Chapter 27: Running With the Past

The air between Leo and Ivy crackled with intensity, their lips locked in a kiss that spoke of a hunger both physical and emotional. The secluded restaurant path, hidden from prying eyes, offered the perfect setting for the raw passion they shared. Ivy's hands slid through his hair, her breath quickening as she felt his warmth, but then, suddenly, the moment was broken.

"Leo," she murmured against his lips, trying to catch his attention.

But Leo didn’t respond right away. A figure stepped into their space, clearing his throat.

Ivy’s heart skipped a beat as Leo pulled away with lightning speed as soon as his driver whispered something to his hearing alone, a noticeable shift in his demeanor. 

His eyes, once soft and filled with affection, were now sharp, cold. The warmth that had enveloped them was gone. He sat up abruptly, causing Ivy to stagger, almost losing her balance in the process. She barely noticed, too consumed by the sudden shift in him. His face darkened, his posture rigid.

"Leo?" she called, confusion and concern in her voice as she reached out, her hand trembling slightly.

But Leo didn’t even glance at her. He stormed off, his jaw clenched, his driver quickly following behind him. Ivy stood there, utterly perplexed. What had just happened? Where had the man she was just wrapped up in gone? One moment, he was showering her with sweet words, making her feel cherished, and the next, he was a complete stranger. A knot formed in her stomach, an uneasy mix of embarrassment and frustration. 

"What the hell, Leo?" she muttered under her breath. 

She glanced around, noticing no one else was watching, but her cheeks burned with humiliation. He couldn’t just leave her like this, could he? She shook her head, irritated. Maybe it would take another month for him to show up again. 

Her frustration only grew, and without another glance in his direction, she smoothed down her dress and called her driver. She needed to get out of here, and needed to forget about the strange turn of events. 

***

Ivy didn’t have a wolf, so she was spared the crushing devastation that a wolf's pain would bring. Yet, she couldn’t escape the gut-wrenching ache that tore through her, a relentless agony that overwhelmed her on that fateful day—and again when she saw Connor after all those years.

She was still haunted by Connor's rejection. It still stung, though she’d never admit it out loud. 

Maybe if she had a wolf, she wouldn’t have been rejected. She would have been more like the others. She might already have a second pup, a family. She sighed, letting the emptiness fill her. If only.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice, smooth and too familiar. 

"I know you're thinking about me." 

Ivy whipped around, startled. Connor— ‘why was he everywhere I went? How did he know where to find me?’ She thought to herself.

Ivy met his smirking gaze, but quickly masked her surprise with a scoff. "And why would I be thinking about you?"

Connor’s eyes twinkled with mischief, his voice teasing. "I think you are. I always seem to be on your mind. Funny how that works."

She rolled her eyes, trying to keep the conversation light, but her thoughts betrayed her. "Don’t flatter yourself."

He chuckled, clearly unbothered by her dismissal. "So, what are you doing here all alone? Waiting for your driver? I can give you a ride."

Ivy narrowed her eyes. "A ride? And how do you propose to give me one? Last time I checked, you're not driving either."

His grin only widened. "Not with a car, no. The old-fashioned way." 

Her heart skipped, and before she could stop herself, a small spark of excitement flickered in her chest. Could it be? She’d always dreamed of riding on Connor’s back, in his wolf form. Back when she had a massive crush on him, before everything fell apart. 

"I know you want to," Connor continued, his tone coaxing, almost knowing. "Come on, just a ride. Nothing attached. No strings." 

The invitation was too tempting, and Ivy hesitated, the need for freedom overwhelming her. "Just a ride?" she whispered, barely able to hold back the longing in her voice. 

He nodded enthusiastically and reached for her hand, leading her toward the edge of the woods, where the trees grew thicker and the air smelled of pine and earth. Ivy felt a flutter in her chest, a strange mix of nostalgia and excitement. 

"Come on, Ivy," Connor urged, his eyes full of quiet intensity. "Don’t fight it."

Ivy reluctantly agreed. She needed the wind in her hair, the feeling of being alive and free. She always thought about the time when she might finally feel what it was like to ride in wolf form, to feel that connection. Her wolf. She'd name her Lumina, she thought, the name floating softly in her mind.

As soon as Connor shifted into his wolf form, a massive, sleek beast with fur the color of deep chestnut, Ivy's heart skipped. She watched him transform, muscles rippling beneath thick fur, his eyes glowing with a wild intensity that sent a shiver through her. 

But as soon as he became fully wolf, the creature lunged. In an instant, Ivy was knocked to the ground, his wolf nuzzling her face, dropping feathery kisses on her cheeks and ears. Ivy laughed, her breath coming in short bursts. 

"Connor!" she gasped between giggles, his wolf’s affection tickling her relentlessly.

The wolf stopped abruptly, whimpering as it backed away. Ivy froze, realizing something. This was no longer just Connor’s playful side—it was the bond, the instinct to claim. His wolf had recognized her.

"Connor?" she called again, her voice trembling slightly.

The wolf’s whimpers were softer, more pitiful. Ivy reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing through the soft fur of his massive head. His eyes locked with hers, pleading for reassurance, for her to stay, to pick up the pieces of the bond that was shattered between them.

Her breath caught in her chest. She patted his head gently, uncertain, but willing to offer comfort. The wolf leaned into her touch, as if needing her closeness. 

After what felt like an eternity, she finally climbed onto his back, her legs gripping his thick, muscular sides as they began to run. She could feel the wind rushing past, the earth moving beneath them in a blur. Her laughter bubbled up, carefree and wild. She felt alive, like a part of her had been unlocked, unburdened.

"Finally!" Ivy shouted, her voice echoing as she burst into laughter—louder and freer than she had ever laughed in her entire life.

Connor’s wolf led them toward a small stream, and in an instant, Ivy found herself tumbling into the cool water with a surprised squeal. Connor's wolf barked in amusement, his tail wagging. Ivy splashed around, laughing until her sides ached, the sound of her joy echoing through the trees.

"What am I doing?" she thought to herself, her giggles dying down. Is this betrayal? Was it wrong to enjoy this? Was she betraying Leo? But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, her face grew serious.

Connor’s wolf seemed to sense the shift in her mood. Without missing a beat, he nudged her back onto his back, his movements sure and calm as he began to run again, headed in the direction of her home.

The closer they got to her estate, the more Ivy's unease grew. She had always thought of keeping her address hidden from everyone from her past, but now, as they got closer, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Connor knew this place too well.

"Stop here," she murmured as they approached the gates. "I’d rather not have my staff see me arriving on the back of a wolf."

But Connor’s wolf didn’t stop. He pushed forward, moving with such confidence, Ivy began to wonder if he had been here before. She didn't give him directions and couldn't help but wonder if he had been stalking her.

As they entered the garden, a low growl split the air, sending a chill down Ivy’s spine. Her heart hammered in her chest as her instincts kicked in, her neck prickling with the unmistakable sensation of danger.

Then, before she could react, the growl echoed again.

Leo.