Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) (3 page)

He took my face in his hands and gazed into my eyes. His expression turned soft as he rubbed his thumbs across my cheeks. “With al my

heart,” he whispered, and then his lips touched mine in a soft but sweet kiss, and I knew at that moment he meant every word.

It was dark by the time I arrived home. I stepped out of my car and froze. Goose bumps trailed down my arms as I got the unnerving feeling I

was being watched. I quickly scanned my surroundings—nothing. With my keys in hand, I made a mad dash for the front door and unlocked it,

practical y leaping inside. Once the door was locked I felt much better, heaving a sigh of relief.

I turned around and screamed, almost wetting myself, as my mom appeared in front of me. “Holy massacre, Mom!!!”

“I’m sorry, Annabel e. I didn’t mean to scare you. Are you al right?”

I grabbed my chest, trying to slow my heart rate, as if that would help. “Hol er next time, wil ya? Yeah, I’m fine.” I couldn’t tel her that I was feeling jumpy because my werewolves could sense an impending battle looming against their mortal enemies, the vampires. It was the third time

since spring break that I had the creepy sensation that I was being watched. And it was a sensation I didn’t care to get used to.

“Have you made up your mind about the trip?”

“Um, no. Not yet. I haven’t had enough time to real y think about it.”

“Wel , I would like you to start thinking about it. I want to know soon. And Charity, this means a lot to me.”

Oh great, no pressure there.

She gently touched my shoulder, gave me a smile, and then walked back into the den to join Frank on the sofa. It looked like they were

watching some kind of horror movie,
Van Helsing
I think, how appropriate.

I went and stood behind the sofa, watching. It was at the part where Hugh Jackman turns into a werewolf, which ironical y resembled Wesley

in his wolf form.

I laughed out loud and actual y snorted. “Hol ywood. Like werewolves can real y grow that tal in ten seconds. I mean, come on.”

Mom and Frank turned around, staring up at me.

“What? I meant if they were real, of course.” They continued to stare. “I mean, they would logical y stay the same height, right? I’m just gonna

go shower.”

I entered my bedroom and went straight into the bathroom.

When I emerged, some twenty minutes later, shriveled and red al over, I put on my favorite Hel o Kitty nightgown and climbed on top of my

bed and began combing out my long, wet hair. Mmmm, I could stil smel my raspberry scented shampoo. After a few grunts and cries, which left my

eyes watering, I heard a tap on my window. I ran the comb through the last strand of unruly hair, then scurried to the window and jerked it open with eagerness.

“Levi?” When he didn’t reply, I climbed out onto the flat roof. “Levi? Is that you?” There was no answer. “You know what—you can’t scare me

this time! That only worked once! Okay twice!” I cal ed out into the darkness. Then I choked on my own breath as a dark figure landed on the roof in front of me. I backed up against the window as the menacing figure approached. “Don’t come any closer or you’l be sorry,” I threatened, trying to

keep the fear out of my voice, but failing. My hand was shaky as I raised my fingers and inserted them into my mouth.

“No—stop!” the figure pleaded as he stepped into view. “You need not fear me, though you are the only human girl who can say that.”

Once in ful view, I recognized his jet-black hair and black eyes. They were dramatic features against the canvas of his pale-white skin. He

was stil as beautiful as I remembered. “Sweet Neptune!! Raven?!”

“I am sorry I scared you. I admit I am relieved to see that you have recovered; that I was not too late.” He was referring to his kidnapping me

and how I almost died due to the separation from Levi. Luckily, I used my mojo charm on him, and he brought me back.

“I’m—I’m fine. You weren’t too late, though it was close—too close. But you real y shouldn’t be here.” My eyes made a quick scan of the

forest behind us.

“Yes, I know. Aside from seeing you, I came to warn you. There is an uprising occurring. My brother, Griffin, is trying to locate the exact

whereabouts of your pack in an attempt to ambush them. As of now there are ten of them—al male and al strong. I believe, however, he is

recruiting more. I am not among them. I told you that the war is over for my part, and I meant it. It would be best if you would stay away from your werewolf’s den for now. I fear that you are among their targets. It is coming to a head, and I daresay it wil end badly.”

