Chapter 16: Chapter 16

SIXTEEN

Somehow Caleb found himself driving to an unknown destination, following Edward’s direction. This was not how he had planned to end his day. Immediately after school ended, he was supposed to be back at home in his gaming room, challenging his gaming friends to many rounds. Instead, he was stuck being Edward’s chauffeur.

Since yesterday when Caleb had told Edward not to help him, the latter was more persistent to be his friend. Caleb felt like his shadow had come to life, that was the only way to describe how Edward constantly followed behind, beside and in front of him. Any normal person would have considered it to be irritating and stalker-ish but Caleb did not. At first, he had thought exactly that but after some time he realised that he liked Edward’s company more than he admitted.

He liked watching Edward struggle to get a reply from him or how he kept tucking loose strands of his long hair behind his hair. Edward’s eyes were also amazing to look into, dark brown eyes never seemed more interesting. Even the piercing on his eyebrow did not seem as intimidating as before.

Caleb kept his eyes on the road before looking down at Edward’s exposed arms. He had noticed that he always wore long-sleeved clothes to hide the tattoo—or that was probably because the weather was cold. Either way, Caleb couldn’t help but admire the tattoo and he wished he could see the others. Heat filled his cheeks when he remembered what Edward had said about the other tattoos and looked up at the road once again.

“Take a right,” Edward motioned for him to do that with his hands as well before looking at him.

“You said it wasn’t far,” Caleb grumbled, feigning irritation in his voice.

“Don’t be a drama queen, you’ve only been driving for twelve minutes.” Edward rolled his eyes.

“I live on the other side of the city, heck, I live outside the damn city.”

After getting out of their last class, Edward rushed over to Caleb’s car and asked for a ride. He had persuaded him by telling him that it was only a few minutes away and that he had walked if not for the muscle he pulled during gym class. Caleb had agreed after a while of putting on a thoughtful and displeased face.

“We can always turn and hang out at your place,” Edward suggested with a huge grin. “My sources tell me that you’re filthy rich.”

“Is that why you want to be my friend? Because I’m supposedly “filthy” rich?” Caleb asked and looked over at Edward with a raised eyebrow.

Edward laughed. “Of course not. I genuinely like you and find you intriguing but if you’re rich, it’d be a plus.” He defended himself. “So, are we going to your place?”

No matter how pleasing that sounded, Caleb could not just bring a human he barely knew to the pack. It would put the safety of the entire pack at risk. Even Isaac had never brought any of his friends or escapades to the pack when he was at school. There was an unsaid ‘NO HUMANS’ rule.

“No,” Caleb replied curtly. “Left, right or straight?” He asked when they reached a junction.

“Straight,” Edward replied. “Oh come on.” Edward stared at Caleb with a pleading face. “My sources also tell me that no one has seen the Sutton’s house. Do you guys live in some Palace? Or perhaps, y’all are like super famous and rich people that we don’t know?”

Caleb chuckled. “I wish.”

“Mhm, then you probably have some huge secret.”

Caleb smiled because that was true. They did have a very huge secret. The existence of a whole different species that were considered to be fictional and mythical, if that was not a huge secret then he did not want to know what could top that.

“Why don’t you just direct me to your supposed “near” house?” Caleb asked with a half smile.

Edward sank back into the seat and sighed. “I tried my best.” He muttered before looking outside the window with a huge smile. “Let’s stop there.” He tapped Caleb’s shoulder and pointed at an Italian restaurant.

Caleb looked at the building and shook his head.

“Come on Caleb! You already declined one thing and since you’re rich, it won’t be difficult to pay.” Edward tried to pull a face that looked like a pout.

Caleb laughed and turned to pack in front of the restaurant. “I’m really starting to think we’re only friends because you think I’m rich.”

Caleb opened the car door but didn’t get out of the car. He turned to face Caleb with a wider smile. “You called us friends!” He said excitedly.

Caleb’s eyes widened when he realized that he had in fact referred to them as friends. “And so?” He tried to play it cool by looking unfazed.

Edward’s smile was replaced with a smirk. “Well, just yesterday you said that we aren’t friends.”

