Chapter 26: Chapter 26

TWENTY-SIX

Caleb smiled when the last bell rang. He could not get Levi off his mind for the entire day and now he would finally be saved from his misery. He hastily packed his books in his backpack, the loud bustling sound of everyone around rushing and clashing into the tables egging him on. The excitement that came with the last bell was almost chaotic. Everyone seemed to forget about the teacher that was still in front.

Caleb rushed out of the class with Levi being the only thing on his mind. He could already imagine the older standing outside by his car looking over at the entrance of the school. Caleb was very eager to see his hot mate.

“Why are you in such a rush?” Edward stopped in front of him and Caleb almost bumped into him.

“Oh hey Edward, I didn’t see you there.” He smiled.

“Of course, you couldn’t see me, you’re like the walking flash,” Edward replied.

Caleb’s eyebrows scrunched up. “The walking flash?” He mused with an amused smile.

“Yeah, being fast like the Flash but in a walking way.” Edward elaborated and Caleb only shook his head. “Why are you in such a rush anyway?” Edward repeated.

“Oh um somebody is waiting for me and I don’t want to keep them waiting,” Caleb answered as they walked side by side out of the school.

“Isaac?” Edward asked even though he had never seen Caleb’s brother drop or pick him up. The only thing he knew about Isaac was that he was crazy rich, had rarely come for classes in his last year and was Caleb’s brother.

Caleb laughed. “My brother is far too busy to do a thing like that.”

Just as they stepped down the last stair, Caleb searched the front for Levi’s car. There weren’t many cars, most of the pupils lived nearby just like Edward and walked on foot, and of course, there was the option of the bus. When he did not see Levi’s car, Caleb released an exasperated sigh. After all those warnings and reminders, Levi was late. Well, he was not exactly late since the bell had just rang but Caleb had clearly emphasized his discomfort of being in school a minute longer after the last bell.

“Is your ride not here yet?” Edward asked.

Caleb turned around to face the long-haired boy, he had forgotten that someone was still beside him. He nodded and sighed. Levi was usually punctual, whenever he promised to meet Caleb he would either be too early or on time. This was not the right time for him to prove that he was also human and could be late.

“Ugh! Fuck Levi and his hypocrite ass.” Caleb cursed and went under one of the trees. The sun just had to be harsh.

“Is that one of your family members?” Edward asked as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. So much for keeping his tattoo hidden, the heat was becoming unbearable.

Caleb paused before he could shake his head. Basically, Levi was now his family, he was his mate–his forever. But Edward did not need to know that and saying Levi was his boyfriend did not justify their relationship. Other than that, Levi and he had not really discussed the boyfriend topic yet.

Before Caleb could answer he saw Levi walking up to them with a smile. Caleb smiled with excitement when Levi stooped in front of him and pulled him into a hug. At that moment the only thing that mattered was breathing in his scent he had not had the privilege to breath in for the entire day and basking in the warmth of his other half.

Caleb forgot about everyone’s judging eyes and only focused on Levi’s presence until the other pulled away and ruffled the top of his head. Caleb glared up at him before patting his hair to fix it.

“How was school?” Levi asked.

Caleb got lost in Levi’s jade eyes for a second too long before speaking. “You’re late.”

“I thought you wouldn’t notice. It’s just been seven minutes though.” Levi said with a nervous chuckle and Caleb rolled his eyes.

“I could have become a billionaire in those seven minutes.”

Levi laughed. “You’re not even getting close to being a millionaire by spending your brother’s money on game consoles.”

“Hey, it’s my money just as much as it’s Isaac’s.” Caleb huffed and

Levi only laughed before looking over at Edward. Both males looked at each other, Levi with a more vicious look and Edward with curiosity. Levi frowned at the long-haired boy with piercings on his face and—was that a tattoo? This kid definitely seemed like trouble and the last thing he needed was boys hanging around Caleb, nevertheless ones that spelled trouble.

Levi’s frown morphed into a glare when he realised that this was probably the Edward kid that Caleb talked about. Soon enough he was not only glaring because he was worried about Caleb but because of Jealousy as well. Caleb’s words rang through his mind and he remembered that this boy escorted Caleb to buy Kace’s gift. He could not help it but feel bitter because Caleb spent more time with Edward than he would like.

