Chapter 21: Chapter 21

TWENTY‐ONE

Caleb was far from okay, Levi could tell. The poor boy kept fidgeting in his seat. Levi did not want to do this, he was very convinced that it was too early...both for Caleb and Willow. But just as Caleb had put it, this was the best way to do it. If they delayed this any further, there could be unfathomable consequences. Willow’s panic attack had proven that

Levi had been in a lot of difficult situations, especially ones that involved his brother but this could probably top all the others. Not only did his best friend need his support but so did his mate. Among all that, he also needed to sort his own thoughts and emotions about the entire situation.

Not less than hours ago, only Louis knew about his sexuality but now, he had to reveal to an angry and possessive Alpha that his brother was his mate. He looked over at Caleb once more who was biting down on his bottom lip nervously and fiddling with his fingers.

He could understand how anxious Caleb was, he knew even he was anxious. Coming out to other people was very difficult. Even if others made it look easy, it was very difficult. Different questions always came to mind, like whether people would accept you or not. And Levi had noticed that people acted, spoke and treated those of different sexuality differently. It was so clear.

If you are gay, girls immediately think you like to paint your nails and offer fashion advice whereas if you are lesbian, people think you’re more of a tomboy. There was no easy way either way. The fear of being rejected and judged was the strongest. Levi knew that very much, his own brother had been disgusted by him.

As they neared the pack, Levi grabbed Caleb’s hand and glanced over at his mate, offering him a small comforting smile before turning back to face the road.

Caleb’s face flushed at the contact, the gesture making him feel different emotions. He looked at his mate who was now focused on driving but still rubbing his hand with his thumb. Caleb’s heart swelled with happiness and he understood what Aleisa said when she said finding your mate was the best thing ever. He wanted to do nothing more but have Levi’s arms around him.

He closed his eyes for a second and exhaled. No matter how things went, he was glad to have Levi by his side.

Just as Caleb had expected, the car came to a stop when they reached the pack’s gates. Mate was at the gate just like everything when he was on duty. Caleb rolled down the window to greet him.

Mateo’s dark eyes scanned the inside of the car just as the window rolled down. He knew that it was Caleb’s car but like every trained warrior in the pack, he could obviously smell the rogue. He frowned when he saw the person in the driver’s seat and turned to Caleb with a questioning frown.

“You go missing for a day and come back with a rogue?” Mateo asked in a strained voice, he was uneasy because of the jade-eyed rogue in the car.

“Don’t worry, he’s not trouble.” Caleb defended his mate.

Mateo shook his head, the frown still on his face. “I’m not dumb, I can smell him on you.” He said.

Caleb immediately realised that it would not take a great deal for his family to realise that Levi was his mate. Just as Mateo could tell, Isaac and everyone else would be able to do the same.

Caleb paused for a while, chewing on the inside of his cheek before he spoke. “Is Isaac very mad?”

“Oh, he’s mad alright!” Mateo exclaimed. “I’d advice you to keep him away from the Alpha until shit is finally calm.” Mateo’s eyes glance over at Levi as he spoke.

Caleb cursed under his breath and looked over at Levi apologetically. Levi shook his head and squeezed Caleb’s hand.

“It’s gonna be alright and you won’t have to hide me, I’ll face your brother,” Levi said bravely.

Caleb shook his head. “No, Isaac will be really angry and I’d hate it if he hurt you.”

“I’ll be fine, besides I expect a punch or a kick at the least.” Levi tried to lighten the mood but Caleb was not so pleased with the joke

“Come on, don’t be so worried.” He said and Caleb sighed.

“Best of luck bro,” Mateo waved as the gates opened.

The drive to the house felt shorter than usual to Caleb. He directed Levi with no difficulty but when the house finally came into view, Caleb was shaking. Levi stopped the car in front of the house and looked at Caleb.

