Chapter 22: Chapter 22

TWENTY-TWO

Willow woke up with a headache and a parched throat. She groaned as she opened her eyes and adjusted to the lighting in the room. The pain that shot through her head made her want to close her eyes.

She looked around the room as she raised her body. The room was big and so was the bed she was in. Even the plain white walls looked expensive. A large window showed the huge trees outside. Her room was not this huge, compared to this room her room could pass for a shoebox. Other than the size, the view outside her window was not that great.

She tried to sit up but the pain in her head slowed her movement and her entire body was not yet awake. When she turned her head, she met Black’s green eyes. A low gasp left her lips. Black was holding her right hand, both his hands covering her smaller one. His intense stare made any words melt away before she could speak.

Willow found herself enjoying his stare and touch. All the questions she had about her whereabouts disappeared and all she could concentrate on was the different emotions that Black’s eyes held. All these unsaid emotions were too strong for her, so she closed her eyes to distract her mind from falling deeper into Black’s eyes.

Everything that had happened, shot through her mind like a video on replay. She took in a sharp breath. She remembered Caleb, Levi, the panic attack and most importantly, being Black’s mate.

When Willow opened her eyes, Black noticed the shift in the mood. She suddenly looked scared and he could see panic building up faster behind her eyes. He moved closer to pull her in his arms but she removed her hand from his hands and shuffled away from him.

Willow looked at the little space between them, very certain that she would not be safe from him especially if he pounced but the little distance made her feel a little bit relieved. She avoided Black’s gaze. She did not want to fall into a similar haze where he was the only one she could stare at in the entire room.

“Willow...” Black called out hesitantly. When she shifted once more, he was certain that she could hear him even if she was avoiding his eyes. It hurt him that his mate was so scared of him.

“...are you okay?” He asked.

After a long pause, Willow shook her head. She looked up but not enough for their eyes to meet.

“I-i want to go ho-home...” She stuttered out, he body shaking just like her voice.

Black grew more scared as he noticed her condition. After what Levi had said, he was almost certain that if she did not calm down, she would have another panic attack.

“Okay,” He said even if it was the last thing he wished to say. “Do you want me to call Levi?” He asked.

When Willow finally looked into his eyes, she was more relieved. She looked hopeful. Black’s jaw clenched, he did not want her to feel relieved to be with a person other than him. He could feel his Jealousy brewing under his skin slowly. He stood up and nodded at her despite the turmoil emotions in him. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, call her his and tell her not to depend on anyone else.

He walked out of the room and went down the hallway. Levi was seated on the couch with Kace in his arms. Black frowned at how quickly Levi was getting familiar with everyone and everything. He could not help but wish that Willow was the one. Isaac and Aleisa were on the other couch with their arms around each other and looking at Kace as he tried to get out of Levi’s hold.

The entire house looked lovesick.

Caleb was seated next to Levi with his head resting on Levi’s shoulder. Once again, Black wished it were him and Willow instead. He moved closer to them and stopped in front of them. Caleb immediately sat up and glared at Black, the memory of Black looking down on his mate still fresh in his mind.

Black rolled his eyes when his younger cousin glared at him. If he had the time and energy, he would have loved to see exactly what Caleb was capable of.

“Willow wants to see you,” Black told Levi.

Levi looked confused for a second before he let go of Kace and put him on the floor. Kace immediately started crawling away towards his parents. Levi stood up and straightened his shirt before nodding to Isaac and Aleisa. He looked over at Caleb on instinct, Caleb looked antsy. Levi flashed him a small smile before walking down the hallway.

Black took the seat next to Caleb and sighed heavily. Everyone in the room looked at him, Caleb with a more apprehensive stare.

“Certainly not the expression I expected...” Isaac said. Black’s frown deepened into a glare at his words as he sank deeper into the couch.

Aleisa hit Isaac’s chest and glared at him before staring back at Black. “Just give it some time.” She told Black.

Black kept quiet.

......

Willow wrapped her arms around Levi immediately after he got close enough to the bed. She stayed in his arms even as she cried and tried to hide her sniffles. Levi kept patting her hair to soothe her and he continued whispering soothing words into her ear until she calmed down.

“I-I want to go home. Where are we?” Willow asked as she wiped her cheeks after crying.

Levi held her hand and rubbed patterns on it. “MediamNoctemSidus,” Levi answered but the confused look on Willow’s face made him chuckle.

“Caleb’s pack.” He added on.

Willow knew Caleb’s pack meant Black’s pack. She looked around the room but could not understand how Black’s house could change so much in little time.

“Is this Black’s house?”