Caleb immediately sensed Levi’s change in mood and when he saw the elder’s balled-up fists, he grew worried. He was very aware of how werewolves could be, heck he was just like that and he had a slight idea of what Levi was probably thinking. The last thing he need was for his mate to hit his friend. He did not need to be in the awkward position of choosing his friend or mate.

Levi looked down when he felt familiar sparks light up his skin. Caleb held his hand and looked into his eyes with pleading ones. Levi sighed and stepped back.

“Levi, this is my friend Edward.” Caleb introduced awkwardly and pointed at Edward.

Edward flashed a nervous smile at Levi and received an eye roll in return. Caleb lightly hit Levi’s chest. “Hey, be nice.” He scolded.

“Edward, this is Levi, my um—” He paused, uncertain of what to introduce Levi as.

“Boyfriend. His boyfriend.” Levi completed the introduction before wrapping an arm around Caleb’s shoulders.

Caleb’s entire face flushed a deep red and he looked at the ground with more interest. He could already picture the shocked look on Edward’s face. He did not expect Levi to answer so bluntly but then again he had read so many comics and he should have expected something of the sort.

“Boyfriend?!” Edward shrieked and Caleb rushed to put his hand over his mouth from how loud the other was. Caleb looked around with wide eyes, checking if anyone was listening to their conversation before dropping his hand.

“Don’t just out me!” Caleb whispered harshly and Edward raised his hands.

“Sorry.” Edward apologised before continuing. “I didn’t know that you swing for the same team.” He said in an accusatory tone. “And here I was thinking I was your best friend.” He added dramatically.

Caleb rolled his eyes because this was surely turning into one of Edward's circus shows. “Edward, you barely know much about me,” Caleb spoke truthfully.

Edward frowned before groaning. “I should really put more effort into this friendship thing...No!” He paused and looked at Caleb. “Why should I? I’ve been the one pouring more effort into this. I expect you to do the same.”

“Fine Edward, I’ll be a better friend.”

Edward looked up at Levi once again. “Are you from another school or something? You’re very hot, how come I’ve never heard of you?” He asked.

“I’m twenty-one, isn’t that a bit too old for high school?” Levi asked in a mocking tone.

Edward snorted, obviously missing the mockery in Levi’s voice. “You definitely don’t look older than us. I didn’t think you were into older kids Caleb–hell, I was not even aware that you are into boys.”

“I’m not into older kids. The age difference between us is only three years.” Caleb defended with an offended glare.

“Still, isn’t this illegal?” Edward asked.

“No, it isn’t. I’m turning eighteen next month anyways and it won’t even seem weird when Levi is twenty-three and I’m twenty. What’s the big deal now?”

“This is so unexpected.” Edward breathed out. “I think people are stealing glances at your boyfriend.” He added with a small laugh.

Caleb looked around and indeed there were a few people that were looking at them, others even went as far as pointing. He quickly stepped away from Levi. He immediately missed the other’s scent but he was not ready to be in a situation where he was the school’s new topic of discussion. Levi frowned at Caleb’s actions and felt hurt but he understood the other’s need to remain closed off.

Edward hummed. “Not ready to come out yet.” He acknowledged. “I’m glad that you trust me with this piece of information.” He said with a huge smile.

“I’m not the one who told you.”

“Still, your boyfriend did which is the same thing.” Edward shrugged.

“Caleb, come on let’s go. I still haven’t bought Kace’s gift.” Levi spoke up because he was growing more jealous of the obvious chemistry that Caleb and Edward shared.

Caleb looked up at him. “I thought you said you’d buy a gift after dropping me off in the morning?”

Levi shook his head. “I decided not to, I need a second opinion.” He replied and Caleb nodded.

“Bye Edward, see you tomorrow,” Caleb said with a smile.

“What about our after-school date?” Edward whined.

“Date?” Levi snapped to glare at Edward before turning to Caleb with a look that demanded answers.

“Bye Edward.” Caleb waved before pulling Levi away and walking to the car that he had finally spotted.

“Date?” Levi questioned once again when they were in the car.

Caleb exhaled. “It’s not a date...well Edward calls them that but we just go to eat together after school.” He explained.

The answer seemed to not please Levi. “Does he like you?” Levi’s tone became heavy.

