Chapter 18: Chapter 18

EIGHTEEN

Willow could not focus, even when Charlotte said bye as she left for work or as she worked, she could not stop feeling uneasy. Was it not weird? Could she not question how sudden what happened last night was?

She wanted to take Levi’s word as it was but she had so many questions. The biggest question was how come she was free. Louis just decided to let her be? That did not even make sense, she had known Louis long enough to know that he was not yet done with her.

Her only conclusion was that Levi had done something that could potentially put both of them at risk. Why else would he not tell her how it happened? He kept changing the subject when she tried to talk about it the previous night and he had done the same when she had texted him in the morning.

“Earth to Willow!” Millie called out and snapped her fingers in front of Willow’s face. Willow looked up with wandering eyes and sighed when she realised that she had zoned off.

“What’s up with you? You’re usually not this distracted.” Millie wanted to know.

“Ugh! I just have a lot on my mind, don’t worry ‘bout it.” Willow flicked her wrist to let Millie know that it was not a huge problem.

Millie leaned forward and her lips tugged upward. “Could your endless train of thoughts possibly be about 2...no three, good-looking men?”

Men. Yes, her problem resonated with men. If it were not for a man named Levi, she would not be overthinking something she had been wishing to happen for so long. If it were not for Louis, she would have never even found herself in such a position. And if it were not for Black, she would not be questioning her sanity and emotions.

All her problems stemmed from men. Perhaps she just needed a break from all of me, maybe she could find some island with women only. If only she was living a normal life like everyone else and swooning over the fictional characters in movies and books about mythical creatures. It was totally a different story for her, she knew better...those mythical creatures actually existed.

“What?” Willow decides to play dumb. Levi had told her about how a waitress had tried to flirt with him when he was waiting for her. Willow had guessed that it was Millie, her being the only person capable of that.

“Don’t play dumb.” Millie lightly smacked Willow’s arm. “You have a totally hot boyfriend, then there’s that guy that’s been showing up recently and asking for you...”

“Black,”

“...who is also mouth-watering and the other day Louis’s younger brother was also looking for you, let’s not forget that he is also my type. Why would you not tell me that your hot boyfriend has a hot brother? You could have at least tried to advertise me...” Millie cried out.

“Levi?... Millie, the guy looked like he came from a fight club that day. And besides that, he is younger than you.”

Millie rolled her eyes. “ And so? Age shouldn’t restrict romance.” She shrugged at the end.

Willow ended up laughing at that, even if she had tried to set them up she knew that Levi would not be interested. The boy totally believed in all that soulmate crap that werewolves were lucky enough to experience.

“How do you even find such handsome guys, every guy I know is average looking. How lucky are you?”

Willow looked to the side and chuckled. Could she even consider it luck? All she wanted was to wake up and say this is all a bad dream but it was real as it gets. Millie only spoke this way because she was not aware. Willow would never wish for anyone to experience what she did.

“Listen, Millie, you have to look past a person’s looks and focus on their perso—”

The sound of the door opening and a customer stopping in front of the counter cut Willow’s words or advice. They both turned to the customer.

“Hello, what would you like?” Willow asked with a customer-friendly smile on her face.

The boy on the other side of the counter was clicking at his phone’s screen, attention solely on the gadget in front of him. Willow waited patiently for him with a customer-friendly smile.

“Just give me a sec,” Caleb replied and quickly typed the same question to Aleisa.

If only Aleisa had asked him earlier to get dinner, he would not have had to stop here. He would have bought the food while still in the city, where he had a lot of options. Maybe he would have even spent more time with Edward on the pretext of looking for food.

Other than that, this little town on the outskirts reeked of rogues and he was not comfortable being exposed like this. Hopefully, he would not have to bump into any rogue werewolves. If anything, he hoped to bump into Black’s mate instead...but that idea evaporated when he remembered that he knew nothing about how she looked.

As expected, Aleisa’s reply was a simple ‘Anything’. He should have been able to guess that. She could eat everything and had no allergies or whatever, not any he knew of anyway.

Caleb looked up from his phone. “Um Anything that is dinner worthy?” he asked awkwardly but pauses and sniffed the air.

His face scrunched up and his eyes pierced at the waitress, it was faint but he could smell the scent of rogues on her and another one that he was unable to make out exactly. His head tilted in confusion because he did not know how to confront the situation.

Willow saw the look on the customer’s face and her eyebrows knitted in confusion.

‘Why is this teenage boy looking at me like an enemy?’

