Violet Dreams

Chapter 15

The next day was hectic and I hardly saw Carter. We had passed once in the hall and nodded to each other. The only part truly worth mentioning was a black card sitting on my desk with intricate white letting

I can't wait to see you.

Again, I ripped it up and threw it in the trash like the one the other night. I can't tell if Leo's trying to scare me or seduce me. If it's the latter, it's not working.

Before I knew it, the time was 5:45 and I had to run to my car to meet Leo at the park. It is the same park that I went to with Carter, but since it was a Saturday night and colder than before, it was not as full. Good thing too because as I got out of my car I caught a glimpse of something silver from the corner of my eye, I'd rather not have many witnesses.

I pulled my jacket closer. I was not about to try to look nice to meet Leo and wore my worst jeans and a T-shirt. You know the jeans – they make my butt look flat, my legs look shorter – and the T-shirt that somehow always has a stain on it. My hair was tied up in the worst messy bun I could make (and not the cute ones that claim to be a "messy bun") and my face was oily and not made up. I can even feel the cold air working its horrible magic and making my lips even more chapped. Nature, for once, is on my side.

Good.

I followed the trails to the back of the park around where Carter and I sat before. I saw him before he saw me, though I'm sure he could smell me before I even parked my car.

I never thought about the role of the Alpha in the pack while I was growing up. You knew he (because it was always a male...) was stronger, better, faster, much more handsome and could probably live to be 642 if he so wished it.

But we never asked why.

When I went through college, still crying some nights from missing my family so much, I started to think about it more. It isn't fair that the Alpha is the only one glorified. No one is even given a chance now. Back in the old days, packs would have competitions. The Alpha could be removed if another was stronger and it happened sometimes. Growing up, I never heard of Alphas being removed – instead you'd only hear of Alpha lineages. Generation after generation of Alphas running a pack.

I bit my lip as I thought of it again. Yes, I'm sure he knew I was here even though I couldn't smell him from 10 feet away, let alone 100. As always, I'll admit my sense are complete crap, but even when I was a good werewolf he was better.

"Leo." I was now about ten feet away. His back was to me and I noticed he was wearing a fancy looking wool coat. His pack back in the Midwest isn't as cold as it is here. I hope he's freezing under there.

"Vi, come, sit next to me." I bristled at his use of a nickname I used to like. I wish I could say I'm upset at it, but, honestly, I could feel my stomach flip at the memories.

"I'd rather stand. We won't be long." He turned to look at me, his blue eyes seemed to dance in the setting sun as he took in my messy appearance.

He smirked, his right dimple forming. I felt my stomach flip again. The other night I was so upset and frustrated I didn't get a chance to look straight at him. D*mn, he's handsome. His hair was styled in the same way to one side, but the sunlight showed off his natural blonde highlights. His cheeks bones were high and defined and his lips looked full and kissable.

I bit my cheek. Nope, we are not going there, I told myself. I remembered his actions and, mostly, his notes and felt my anger rise.

"I've brought a list of things you need to replace. I'll take a gift card, money wire, or cash." I walked up to him and handed him the list.

He reached out, standing slightly, to take the list. I knew I had him when I felt his hand touch mine and I watched as his cerulean eyes widen when he felt my leather gloves. Can't feel a mate bond through gloves.

"Cold, Vi?" His face went back to his normal half-smirk as he began looking over my list.

I didn't reply. Oh, I want to say a million things to him right now, but I'm also scared of him.

Yes, I'm scared.

I hate to admit it, but Leo does have power over me. I can act tough and pretend I'm so removed from the pack life that they can't touch me. But, ten whole years later, he can still snap his fingers and have any hunter after me in half a second. Even worse, I'm technically on a pack's land. If he wanted, he could have me sent back to the Midwest.

So yes, I am afraid of him and because of that I don't want to say anything that could get me killed. I also don't want to touch him.

Why?

Because I was worried that by coming here, this stupid mate-stuff would mess up my hormones and brain.

It's well known that mates enjoy each other's touch. Even just a simple caress of the hand can be soothing. It's stronger when your mated, obviously, but I'm almost certain it's why Carter always felt so warm and inviting to me. I didn't want to risk enjoying Leo's touch and I'm happy that I wore the gloves, especially since I can feel my eyes linger on some parts of his face longer than I'd prefer.

"I don't think we will need to replace anything, beautiful." He stood up, placing the list in his pocket. I had already began taking a step back, but froze when I felt his arm wrap around my waist. In a panic, I looked around. There was no one in this side of the park. I'm sure Thing 1 and Thing 2 (or Henchman A and B) had something to do with that.

"Leo, let me go." I sounded angrier and more confident than I felt. I'm certain he can feel my knees shaking. I can only hope he doesn't take it as a good sign.

"Violet," his voice was husky and I saw his eyes scan my face, "I'm not going to leave you a second time." Thump-Thump-Thump-Thump, went my heart as I felt my chest tighten. "You're coming back with me."