Caleb opened his door and got out of the car before peering inside the vehicle. “Are you coming or not? My generosity is running low.” He warned, and that was all it took for Edward to get out of the car and follow behind him.

“After this, can we go get some expensive Louis Vuitton clothes?” Caleb turned to glare at him. Edward raised his arms in surrender and smiled goofily. “Just kidding.”

;-)

After eating, Caleb and Edward walked out of the restaurant. Edward had the restaurant pack the food that had remained because, according to him, it was too delicious to be thrown away. They got into the car, and Caleb started the car.

“Okay, so where is your house?” Caleb asked after reversing the car and turning to face Edward.

Having a meal with Edward was great, but he was certain that soon enough, either Isaac or Aleisa would start worrying if he did not go home sooner. And if that happened, somebody would come looking for him, most likely Black and he was not willing to face a pissed-off cousin.

“Oh, just turn and go the way we came from,” Edward replied nonchalantly.

Caleb turned to face him with a look of disbelief. “Did you treat me?”

Edward shrugged and put on an innocent face. “Me?... I told you that my house is not far from the school, driving this far was your doing.”

Caleb’s mouth opened wide in disbelief and he took a sharp turn. Edward jerked to the front and was held back by his seatbelt.

“Are you trying to kill me?!”

“You wouldn’t be the first. See my family runs a mafia and those that mess with me die horribly. And you, Edward just messed with me.” Caleb said with a scary look on his face, he turned to face Edward with a deadly glare for a brisk moment.

Edward’s eyes widened. “A-are you s-s-serious?” He asked with frightened eyes. “I have two younger sisters, a struggling single mother and I’m the only one that feeds the dog. Plus, I still have to get so many tattoos...a-and I still have to find my dad and kick his balls.”

Caleb took his eyes off the road for a second to show the other boy a grin. Edward looked at him with confused eyes before realization completely replaced the confusion and he lightly hit Caleb’s arm.

“Not cool bro.”

Caleb laughed. “Your face said otherwise. Now tell me for real where your house is, my brother is going to start worrying.”

“Fine.” Edward breathed out. “But don’t ever do that to someone.”

“Why would you believe that horrible lie?” Caleb laughed at the end.

Edward pursed his lips together before replying. “Well, you are intensely mysterious and good-looking. Have you watched any of those mafia movies? They are always handsome and mysterious and rich but the way. If you didn’t notice, you are all of those things.” Edward crossed his arms over his chest.

This boy was turning out very differently from what Caleb had envisioned in the beginning. With each interaction they had, he realized that Edward’s personality and behaviour were a huge contrast to his appearance. The piercing and long hair made him seem like bad news but he was the complete opposite of that.

“Do I look like I would survive in a mafia family?”

Edward looked at Caleb for a bit longer than Caleb would have preferred. It caused his cheeks to deepen in colour.

“Not really.” Edward laughed and uncrossed his arms.

They finally made it in front of Edward’s house. Caleb looked at the familiar road that led back to the school. He could even see the taller buildings of the school, it was probably less than a five-minute walk to get to the school. Edward had really tricked him terribly.

“You’re so fucking horrible.” He cursed and shook his head.

“Thanks, let’s do this again.” Edward gave Caleb a lopsided grin. He opened the door and got out of the car and jogged toward the house.

‘Of course, he lied about the muscle pull as well.’

Edward stopped and turned around before waving. Caleb smiled and waved back. He started the car and drove away, hoping to get in a few hours of gaming before doing his assignments and homework.

......

Alex looked around with his nose scrunched up and pointed up. This was not a good place to be, it reeked of rogues and they did not have the most pleasant scent. Despite the smell and the weird looks from the rogues in front of them, they kept walking.

Isaac did not think this was a good idea. There were more rogues here than he had thought, all of them littering the area. Subconsciously his hand went under his jacket, feeling the metal of the blade that was tucked there. Alex had advised them to carry weapons in case of miscommunication. He did not feel intimidated by the werewolves around them but he had to make sure to come out of this unscathed, Aleisa would have his head if he did not.

Black on the other hand was angry. Every time he looked at a rogue he imagined their hands on Willow and he wanted to smash their heads. But he had promised to stay calm, a mistake he had realised upon stepping out of the car. His eyes went up the building, it was truly a two-story building. His jaw clenched and it took his willpower to not attack any of the rogues that stood at the entrance of the club.

