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“Has he ever seemed ‘sick’?” I asked, wondering if he had ever shown signs of weakness before.
Returning with her arms full of new jars, Nati shook her head. “Not even once. Levi is always ensuring our prosperity and safety regardless of our limited numbers. Even if he seems prickly at times, he’s optimistic and has a good head on his shoulders. I don’t believe we have anything to worry about.”
Nodding, I let her words sink in. “I think that’s the problem with Sam and the others. In a way, they’re getting sick because of him, and I’m afraid of how that might affect them.”
“It seems likely,” Nati said, voice gentle. “For their sake, I hope Levi figures this out soon.”
I had the feeling he possessed the power to do exactly that.
***
As much as I wanted to fit in with the new pack, I wasn’t in the mood for another bonfire. There was too much on my mind to want to be around the others. Regardless, I was pulled along there anyway due to me being the Luna.
There was a whole spread of food, along with different drinks and treats, but the thought of eating wasn’t appetizing. Not while my stomach was in knots.
While the others laughed and carried on, sharing stories and jokes, I didn’t have much to say. I listened as best as I could, but my mind was too busy wandering to pay attention.
When I eventually needed a break, I got up from my chair and grabbed some water before I walked further into the trees to explore more of the property.
It didn’t take long before the tether pulled within my chest, and I knew he was close. I didn’t even have to turn around to sense him there. It made my heart squeeze in anticipation.
“What’s on your mind?” Levi asked, his voice surprisingly gentle.
Stopping in my place, I pulled in a deep breath and turned to face him. I should’ve been used to how attractive he was, but something about it always seemed to catch me by surprise. I urged my heart to slow down as I met his gaze. It was incredibly distracting.
“It’s Ivy. She was the only one who looked out for me, and I’m worried about her being in Sam’s pack,” I said, somewhat annoyed to even admit it to him. “I miss her.”
While I half expected Levi to scoff and tell me to suck it up, he nodded his understanding, and his expression softened as he started walking as I had before. “While I’m glad you had someone like that, I’m sorry you’ve been forced to miss her. I know what that’s like.”
I fell into step with him, curious about what he meant. “You do?”
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he nodded again. “Not only did I have to forfeit the pack, but I had to walk away from my friends too. The guys were supposed to be my betas. We were good friends since early childhood, and I was prepared to do anything for them, but Sam took all that away from me. Logan was the only one who had my back. The others believed his lies, and I’ve had to live with that fact every day since.”
Recalling just how explosive the night had been when Sam challenged Levi for the pack, it wasn’t hard to see just how hard most of the members took it, especially his friends. They were forced to believe that Levi was a callous, murderous man, given the apparent evidence.
I had believed it myself at one point, but since living with Levi’s pack, I did not doubt that Sam framed him. Being there was like a dream in comparison to Sam’s pack, even if the transition had been somewhat awkward.
“Everyone was devastated when it happened. Nobody wanted to believe it,” I said, realizing Levi had been mostly in the dark after his exile. “They hoped you would come back and make things better, but while you were gone, Sam doubled down. You were right about him manipulating everyone into believing you did it.”
Levi’s jaw clenched at the mention of it as if he were fighting back the pain of it all, and he let go of a deep breath. “I suppose that should be a good thing in a way. If they had hope then, maybe they’ll come around now.”
“Maybe. But you have to know that things aren’t the same, and they haven’t been since you left,” I said, feeling that familiar ache of dread during my time there. “Sam was like a poison. Everyone had been so normal. But once he took over, he rewarded toxic behavior. He believed that everyone should compete for their place in the ranks through any means necessary. People became nasty, and it was hard to even be there.”
“I figured as much,” Levi replied, gaze more distant at the reality. “It will be difficult to correct that kind of culture, but I refuse to give up on them. Once Sam is gone, then we can begin to make things better.”
“I just hope Ivy doesn’t get caught up in it before that can happen,” I murmured, desperately missing her support.
It didn’t matter what happened or how Sam tried to change things, she was always there to support me. She refused to comply with that competitive incentive, and I prayed she continued to. Ivy always had a good heart, and letting it become corrupt by Sam would be criminal.
“It’s my every intention to bring Sam down for what he did and to prove to the others that I am the alpha they need. I know these things don’t usually end without casualties, but I’m going to do my best to avoid as many as I can,” Levi said, reaching toward me. “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll see what I can do.”
I shivered as his hand brushed against mine, intertwining our fingers. Immediately, comforting heat consumed me, and I felt myself almost blooming for him, tired of pretending like I didn’t have feelings for him. Like I didn’t find myself wishing for more contact between us.
We may not have been perfect, and we certainly had a long way to go before we could be considered ideal mates, but it was enough. It was that sliver of hope that made our invisible connection pull as it strengthened.
I caught as Levi hesitated, surely feeling the effects of our contact too, and the flicker of a smile moved with his lips. He closed his fingers around mine tenderly and continued walking hand-in-hand with me.
It was truly strange to feel and watch a bond develop, especially when it was with someone you least expected.
