Chapter 14: Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

Caleb was walking with his phone in his hand, with complete attention on the screen. Despite the number of times, Isaac had scolded him about drowning out his surroundings for his phone, he still did it. Why did he have to pay attention to everything else when no one paid him any attention? He wanted to be done with this place and head back home where his family acknowledged him.

The walls of the school were lonely for him. He put up this facade of not caring, but in the end, it bothered him. When he looked at everyone in the hallways talking to their friends with smiles on their faces, it reminded him that he had none of that. And so he chose to drown it out, to not focus on the surroundings.

He continued walking with his head bowed low and his eyes on his phone. He liked to believe that despite not paying attention to where he was walking, he had a sixth sense to not bump into anyone. That, and because he knew the way to his class very well. As it seemed though that day, his sixth sense let him down.

“Fuck!” A girl cursed out loud after he bumped into her and her books fell. Luckily for him, his phone was still in his hand.

Caleb looked up and was met with fierce, glaring eyes. Saying the girl was upset seemed like an understatement. Caleb remained quiet for a while, not knowing what to do because he was scared of the girl’s stare alone. Even his brother, an Alpha barely scared him.

“Er—erm...I-I’m s-so—” He began his pathetic apology, he rarely talked to people in the school.

“Will you not pick the books?” The girl cut him off with an annoyed look.

“Um...of course.” He shrieked out and bent down to pick the books but before he could do so, a hand latched at his wrist and pulled him back up.

Caleb looked up at Edward who was also looking at him. Edward faced the angry girl with a frown of his own.

“Really Marisa? It was an honest mistake.” Edward told the girl, the frown still on his face.

“And I told him to fix his mistake,” The girl, Marisa countered seeming even more annoyed.

Edward rolled his eyes and bent down. He picked up the books and handed them to Marisa with a bitter look on his face. Marisa snatched her books from him and clicked her tongue in irritation.

“Why are you even defending this weirdo...” Marisa glanced over at Caleb who was standing next to Edward timidly. “—other than him being handsome, he is weird and nothing like his brother.”

Caleb’s jaw clenched at that comment. Being compared to your better and more social brother was not amazing. He hated being compared to Isaac and no matter how much he told himself that all of that did not matter, he still blamed Isaac sometimes. Because if Isaac had not been such a social elite at school, Caleb would not have such huge expectations to fulfil.

It was always, ‘Is that really Isaac Sutton’s brother?’, ‘Except for looks, he has nothing in common with Isaac Sutton’ or ‘Wow, he is such a weirdo. Are you sure he is Isaac Sutton’s brother?’.

Isaac was the better one and everyone in this building reminded him of that. Just like Marisa did.

“He isn’t a weirdo and you shouldn’t compare him to his brother. They are different people.” Edward looked at Marisa one more time before pulling Caleb down the hallway and to their class.

Caleb shrugged off Edward’s hand when they were in the classroom, Edward turned with a confused and offended look on his face. Caleb sighed and glared up at Edward.

“Why did you do that?” Caleb asked with a roll of his eyes. “Do you think I’m some damsel in distress that needs you to save me?”

“Caleb—” Edward began his defence but Caleb cut him off.

“I don’t need you...that was uncalled for, I’m the one that bumped into her and I would have picked the books off the floor.”

“I understand that but she was also being mean,”

“So? I didn’t ask you to help me.” Caleb grumbled.

“You’re my friend, I couldn’t watch her do that to you,” Edward replied defiantly, looking unbothered by Caleb’s anger.

Friend? Caleb’s heart swelled at the sound of that. Since the day on the rooftop, Edward had incessantly called him his friend and followed him everywhere. It almost felt like he was being weighed down by a tail, only that he liked it very much. Edward managed to make him feel better about school and over the last few days, he found himself anticipating going to school.

When he was at home, he thought about Edward and how the boy was always talking nonstop even when he got no reply. How he would peek over his shoulder to comment about the comics he was reading. Or how he would talk about his love for thrillers and music.

Caleb thought about the long, dark-haired boy and how he spoke with his hands. He slowly started appreciating Edward and his brown eyes and that scared him.

“I don’t remember agreeing to be your friend.”

A look of hurt flashed over Edward’s face. Caleb felt awful for saying that and the look on Edward’s face made him feel even worse. But Edward only looked to the other side before facing him once more but with a smile on his face. Caleb frowned at the change.

“And I remember telling you that I would work harder for you to like me more than your phone,” Edward said with an unwavering smile, looking more enthusiastic.