Levi shook his head. “This house belongs to the Alpha and Luna of the pack, Isaac and Aleisa.”

Willow stiffened. She did remember Isaac and when they had met, he had seemed like a nice guy but knowing that he was the head of an entire pack sort of changed things. Though now she could finally understand why his aura was strongly dominating. Even if she had met Isaac, she wondered what the Luna, Aleisa was like. Was she scary? Last time, Black had avoided them from the meeting. What if she was scary and Black had been looking out for Willow? Now, she was in the lion’s den.

“You’re overthinking, no one here is going to hurt you. I’m here, Caleb is here and so is Black...” Levi paused to see Willow’s reaction. She looked at him with wide eyes, as if waiting for him to tell her what to do.

“...You don’t need to be scared of anyone here, they’re all nice people. They wouldn’t hurt you.” He told her while still holding her hand.

Willow understood what Levi was saying and she believed him but a part of her brain told her that it was a trap. After everything she had experienced, she could not bring herself to fully believe Levi’s words. All those werewolves that had tortured her with no ounce of remorse, looked at her like she was the scam of the earth.

The look on Black’s face, she had seen it on Louis’s face as well. He had also treated her gently, acted as if he cared, told her sweet words and made her giddy to a point of no return. But when all the sweet things had disappeared, Louis had shown what monster he was. He had changed from the sweet loving boyfriend she fell for. He used her for his own benefit.

The part of her that was more aware and sensitive, the part that was broken reminded her of the events that had led to the downward spiral of her life.

She shook her head. “P-Please take me home.” She begged with wet, puffy cheeks.

As Levi looked at Willow, he realised that she looked shattered and torn. He could see her fighting against what she wanted. He was now certain that Willow wanted Black but the past kept her from acknowledging those feelings.

He sighed and let go of her hand. “I’ll take you home.” He told her and Willow sighed in relief.

“Willow, I need you to know that whatever happened was not your fault and you should not be shackled to the chains of the past. My brother is an asshole, but you shouldn’t be scared of everyone because of one asshole. The past is the past for a reason, keep the beautiful memories and forget the horrible ones.”

“I-It’s not that easy.”

Levi sighed. “Then let’s move ahead with the scars of the past and fight on. You can’t let yourself die slowly. You also deserve to be happy, Wills. And even if you don’t believe it, one man down the hallway can make you very happy.”

Willow remained silent before finally speaking. “P-Please take me home Levi.”

......

Willow looked at the small window from her bed. The view was surely different from when she had woken up today in the afternoon. Even nighttime could not make the view look better. She could see the overgrown grass at the back of the house and trash that had been there for so long that it was probably poisonous.

She sighed and curled her body close to her chest. She spent most of the day unconscious but it still felt like one of the longest she had ever had. All the emotions drained her to no end and she dreaded having to report for work the next day. After missing the entire day, she was certain that the manager would fire her but after begging on a phone call and negotiating, she got out of trouble by having to do a few more extra hours.

Sadly even after eating and watching a movie, she still could not get Blackout of her head. It did not help because every time she looked around the lit house, she remembered that he was the one that paid the electricity bill. She sighed before standing up and turning off the light in her room.

“I’m gonna forget about everything by tomorrow. When I wake up, my brain won’t think about Black’s stupid face.” She told herself as she fell back on the bed.

She was about to cover her head with her blanket when the door opened and the light was turned on. Willow glared at Charlotte who was standing next to the switch with her arms crossed.

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you in bed so early?” Charlotte asked.

Willow groaned. “Why did you turn the light on? He’s not gonna leave my mind now.”

“What?” Charlotte looked at her nicely like she had grown another head.

“Why are you back so early?”

Charlotte squinted her eyes. “You must be losing your mind. Anyways, I came to tell you something important.” Excitement filled Charlotte’s eyes and Willow tapped the bed as an invitation.

Charlotte took the invitation and sat on the bed, a smile on her face. “I got a job!” She announced proudly.

“Don’t you already have like four jobs?” Willow asked. The news was not really thrilling, Charlotte did not need to add another job to her impending ones. Another job surely meant suicide, right?

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Not like that. I got a really good and real job this time. I can even quit the other ones.”

“What?!” Willow’s eyes were now wide with excitement.

“Yeah, some company in the city. I applied a week ago and today, they called to tell me that I got the job.” Charlotte’s eyes were filled with happiness. “I didn’t even think I’d make it because there were obviously better-qualified people but dear Willow, you are now looking at a fully employed woman.”

Charlotte was now clapping her hands in excitement. Willow was happy for her aunt, she smiled and pulled Charlotte into a hug.

