twenty-three

Levi's POV: (12 minutes ago)

I had finally arrived to Naomi's home and opened the door, I was too eager to see her that I forgot to close it behind me, letting the wind flow in.

She wasn't here, but she was not too long ago. I clenched my fists. Did I miss my chance?

I smelt an unfamiliar scent from upstairs and headed that way. I made sure to keep quiet. I peaked my head into the room and saw a older woman gently folding clothes into a luggage.

Naomi and her mother were planning on leaving. She was going to leave me. Anger filled my body and I felt my wolf trying to take control and I took a deep breath, trying to contain him.

Ever since Naomi left I was having trouble keeping him contained. Everything was thrown into shambles after she left me. After she left us. But it was okay because I was going to fix all of this. I didn't know what I was going to see but I knew I was going to speak from the heart. That's all I needed to do.

Speak from the heart, a few moments later I smelt her. Then I heard her, "mom? Are you finished packing?"

I darted down the steps and pushed her against the nearest wall, closing us in quickly. She looked more beautiful than ever. Her eyes widened and her mouth was agape from shock. "Levi?" She said.

I could've kissed her right then and there. Her sweet voice saying my name was all she needed to

do to make me drop to my knees and do anything for her. I buried my face into her neck and breathed in her scent. She smelt of honey and vanilla. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed lightly. I didn't want to let her go. "I told you I would find you, Naomi… no matter where you go mate, I will always be a few steps behind. Because.. I love you." The words just slipped out. I couldn't help it.

I did love Naomi. Losing her only made me realize that even more. She placed her hands on my chest and attempted to push me backwards. I took the hint and stepped back, sadly.

"Love? You don't love me Levi. You just love having someone to claim and occasionally mess around with." She spoke. Her voice was filled with pain and anger. I knew she was just upset and I swore to myself that I wouldn't get angry at her for it. This was my doing and now I have to fix it. "No, Naomi. I do love you. Please, give me a chance to explain myself," I said before running my hands down my face.

I was tired, I hadn't slept for days because I was up thinking about her. My wolf and I couldn't sleep until I knew that my mate was safe and under the same roof as me. "After I marked you.. I took a peak into your mind," she immediately rolled her eyes and cut me off "Look Levi-"

"No, Naomi. I need you to hear this. I need you to hear me." I sadly mumbled. This might be my last chance to win my mate back and I wasn't going to let it go.

I started up again, "all I felt in your mind was.. sadness.. misery and anger. I was ignorant to keep you locked up for all those days. I was selfish and I just wanted you all to myself. Not only that but I wanted to please my father and the pack, I thought of everyone else before you… my mate.. my everything," I gripped her hips and heard her suck in a breath. It was good to know I still had.. that affect on her.

Although saying this was killing me, I had to finish.

"I want to redeem myself, Naomi. I want you to trust me… not as your alpha and not as your superior but, to trust me as your mate, I promise I will never, ever lay a single hand on you… unless you want me to.." I seductively mumbled.

I pulled my hands back from her and gripped my hair. "Please, Naomi, please I need you by my side. I cannot go on without you, you mean more to me than you know and I would like to have another chance to treat you better…"

Her and I waited there in silence for seconds before Naomi spoke up and told me off. I didn't dare interrupt her confession. I wanted her to get this all off her chest. If we wanted to move past this then we couldn't just pretend like I didn't happen.

The harsh words that she threw at me didn't fail to break my heart. I continued to stare deeply into her eyes, refusing to break the contact no matter how much it hurt to see the pain that filled hers.

"You cannot possibly expect me to come back with you willingly after I spent the worse days of my life in that cabin." She said, after I knew she was done I spoke up, "we won't stay at the cabin okay? I'll find a different house we could stay at and it'll be secluded. Just you and I, Naomi."

Without warning she slipped from my grasp and ran outside. My first thoughts were that she was running away. But that would be wrong.. she should know by now that she cannot run from me.

I followed her outside where she stood in the strong wind, "shit!" She screamed.

"Naomi? What's wr-" I began before stopping. A wave of pain hit me first. It couldn't have been me so it must've been her. Then that delicious smell filled my nostrils. It was better than the first time I smelt Naomi. My body grew stiff and I could feel my wolf attempting to take over once again.

He was getting antsy and I think I knew why. When I was younger and my father was teaching me about mates he mentioned what was called a heat. It happened not too long after a wolf marked their mate. He described it as the best part of the mating process and told me that I would know when it was happening.

My mate was in heat. Perfect timing.

"Levi?" She questioned while panting. She was definitely feeling the effects of the heat. It seemed to be happening faster than usual. I analyzed her perfect body once more from afar before walking up to her. I stared down at her, just thinking of all the possibilities.

Then I dipped my head down into her neck to get a better whiff of that mouth-watering smell. The closer I got, the more addicting it became. I wanted nothing more than to drag her to the nearest room and claim her, fully.

Shit, was it supposed to be this intoxicating? I gripped her waist and squeezed as I felt my wolf gaining more control. My fangs began to grow and I dragged them against her bare neck.

If she were to protest against this I would've moved back immediately but instead, she turned her head to the side even more to give me access. She wanted this and so did I. Nothing was stopping me.

I spoke too soon.

"Naomi?" The older woman from the bedroom spoke up. Naomi completely snapped out of it and pushed me back, running toward her. I growled deeply and was sucked into a mental conversation with my wolf.

'She's in heat..' I spoke.

'You know what this means. She must come with us and we have to mate with her.'

'Is there no other way?'

My wolf growled at that response, 'the other way would be our mate getting raped and impregnated by another wolf, is that what you want'

'Of course not! I love her just as much as you do. I just don't want to force her into anything anymore'

'If we bring mate with us, it's not because we're forcing her, but because she would not be safe alone. We're just trying to protect her.' He replied.

'Besides, her mother can join along and can stay close by to make mate happy.'

'You're right..but what will happen when her heat becomes too much for her to handle? Or what would happen if we can't control ourselves around her and mate with her?'

'That is a issue for another day. For now, let us focus on mate and keep her safe from other males.'

I pushed myself back into reality and kept my wolf on the surface, just in case I needed his strength to fend off anyone. I flipped around just in time as Naomi passed out and began to fall to the floor. I caught her in my arms and caressed her.

"Don't worry, Naomi, I got you."