16. Levi

16

Levi

T he relief at seeing Sofia safe had been so all-encompassing that Levi nearly dropped to his knees right there in the middle of the clearing, in front of the entire motorcycle crew.

Levi had even stumbled but righted himself before anyone saw. He didn’t care what they thought. But he didn’t want them to think he was incapable of protecting her. Now that he knew she was unharmed, he would be fine.

Her distress was evident, but apparently, she’d already bonded with one of the females from the crew. He was just grateful it wasn’t one of the males.

His phone buzzed. Normally he would ignore a call during a time like this, but Nora’s name flashed across the screen. “Excuse me,” he said to the group. A call from her during this kind of crisis could not wait.

“Levi. I am on my way,” she said, before he even had a chance to say hello.

“You’re coming here? To Texas?” he clarified.

“Yes. If these are the same wolves that held me captive, then I want to be there. I was planning to try and meet Sofia anyway, while she was visiting Rhett. I think I can help her harness her power.”

He wasn’t sure how Nora would know that without having even spoken to her, but who was he to interfere? If that’s what Nora wanted, then he was all for it. Anything to keep Sofia safe.

He hung up and went back to Sofia. “You’re not going to want to hear this. But you need to come back with me.”

“To Cedar Lake?”

“Yes. That was Nora. She’s on her way.”

“Is that a good idea? What if they try to capture her again?”

“I don’t want to speak for her, but Nora has spent much of her time since then honing her skills. She will teach you as well. Already you were able to escape them in a short amount of time. She thinks with some training, she can help you. It won’t eliminate the threat, but it will minimize it.”

“But you’ll still have to be very aware,” Max said. “None of us are immune. Even a human with the right tools and training can be lethal to a shifter.”

“We have to go,” Levi said. He had to put aside absolute heartbreak. His devastation did not matter. He had to get her out of these woods.

“He’s right, Sofia,” Max said. “It will be a lot easier to defend Kellan’s house than it would be for us to protect you out in the woods. And it’s a perfect place for home base. A lot of us can stay there.”

“You’re coming?”

“Yes, I’m coming, and so is my mate.” A human woman stepped forward. “I’m Jordan. And I’m coming too. We were on our way to visit when we heard about your threat. My family has been hunters for generations, and we can handle some asshole wolves.”

“Hunters?” Liam had no idea what she meant.

“They hunt rogue supernaturals.”

Well, that was disturbing. But she was mated to a dragon shifter, so he assumed they weren’t in any danger from her.

“Everyone reacts like that,” Jordan said. “No one trusts me at first.”

Levi tried to hide his unease. “I appreciate your help.”

“Me too,” said Sofia. “I wish I had gotten to know you all under better circumstances. I came here to visit and now I’m disrupting your lives.”

“It’s not a problem,” Max said. “This is what we do.” He and the rest left to gather their belongings.

Levi wanted so badly to wrap his arm around her. But he would not put her in the position of having to push him away in front of all these people. Would his touch be welcome if it was just for comfort?

“Are you sure all of this is necessary? I feel bad. I just rejected you and now you had to come back,” Sofia said.

“None of that’s important right now. And it is very necessary. If Nora says it’s a problem, then it’s a problem, and from what you told me these wolves are violent. They want to use magic to manipulate and harm people.”

“You’re right. Let’s go,” she said.

Once they arrived back at the ranch it was Liam who greeted them. He was working from home and had volunteered to get a guest room set up for them.

That night she crept into Levi’s room.

He sat up in bed. “What’s wrong? Did you hear something?”

She sniffed. “I just feel like I’m putting everyone in danger. Kellan and Quinn have already told their mates not to come back. And the kids are staying with them, and Liam and Brennan’s mates are coming back to help fight. His house is packed with people.”

“No one wanted this, but these four brothers from Ireland truly are gifted in this way. I’ve never seen anything like it, not even in my own clan. Maybe it’s because they lost everything, maybe it’s because they deliberately chose the clan and it’s not just blood and proximity. They could’ve all gone their separate ways as teenagers, but they did not. They stuck together and all of them have worked hard to bring those of us who were alone together. So please, let them help you. Do not run away, if you’re thinking about it.”

“It did cross my mind,” she admitted.

He stifled a sharp intake of breath. If she felt like he was trying to control her, that would not go over well, but he had to at least try to make her stay.

“Not too long ago, one of the males connected to this clan found his mate. His name is Wyatt, and he’s a professional football player. His mate was getting threatening letters, so she decided to run away, and she was kidnapped. She’s actually a famous movie star—her name is Roselyn.”

“Oh wow. I’ve even heard of her. She’s part of this family?”

“Yes. And she was kidnapped by a deranged demi-god.”

Sofia blinked a few times at that.

“She’s not the only one who has wanted to leave to keep everyone else safe. It’s noble but it just makes everyone upset. No one wants you to leave. Even if I wasn’t here, they would be absolutely crushed if you took off. So, please stay.”

“I will. I promise.” She leaned in and pressed her lips against his. She jerked back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why did you do it?” He wanted to know.

“I thought we could have one more night together before all of this is over.” Her pretty face twisted into a grimace. “I know that makes me sound like a jerk. Or like I’m using you, but that’s not how I meant it.”

“So, you’re still planning to go back to the motorcycle club when this is solved?

“Yes.”

“Are you still planning to go to Canada?”

“Maybe. I don’t know, I don’t want to rule anything out. The thought of being trapped or committing to anything… it makes my skin crawl.”

He couldn’t lie to himself; the fact that she thought being with him meant being trapped stung. It hurt. But he wasn’t an idiot. He wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to make love to his mate.

“I want to be with you too,” he said. He touched her cheek. “Just for tonight.”

She leaned forward, letting her hair fall in her face. “Just for tonight?”

“Yes. One last time.”