Edward’s words were matched with an eye roll. Caleb walked away from Edward and sat at his desk and decided to just ignore Edward. The sound of metal scraping against the floor told him that it would be hard to ignore the long-haired boy. When he looked up, Edward was smiling at him.

“What?” He breathed out.

“I’m waiting for a ‘thank you’,” Edward replied with a smug look.

Caleb switched off his phone and laughed lightly. “In your dreams.”

“You’ve already done that though,” Edward had a smirk on his face.

Caleb could feel his cheeks heating up. He could not think of a way to counter that but lucky for him the teacher walked in and Edward turned to face the front with a triumphant look on his face. Caleb remained a blushing mess behind him.

......

Levi was panicking. His hands were mushy and he knew that his entire appearance did not help him either. It was not like he even had time to care about his appearance, Willow was missing and it was his fault. He could not protect her and she was now missing. The only thing he knew was that the man was a werewolf that belonged to the pack nearby and judging from how he had hit him and the aura of dominance he had, he was one of the important members of the pack.

He could only watch from the ground with his battered body as he took Willow away with him. Horrible thoughts swarmed his mind since last night and he couldn’t rid of them. What if they tortured her? She had no scent thanks to him and the smell of rogues was the most strong on her.

Levi cursed at himself because Willow was in this situation because of him and his brother. If only Louis had not got her involved in this world. And if only he had not persuaded her to go on a walk with him. Except for the name ‘Black’ and the fact that Willow knew him, Levi knew nothing about that man or why he took Willow.

He had healed only a few minutes after the car had driven and immediately after that, he had grown scared and panicked. He would not dare to search for her in the pack because that would be a death mission. His only other option was to tell his brother and ask for help but knowing Louis, he would just shrug and say she had a good run.

Levi had settled on waiting at the restaurant where Willow worked. Hopefully, Black would bring her here when he realised that she had no information for him. After thinking about it for a while, Levi figures that Black was probably the same man that had probed Willow for answers about why she smelled like rogues. Levi prayed that Black would at least bring her back to the restaurant soon. If not, Levi had no other option but to try Louis.

With how time was moving and how the restaurant had opened hours ago, Levi was now thinking about going back to ask Louis for help. The people around looked at him weirdly, he guessed that he looked like one of the rioters or something. His shirt was a bit torn and the dust on his clothes did not help his look.

“Would you like something to eat?” One of the waitresses brought him out of his thoughts. He looked up at her and thought about it before nodding.

“Water Would be fine,” He answered. The woman nodded and he knew that she was about to ask if that was all. “And anything that you think worthy” He added.

He had been sitting here for long and he knew that if he continued that way, one of the employees would come up to him and tell him to leave. It was better to order. The woman nodded once again with a huge smile. Levi knew that she was only looking at his face and ignoring his rugged dirty look. Heck, his lip was busted and despite healing, blood was still evident but she still flirted with him through her smile and flattering eyes.

“Um...Is Willow here?” He asked and on the immediate effect, the woman frowned.

“Not yet, she’s so late and it’s unlike her.” She replied professionally. “May I know how you know her?” She asked.

Levi frowned at the table. “She’s my friend and I’m her boyfriend Louis’s brother.” He replied with his fists clenched below the table.

He hated saying that but he always did when in public. To everyone else that knew Willow, she was still dating Louis and so the lie had kept on going.

“Oh, I should have noticed the resemblance.” She replied and smiled widely if that was even possible. “I’ll bring your food right away.” She said before walking away.

Levi breathed out, his leg continued bouncing causing a rhythmic sound against the tiled floor. He was trying to ease his mind but nothing seemed to be working. Even after the food arrived, he could only drink the water. The thought of eating without knowing about Willow’s condition repulsed him.

Another hour dragged by before he finally got a whiff of a scent from last night. Levi’s head snapped up the exact moment when Black and Willow walked into the restaurant. Much to his relief she did not look harmed. Black followed behind her with his hands in his pockets but he turned to face Levi just as immediately.

Levi stood up and walked over to them in a rush to pull Willow into his arms but Black was in front of her just as quickly as he had stood up. Black glared at him, his stare promising to do the same as last night.

Willow looked at the two men in front of her who seemed to be having some internal dominance fight. She looked around the room and realised that a few eyes were on them. A curse escaped her lips and she decided that it was better to prevent last night from happening once again. She grabbed Black’s hand as well as Levi's and pulled them out of the restaurant.

