused to take in a deep breath and Willow noticed how sensitive this topic was for him. “...she was attacked by another rogue and died. Louis and I remained alone and we promised to be by each other’s side until we found our mates and we were happier.” Levi turned and gave Willow a sad smile when she squeezed his hand to comfort him.

“Now, I don’t even know my brother anymore. He is hungry for power and a total psycho. We wanted to build ourselves when we started the club but things went wrong when Louis started involving innocent boys and girls to do shit. I’ve told him so many times to stop it but he won’t and despite hating everything about him...he is my brother and I love him, Willow. Is that wrong?”

When Levi’s eyes sparkled with tears, Willow felt like crying as well. She had never seen Levi cry, he was a year younger but he was wiser and stronger. She could not imagine what it was like to stand beside a brother who abused you. She did not understand Levi’s choice to remain by Louis’s side but she could sympathize with him. He loved someone who had turned into a monster.

Willow shook her head and wrapped her arms around him. Levi broke down and sniffled, his chin on her shoulder. She patted his back and tears rolled down her face as well, she did not know what he was going through but she understood. She had also lost her parents, whom she could understand but she did not have a horrible sibling that she loved and cared for no matter their vile decisions.

Levi quickly wiped his eyes when he heard Willow sniffle and smelled her tears. He pulled away and looked at her face with a frown. He did not know why he had the urge to protect her like she was his sister. Seeing tears run down her face angered him, whether his brother caused it or himself. He quickly whipped her tears and smiled at her.

“F-forget about that, how is your hot aunt?” He teased trying to uplift the atmosphere that had ruined sombre.

Willow clicked her tongue and hit his chest. “She’s three years older than you, bastard.” She said with a small chuckle.

Levi felt a sense of victory when she smiled. “She’s still hot and who cares if she’s older than me? This is the twenty-first century, Wills.”

Willow hit him one more time before taking his hand in hers. “Charlotte wouldn’t date anyone younger than her,”

Levi rolled his eyes. “You say that now but when I sweep her off her feet, you’ll be calling me uncle.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

Willow scrunched up her face in disgust. “Ew Levi!” She exclaimed.

Levi's laughed boomed through the night. “Kidding!” He told her when he saw her face.

“You better be cause if not, I will chop off your di—” Willow’s voice wavered and she stopped speaking when she saw the man that stood a few feet away from them.

Levi followed her line of vision and looked at the man that stood in the middle of the road only a few feet from them. His hold on Willow tightened, pushing her behind him and trying to step away. He knew a werewolf when he saw one and this one was not a rogue and the glare on his face told Levi that he was angry.

Levi knew that whatever was going on would catch up to them but he did not expect it to be like this. An angry man, glaring at him with pure hatred and a wish to kill. The man in front of him was bigger than him and he would be a fool if he did not acknowledge the fact that he radiated an aura similar to an Alpha. Levi was scared, he was scared for his life but more than that, he was scared for Willow’s life. No matter what, he had to get her far from here.

He looked into the eyes of the man but the man’s eyes were focused on the person behind him. Levi’s wish to protect Willow only grew stronger and he hid Willow behind him so that she was no longer in the man’s line of vision. This seemed to anger him because he growled at Levi.

“Look man, we were just taking a walk. We don’t mean any harm, she’s a human and I might be a rogue but I mean no harm.” He tried to talk his way out of it because speed was not the first option. If they tried to run, they would probably end up dead

Willow on the other hand was shaking behind Levi, she peeked above his shoulder and looked into Black’s cool grey eyes. It was Black, she knew it was him. She could recognise him from anywhere, that was how great an impact he had on her. But the grey eyes, those weren’t Black’s eyes. Black’s eyes were a sharp green, they were not vicious and angry like now.

She could feel his anger, he was definitely angry.

How did he even know how to find me?

“Please just let us be, we’ll walk away now and not even pose a threat.” Levi continued but what he did not know is that his voice only angered Black more.

Black listened to the man speak, he could hear his voice loud and clear. His voice was smooth and cool like he was not the person that caused Willow pain. He hated that she was hiding behind him even though he watched her get wounded every night. He could only conclude that this man was Louis, he had seen them holding hands.

Are they really mates?