She froze when realization kicked in and she cursed at herself internally for not noticing earlier, like immediately when he had entered the store. It was just that he looked like any normal teenager, with tousled hair, headphones around his neck and attention fully on his phone.

This young boy was definitely a werewolf but she could tell that he was like Black, he was not a rogue like Levi or Louis. He looked so harmless and familiar. Perhaps the dark brown hair and ocean blue eyes reminded her of someone. Willow was certain that she had met someone who looked similar.

“S–sure...” She caught herself from doing anything wrong and quickly moved from the counter.

She quickly rushed to the kitchen and closed the door with a heavy sigh. Running into werewolves always scared her more than she admitted. Even if the boy out there looked innocent, it did not change the fact that he could shift into a wolf that could easily kill her. She had never met a young werewolf, meeting one only made this even more real.

‘Are there like baby Werewolves too? Don’t they have a danger of going extinct? They should become extinct.’

She could not shake the thought that she had seen him somewhere or someone who looked like him. She shakily walked over to the cook to give the not-so-clearly stated order.

Millie walked into the kitchen. “He said it should be enough for six or seven people.”

Willow nodded even though Millie’s words were the last of her concerns.

“Oh and Louis’s brother is also here...” Millie paused and looked more confused than Willow had been. “...I don’t know but it seems like he knows the customer.”

Willow’s eyes widened. Now those words concerned her. If Levi was here and so was that teenage boy, would they go for each other’s throats? Rogues and werewolves in packs didn’t get along, isn’t it?

“What?!” She shrieked and rushed out of the kitchen. Her eyes frantically searched the front but neither Levi nor the blue-eyed boy was there. Her eyes went on to search the entire restaurant but none of them was there.

“Oh no!” Her hand went over her mouth before she turned to face Millie who was following behind her.

“Why are you panicking?” Millie questioned. “You looked spooked as if you saw a dead body.”

“Where is Levi? And the customer?”

“They must be outside or something, it looked like they needed to take their conversation outside,” Millie said awkwardly with a light blush covering her cheeks. “You could’ve just told me you know, it’s not like I would have judged.”

Willow rushed outside the restaurant, Millie’s chatter could wait. The last thing they needed was a dead body near the building, customers would reduce. She rushed to the side of the building when she saw no one in front except for a car that she could never afford in her lifetime.

“Levi!” She shouted out as she took a corner and paused in her tracks when she saw him. “L-levi?” she stuttered out in a low voice.

What was harder to believe, the existence of werewolves or catching your “best friend” pinning a teenage boy to the wall with their lips locked? Willow would have probably said the latter on any other day but on this day, she was not certain. The existence of werewolves seemed more fake than what she was looking at.

Levi pulled away from Caleb and looked at Willow with panic in his eyes. He did not want this to happen, this was not how he pictured things to happen. He did not want to lose the only friend he had. The look on Willow’s face scared him.

“Wi—” He began slowly.

“You fucking asshole!” She yelled at him immediately after getting over the shock. She was more angry than shocked. “Why didn’t you fucking tell me?”

She walked over to him and stood in front of him, a pissed-off look on her face. Levi tried to speak once again but she did not let him.

“Is this what being best friends is for werewolves? You don’t tell them shit!” She breathed out. “I tell you everything, Levi...I told you about Louis, my parents, Charlotte...I also told you about Black.” Her voice lowered as the anger subsided to disappointment and hurt.

“Willow, I swear I wanted to tell you but—”

Willow shook her head. “I trust you with my life but you couldn’t trust me with your sensuality?... God, you’re gay and never told me.”

“I was scared. It’s not exactly easy to tell people that you don’t agree with the standard way of doing things.” Levi cut in, trying to defend himself.

Willow rolled her eyes. “Levi, you know me. I would never judge you or anything like that.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “I’m just very disappointed that you would not trust me.”

She turned and tried to walk away but Levi grabbed her wrist. “Wai—”

Willow turned around, tears starting to spill out of her eyes. “I’ll call you,” She said to him and he let go of her hand.

Willow silently turned the corner and walked back into the restaurant with her face facing the ground. Why did Levi not trust her? Was she not enough as a friend? Did she seem like the type to judge?

Levi was the only person that knew her and all the scars that tainted her. She trusted him. Was it too much to ask for him to trust her as well? He could have at least said something. They had discussed the topic of love so many times, why did he not mention that he liked boys?

She walked to the changing room in the back and sat down to cool down her emotions. This was very heartbreaking, Levi was the last person she expected to break her heart in such a way. She did not expect him to be the one to cause her tears.

