Chapter 4: Getting to Know You

I hesitated and remained against the wall in between both rooms.

A soft chuckle came from him.

“You might as well come in,” he called out to me again. “Unless you want to get caught standing out there. Your call.”

Ugh, I hated the smugness in his voice. It ground against me in ways that I couldn’t even comprehend. But even still, I felt a pull toward the room that I couldn’t deny. The wolf inside me was reaching for him and begging me to listen.

I sighed and pushed open the door to reveal Leo standing in the same position, with his fists on the table. His hair was slightly tousled as if when talking to my father, he had continuously ran his hands through it. Pieces fell into his face, touching the scar that came in contact with one of his eyes, which looked at me with a growing sense of familiarity. He had changed so much.

“H-how long have you known I was there?” I asked as I stepped into the room.

“Long enough. I’m sure your father did too, but that’s not my concern.”

His eyes sized me up while I approached the other end of the table and stood across from him. Suddenly, a smirk crossed his face.

“You’ve grown,” he said, his voice husk and dripping with flirtation.

I mentally took it back instantly. He was the exact same Leo, and I couldn’t help but grimace at his tone.

I ignored his advance, but his smile remained. “What you told my father—was it true?”

“Depends,” he began, the self-satisfaction still attached to him. “What do you think?”

“I think you’re full of sh*t, frankly,” I said bluntly.

At this, Leo laughed lightly and shook his head. “Still as cut-throat as ever, I see.” He paused and sharply inhaled while pushing himself off the table. “I’m not lying, so no need to worry about that, princess.”

“Don’t call me that,” I growled at the condescending nickname and accompanying wink.

“Princess? Why not? It’s what you technically are, isn’t it? The Alpha’s daughter…and an Alpha’s mate.”

He emphasized the last word, his eyes sparkling as he said it. He knew. He f*cking knew, and he had no qualms about stating it aloud. The wolf inside of me responded eagerly at the proclamation, urging me forward to him. I could feel the tug trying to draw me closer to him with each breath, but I remained firm to the ground.

“Y-You…felt it too?”

“Of course I did,” he stated matter of factly. “I knew the second I saw you.”

“So then, you’ll also know my feelings towards my family and protecting them are of the utmost priority."

"As with any good future Luna."

I cringed at his words. Luna was something I never wanted to be, but something that was chosen for me. I knew my duty, but it still didn't change the fact that falling into domesticity with no say of my own was one of my biggest fears.

"Don't call me that either," I stated.

"Then what should I call you?" Leo asked, that teasing tone back in his voice. He slowly began to walk around the edge of the table toward me, his eyes glowing as he spoke.

I adjusted my stance behind the table and cleared my throat in an attempt to stay strong. My wolf might be buying this, but I'd be d*mned if I did.

"My name would be appreciated."

"Alright, Nia," he answered, moving closer.

I could almost see my reflection in his eyes and how his lips pursed ever so lightly as he focused on my features…as if I were a complete work of art that he had yet to uncover the meaning of.

They then formed another grin as he raised an eyebrow. I had one voice in my head yelling at me to speak up and tell him to back the f*ck up, while another kept demanding I let it happen.

He began to close in the gap between us. I kept my mouth shut as I took a step back to create distance again.

"You know, Nia," he continued as he closed in the space again, his eyes never leaving mine. "I've had a fair share of flings or romances, as you could say. Things that I once even swore were love."

My name sounded so sensual on his lips.

No, no. I needed to not give in. I took another step back, only for him to take another forward.

"I kept hoping one day I'd feel the pull for them. That instant connection everyone talks about. And then, I show up here in an attempt to ask for an alliance and suddenly…I smell applewood and cinnamon."

A step back and a step forward.

"To be honest, I was surprised. Out of everyone in the world, I mate with…” He inhaled deeply, the next words coming out as a sin, “Nia Patterson."

By now, my back was against a wall, and Leo had one hand pressed against it, blocking me in. I could smell his scent—pine and lemongrass—which overwhelmed me. My wolf begged me to keep breathing him in for as long as possible.

“I-I…”

He grinned at my stutter and the emotions he was eliciting from me.

“You what?”

“I-I don’t believe you,” I sputtered out. “I don’t believe anything you’re saying.”

Leo’s gaze trailed all over my body, making me feel uncontrolled and vulnerable at the same time. His ringed fingers moved down the collar of my dress and teased at the material, making sure to brush the bare skin exposed at my collarbone.

“Believe what? What I'm telling your father or…what I'm telling you?"

His breath kissed my cheeks, which were growing more flushed the longer I remained there.

"T-The first one," I said. I had to get out of his hold, but his grip on my soul was pinning me in place.

Leo sighed and pushed himself off the wall, taking a step back. The air instantly returned to my lungs, and the room slowed its spin, but that feeling of relief was quickly compounded with an increasing sense of loneliness at the lack of his touch.

"Well, good thing it isn't my job to convince you," he stated, returning to his side of the table to gather his weapons belt. "Just your father."

He wrapped it around his waist—a dagger dangling from one side and a pistol from the other—and fastened it with a click.

"Don't worry, princess," he said as he passed by me on his way to the door. "I won't be here for long."

He was revelling in this connection. Not because he wanted me but because the fact that I wanted him made me squirm with disdain and confusion. Goddess, I hated him. But after four years in the Mating Ritual, and with this being my final year to connect, I couldn't afford to turn it down, even if it was Leo.

I watched as he continued through the door frame and closed it behind him, leaving me alone to gather my thoughts and contemplate what the h*ll just happened.