He stretched and kissed Caleb’s temple, making the other boy forget about his current worry as he turned and held his mate’s face. Caleb pulled Levi into a kiss. He felt himself relax when their lips met and when they pulled away, a small smile graced his face.

“I—”

Caleb could not finish his words. Aleisa and Black walked out of the house and Caleb had no other option but to pull away from his mate.

When they both stepped out of the car, the looks on Aleisa and Black’s faces were clear enough.

“Caleb!” The relief in Aleisa’s voice was very clear as she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I was so worried.”

Caleb smiled and hugged her back. “Where’s Isaac?”

Aleisa pulled away. “He’s at the pack house. He’s very worried you know. How could you just disappear like that?”

Black walked over to them. “What is he doing here?” He glared at Levi.

Everyone’s attention turned to Levi. Caleb could hear the bitterness in Black’s voice. He decided to ignore that and instead moved closer to Levi and smiled at his mate.

“I found my mate,” He declared with a smile as he looked into Levi’s eyes.

Aleisa gasped. “Oh my god! You’re gay!?”

Caleb nodded slowly. He was waiting for the rejection despite knowing that Aleisa was not like that.

“Wow! I can’t believe you never told me.” She shook her head in disbelief. Aleisa walked over to Levi and scanned him from head to toe and nodded.

“Well, he is good-looking.” She complimented making Levi even more self-aware.

“...and he’s a rogue,” Black added in a repulsive tone.

Levi tensed and Caleb immediately sensed his mate’s anxiety. Caleb got hold of Levi’s hand before glaring at Black.

“More than that, he is my mate.” Caleb retorted, putting emphasis on ‘my’.

Black scoffed and walked closer. “This bastard could be using you.”

Caleb’s glare deepened. Of everything that could happen, he did not expect that anyone would judge Levi for being a rogue. His jaw tensed and he had never felt such anger towards his own family.

“Who cares what you think? Levi is my mate and I expected you to be more responsive than this.” Caleb spat.

Levi could feel Caleb’s anger, he tightened his hold on his hand when he tried to move forward. When Caleb turned to face him, he shook his head. An argument or possible fight was the last thing they needed.

“Responsive? Ha!” Black rolled his eyes. “You disappear for a day, call on Willow’s Phone and appear with him by your side as your mate?... How exactly do you want me to feel?”

“I expect you not to be an ass,”

Black stepped forward and growled lowly. Levi pulled Caleb behind him when he noticed how angry Black looked. It reminded him of the night he had beat him to a pulp. If anything, Levi would rather Black hit him again than let Caleb feel any pain.

Black looked unimpressed when he saw what Levi did.

Aleisa noticed the growing chaos in front of her and decided to step in.

“Black, step back.” She ordered. Black looked at her and sighed before stepping back.

“Caleb, it’s alright. I don’t know why Black is being more of a pain than usual.” Aleisa said which earned her a glare from Black.

Aleisa ignored him. “It doesn’t matter who is a rogue or whatever, what does matter is that Caleb found his mate.” She said with a happy smile.

Caleb’s arms wrapped around Levi as he breathed in his mate’s scent to help him calm down. Aleisa smiled at them, it reminded her just how smitten she was with Isaac. Even if she did not know that Caleb was gay, she was happy that he found his other half.

Aleisa was about to invite them inside when another car stopped behind Caleb’s. Isaac jumped out of the car and walked over to them looking more dishevelled than ever.

Isaac’s eyes immediately found his younger brother who was hiding behind another male. He frowned and growled lowly. He could not believe that a rogue would dare to enter his pack. And other than that, he could not believe that the said rogue smelled like his brother.

“Mateo was right?” He asked himself as he stopped in front of Levi.

Caleb did not dare to look up at his brother. The last thing he wanted to face was Isaac’s anger.

“Caleb,” Isaac called but Caleb shook his head. Levi smiled nervously at Isaac.

“Caleb,” Isaac called once more in a more stern voice and Caleb looked up at him. “He’s your mate?”

Caleb nodded slowly and held onto Levi even tighter.

