Chapter 7

HARLEY

As he approaches me, I find myself backing up against the wall, my heart pounding in my chest. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm going to pass out.

"You have no reason to be afraid," the man says, his voice soft and soothing. "You're the one who helped me. You're the reason I'm still alive."

"What are you talking about?" I ask, my voice shaking. "I didn't help you. I don't even know you."

"It's normal to help someone who is in need," I say, my voice trembling. "I would do it for anyone. I don't know why you're here, but please, don't hurt anyone. They're my family."

The man just laughs, a cold, cruel laugh that sends a shiver down my spine.

"You're a fool if you think they care about you," he says. "They're only interested in what you can do for them."

"That's not true," I say, my voice rising in protest. "My family loves me. I know they do."

The man's expression changes, and he looks at me with a strange intensity. "You may not realize it, but your heart knows the truth," he says, his voice low and intense.

"Your family doesn't love you the way they should. You don't have to live like this. You can be free."

"Leave me alone," I say, my voice shaking with fear and anger. "Just go away. I never want to see you again."

He cocks his head to one side, considering me.

"You're not getting rid of me that easily," he says, a hint of a smile on his lips. "You've got something I want, and I'm not leaving until I get it."

My heart sinks, and I feel like I'm going to throw up.

"What is it that you want?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just tell me, and I'll give it to you."

He studies me for a moment, and then leans in close, his lips brushing my ear.

"I want your heart," he whispers.

I feel a chill run down my spine, and my legs feel like they're about to give out.

"What are you?" I ask, my voice quivering. "What kind of creature are you, to be able to heal so quickly?"

"I'm not a creature," he says, a note of amusement in his voice. "I'm an Alpha wolf. And there's no need to be afraid. I won't hurt you, as long as you do what I say."

"But you want my heart," I say, my voice breaking. "What does that even mean?

"You're my mate," he says, his voice calm and sure. "And as my mate, you're the only one who can help me return to my world. But in order for that to happen, you have to fall in love with me."

I feel like the floor is falling away beneath me. I had thought he was some kind of monster, but this is something completely different.

"You want me to fall in love with you?" I ask, my voice incredulous. "You're crazy. That's never going to happen."

He steps closer, and I feel a rush of panic. I push him away, hard, and run, grabbing my bag and running out the door.

I don't stop to think, I just run, my heart pounding in my chest. I don't know where I'm going, I just know I have to get away from him.

I don't stop running until I reach the school. I burst through the doors, out of breath and shaking.

The halls are empty, and I collapse against the wall, my legs giving out. I can't believe what just happened.

As I was catching my breath, I hear footstep approaching and my heart start to pound in my chest.

I look up, and my eyes meet Matt's.

He's standing there in his school uniform, his eyes full of concern.

"Carmela, are you okay?" he asks, his voice gentle. "I saw you running. What happened?"

I don't know what to say. I feel like I'm in a daze, like this is all a dream. I want to tell him everything, but I don't even know where to start.

"I-I'm not sure," I stammer, my voice weak. "It's a long story."

"It's okay," he says, a sad smile on his face. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it. But I just want you to know that I'm sorry about what happened last night. I really am."

"It's not your fault," I say, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. "I was the one who came on to you. I shouldn't have done that to you. I should have been more attentive to your needs. It was really okay for you to break up with me.”

"It's not that simple," he says, his brow furrowed. "I need to talk to you after school.”

Matt's face is serious as he says, "I need to tell you the truth about what happened last night. I know I should have told you sooner, but I didn't know how. I didn't want to hurt you, but I ended up hurting you anyway."

I feel a pit in my stomach, dreading what he's about to say.

"Just tell me," I say, my voice breaking.

"I was with your stepsister for two weeks," he says, his voice low. "I'm so sorry, but I thought you should know.”

“Matt, I don’t care anymore.” I didn’t want him to see the pain in my eyes. “We’re done, just forget about me.”

I picked my bag and started to walk out of the hall, but I felt his hand on me.

I try to pull away, but Matt's grip is firm. I look at him, trying to keep the tears at bay.

"What do you want?" I ask, my voice shaky. "I told you, I'm fine. We can just pretend like this never happened."

"I don't want to pretend," he says, his eyes intense. "I don't want to lie to you anymore. I want you to know how I feel."

And then, before I can say anything, he leans in and presses his lips against mine.

I'm shocked, and I push him away, hard.

"What are you doing?" I say, my voice rising in panic. "Are you crazy? I thought we were friends now! I thought we could just move past this!"

"I know, I'm sorry," he says, his eyes full of regret. "I just wanted you to know how I feel. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"You did," I say, my voice sharp. "You did make me uncomfortable. I can't believe you would do that after you told me hundred times that you’ve broken up with me."

"Please, just let me explain," Matt says, his voice pleading. "I know it was wrong of me, but I can't help how I feel. I just want you to know the truth."

I look at him, my heart racing. I know I should walk away, but I can't seem to move. I'm frozen, unsure of what to do.

"What do you mean?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to know that I love you even though we decided to break up," he says, his voice full of emotion. "I know it's crazy, and I know we're just friends at the moment, but I can't help how I feel. I know it's not what you want to hear, but I needed to tell you."

I'm stunned. I can't believe what I'm hearing. I thought we were just friends, nothing more.

"I don't know what to say," I say, my mind racing. "I'm not sure what I feel. I should leave.”

I was trying to escape when Matt pulled me again.

I try to pull away again, but this time, Matt's grip is too strong. Before I can react, he leans in and presses his lips against mine.

I'm frozen in shock, unable to move. I feel my heart racing, my mind spinning. What do I do? What do I say?

"Please, just give me a chance," he whispers, his breath warm against my ear. "I know I've made a mistake, but I can't stop thinking about you. I know it's crazy, but I feel like we belong together. I want to start over, to make things right."

"But what about Juliet?" I ask, my voice breaking. "You slept with her. How can I trust you after that?"

He shakes his head, his eyes full of pain. "I made a mistake," he says. "I was upset and confused. I never should have done that.”