“Why haven’t they attacked me here then?”

“Because you are being protected here. I am taking a great risk coming here myself, but I believe you wil protect me against your

werewolves. Am I correct?”

“
Me
protect
you
?”

He nodded, looking intently into my eyes. “Yes.”

“Yeah okay, I guess you’re right. I
would
protect you from them. After al , you did save my life.”

“You forget it was I who put you in danger to begin with.”

“I haven’t forgotten, but I choose to forgive. May I ask, why are you warning us? I mean, you could be in serious danger, we’re your enemy

after al .”

“Yes, but they wil kil you, Charity, and I owe you this.”

“You don’t owe me, Raven. You brought me home. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful you warned me, but you’re risking your life to do so. I

don’t understand.”

“You do not have to understand. Just stay away. I wil come back here Tuesday night and give you an update. Until then, goodbye.”

Before I could respond he backed up and vanished out of sight.

I climbed back into my bedroom, grabbing my favorite raspberry ice lip balm, my ultimate addiction, and saturating my lips heavily as I

plopped down on my bed. I struggled with the decision of whether or not to tel Levi about Raven’s visit. I mean it’s not like I’d be tel ing him

something he didn’t know. After al , the werewolves already knew the vampires were snooping around. I didn’t want to give Levi any additional

reason to hate Raven and he would be angered to learn he’d contacted me, especial y coming to my bedroom. So, reluctantly, I decided to wait

until after Tuesday night to tel him. Maybe then I’d have more information to share.

On Monday I was successful at dodging Levi’s questions about my apprehensions, but by Tuesday afternoon his suspicions had become

strong. Maybe my reluctance to fol ow him home after school had something to do with that, and in a quick attempt to get out of it, I made up a story about an assignment due. He knew I was lying and convinced me to fol ow him home. There was no escaping it—I knew I was busted. Once we

were alone in our bedroom, I came clean, confessing everything. And just as I suspected—he was enraged.

“How could you not tel me this?!” he growled, literal y.

“Because of the way you’re reacting now—that’s how!”

“Charity, protecting this pack is more important that protecting Raven!”

“I am not protecting Raven! I’m protecting myself.”

“You could’ve been hurt or taken again. I almost lost you before. I cannot have that happen again.”

“I’m fine, Levi. And besides, after I met with him tonight I was going to tel you everything!”

“You are
not
going to meet him tonight. The guys and I wil be there instead and we’l give him something he didn’t expect.”

“No! He risked his life to warn me! If you show up he’l think I betrayed him!”

“We
are
going to meet him tonight, Charity, and that’s final.”

“Fine—then I’m coming with you.”

“Oh no you’re not! It could be a setup. I can’t have you in danger.”

“I won’t let you hurt him, Levi! He came to warn us!”

“I am the alpha of this pack! I make the decisions!”

“Raven is acting more honorable in his decisions right now than you are!” As soon as the words were out of my mouth I regretted them.

There was such pain in his eyes that I wanted to reach out and comfort him, but before I could his expression turned angry once again.

Oh boy
!
Our first big fight and it was not going well.

“You can be mad at me al you want, Charity, but I’l do what I have to do to keep you safe!” Without any warning, he grabbed my waist and

picked me up over his shoulder, strol ed across the room, and dumped me gently on the bed. “You’l stay here until I get back. I’m sorry.” He turned swiftly, before I could protest, and exited the room. I heard him insert a key and bolt the door behind him.

I jumped up and ran to the door, pul ing frantical y on the knob. It was locked from the outside.
When did he have that installed
?

“Levi! Let me out of here! I’m not your child! I’m your wife! You can’t keep me locked in here like some prisoner! I know you can hear me!

Levi! He risked his life to warn us! Please don’t kil him! Levi!” I banged as hard as I could on the door, but no one came.

I was so angry that I opened al of my drawers and began stuffing my things into my backpack, lastly shoving my toothbrush on top.

I’d spent too many vital years of my life locked away in my room. I would not al ow my husband, who was supposed to love and cherish me,

lock me up like an out-of-control child in time-out, and I was determined to make him regret it.