Isaac sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe this. How complicated can you guys be? One has a human and the other a rogue.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that you...you preferred boys?” Isaac asked.

“You never asked,” Caleb replied causing Isaac to frown.

“I’m serious Caleb.” Isaac’s voice turned stern.

Caleb remained silent and Levi decided to intervene. “He was just scared,”

Isaac averted his gaze from his hidden brother to Levi and glared. “Don’t say anything, I might just snap your neck,” Isaac warned with an intense glare.

Levi took one step back in fear. The fact that Isaac was an Alpha that could easily end his life scared him. Despite his evident fear, Levi’s hold on Caleb tightened.

“Isaac, don’t be so dramatic.” Aleisa decided to step in and rested her hand on Isaac’s chest.

Isaac looked down at her, ready to argue but the look on Aleisa’s face was enough for him to swallow back his words.

Caleb dared to reveal his entire body from behind Levi when he saw his brother’s shoulders relaxing. Isaac looked at his brother before huffing and walking away towards the trees that surrounded the house. After a while, a loud growl rang through the air. Everyone flinched and looked in the direction where the sound came from.

Aleisa sighed and looked back at the new couple. “Don’t mind him, he’ll come back after a run.” She said. “...Let’s go inside now.”

Aleisa smiled at them and pointed toward the house. Caleb looked over at Black who was still glaring at Levi and sighed. He remembered that Willow was still unconscious in the back of the car. He tugged at Levi’s coat and pointed at the car.

Levi immediately got the hint and looked up at Black, meeting the other man’s intense glare. “Um...Willow is in the car, she fell unconscious.” He said awkwardly.

“What!?” Black exclaimed before rushing over to the car and wasting no time to open the door and carry Willow in his arms.

Black looked over Aleisa, panic setting on his face. “Call the doctor!”

......

“She just needs some time to rest. She passed out because of stress and shock, otherwise, she’ll be fine.” The doctor explained as she packed her kit and looked at her Luna. “I advise that you let her rest.”

Aleisa nodded and motioned for the doctor to follow her. Black was standing next to the bed while holding on tight to Willow’s hand. His eyes were intensely focused on her, watching her face and waiting for her eyes to open. In spite of the doctor telling them not to worry, Black could not help but worry.

He was very aware that Willow overworked herself and with everything that had happened to her, she deserved a break...a really long break. His other hand went up to her hair and caressed it. How much he had wished to do that, to trace the freckles on her face and to wrap his arms around her...to call her his.

“Black,” Caleb called out and Black snapped back at him. “Willow had a panic attack before losing consciousness.” He said nervously.

“What?”

“She used to get panic attacks but she hasn’t experienced any until...this,” Levi added and looked over at his best friend. “It happened after she found out that she’s your mate.”

Black was silent but the fury on his face was very clear. “How the heck did that happen?” He asked.

“I-I...sh-she...It just happened.” Caleb stuttered out. He held on tighter to Levi.

Black released a breath and looked away from them. “You should have told the doctor.”

“Willow wouldn’t like it,”

Black snapped back and glared at Levi. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“I know that it seems messed up for me to say this but, I know that Willow is okay. She’s way stronger than she seems. And she hates it the most when people find out about her past or the panic attacks.”

Black sighed, his hold on Willow’s hand tightened. “Leave.” He ordered with his eyes solely on Willow’s face.

Caleb looked at the floor and tugged at Levi’s shirt. When he saw the unconvinced look on Levi’s face, he knew that he had to get his mate out of the room before Black grew more upset. Black needed some time with his mate.

“Come on, we have to talk to Isaac.” That got Levi moving. He held his mate’s hand and followed as they walked out of the room.

Caleb led Levi to his room. Levi looked around the room, it seemed more plain than he thought. Except for the gaming equipment, nothing in the room gave a hint of Caleb’s personality. Levi took a seat on the bed and looked at Caleb who was seated next to him.

