Page 71 of Knot Happening Again

I take a step forward, ready to head home and prepare for tomorrow's dinner, when I freeze.

There, standing just a few feet away, is Leon.

My heart stops, then starts again at double speed.

He looks exactly the same as he did the last time I saw him—tall, broad-shouldered, his shock of bone-white hair a stark contrast to his tan skin.

Indignation boils up inside me.

How dare he come back here?

His light brown eyes lock onto mine.

"Ophelia," he says, his voice low and urgent. "I was hoping I'd find you here."

“I thought I made it clear what would happen last time if you did,” I grit out.

He takes a step forward. “Please, Effy. Just give me a chance. Come meet my pack."

Effy.

The name he used to call me hits like a freight train to the gut. That's low, even for him.

I try to shrug away, my body moving on autopilot. "No," I say, my voice shaking. "I want nothing to do with you."

Leon steps closer, his eyes pleading. "Ophelia, please. You have to listen to me. You're my scent match.Ourscent match."

The words hit me like a physical blow.

I stare at him, stunned into silence.

At first, I think he's joking. Another cruel emotional blow aimed at me, for reasons beyond my comprehension.

But the look on his face makes it all too clear.

He's serious.

"That's not possible," I finally manage to say. "If I was your scent match, you wouldn't have left me half-marked."

Leon grimaces, running a hand through his hair. "I was young and selfish and stupid," he says. "I hadn't found my pack yet, not that it’s a fucking excuse. I’ve been trying to find you?—”

I feel anger bubbling up inside me, hot and fierce. “Stalking me, you mean?" I snap.

“No. I mean… yes.” He sighs. “You’re my scent match, mypack’sscent match. Just meet them and?—”

"Why?" I demand. "So they can reject me too, just like you did?"

Leon's face crumples, and for a moment, I see genuine pain in his eyes. "I'm not the same person I was back then," he says softly. "I was scared and self-centered. I saw you as something that would chain me to the life my parents wanted, so I ran. And I've regretted it every day since."

“Chainyou?” I cut him off, not wanting to hear any more. "I don't care," I spit out. "I loved you once, more than anything. If you'd asked me to run away with you, I would have said to hell with our parents' expectations. But you never gave me a chance then, so why should I give you one now?"

He doesn't seem to have an argument for that.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "I don't care if Iamyour scent match. I don't want anything to do with you. Or your pack."

Leon reaches out, his hand brushing against my arm. "Ophelia, please?—"

The moment his skin touches mine, I feel a rush of heat flood my body. My knees go weak, and I stumble.

---