“No, of course not,” Caleb replied in a state of panic. He did not even think Edward was gay, perhaps a tease, yes. But being gay? No.

Levi sighed. “Do you like him?” Levi asked after a few seconds.

“What?! His my friend and that’s as far as it goes.” Caleb replied. He was starting to grow angry with Levi’s questions. “I admit that I liked him when in the beginning—” That was all it took for Levi to turn abruptly to face Caleb.

“—don’t look at me like that, it was before I met you. Edward is the first person that has shown interest in being my friend and if you can’t deal with it then you should chew stones.” Caleb said and crossed his arms over his chest. “I like you now and that’s all that matters. Edward and I are just friends.”

Levi sighed and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m just not in the best of moods right now.” He admitted.

“I noticed,” Caleb replied. “What’s wrong? Did your brother do something?... I’ve told you to quit your job, I’m certain Isaac can get you a new job in the pack.”

“Is this your way of asking me to join your pack?” Levi asked with a small smirk and Caleb bit his lower lip.

“Am I too obvious?” He asked and Levi nodded. “I’m serious though, your brother is a psycho and I don’t like it that you work for him. How is it that he hasn’t noticed your nightly disappearances and the obvious that you’re mated?”

“As horrible as my brother is, unfortunately, he isn’t the reason why my mood is sour.” Said Levi and Caleb raised an eyebrow as if asking him to elaborate.

“I had another fight with Willow. Well, technically she started it and she was the wrong one.”

“Willow? How did that happen?” Caleb asked, growing even more concerned.

The last time Willow and Levi had fought was, Levi had been out of it and Caleb had realised that the best friends did not fight much. Levi had spent the entire night with Caleb mumbling about how he was an awful friend. It took a while for Caleb to convince him otherwise. Despite having met him only a few hours before, Caleb had been very certain that Levi was anything but a bad friend.

Levi groaned. “She asked me how you reject a werewolf,” He replied in a silent voice.

“She wouldn’t!” Caleb gasped.

“Willow is a lot of things and unfortunately stupid is one of them,” Levi said.

“Black would be broken, she can’t do such a thing to him,” Caleb spoke out and the worst scenarios formed in his head. He had already dealt with a heartbroken Isaac, he did not need Black to endure heartbreak as well.

Caleb cursed at fate and how unfair life had been toward Black. After losing his closest family, you would think things would go better for Black but fate had to make him wait longer for a mate. And now that he found her, she wanted to reject him.

“I’ll talk to her, right now I gave her a timeout and once she realises that she was wrong I will smack some sense into her,” Levi assured Caleb and took his hand.

Caleb shrieked when a hand banged on the window and he glared at Edward’s smiling face after getting over the shock. Levi huffed in annoyance and rolled down the window.

“Um...you guys weren’t driving away so I thought I could catch a ride,” Edward said immediately.

“Edward, your house is so nearby.”

“Well there’s a car, why would I stress my feet?” Edward replied in a ‘duh’ tone.

Levi groaned he was not in the mood to deal with this high school boy. “Hurry up and get in.”

Edward wasted no time getting into the back of the car.

“Shall we go to a restaurant?” He asked enthusiastically.

......

Two days had passed and Willow had not heard anything from Levi. No text, phone call or visit. She had thought that this was like their other fights and that neither of them would apologise and when Levi didn’t apologise on the first day, she thought of doing it first. But after thinking about it too much, she decided to also be stubborn. If Levi was not going to drop his pride, why should she?

With a heavy sigh, Willow closed her last suitcase and carried it outside. Charlotte was talking to the driver of the moving truck that they were going to use. Willow walked up to them and leaned on Charlotte. Charlotte turned to face Willow after the driver walked away.

“Levi isn’t here? Are you guys still fighting?” She asked and Willow only remained silent. “This is so unusual of both of you. What was the fight about anyways?”

“Don’t worry about it, I’m sure he’s going to apologise,” Willow said and wrapped her arms around Charlotte’s waist.

Charlotte frowned. “Why does he have to apologise? Was he the wrong one?”

Willow remained silent and only hid her face by burying it in Charlotte’s neck. “Ah!” Charlotte exclaimed. “You were the wrong one, weren’t you?” She asked with a small chuckle.

“No...” She denied in a low voice.

