Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) (16 page)

“Um, no. Why?”

“Never mind.”

At lunch I tried to cal Levi on his cel , but only got his voicemail. I was beginning to worry.
I know—so uncharacteristic of me, right
?

“He’l be fine,” Eli encouraged.

“I know,” I lied.

“Charity, I would like to apologize for how I behaved when we first met. I shouldn’t have treated you that way. I was angry with Levi for what I

thought was his bad behavior. And I guess somehow I thought I was getting back at him. I know it was wrong. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Of course I forgive you. You’re family now. I understand why you did it. By the way, are your adopted parents coming to join the pack now?”

“Yes. They have a lot of things to work out first. You’l get to meet my little sister. You remind me a lot of her.”

“Oh, you have a little sister? I thought your parents couldn’t have children.”

“They thought so too, but a year after they adopted me they had her. She’s very beautiful and smart. I think she’l fit in nicely here, although

she’s having a hard time leaving her friends and her school. My parents agreed to let her finish out this year, but next year she’l be attending this school.”

“Wel , I’l do my best to help her fit in. She’s family now too.”

“Thanks, Charity.” His smile was sincere.

“That’s what friends are for, Eli. So, what are you gonna do about school?”

“I’l be heading back to finish out my year too. I’l be coming back for the weekends until graduation. This pack is slightly addictive. I’l find it hard to leave I’m sure.”

A few minutes later, Ashley slipped into her seat next to me. “Hey!”

“Hey yourself.”

“So, Eli,” she whispered, “How do you like our school?”

“Hey! You knew it was him?”

“Of course. Josh told me last night. Didn’t Levi tel you?” She looked at my face and grimaced. “I guess not.”

Delaney plopped down in her seat. “What’s up?”

“Oh man!” Eli said, eyeing Delaney.

I kicked him in the leg.

“Oww!”

“So, Delaney, where’s Toby?” I asked. “He says you guys are going out now. Is that true?”

“Yeah, I guess we’re going out some. I never real y knew how sweet he was. Thanks for making me go to the Prom with him, Charity.”

Every one of them eyed me with curiosity.

“What? Don’t look at me like that. I knew she’d have fun, and each one of you had better keep your mouth shut about it. If Toby finds out, I’m

coming for each of you one at a time. Got it?”

Eli began nuzzling up to my ear, no doubt trying to take advantage of the position he had me in. I kicked him again.

“Geez,” he whispered, “now I’m beginning to believe it’s my brother who’s being abused.”

“Maybe, but if you touch me again, he’l be abusing you.”

I couldn’t wait for school to end so I could find out how Levi’s meeting with Wesley went.

When the torture was final y over, Eli drove us, in Levi’s car, to the Drake House. Levi was waiting for us there.

“Charity,” he said pul ing me in his arms and kissing me breathless. “I’m sorry I didn’t tel you about my meeting with Wesley. Surely you

understand why. You would’ve found out where we were meeting and fol owed us. I couldn’t take that chance.”

“It scares me how much you know me.” I sighed. “Yeah, I understand. I guess it’s a pain being married to me, huh?”

He laughed. “Sometimes.”

“So, how’d it go?”

“Not so wel . I had to fight hard not to rip his head off. He’s stil sore about losing you. I couldn’t get anywhere with him. We final y just had to leave. Nothing got solved. I’l try again another time.”

I laughed.

“What?”

“You’re such a great guy. Most alphas would’ve just kil ed him already.”

“But that would mean I’d have to take his pack. And to tel you the truth, I don’t want them. I have enough to handle with just mine—and you.”

I glanced up to find him smiling down at me, his eyes dancing in amusement, and grimaced. “I’m sorry I’m such a pain. I’l try to be better.”

He gently touched my cheek. “Don’t be ridiculous. I love you just the way you are. Don’t change anything.”

“Fine. Won’t find me arguing with that.”

“So, Eli, how’d you do in my place?”

Eli’s expression lit up. “Oh man, it’s awesome being you. Although, you might have a little trouble explaining why you flirted with a few girls.

Sorry ‘bout that—oh—and that Spanish test you took today—failed it—miserably.”

“Great. Thanks.” He rol ed his eyes.