“I didn’t expect your room to be this well...plain.”

Caleb looked around and shook his head. “It’s not actually my room.” He replied. “My room is upstairs but I moved down here because of the noise up there.”

Levi gave him a confused look and he smiled. “Kace is a very loud baby plus Aleisa and Isaac are pretty loud despite the soundproofing.”

Levi made a face that made Caleb chuckle. Levi smiled when he saw the smile on Caleb's face. He wrapped an arm around him and kissed his temple. Caleb moved to wrap his arms around Levi’s waist.

“I want my family to accept you. To accept us.” Caleb said in a low voice.

Levi nodded and kissed Caleb’s cheeks. “Trust me, I want the same exact thing.”

Caleb moved to Levi’s lap, basically straddling him and looked into his mate’s jade-green eyes. Over the last hours that he had spent with Levi, Caleb grew to love Levi’s eyes more and more. He smiled and leaned down to peck Levi’s lips.

“I feel very lucky,”

Caleb’s arms went around Levi’s neck. Levi wasted no time to join their lips once again in a deeper kiss. His hands went down to Caleb’s waist, holding him firm as their tongues tangled in a hot mess.

Caleb’s hands went up to Levi’s head, skimming through the tangled locks just as Levi’s hand went down to cup Caleb’s butt. When Caleb gasped against his lips, Levi took the chance to flip them around. Levi held Caleb’s hips with one hand as the other went under his shirt.

Caleb shivered at the feel of Levi’s hand teasing his skin, cold fingers running down his warm skin. He kissed Levi back with as much fervour as he could. The feelings that Levi was inciting in his body all bundled up and went straight south. He wrapped his legs around Levi, pulling him closer.

Levi pulled away to kiss Caleb’s neck while his hand glided up to the boy’s chest, teasing his nipple. Levi could feel himself getting riled up with need, a need to take his mate right then. Caleb looked like a mess below him and he wanted nothing more than to delve into the chaotic mess.

“Levi,” Caleb half moaned and cried out.

Levi hummed as he kept his mouth on Caleb’s neck.

“I-i...w-we ca-can’t—” Caleb’s sentence caught in his throat when Levi nipped at his skin and pressed down on his nipple. Another moan escaped Caleb’s mouth, louder than before.

A loud knock on the door cut any further action. “Caleb! I swear, you better not be letting that boy fuck you.” Isaac’s voice boomed from the other side of the door.

Caleb untangled his body from Levi and shuffled away from him. Levi sighed and looked at Caleb longingly, the tent in his pants feeling too tight and painful.

Caleb gave Levi a small sheepish smile. “Later,” He whispered as his eyes wandered down to Levi’s crotch.

Levi mustered up a “You better keep your promise” look before patting down his hair. Caleb looked at the door and sighed, he stood up and went to open the door. Isaac’s displeased scowl was the first thing he met.

Isaac’s hair was a mess and Caleb could easily tell that his brother had gone for a rough run. The bags under his eyes also communicated how worried Isaac had been about his brother’s safety. Isaac’s eyes went down to Caleb’s neck and he glared at the mark that was forming on his brother’s neck.

“I still can’t believe you didn't tell me something like this,” Isaac said in a hurt voice that broke Caleb.

“Isa—”

“I just...I thought we were deeper than that, you know. I raised you, I thought you considered me your parent, brother and best friend.”

“Isaac,” Caleb sniffled before stepping closer to his brother and hugging him.

Isaac rested his head on Caleb’s shoulder. “I’m really sorry for not being a good brother.” Isaac apologised but Caleb shook his head..

“You’re more than that. I love you so much a-and I’m s-so sorry.” Caleb’s tears fell to Isaac’s shirt.

They remained in each other’s embrace as Levi watched them only a few steps away. He could see the bond that the two brothers shared, it was very strong, unlike his and Louis’s. It pained him more to remember that he had once had such a bond with his brother. Levi looked down to the floor, his heart etched in yearning.