No! That cannot be, a mate would not let their mate be injured or touched by others. The man that stood in front of him was just a selfish prick. Black calculated and he knew by looking at the boy that he could end him in a matter of time. It would not be much stress, he looked like a small boy.

“Let go of her,” Black growled out lowly but they heard it. The night was silent and the chilly air made his voice sound even more scary.

Levi wanted to let go, it sounded like a command that he wanted to obey but he couldn’t. He could not risk putting Willow’s life in danger. He shook his head.

“No. I won’t do that.” He said defiantly.

Black chuckled darkly. “I’m not giving you an option.”

That did not sound like Black. Willow looked at his face. The night made him look even more intimidating and despite being scared she could help but admire his face. She had not seen him ever since he had come to the restaurant with his peculiar cousin. Now that she saw him once again after missing him for another week, she could only admire him while being frightened. To her, it felt like some real werewolf shit was about to go down.

“She’s an innocent, man, and just a human,” Levi spoke out. “If you want me, I’ll remain...just let her go.” He pled.

Willow did not like the sound of that. It sounded like he was sacrificing himself for her. She shook her head, Levi had done so much for her. She could not just run away while he dealt with an angry Black. She knew that Black was scary, but right now she was very scared and she feared for her life. Deep down, she felt like he would not hurt her but she convinced herself that she could not cling to that thought. They weren’t even friends.

Just because you like him and he’s seemed concerned about you a few times doesn’t mean he won’t kill you if he has to.

She stepped away from Levi and walked in front, and stood in the centre of both men. Levi’s hand flew out to her but Black’s angry growl made him retract it.

“Black,” She spoke to the angry man in a small and shaky voice. “What do you want? This is getting really scary.”

Black felt guilty when she said that. He didn’t want to scare her but the man behind her made him feel so angry, ready to break bones. He took a step closer to her and so did Levi, Black noticed this and growled once again causing Willow to flinch.

“I wouldn’t hurt you Willow, I’ve told you that before,” Black told her but still kept throwing daggers at Levi who he mistook for Louis. “As for him, I can’t promise the same.”

“What’s going on with you? Why would you hurt him?” Willow asked with panicked eyes.

“Willow, how do you know this guy? Step away and come back to me, I’ll keep you safe.” Levi tried to cajole her into coming back to his side.

Black growled and Levi’s words were all it took for him to snatch Willow’s arm and pull her to his side. He glares at Levi who tried to come close.

“Come on man, just let her go.”

“Let her go to you so that you can have her do your dirty shit just for money.” Black spat out.

Willow wriggled in his hold, trying to loosen it but to no avail. She was now very scared. She could not comprehend why Black was acting like this or why he seemed to be angry with Levi.

Levi had enough, it seemed like words could not get through to the other man. He stepped closer and swung his fist, hitting Black’s jaw. Pain seared through Black’s body and he looked up and spat blood before glaring at Levi. He let go of Willow and went to attack Levi.

Levi tried to defend himself but Black was a trained warrior and at that moment he was angry and fighting for control with his wolf. Willow screamed and shouted for help as Black pinned Levi to the ground and hit him.

“Black! What the fuck are you doing?... Let go of him.” Tears were rolling down her face as she watched the violence in front of her unfold. Black clearly had the upper hand.

“Willow, r-run!” Levi tried to tell her to run but Willow was having none of that.

She went over to Black and held his arm which was about to throw another punch to Levi’s side. She used all her strength to stop him. Black turned to her, rage swimming in his eyes. He straightened himself and grabbed her wrist before tossing her over his shoulder.

“Black!” Willow yelled out at the unfamiliarity of being on someone else’s shoulder.

Levi was struggling on the ground and trying to get up when Black turned around and glared at him before walking away. He walked over to the car that was parked on the side of the road and put Willow in the passenger seat.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” She continued screaming and hit the glass when Black closed the door and went round to the driver’s seat.

She tried to open the door but failed. She turned to face Black who was now starting the car. Tears streamed down her face and she was frightened for her life. She could not even guess what Black was thinking.

“Please let me out!” She begged but he did not listen and instead started driving away from the town.

She tried to hit him but it was like hitting a brick wall, it was ineffective. She looked at the isolated road and could see Levi’s body disappear slowly. She curled into the seat and continued crying.

How can a crush go so wrong?