“I love you Will but sometimes, you’re a stubborn mule. Why don’t you just text Levi and ask him if you can talk?” Charlotte suggested and Willow shook her head in refusal.

“He should text me first,” Willow said stubbornly with a pout.

Charlotte sighed. “Do you know why you’ll always be younger than me?... Because other than age, I surpass you in wisdom as well.”

Willow pulled away from Charlotte’s body and glared at her. “Do you mean to say that I am not wise?”

“Exactly!” Charlotte exclaimed. “If you were wise, you wouldn’t even think of risking a great friendship such as the one you have with Levi because of pride.” She added before shaking her head in disapproval. “Both of you are so stupid.”

Willow remained silent and thought about Charlotte’s words. Even after Charlotte walked away towards the truck, Willow remained standing in the same position. She missed Levi, she had not been able to see him like before. She no longer had to go to the club which shortened their interactions and apart from that, Levi seemed to be glued to Caleb ever since they met each other.

She was happy that he had finally met his mate. Levi was a complete fan of mate bonds, he always talked about how well he would treat his mate and Willow had no doubt in that. She just wished that he would also spend time with her. Maybe, maybe just a little bit she was jealous of Caleb, even if she knew that there was no need to be. Caleb was now Levi’s top priority, and even if Levi did not say it out loud, Willow knew it.

She sighed and walked back into the almost empty house. “Fuck this shit. I’m not going to text first.” She grumbled and carried one of the boxes.

She walked outside and found Caleb talking to Charlotte with a huge smile. Willow frowned before noticing the car that was parked next to the truck. Excitement bubbled up within her and she searched for her best friend’s familiar mop of dishevelled hair and vibrant eyes.

“He refused to come,” A new voice cut through Willow’s thoughts and search for Levi. She turned to face someone she had not expected to see.

“Black?”

Black smiled. “I hope we’re not intruding, I want to make sure that you don’t have any trouble.” He said before taking the box from her arms. “Levi said he doesn’t want to see you until you apologise,” Black added.

“Ouch, way to soften the blow.” Willow touched her chest. “Why did you assume that I was searching for Levi? What if I was looking for you?”

Black remained silent for a few seconds before looking away from Willow with a distant look. “Even if I would like that to happen, I know that Levi means more to you than I do. Besides, it seems like you aren’t ready to open your heart to me.”

Willow frowned at Black’s words and the only conclusion she could draw was that Levi had probably mentioned something to Black. His heart sped up in worry and she opened her mouth to clear up any misunderstanding but Black beat her to it.

“Is there anything heavy? I’ll check inside.” He said and walked away.

Willow watched him place the box in the back of the small truck before he walked into the house. The distant and hurt look on Black’s face made her stomach churn uncomfortably. Black had invested so much to gain her trust and she still could not give him a chance. She felt guilty but her mind reminded her of all the risks.

Why did it hurt so much to disappoint Black though? She wanted to see his playful smirks and to hear his shameless comments that made her blush profusely. She turned around and was met face-to-face with Caleb’s glare.

“Do you still wish to know how to reject a mate?” He said bitterly.

Willow was taken aback by his tone but she tried not to show it. She had never seen Caleb look so intimidating and the more she looked at his face, it became more clear why he was a werewolf. The other times she had met him, he looked like a typical teenager. But then, he had no reason to glare at her back then like he did now. After all, she wanted to reject his cousin.

“I, Willow Doyle reject Black Sutton as my mate. That’s all you need to say to ruin more lives than you know.” Caleb said before walking away.

Ruin Lives? Willow was like a deer caught in headlights because of Caleb’s words. It was very easy to reject Black, but the more she thought about it, the more she realised that Caleb’s words held more truth than she would have liked to acknowledge.

Rejecting Black meant putting a strain on her and Levi’s relationship. Levi was now Caleb’s mate which meant if she rejected Black, Levi would be driven into a corner of choosing loyalty toward her or Black. And even if that did not happen, there was the chance of Black being broken just as Levi had mentioned. Not to forget Louis, if she rejected Black, Louis would be after her once again.

Willow could feel her heart clenching with every passing second. There was so much that could go wrong if she rejected Black. But she was uncertain about what would happen if she accepted. What if Black got bored of her just as Louis had? She was only a human after all.