......

Willow remained in the changing room until she was calm enough to go back to the front. She knew that her eyes were red and her face was probably flushed from crying but she could not stay hidden forever. Millie or anyone else would have stumbled into the room and found her crying, that was the last thing she needed.

The day passed by so quickly, and she found herself walking down the road...the same road she and Levi took walks on. She sighed heavily and ran a hand through her hair. Her bag was slung over her shoulder, she had not even yet gone home.

She looked up at the sky, it was not yet completely dark. The sun had not fully set, orange and red dusting the near-dark sky and the crescent moon above her. She stood for a while and thought about Levi.

What was he doing right now? She had never seen that boy before and even if he looked somehow familiar, she was certain that she had never seen him before. How come Levi knew him, and they seemed to share a deep relationship? The way they had kissed showed that.

‘Maybe I’ve seen him with Levi before.’ She decided that was the only thing that made sense. ‘He looked like a minor though. Can’t Levi be arrested for something like that?’

The image of Levi pinning the boy to the way with his arms around him coursed through her mind once again. Willow shook her head, trying to forget that her own friend had betrayed her trust. Levi had not treasured the friendship they shared. Why could he not trust her like she did him?

“Ugh!” She groaned and kicked the air in frustration. “I’m so fucking hungry, I need to go home.”

She turned around and started walking back home. She took her phone out of the bag and looked at the screen, checking if Charlotte had called or texted. The picture of her smiling with Levi's arm around her neck which was set as the home screen wallpaper made her switch it off and swallow down a huge lump.

Her pace increased and her house came into view soon enough. The work of waiting tables and taking orders was tiring and her feet were killing her. It would all be better once she was at home, in her bed and in the dark. Her shoulders sank when she remembered that there was no electricity at home. The gas stove was helpful but there was only so much you could do with non-perishable food.

Charlotte had bought more of grains than meat because the refrigerator was not working anymore. Willow thought of the money she had kept in her room from all the tips she had received, it was supposed to be for Charlotte’s birthday present.

‘Should I use it to pay some of the bills?’ She asked herself.

“But if I do that, I won’t be able to get her something sensible.”

She groaned once more. A black car was parked in front of the house. Her steps quickened, panic eating her up. She did not know anyone with such a car. None of her distant relatives were rich enough to own such a car. The only person she knew who had such a car did not know where she lived, or did he?

“Oh no!” She peered inside the car, no one was in the car.

Willow rushed inside the house. Black was seated and Charlotte was on the opposite couch smiling at him. Willow stopped in her tracks and looked at them.

“Black?”

Charlotte stood up and walked over to Willow and scowled. “Willow, I didn’t know that you and Louis broke up.”

Willow’s eyes widened and when she met Black’s eyes, she knew that he was the one who told her. She closed her eyes and prayed that he had not told her everything. The last thing she needed was Charlotte blaming herself for something she knew nothing of.

“I wouldn’t have found out if your friend here didn’t tell me. Why did you hide him from me, he’s an amazing company.”

“What?” Willow’s eyebrows rose.

Maybe it was because she had no memory of her and Black having a good conversation. He was not her friend even if she had a huge crush on him, he was far from even being a friend to her. That being said, he had no reason to come to her house and tell his aunt anything.

“Yeah, Black was just telling me about how you me—”

“I’m sorry Char but I need to speak to Black.” Willow cut off Charlotte and looked over to Black once again. Signalling for him to follow her outside.

Black followed her and leaned against his car. It felt like it had been so long since he had last seen her. Maybe the revelation that she could be his mate was too much for him but he now wanted her to be beside him every time. He did not want to have to leave her without protection in this small and rogue-infested town. The pack, and his house would be safer.

“Are you insane?” She began. “Why would you come to my house? Who even gave you my address?”

“Background check.”

Willow laughed bitterly and looked at him with angry eyes. “I should have guessed.” She scoffed.

“Either way, it’s illegal and I’m going to call the police on you. You have no right to come to my house. Do you know what this is called?... Stalking, you’re literally stalking me!”

“But is this not how humans do things?” Black asked curiously.

“What do you mean? Why did you even tell Charlotte anything? She’s my aunt and it is supposed to be my decision to tell her things.”

Willow paced in front of Black and ran both hands down her head. “Fuck! Can I just get a break?” She muttered.

“Which question should I answer first?” Black asked.