I paced angrily about the room wondering what was happening. Would Raven think I betrayed him? Would they kil him? I knew Levi wanted

to. And the more I thought about it, the angrier I became.

“Charity!” I heard Irena cal from the other side of the door.

I rushed to the door. “Irena! Please let me out!”

“I’m so sorry, dear. I wish I could, but we’ve al been given strict orders not to. Levi feels strongly that you would be in danger if you were to

fol ow him. But don’t worry too much. Levi won’t harm him. He just wants to talk. And I’ve cal ed your mother and told her you were helping me with a project and would be staying here tonight, so there’s no need to worry about anything. I assured her I would look out for you. I don’t know how late Levi wil be.”

“Please, Irena, let me out.”

“I’m so sorry, dear, but my alpha gave orders. I can’t go against him.”

I growled and stomped around the room.
Stinking werewolves. Why did they have to be so protective?
Suddenly, I remembered Ashley. I

picked up my phone and cal ed her. “Ashley! Oh thank you! Levi has locked me in my room. Please drive over here and let me out.”

“I’m sorry, Charity, but Levi cal ed me and told me not to. And Josh asked me too. They said it was dangerous for you.”

“Ash, it’s not dangerous. Please!”

“He said you would say that. Listen, Charity, this vampire kidnapped you, and you almost died. Just like Levi, I’d rather have you mad at me

than have you hurt or worse. I’m sorry, but I’l see you tomorrow, okay? Bye.”

“No, Ashley!”

Too late.

I thought about Hector, my one-man elite team, but that was no good because he was stil only taking orders from Levi, which rots. I mean,

what’s the point of having the biggest, baddest werewolf alive as your bodyguard if you can’t boss him around?
Kind of takes the fun out of it, if you
ask me
.

I pressed my ear against the door as I heard a male voice. He was saying something about the kingdom of heaven.

“Mr. Bones! Mr. Bones, can you hear me?”

“Mrs. Charity?” he asked through the door.

“Mr. Bones, thank God. Can you unlock this door and let me out please?”

He quoted a scripture. “Ask and it wil be given to you; seek and you wil find; knock and the door wil be opened to you. But sadly—not by

me. Goodbye.”

“No! Mr. Bones, please! Ugh!!” But he too was gone, leaving me alone with my anger.

The time passed painful y slow, and I was becoming more and more enraged. And by the time Levi final y opened the door, at twelve a.m., I

was beyond reason.

His expression was cautious as he stepped inside.

I marched straight over to him and slapped his face. As he slowly turned his face to me, his expression was pained, but quickly shifted to

something harder.

“We didn’t hurt Raven, Charity.”

“Good! But I’m not angry about Raven! You locked me up in here like some pet you can’t control! I’m not your pet! And you’l regret treating

me this way!” Tears fil ed my eyes as his softened.

“Baby, please don’t cry.” He reached for me.

“Don’t touch me! You can’t fix this so easily! I walked over to the bed, grabbed my overloaded backpack, and slung it over my shoulder. “I’m

going on vacation with my mother, and don’t try to reach me because I am no longer speaking to you.” I walked straight past him and out the door.

Ashley was waiting for me in the parking lot the next morning. “Save your breath, Ash, I’m not talking to him.”

“Why not? He’s been brooding al morning waiting for you to get here.”

“Good. He deserves it. If he knows what’s best for him he better stay away from me today.” As I finished the statement, I saw Levi fastly

approaching, his face distorted in a look of pain.

“Ash!” I cal ed in warning.

In a flash she was in front of him, stopping him. “Levi, it’s best if you just give her a little more time to cool off.”

“Charity!” he cal ed to me. “Let me explain! Charity, please!”

“La la la la!” I covered my ears, humming louder, and made my escape, darting up the stairs and to my first class.

It was harder than I expected trying to stay away from him, and not because I love him, which I do, but because he seemed to be everywhere.

But somehow, unbeknownst to me, I seemed to spot him first and was able to duck out of sight. I knew he was trying extra hard to run into me so he