The club was filled with so many people, drinking and dancing away their night. The smell of alcohol and sweat mingled to form a choking smell. Black looked at the clueless humans and snickered lowly, most of them seemed young.

“Black?”

Black turned to the side to face Levi, who had a crate of beer in his hands. Levi looked beyond confused as his eyes moved from Black to Isaac and then to Alex. Soon the confused look in Levi’s jade eyes morphed into panic.

“What are you doing here?” Levi asked despite having a clue why they were there. An Alpha and a Beta stood in front of him. This could only mean chaos especially since there were so many rogues around.

“I’m here for Willow,” Black replied. Levi’s eyes remained on the other two men, easily sensing their dominating aura.

Alex sighed when he realised that Black would not introduce them. “You must be Levi Conley. My name is Alex.” He introduced himself and stretched his hand.

Levi looked at the hand sceptically, he looked up at Black once again but Black obviously seemed uninterested in what was going on. Levi shook Alex’s hand despite giving him a questioning look. Alex smiled at him, revealing perfect teeth.

“Isaac,” He introduced himself and also shook Levi’s hand which was stiff in his.

Levi looked at the men, an uncertain look on his face. He turned to face Black once again, the only face that he was familiar with.

“What are you doing here?” He repeated. “I’m certain that you aren’t here for a few drinks or...” Levi cut himself off.

Alex took the initiative of answering. “We want to see your brother, Louis Conley.” Levi knew the tone of Alex’s voice very well, he had met a number of Betas and he was no stranger to the “I’m not asking” tone.

“Louis?” Levi shrieked out. This was not going to go well at all. Knowing how egotistical Louis was, and how he was possessive over Willow. Things could easily turn sour.

“Yeah, could you please tell him he’s got visitors or better, take us where he is?” Black said.

Levi looked nervous, he looked at Black and sighed. He closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them. There were still a few more hours before Willow would arrive and hopefully, if a brawl did take place, she would not be in the middle of it.

“Come on.” Levi started leading them up the stairs.

Black looked around the place as they ascended the stairs. His senses were on high alert, searching for any trap. Even if Levi had said that he was only on Willow’s side, he could easily betray those words. If there was something he had learnt over the years, was that rogues could not be trusted.

The air on the second floor smelled strong of rogues and sex, and they could clearly hear the tortured sounds from behind the multiple doors. Black’s jaw clenched, his claws threatening to show. Levi knocked on a door and opened the door.

“Louis, some people wish to see you.” He said immediately and opened the door wider for them to enter.

Isaac’s eyes scanned the room that looked like an average office. It was so detestable for someone to even build an office and make money from such vile actions.

Louis stood up, shock clearly written on his face. “An Alpha.” Louis acknowledged, his tone bitter. He stared at Black and Alex as well before facing Isaac once again.

“Louis Conley.” Isaac acknowledged back in a firm tone. Black crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes scanning the room for any weapons. He had to be vigilant, it was a huge part of his training.

Louis smirked. “Mm...you know my name but unfortunately I know nothing about you.” He said. “May I know what an Alpha wants among the werewolves that are considered to be “trash” to our kind?”

Isaac kept his cool, trying not to succumb to the urge of hitting the man in front of him, only a wooden desk separating them. He had tried to see the good in rogues, see past their horrible behaviour. As Nina had advised him, he tried to believe that there were rogues that were worthy of trust but it was because of rogues like Louis that he never trusted them.

“Shut down whatever shit is going on her.” Isaac went direct to the point. It didn’t matter if initially, they had come for Black’s mate, after hearing the tortured sounds on this floor, he was disgusted and needed to make sure that it stopped.

Louis cocked an eyebrow. “You can’t tell me what to do.” He said and rested his hands on the desk, leaning forward.

“You’re near my pack and doing illegal shit, I think I can tell you what to do.” Isaac said with a lot of emphasis on ‘can’.

Louis laughed. “Tell me what to do. Funny.” He paused and looked over to Alex. “Beta, you must be very aware of the werewolf laws. I’m a rogue and your Alpha can’t tell me what to do, isn’t it?” His mocking tone was stronger than before.

