Chapter 20: XX

Levi POV

It had been a long, grueling week. I and Jack had been hunting rogues, one after another, each hunt fizzling out like a candle flame that couldn’t stay lit after another. It was easy to get exhausted over it.

The rogues didn’t follow any particular kind of order, they did not have a pack, and that made them unpredictable, but not just that, they were also dangerous. It made the hunt feel endless, like I was chasing shadows that always slipped out of reach.

I landed a punch on a man, one of the rogues. He had been running from us for days, but we finally caught him a few minutes ago by chance.

Because of how hard he made it for us to get hold of him, I wanted to make him pay with all the anger boiling within my bones. He stumbled backwards, clutching his ribs, eyes wide open with pain.

I was furious at him, furious at the hunt, furious at the frustration that kept building inside of me. I wasn’t a violent man by nature, but this week had tested every ounce of my patience.

I raised a fist, marching towards him with as much fury I could muster, to land another blow, but suddenly, I felt a hand grab me back, stopping my fist mid-swing.

“Levi, stop,” Jack’s voice rang in my ear, strong and commanding. He had rushed over, grabbing my arm before I could hit the rogue again. Perhaps he had sensed the inner turmoil that boiled within my veins at the time.

I snapped my gaze to him, my breath heavy, chest heaving, “Why’d you stop me?” I growled, my voice sharp, I wasn’t in the mood for arguments.

Jack didn’t let go of my arm immediately, he stared at me for a moment, and I could feel the weight of his gaze, the way he was reading me.

Finally, he let go of my hand and stepped back. “The rogue doesn’t have the information we need,” Jack said, “let him go.”

I curled my fingers, forming a fist. Let him go? After everything we have gone through, after days of chasing this lead, I couldn’t just let him walk away.

“We’ve been on this damn hunt for a week, Jack. A week. And we’re no closer to finding anything. What makes you think this guy won’t give us what we need?”

Jack sighed. “We have to think this through, Levi. Be smart. He’s not going to give us anything now. We don’t have the time or the patience for this. Let’s retract, we'll find another lead.”

Jack was right, though, I knew he was. The rogue wasn’t going to spill anything now, not with the way I was acting. I could feel my anger simmering down, but it didn’t make me feel any better. Although I knew he was on the right side, I felt empty. The hunt felt pointless. The rogue was just another dead end, like all the others.

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed deeply, my back arched in despair, my gaze shifting to the horizon, "Damn this!" I spat. My mind wandered, drifting to thoughts of Isabell. She had been on my mind nonstop for the past few days.

I missed her. I missed her voice, her touch, the way she always knew how to calm me when I was losing control without even knowing. The thought of her gave me a little peace, like a quiet spot in the middle of the storm that raged inside me.

I couldn’t wait to go back to her, to feel the warmth of her presence again. But the hunt had to come first. I needed to ensure her safety.

“We’re done here for tonight,” Jack said, breaking into my thoughts. I nodded in agreement, though absentmindedly, still lost in my own head.

"It's been one dead end after another," he continued, "Let us try to kick back and relax ourselves," A smile beamed off his lips.

Later that night, we found ourselves sitting in a bar, nursing cold beer and letting the noise of the place wash over us, drowning the anguish that I felt. The music thumped in the background, and the clink of glass and laughter filled the air.

Jack took a long gulp from his bottle and leaned back in his chair, a look of nostalgia crossing his face.

“This place,” he said, almost like he was talking to himself, “Brings back memories, doesn’t it?”

I raised an eyebrow, “Memories, huh?” I gave a low laugh in spite of myself, “You’re the one who always got us into trouble, parties until dawn, getting wasted, ruining my reputation. I could never forget that.”

Jack chuckled, shaking his head, “Yeah, well, I wasn’t exactly the best influence, was I?” He paused for a moment, sighed softly then continued, “but look at me now, man, I’m not that guy anymore, I’ve got everything together.”

I smiled, but it wasn’t a happy one. I thought about my life now, about Isabell, and the future we could have. Now I was the one with the shattered life. The thought hit me with a strange sadness. Could we even have a future?

Jack continued, oblivious to the thought that had just crossed my mind, “I am a father of two amazing girls, and a son on the way. Who would’ve thought, huh?”

I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth, “You’ve come a long way, Jack. I’m proud of you.” The words seemed empty even though I meant it.

His grin widened, “Thanks, man, I couldn’t have done it without you”

I leaned back in my chair, staring at my beer bottle. My mind wandered again, this time not to the hunt, but to Isabell. What would it be like to have a life like Jack’s? A family, kids running around the house, waking up next to someone who loved you… the idea of it was comforting and terrifying all at once.

An image of Isabell and I in a family portrait, with two or three kids all nuzzling happily in our arms, flashed through my mind. Could this be me and Isabell one day?

I couldn’t help the bittersweet smile that crept onto my face. The idea of building a future with her seemed too perfect to be real, but at the same time, it felt like it was the only thing I ever truly wanted.

Suddenly, I stood up, excusing myself, “I’ll be right back,” I said, not waiting for Jack to respond. He merely stared blankly, his lips pursed.

I stepped outside the bar, the cool night air hitting my face. I pulled out my phone, the bright screen lit up my face, and I quickly dialed Zoe’s number.

She answered on the second ring, “Levi?” Her

voice sounded tired, but there was something comforting about hearing it.

“Hey, Zoe,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “I just wanted to check in. How’s Isabell doing?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, a strange silence that sent a shiver down my spine. Finally, Zoe spoke, but her voice sounded distant, almost like she was trying to keep something from me.

“She’s doing okay. Just… missing you, I guess.”

I smiled at the thought. Isabell misses me. The thought warmed me, but something about Zoe’s tone made me uneasy.

Before I could respond, I heard it, Isabell’s voice. “Is that Levi?” Her voice echoed from the other end.

My heart stopped for a moment, and I froze in place.