She rounded the corner of the building g and turned to glare at both of them. Black was still glaring at Levi while the latter was now looking at Willow with relieved and happy eyes. Willow looked at Levi and scanned his body for any injuries but there was nothing except for his dishevelled look, the dusty clothes and bloody lip. She sighed before pulling him into a hug.

“I thought you died on the road,” She joked lightly but the relief in her voice was clear.

“A light beating won’t kill me, don’t worry.” Levi laughed lightly and ran a hand through her hair.

He made the mistake of looking up. Black glared down at where his hands circled around Willow. Levi choked on a cough before pulling away from Willow.

“Are you okay?” He asked her after pulling away. Willow nodded with a small smile.

“Of course she’s okay,” Black grumbled with a displeased look on his face. He did not like that they were still holding hands.

Willow turned to glare at him. She did not know where she had found the courage to be free around Black after last night and this morning. But she felt that he would not harm her. He had not done that while she was in his house and he had apologised too, claiming that his actions were because of his wolf.

“Black, don’t you have something to say to Levi?” She asked him with a piercing gaze.

“No,” Black replied and continued glaring at Black.

Levi had so many questions. He watched how Willow looked at Black with hearty eyes and how possessive Black was over Willow. How could she act so calmly with a person who had literally kidnapped her? Why did Black bring her back safe and unharmed? Most importantly why did they look and act like a couple?

Levi looked at both of them for a while before realization dawned on him. He gasped and let go of Willow’s hands. Willow looked up at him with concerned eyes.

“You...” He pointed at Willow. “—and you...” He breathed out still unable to process everything. His mouth remained agape for a moment too long before he smacked his forehead and turned.

“Fuck!” Levi cursed loudly while facing away from Black and Willow. “This is my fault...Oh shit.”

Willow and Black looked at each other. Willow shrugged when Black mouthed ‘what’ to her. She walked over to Levi and placed her hand on Levi’s shoulder.

“Levi?” She called slowly.

He turned and looked into her eyes. “Willow, I need to have a word with your m—” Levi paused and looked at Black. “...I mean I need to have a word with Black.”

Willow looked at him with a questioning look. “About what?” She asked. “You can do it while I’m here.”

Levi shook his head. “I'll let you know after I speak with him. Please go inside, I think they are worried inside there.” He said and that was what it took to break Willow’s stubbornness.

She had to keep her job and unlike both these men, she needed to work extra harder. She looked over at Black and threw him a warning glance.

“Don’t fight, I’m just going to let the manager know that I’m here and still love my job.” She said before walking away and into the restaurant.

Levi looked up at Black. The latter had an irritated look on his face. He did not want to have any conversation with this rogue. Even if he knew that it could help him get the needed answers, Black wanted nothing to do with this particular rogue. Firstly, he was Louis’s brother and secondly, he held Willow.

“No,” Black said curtly and was about to walk away when Levi spoke.

“I think Willow is your mate,” Levi said quickly and shut his eyes anticipating for Black to react in the worst way possible.

Black turned to face him. “What?” He asked, his voice more urgent and it reminded Levi of the previous night.

“Willow...s-she’s your mate,” He repeated.

Black seemed to contemplate the words for a few seconds before he shook his head and glared at Levi. If this was a joke, he did not like it. He had anticipated meeting his mate for such a long time that his hope was crumbling slowly and he seriously wanted Willow to be his. This boy was obviously playing with him.

“Don’t fuck with me.” He growled lowly.

Fear flashed in Levi’s eyes. “I’m not lying and I don’t know if it’s true bu—”

“Exactly, you don’t fucking know!” Black snarled. If it was possible he even looked more angry than last night.

Levi took a few steps back, fearing another beating and busted lip and a broken nose.

“Haven’t you wondered how there is no trace of her natural scent?” He asked and that caused Black to stiffen.

“Unlike other people, Willow can smell werewolves,” Levi said and a bit on his lower lip regretfully, that would not have happened if not for Louis. “But other than that, I gave her some pills to um...suppress her scent.”

“What!”

Levi moved away when Black drew closer. “It was for her own good, they’re just scent suppressants. Because of that, no one can sniff out her scent.”

Black tried to take Levi’s words just as he had said them. Suppressants? Why did he not think of that? Rogues did such things, they hid their scents and tried to attack packs by suppressing their scents.

“...And probably why you can’t tell if she is your mate or not.”