Chapter 5 - Levi

 Levi mentally smacked himself as he walked into the kitchen, replying her reaction to him in his mind.

His mate was utterly scared of him.

Completely and wholly terrified of him.

Her reaction tore a hole in his heart. He hadn't known her for more than a day and he had already made her afraid of him.

Levi shook his head, focusing on what he was doing.

Water, right. Doriane was thirsty.

Levi grabbed a cup from the cupboard and walked over to the fridge to get some water when he froze.

What if she wanted something else? All he offered her was water, but what if she wanted tea or cocoa? It was really cold outside.

But he didn't wanna bring her something she didn't like. That would seem rude and disregarding, something he wouldn't allow if he wanted to get on her good side.

His wolf laughed at him in his head and he shook his thoughts clear. Good golly, dude. Stop over-analyzing all of this. Just grab some water and go see her before she falls back asleep and you lose your chance to talk to the girl.

Levi sighed and filled the glass before turning around to the family room again.

He was trying to figure out what he would say to her when he realized there was a chill. Levi looked up, noticing the front door was wide open, along with the closet.

His heart started beating faster and he was terrified to look at the sofa. Levi already knew she wasn't going to be there.

Anger pulsed through his veins and he let out a dark growl as he realized she ran.

The glass exploded in his hand, water soaking the carpet under him as the glass embedded itself in his hand and sprinkled after the water on the floor.

Levi pounded out the door, determined to bring her back. He quickly spotted her footprints in the snow and followed her cherry scent. He leaped off the front step and bounded into the forest line after her.

Levi plunged ahead as if his life depended on it.

She couldn't have gone far, and he was relieved she didn't have a chance to go any deeper.

He didn't want pneumonia added to her other medical problems.

Levi spotted her golden hair in the distance and pumped his legs forward with a burst of energy. He jumped in front of her, putting a stop to her escape.

She gasped loudly and stepped back, putting distance between them.

Levi stepped closer to her, but she took a step back, her hands outstretched. She was wearing one of his jackets and was shaking uncontrollably. Levi couldn't tell if it was from the cold, fear, or both.

When he heard a sob, he knew fear was involved.

A tear slid down her face as she looked at him in terror. “Please, don't hurt me. I'm sorry, I won't go again,” she pleaded, nearly sinking to her knees with the words.

Her tears were tearing him apart. Levi growled, disappointed at himself for making her cry, but she heard his growl and another sob tore from her.

He closed his eyes for a second, reminding himself to calm down, and slowly walked up to her.

She fell back from her knees, one hand still outstretched as she scooted back in the snow. Her hand was starting to turn red from the temperature of the snow.

Levi kept his distance and gestured back to the cabin, understanding her distaste of being touched.

She looked at him for a minute before realizing what Levi was proposing and stood slowly as if waiting for him to attack.

When nothing happened, she sighed and straightened her back, wiping at her cheeks and eyes with the back of her hand. They marched through the snow back to the house.

She was still dressed in that short shirt and an even shorter skirt. His jacket had more length on her and covered more than those awful clothes.

Any other day, he would have been pleased to see her wrapped in his jacket, covered in his scent.

But her shivering reminded him of how cold she had to have been out in this weather.

He could see his mate's confusion as the barely visible path split into two directions. Levi tried to urge her on by touching her elbow, but she jumped and cowered at his touch.

He frowned, the thought of not touching her long forgotten when he thought about her shivering in the cold.

It was a constant battle he was learning and had a hard time restraining. He had to fight every part of him that wanted to pull her into his arms and whisper comforts in her ear.

Goodness, what had happened to her before she came to him?

Levi nodded his head lightly to the right, indicating she should keep going.

When they reached the door, he was eager to close the wood behind them, officially locking them in the building.

She gulped deeply and crossed her arms, no doubt trying to get warm.

Levi looked at the wet spot and glass scattered on the floor and remembered the water he was supposed to bring her.

He wanted to go and get her something, but he wasn't going to risk her running again. She froze when she realized Levi entered the room and looked at her with fear.

He hated that look more than her crying.

“You can take a seat,” Levi said, gesturing to the couch behind her.

She nodded, eyes cast down, and walked over to the sofa, waiting at the end. He stared at her curiously, wondering what she was waiting for.

He watched as Doriane kneeled on the carpet in front of the couch she had been previously sleeping on.

She rested her body weight against her knees and lowered her head in submission again. The position made her look extremely small and vulnerable.

Levi felt his heart clench and wondered again what had happened to his sweet mate.

He walked over to the closet and pulled out another blanket. Levi approached her gently, afraid his sudden moves would make her freak out again. When she didn't recoil, Levi spread the blanket between his hands before laying it over her shoulders.

She didn't flinch at the movement, so Levi pressed his luck by extending his hand to her. He held it impossibly still, waiting to see if she would grasp onto him.

After waiting a couple of minutes, her shaking hand slid into his own.

His hand felt like it had been shocked by the tingling sensations that shot up his arm.

He heard the smallest gasp from his mate and knew that she felt it as well.

He almost shouted for joy at her minor acception, but instead carefully lifted her hand and led her to the couch.

His mate's gorgeous chocolate eyes finally focused on him as she slowly lowered herself onto the cushions as if making sure it was okay for her to sit there. He was careful to remain still and stoic, not wanting to give away the anger he was feeling

“What do you want?” She finally piped up. Her voice was barely over a whisper and if was hard to hear what she was saying.

“Well, I’d like to start with your name. What do you want me to call you?”

His mate’s eyes clung to his for a long moment and he could see the wheels turning in her exhausted eyes. “Doriane.”

Levi’s lips twitched up slightly. The name was perfect for her and he loved the sound of it.

“It's nice to meet you, Doriane. Do you know why you’re here?”

Doriane retracted her eyes again and rubbed the wrapping on her arm gently as if thinking. Suddenly, she shook her head. “You don't want me. I don't even want me. It would be better for both of us if you just forgot about me.”

Levi felt like he'd been shot. By a cannon. And lived to be burned alive.

Did she just ask me to reject her?

Levi felt his anger boil over again and clenched his fists together. “No.” He stated firmly, leaving no room for argument.