13.2: Without Remorse

Levi's POV

“Her brother?” Mick asked again, just as he got another text.

My wolf growled.

“That wouldn't surprise me,” I shrugged, trying not to let him see me gritting my teeth. Dylan’s two weeks had long since passed and just as Dina predicted, he didn’t show up. And none of my trackers were able to find even a shred of evidence that he was still alive. Not that I minded. I liked having his sister as a maid. And that wasn’t going to change any time soon. One, because if she was a target, I could keep her safe by keeping her close by. And second, the second Dylan stepped foot back into my territory, I was going to kill him for what he'd done to his sister. My wolf growled in agreement.

What kind of man hits a woman?!

And his younger sister at that? He was supposed to take care of her but instead---

“Have you tried asking her? Perhaps she knows something?” Mick suggested again. I only needed to glance up at him for him to remember who we were talking about here. He quickly nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Dina was too honest and open to hiding any secrets. I doubt she could lie to save her life. And she’d never once hidden the fact that she and her brother didn’t have the most heartwarming relationship. If he was in trouble, he would know how to keep her out of it. Still didn't answer the most important question...

“Why would anyone go through so much trouble to get just one wolf?” I asked, looking up at Mick. But he was just standing there with a stupid smirk on his face and ogling his phone. And just like that, my wolf saw red!

One thing was stealing MY maid, but to disrespect me?

A loud growl ripped through the room, making Mick jump a mile in the air. His startled eyes met mine and instantly he knew what time it was. Like a kid caught red-handed, he put his phone away and looked sheepishly my way.

“Busy?” I growled, panting with the effort it took to keep my wolf from attacking him.

“Not until later,” he gulped and quickly changed the subject. “I’ll get some of the trackers to see if we can pinpoint where these rogues are being kidnapped from. Perhaps if we get a source of origin, we could capture and interrogate whoever is gathering them.”

“So you do know who to think, like a Beta,” I mumbled, my wolf dangerously close to the surface. And me dangerously close to letting him beat the living shit out of my brother.

Sensing my darkening mood, Mick suddenly pulled out a letter and handed it to me.

“What’s this?” I growled and eyed the envelope. But the second I saw the insignia, I mentally groaned and rolled my eyes. Even my wolf scowled when we realized---

“A love letter from the Council,” Mick joked. He was used to my moods and knew better than anyone that my wolf was easily distracted. Which he often took advantage of, especially to save his own ass. “They want to know about your plus one for the Christmas Ball---” he continued with an annoying smirk on his face.

“I’m not going with anyone,” I replied, annoyed and pissed that they kept pestering me about such bullshit. I'd already had this conversation a million times before with my family and the Council. Those old farts were supposed to help the Werewolf King to keep the peace between the packs, but apparently, they also dabbled in some matchmaking, creating strong alliances between the packs and the King. And yes, perhaps it gave me some sick sense of satisfaction that they couldn't get me to play nice. I also knew why they were so eager to have me matched with someone. It was because no matter how hard the King had tried, my wolf wouldn't submit to him. I did - because I wasn't the idiot who wanted to become king! - but my wolf wasn't compelled to submit to someone who he considered weaker than him.

And that made people in the capital nervous...

Too bad I didn't give a shit. Besides, if they knew the truth about my wolf---

“It will just give the wrong impression,” I said and shivered when I remembered the last conversation with the Council. They wanted me to mate with some power-hungry she-wolf from another pack; Lauran Summers. Their reason was that, since I’m not an alpha-born wolf, a mate – or more specifically an heir – would strengthen the position and my claim to the title. Now I may not be high on morals, but if I’m ever going to father a child, it will be because I want a child; not because I need an heir!

“You know the Council---” Mick started up the usual argument and, as usual, I cut him off.

“I know, and when the time comes, I’ll tell them what I tell them every year,” I groaned, wondering if this maybe was Aunt Sally’s doing. I know she’s been pestering me and Mick about grandkids, but so far, she’d only partly succeeded in convincing Mick.

I was NOT on the lookout for a mate!

To be honest, the idea frightened the living shit out of me. I had power and looks, sure, so it wasn’t hard finding someone willing to take the Luna title. But that also meant that someone would have to see me, for what I really am. A broken man with the power of a beast.

And what sane person would ever take on that willingly?

“You have to find a mate sooner or later,” Mick continued, crossing his arms over his chest. I clenched my fists and let out an annoyed growl.

Yep, definitely Aunt Sally…

“Worry about doing your job, and keep out of my personal life,” I growled, giving him one last look of warning.

“Yes, Alpha,” he nodded and left for the door. But my idiot brother had forgotten when to quit. He stopped and, with a frown, met my gaze again.

“Is it because of your wolf?”

He was just concerned. I knew that. But the suggestion alone propelled my wolf into a bottomless rage. The suggestion that he’d be alone and mate-less forever was like a slap to the face. He wanted blood. And I was losing the battle for control.

“FUCK OFF!” I bellowed and luckily Mick knew when to get the fuck out of dodge before I completely lost it. My wolf was roaring and clawing to come out. I tried to take a deep breath to calm him down. But he didn’t stop. My wolf was fighting for control, wanting to go after the man I considered a brother, and kill him for speaking like that. He didn’t care. My wolf never cared about anyone. Anything that crossed him, he killed.

And he killed without remorse…

I got up and left the office. I had to get out of there before I ripped the place apart. Outside, I began running and didn't stop until I was outside my house. I knew nobody would be there right now, which was a good thing. If Dina saw me like this she would---

I closed the door behind me and tried to take a few deep breaths, forcing calm into my mind. Once I’d calmed down enough, I could go for a run. Let him hunt and kill. Give in to the blood lust and give him an outlet for his rage. But I couldn’t give my wolf control right now.

Not like this…

Rage surged through me, as my wolf fought for control. It felt like fire ran in my veins and a thousand needles were spearing my guts.

He wanted out.

He wanted blood.

He demanded respect!

I gritted my teeth so hard, I could hear molders cracking. My hands clenched into fists, as I was desperately trying to get him under control again. In a blaze of my own fury and desperation, I lifted my fist, wanting to punch something. The wall was as good a place as any. Just something not to feel this fucking helpless and lost. And just as I was about to ram my fist into the wall, when suddenly---

My wolf stopped fighting.

I gasped at the sudden shift. My heart was hammering in my chest as if I had just run a marathon and a trail of sweat was forming at the base of my neck. My vision was blurry, and my muscles ached from fighting. But my wolf was quiet and reluctantly I let my guard down. Instead of rage and murder, he seemed curious. I shook my head, trying to clear my blurry vision. What the hell had caught my wolf’s attention so that he---?

I looked at the wall and, surprised, I took a step back.

On the white wall, covered in my mistakes and regrets, a community of small stick-figure people appeared. Every gray patch had been transformed into everything from giant cookies and fruits to adorable little huts for the stick-figure people. They roamed around in parks, treehouses, and rivers, making my wall of mistakes come to life in ways I could never imagine.

How the hell did I miss this?

I took another step back and finally noticed the drawing on the stairs. And grinned. It was a drawing of a ginormous dog, proudly displaying the missing railing to his master stick figure, who was hopelessly shaking his head. As if this was to explain what happened to the rest of the railing...

As I was standing there, watching this imaginary world come to life, I felt my wolf calm down. Simply enjoying the imagination of another human being. I sat down with him and watched it all.

Lines really could change things…