“Hey, it ain’t my fault. I’ve never taken Spanish a day in my life.”

“Anything else?”

He smirked, flashing his dimples. “Charity let me hold her hand.”

Levi turned to scold me.

I backed up in mock fear, and then darted down the hal . Levi was on my heels. He scooped me up in his arms and carried me to our room

where he plopped me on the bed and fel down on top of me. “I’l teach you to hold another man’s hand.” His lips crushed mine in a heated frenzy of passion.

I managed to pul back. “Oh yeah, and I’l teach you to send your brother to school to baby sit me.” I pul ed him closer, if that were possible,

and kissed him harder. In the next seconds we were fulfil ing our threats.
Poor me.

Graduation! Did I ever think it would final y get here? Wel , it did. I’d thought of little else in the days leading up to it. Because graduation

meant my life with Levi could real y begin.

I passed al of my exams. As a matter of fact, al of us did, although Levi had to persuade his Spanish teacher to al ow him to retake his test.

Eli was right; he failed it miserably. Levi made up some lame story about an emergency at home that had him distracted and unable to concentrate,

which was sort of true. Fortunately, the teacher believed him, and he made a ninety-eight on his makeup test.

I was in my room, stepping into a beautiful, black, one-shoulder mini dress when Mom cal ed up to me. “Are you ready? We don’t want to be

late!”

“Yes! I’l be right down!” I jerked the hot rol ers out, ran my fingers through my hair, and squeezed off a few spritz of hairspray. Finishing, I put on my lip balm, and headed downstairs, with my hideous, dark green cap and gown dangling over my arm.

“Oh, Annabel e, you look amazing! Just wait until Levi sees you. He’l be breathless.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I was glad it was just she and I for a little while longer. She’d been spending a lot of time with Doc. And although I liked him

very much, I had to be honest, I was feeling slightly jealous. But the good thing was, when I moved out, she’d have someone to fil her time. I cringed at the thought of her being lonely.

When we pul ed into the parking lot of the school, I spotted Levi leaning against his shiny, blue Mustang immediately. He was also wearing

black; a black dress shirt with the sleeves rol ed up and black slacks. The saliva flooded my mouth instantly. I decided to wait until later to put on my gown. The truth is I wanted to see his reaction to the dress. When Ashley and I went shopping we wanted our dresses to make a statement. Her

dress said “cute and innocent”, while mine said “Levi Lava Hottie might be my man, but I’m stil hotter than him”.
Well not really, but you can’t
blame me for trying.

I was not disappointed with his reaction. It was priceless. The overpriced dress was worth every penny he gave me to buy it.

He looked me up and down, eyes bulging. “Oh my! You are—wel words can’t express what you are.”

“I take that as ‘hey, kitten, you’re beautiful’.”

“No. That would be an insult. You are magnificent. I am the most blessed man on earth.” He picked up my hand and brought it to his lips,

kissing it softly. When he smiled down at me his dimples showed and my heart almost stopped.

“Wel , I guess we match because you are beyond magnificent. But did I tel you I was wearing black?”

“Not exactly.” He didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t press the matter.

“Hm.” I shrugged.

I hunted around for the gang and spotted them already in their proper places, alphabetical y.
Wow, I guess I’m later than I thought
. I smiled at each one of them, saving Missy for last. I had to admit I had a soft spot for the girl, such a sweet thing with a big smile.

I was the first of us to walk across the stage and accept my diploma. When I did I was astonished to see so many pack members present.

Hector was the most visible, with his shiny, bald head towering over the rest, with his wife Tosha to his right and his son Jeremy on his lap. To his left, was a round, gray-haired, old lady whom I’d never seen before. I even spotted Raven amongst the crowd, with his brooding dark look. By their

numbers I’d say the whole pack showed up. It was a good thing we were outside because al the noise they were making was deafening. When it

was Levi’s turn to take his walk the noise was almost unbearable, many covering their ears. Josh was the last of us to take his turn, but by then

everyone was used to the screaming and cheering.

Once our caps were in the air I felt free at last. I don’t real y mean free from school, although that was a good feeling too. I meant that now I

was free to live my life with Levi, something I’d been dreaming about for many weeks.