“Congrats, Char.”

“We can finally leave this shitty place. I have some money saved up to find a small apartment in the city and then we can start our lives afresh.” Charlotte said as she pulled away from the hug. “Let’s go apartment hunting tomorrow!”

Willow frowned. Why did this not sound so exciting anymore? She had prayed many times for a chance to open where she would leave this small town and move into the city. She had hoped for the day when they would be able to start their lives afresh and turn a new page. Now as she looked into Charlotte’s excited eyes, she was doubtful.

“Willow? What’s wrong, you don’t look so happy?” Charlotte asked after noticing the other’s silence.

Willow shook her head. “I’m very happy. I just have a light headache.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Don’t lie to me...” She scolded the younger. “You’re thinking about Black, aren’t you? You’re scared that you won’t get to see him as much.” Charlotte teased with a laugh.

Willow kept quiet. She was scared of saying anything and of what meaning Black held in her life. Why was his face the first thing she saw when Charlotte mentioned moving? Why could she not think of Levi first or the people she worked with at the restaurant? She would rather miss the garbage man than Black.

“Don’t worry too much, I’m sure Black will figure out a way. He doesn’t look like the type to easily deter from what he likes. Besides he has that super hot car, he can drive into the city.” Charlotte said as she shook Willow’s shoulders.

Willow pouted. “I wasn’t even thinking about him, I was thinking about Levi.”

Charlotte laughed. “Whatever you say but the same goes for Levi. I’m sure his brother can lend him his car.”

“Yeah...” Willow answered slowly.

Even as she said that all she could think about was Black’s face in the afternoon when she was leaving Isaac’s house.

......

“I must be losing my mind, Nina,” Black said as he scratched his chin.

“Oh sweetie, don’t say that,” Nina replied as she set down a plate of freshly baked muffins.

Black looked at the food and sighed. Even his appetite was far gone. He lay down on the couch and closed his eyes. After a long day and even longer talk with Aleisa and Isaac, Black decided to tell Nina about everything. Other than the fact that he needed advice, he hated keeping things from her—well, unless we count out his house that she still had no clue about.

“She doesn’t want anything to do with me,” He admitted.

“What makes you think that?” Nina’s voice replied. Black was certain that she was in front of the stove in the kitchen.

Black opened his eyes. “She asked to be taken back home immediately after opening her eyes.”

Nina laughed as she walked out of the kitchen with two glasses of milk. “She didn’t say that she wants nothing to do with you though, she just wanted to go home. Anyway, you are her home whether she has realised it or not.”

Black shifted his body so that he was staring at the ceiling.

“When you came to see me, I thought you’d be brooding like usual. I should have guessed that you found your mate when you hadn’t visited me for an entire week. You’ve got a more important woman in your life now.” Nina sulked with a small pout.

Black rolled his eyes and looked into her eyes. “I’d be damned if I did not think you were important to me.”

“I’m fluttered.” Nina smiled. “Aleisa was right, you know. Isaac and Aleisa were also a mess after finding each other, you should have learnt from them that those fated to be mates shall always find a way towards each other.”

Nina smiled sadly as if she was remembering a bittersweet memory. Black saw the emotion on her face and he knew that she was thinking about her mate.

“Pursue this girl, court the shit out of her. No woman can reject my babies.” Nina said with a proud smile.

Black smiled and looked in the direction of the other person in the room. Nina saw the direction of Black’s gaze and placed her hand over her mouth.

She laughed. “I’m sorry. In your case, no man can reject my youngest baby.”

Caleb snickered. “I’m neither young nor a baby.” He said as he got a muffin and ate it.

“Yeah, because only fully grown men ask for their milk to be warmed,” Black muttered in a sarcastic tone.

Nina laughed as she handed the cup of warm milk to Caleb who accepted it while glaring at Black.

“Fuck you.” Caleb cursed at Black.

“Caleb!” Nina scolded the younger boy.

“He started it.” Caleb defended himself and paid more attention to his muffin, deciding to ignore the people in the room.

Nina sighed. “Black, apologise to my baby.”

“You heard the man, he ain’t a baby,” Black replied smugly. “Besides, it’s entertaining to wash a grown man throw a tantrum.” He mocked.

“Black,” Nina emphasized and Black decided to stop. “Caleb honey, do you want to tell me about your mate?”

Caleb immediately smiled. “His name is Levi Conley and he’s three years older...”

Black tuned out Caleb’s voice when he started talking about Levi’s eyes. His thoughts immediately wandered to Willow. He was going to take Nina’s advice and he was going to pursue her so much that she will decide to be with him as much as he.