When Isaac pulled away from the hug, he smiled down at Caleb before wiping his tears.

“I don’t want you to feel like this, okay?” Isaac told Caleb and he nodded. “I have no problem with what you like, I’ll always support you. You need not be scared.”

Caleb smiled brightly. “Thanks, bro.”

Isaac sighed. “Now, I want to know how exactly this happened.” He said and pointed between Levi and Caleb.

Caleb stepped back into Levi’s arms and pulled him closer to where Isaac was standing.

“Brother, this is my mate, Levi.” He introduced with a wide smile. “And Levi, this is my brother, Isaac.”

“Alpha Isaac for you,” Isaac grumbled.

“Isaac,” Caleb half glared at his brother. “Do not use the ‘Alpha card’ on my mate.”

“Whatever.” Isaac rolled his eyes and brought out his hand. Levi did the same thing and they shook their hands. Isaac’s hold got tighter, causing Levi to wince lowly.

Isaac smirked. “Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for stealing my baby brother’s innocence.”

“Isaac!” Caleb whined. Isaac let go of Levi’s hand and shoved his hands in his pockets.

Isaac exhaled. “I just can’t believe that of all the jerks with dicks in the world, your mate had to be this one.”

Isaac turned around and began to walk away. He looked back at the couple. “Do you need an all-exclusive invitation for breakfast?”

Caleb and Levi shook their heads before following behind silently.

......

Black could hear the voices down the hallway. He was glad that Isaac was back and had sorted out things with Caleb. Very soon, he would also have to do the same thing. After sitting in this room with his thoughts, he was able to think about everything.

Levi turning out to be Caleb’s mate was very unexpected. Black was not even able to get over the Jealousy he still harboured for Levi and now he had to accept that Levi was Caleb’s mate. He still had to accept the fact that Levi and Willow had a strong bond, and his reaction to finding out that Levi was Caleb’s mate had stemmed from some of the Jealousy he still felt.

He greatly regretted his words and he knew that he had to apologise though he postponed it in order to stay by his mate’s side. He promised himself to do the needful after Willow woke up and Isaac had his full of threatening Levi.

He looked down at Willow and wondered how she would react once she opened her eyes. Perhaps a house of werewolves was not the best thing but Black had to work with this. His house was still empty and Nina’s place was not an option. If Nina found out about Willow, everyone would find out and that would probably overwhelm Willow even more.

He rested his hand on Willow’s forehead and let himself fall to the temptation of touching her hair. He wanted her to open her eyes so that he could look into her warm brown eyes but at the same time, he was scared of how she would react.

He sighed before tearing his gaze away from her face to look at the window. Thinking so much made his insecurities creep in. Would Willow refuse anything to do with him? Would she reject him?

Black was unsure if he could survive a rejection. All his life, he had looked forward to meeting his mate, and then when it did not happen he lost hope and at the moment when he was convinced that he did not have a mate, fate turned things around. Now that he had his mate, she seemed so far from him.

The door opened and Black turned to look at Aleisa as she entered the room with a tray of food.

Aleisa smiled. “I made breakfast,”

Black was silent and watched her place the tray at the bedside. Aleisa looked back at him with a smile that was supposed to encourage him but Black felt no difference.

“Isaac just told me everything. You may have to bribe me to not tell Nina and Zaira,” She teased. “I didn’t think I’d meet your mate like this but she’s very pretty and I wish you all the best.”

Black wanted to say thank you but he didn’t. Hopefully, Aleisa would understand that he did not which to speak.

Aleisa looked at Willow before facing Black once more. “You should eat...” She paused before speaking once again. “If there is something I know first-hand, it’s that if it’s meant to be, it’ll be. The goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”

Aleisa walked out of the room after a moment of silence. When the door closed, Black looked at the tray of food before looking back at Willow. He wished he could eat but he did not think he could stomach the food with all the worry he felt.

Black closed his eyes and sighed.