“And, it’s a free country. I’m only doing business and not threatening anyone’s pack. You can’t threaten me.”

Black moved forward, but Alex’s hand in front of him stopped him from going further. Black faced Alex with a clenched jaw, but Alex only shook his head as a ‘no’.

Alex stepped forward. “Since we can’t do anything about this...” Alex looked around. “–we will settle for something else, for now.”

“What is this? Some fucking business trade?” Louis asked. “I don’t care about what you want. How about you leave my building and you and your pack won’t regret it.”

Isaac growled threateningly. “I’ll break your neck.”

Levi stood at the corner of the room, silently watching the other men in the room. The tension in the room was so strong, he wondered if any of them could realize how strong their aura could be, especially Isaac.

“Oh no, please, not my neck, I’m just a useless and pathetic rogue.” Louis fake cried, the sarcasm dripping from his words. “Leave my club!”

Black pushed in front of Isaac and Alex. He glared at Louis, making him flinch and take a step back. Black leaned forward, satisfied that he had managed to intimidate Louis.

“I really don’t want anything more than to hit your face.” He said through clenched teeth. “Willow Doyle is never going to come here ever again and you won’t even dare to say her name, threaten her or try to trick her.”

Louis’s eyebrows scrunched up when he got over the fear. “Willow? Why would I stay away from her, she’s my girlfrie—”

Black growled and hit his fist on the desk. “Don’t you dare!”

Isaac’s hand rested on Black’s shoulder but he shrugged it off. “Never look in her line of direction or go anywhere near her or else I will be the one to end your pathetic life,” Black warned with a promise of fulfilling it.

Louis was caught off guard. “Why her? She makes me more money than anyone, even my brother uses his entire paycheck on her.”

Black’s eyes immediately sought out Levi, throwing daggers at him because of Louis’s words. Levi couldn’t stand the intense stare and raised his arms in surrender. He had been standing silently in the corner of the room until his brother decided to feed him to the scary wolf.

“I’ve never done anything with Willow that she wouldn’t consent to. She’s my best friend and like a sister to me. I wouldn’t even dream of it.” He explained quickly before he ended up with bruises once again. “I did it to help her.”

Louis laughed. “Of course he wouldn’t fuck her or even dream of doing it.” Levi flinched at the tone of his brother, knowing full well what he meant.

“Willow being free from your clutches is just the beginning of the end of this place. Forget the club, pack your rogues up and leave this place and let the innocent people on this floor free.”

“Once again Alpha, you can’t tell me what to do!” Louis retorted, losing his cool.

Black leaned further, stretching his body beyond the desk. He scanned Louis up and down before straightening his body once again. A smug smirk took over his lips.

“You’re getting side-tracked. Willow no longer knows you and the same goes for you, okay ?”

Louis looked at Black with a thoughtful look before shaking his head. “No. Willow is mine.”

“Louis please jus—”

“Shut up Levi!” Louis glared at Levi before focusing his attention on Black once again. “What’s so special about Willow that a pack’s most powerful members would bother to argue with a rogue?”

“All you need to know is that she is special enough for me to disregard all the werewolf laws.” Black snarled back.

Louis dramatically held his chest. “Damn!... She’s your mate, isn’t she?” He asked and laughed when Black did not bother to refuse.

“Mmhm Willow, what an easy one she was.” Louis mocked and slicked his tongue over his lips. “Worth it too.”

“Fuck you!” Black growled and grabbed Louis’s collar. His arm was held back when he was about to take a swing after Louis’s face.

Black looked down at the hand holding his arms furiously, ready to hit the one that had held him back. Alex glared back at Black.

“You promised, not everything can be solved with fists,” Alex told Black.

Black released his hold on Louis and stepped back. Alex looked at Louis.

“You asked me if I am aware of werewolf laws, indeed I am,” Alex said. “And because Willow is a mate of one of the members of our pack, she is now a member of Mediam Noctem Sidus and because of that, you can’t threaten her as it will be seen that you are threatening the entire pack.” He continued to explain.

“Need more detail?” Alex asked when he saw the enraged look on Louis’s face. “Willow doesn’t belong to you anymore, she’s ours.”