Willow looked exhausted and it was getting colder as the sky darkened. As much as he found her scolding at him adorable, he had to make sure she did not stay out in the cold for too long. He opened the back door of his car and took out a jacket and put it around her.

Willow looked up at him, her eyes wide and cheeks blew. Black smiled. Maybe it was the sweet gesture or the smile but Willow realized that this was growing into more than a crush. Even his green eyes shined more than she remembered, looking into her plain ones more intensely.

“W-what are you doing?” She asked in a low voice.

“Caleb told me that I have to meet your family before I ask you to move in with me,” Black replied.

Willow stepped back. “Huh?!” Confusion seemed to be a prominent part of this day. “Move in?”

Black nodded. “He also told me not to tell you that yet,” He added and ran a hand through his hair. This was not going as planned, his nerves were working against him.

“Okay...um, let’s go out for dinner.”

Willow squinted her eyes and smiled. This was becoming amusing. “What? You want to go on a date with me?”

“Yes.”

Willow pinched the bridge of her nose. Even if Black looked cute right now, she knew better. Louis had also looked cute once upon a time.

“Why? What about your mate?” She asked even though it felt bitter to imagine a woman by his side.

Black scowled. “I don’t have a mate.”

“And when you meet her?” Willow asked, fury starting to fill her up.

“Does it matter? I like you now and wish to have a date with you.” Black replied, not looking bothered.

Willow scoffed. “It does matter. It matters to me and to whoever your mate will be. Personally, if I were a werewolf I would not like to find my mate with another man.”

“Wi—”

“Please leave. This day has been unnecessary for me.” She cut him off and turned around. She rushed into the house and closed the door behind her.

Her eyes welled up with tears as she walked into the living room and sat down. Charlotte sat next to her and pulled her into her embrace, massaging her scalp while patting her arm. Willow cried even more, unshed tears from everything that had happened to date. She cried for her parents, the way she had easily fallen into Louis's trap, her friendship with Levi and the intense feelings she was developing for Black.

“I know that you don’t tell me a lot of things and I hope that one of these days, you will trust me enough to tell me everything. I will always be there for you, Willow. I may not be your mother or my brother but I love you like my daughter.” Charlotte said to her in a soothing voice.

Willow shook her head, tears still running down her face. She trusted Charlotte, she just did not want her to feel burdened. She did not want to endanger one of the only people she considered family. For Charlotte to be safe, she had to keep her out of the loop.

“He t-told me th-that...he liked m-me.” She muttered in between her cries and sniffles.

Silence followed before Charlotte spoke. “I don’t doubt that. Black seems fond of you.”

Willow untangled herself from Charlotte’s hold. “I didn’t tell you th-that it’s h-him.” She furiously wiped at her tears.

“He’s the only other man I know of in your life, well considering I just found out about him but still,” Charlotte replied and pulled Willow into her arms once again. “I guess it can’t be Louis ‘cause you broke up and it most definitely can’t be Levi.” She laughed lightly at that.

“Why not?”

“Well, Levi is more like a younger brother to you and if you ask me, he looks a bit gay.” She whispered the last part.

Willow laughed at the irony. “What should I do, Char?”

Charlotte pretended to be thinking for a few seconds. “That’s easy, follow your heart.”

Willow scoffed unamused. “You sound like a parent in a novel or movie,”

“Am I wrong though?”

“Following my heart put me in this mess in the first place,” Willow murmured.

“We all make mistakes especially when it involves matters of the heart. You never know if it is just a ridiculous infatuation or if you actually love the person. That is why we take time to know each other, dear niece.”

“Pfft...are you in love, Ms experience?” Willow joked.

“You may never know,” Charlotte replied with a flick of her hair. Willow laughed and stretched her body, to lay on the couch with her head on Charlotte’s lap.

“I had a fight with Levi...well, not exactly but something like that.”

“Really? Did you fight with Levi? It sounds weird to even say it.” Charlotte let out. “I trust that you guys will be glued to the hip by tomorrow. Friends fight ya know.”

Willow nodded and turned to face the television.

“Want something to eat?” Charlotte asked and Willow nodded.

Charlotte stood up after Willow straightened her body. Charlotte got the remote and switched on the television making Willow’s eyes bulge with shock. As Charlotte walked to the kitchen, Willow looked around and finally realised that the house was bathed in light. It was no longer dark.

“Char, when did you pay the electricity bill?!” She shouted out.

“Oh, I didn’t. Black insisted to do it.” She replied as she walked back into the room with two plates. “Come one, let’s eat.”