Afterwards, I immediately found my friends. We exchanged hugs and tearful promises to never lose touch, each one of us soon to be going

our separate ways.

Toby was accepted to NC State, Stacy to Belmont Abbey, Missy to Lee University, and Delaney was gonna try her hand at modeling.

“Mrs. Charity,” Hector began, “I’d like to introduce you to my grandmother. My grandfather passed away recently and now she’s going to be

staying with us. Everyone cal s her Grandmammy Goodfeeling.”

I swal owed my laugh as Levi elbowed me. I looked over at Hector’s serious face and had a hard time imagining his last name being

Goodfeeling. How had I managed not to know that? After al , that’s the last feeling anybody gets when they see him coming toward them, unless

you’re like me and he’s always saving your butt.
Or is that me saving his butt
? “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Goodfeeling.”

“Oh, honey, I insist you cal me Grandmammy. Charlie is it?”

“It’s Charity.”

“How lovely, dear. We’re gonna be great friends. I make the best moonshine anywhere around these parts, cure any ailment from a cough to

the flu. You just come on by my room and get some anytime you feelin’ run down. My door is always open. You hear me, Charlie?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Hector took the arm of the old woman. “Come on, Grandmammy, let’s get you back.”

She pul ed free. “Are you a jokin’? I’m gonna go party. Because of Grandpappy I haven’t been able to party for years, and I ain’t gonna let

any sonny a mine tel me any difernt.”

I started to laugh at her accent but Levi must’ve sensed it, giving me a stern look of warning, which sobered me at once.
Sometimes it’s no

fun being the alpha female.

Hector lowered his head in reverence. “Yes ma’am.”

As I watched her walk toward the parking lot, big butt swaying back and forth, the back of her dress higher than the front, I realized who she

reminded me of—Tyler Perry’s character, Madea
.

“You’re committing a crime covering up that dress,” Levi whispered, unzipping my graduation gown and slipping it off my shoulders, al owing

his hands to linger on my skin. “There, that’s much better.” A look of pride swel ed in his eyes.

“Are you as excited as I am?” I asked. “Now we can begin our life together. I mean, real y begin it.”

“I’m so excited I can hardly wait. Once you move in with me I’l never have to spend another night without you wrapped in my arms.”

“Oh yes, and I’m gonna start working on that right away.”

“How’s your mom taking it?”

“She’s nervous that Ashley and I won’t be able to afford the rent. Actual y, she thinks we’re not ready for such a big move.”

“Wel , she’d probably be right if things were real y working out that way. She has no way of knowing that the pack is paying for your rent.”

“She’l be fine. She’s got Doc now.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

I sighed. “I don’t know. I’m mixed. On one hand I’m glad she has him, but I’m afraid that once she realizes what he is, and therefore what you

are, she’l freak.”

“Wel , we don’t know if it’s that serious, or if it’l ever be. Doc can tel when she’s ready for the truth, if he chooses to tel her, that is.”

“I have to admit, it would be nice to share my life with her.”

“Share your life with who?” my mom asked, coming up behind me.
Hmm, why didn’t Levi warn me?

I scrambled for a quick answer. “Oh, with Ashley. I’m excited about moving in with her.”

“When do you think you two wil start apartment shopping?”

“Tomorrow,” I responded with excitement.

“Hopping jalapenos!! That soon?”

Wonder where she got that one?
“Wel we’re in a hurry to be grown-ups.”

She laughed. “Boy, don’t I know that. You ready to go? I think those guys over there are hungry.”

I turned to see the guys from the pack making sil y faces and gestures like they were dying of hunger. Irena and Joseph rented a nice

restaurant for the evening and al of us were heading over there to stuff our faces and have some fun.

Josh came up to us and handed Levi a set of keys.

“Thanks, man,” Levi said, slapping Josh’s shoulder in a manly gesture of friendship.

My mom smiled and left to mingle with my other friends and their parents. I looked at Levi suspiciously.

He took my hand and led me toward his car. “I have something to show you.” We stopped in front of his car, but then he sidestepped and

turned me toward another car right beside his.

“What are you doing?”

“This is a graduation present. I hope you’l accept it. It’d make me very happy.”