Chapter 6 His, Always His

Ivy's POV

How is the mate pull still effective?

Before Connor's smug words could settle, a feral growl sliced through the air, low and deadly. It rumbled like thunder, vibrating through the very foundation of the hall. I froze, the hairs on my arms standing on end. That sound-so primal, so dangerous-didn't belong in a place like this.

And it didn't come from Connor.

It came from behind me.

Leo.

I turned just in time to see him step forward, a predator's grace in every movement, his hand reaching out to pull me gently behind him. The way his jaw clenched, his eyes darkening to something almost inhuman, sent a chill down my spine.

"Did you touch her?" Leo's voice, once a soothing warmth, now carried the unmistakable chill of death. His eyes locked onto Connor, glinting with a power I'd never seen before-a power no human could possess.

Connor, so arrogant just moments before, stiffened as though an unseen weight pressed down on him. His confidence faltered as Leo stepped closer, the air thickening like a storm was brewing inside the room.

I had never seen Connor look afraid-until now.

"What the hell are you?" Connor hissed, his voice faltering. He tried to stand his ground, but his wolf was cowering, evident in the way his posture shifted, as if instinctively submitting to something greater.

Leo ignored the question. Instead, he let out another low growl, his body trembling ever so slightly as if something monstrous fought to break free. I could almost feel it-a terrifying force radiating from him, powerful enough to make even my wolf nature stir, restless and nervous.

I had forgotten what it feels like to be one of our kind--and since I've never had my wolf, I feel almost-human. But something about the force radiating from Leo ignited something asleep inside of me.

Leo's gaze flicked to me for the briefest second. "Ivy, step back." His tone was gentle, but it left no room for argument.

I did as he said, my heart pounding as I watched this man-the man I loved-shift into someone, something, I didn't recognize. And yet, somehow, I wasn't afraid of him. The fear in Connor's eyes, however, was laughable.

"You don't know who you're messing with," Connor bit out, though his voice lacked its usual confidence.

"Oh, but I do," Leo replied darkly, stepping even closer. He was calm, too calm, his power coiling around him like a beast waiting to strike. "You're the fool who thought he could claim what was never his to begin with."

Connor stumbled back a step, his jaw tightening. "She's my mate-"

"She's mine."

Leo's words rang through the hall like a death gong. His voice was deeper now, edged with something animalistic, and his eyes-oh, his eyes. I swore they glowed for just a moment, swirling with shadows and gold that sent shivers through me.

"You rejected her, didn't you?" Leo continued, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "Left her to die. And now you think you can waltz back into her life and take her?" His lips curved into something between a sneer and a snarl. "You're lucky you're still breathing."

Connor opened his mouth to retort, but Leo took another step forward, and that was all it took. The room itself seemed to shrink around him, the very air trembling under the weight of his presence.

I realized it then-the others had noticed it, too. Every werewolf in the room, even my family, stood frozen, as though some ancient predator had entered the arena. Eyes darted to Leo, confusion and fear written across their faces. They didn't recognize him, but they felt him. They felt the power he exuded, like the hum of a storm on the horizon, unstoppable and vast.

Connor's bravado shattered completely. His wolf whimpered, forcing him to take a step back.

Leo leaned in slightly, his voice so low I almost didn't hear it. "Run along, pup. Before I rip you apart."

Connor's face paled. For a split second, I saw his throat bob, his confidence gutted, his pride bleeding out. Then, without another word, he turned and stormed out of the room, shoving past guests who looked on in stunned silence. My family followed closely behind him, not daring to spare me another glance.

Leo stood there, chest rising and falling with slow, deliberate breaths, his fists clenched at his sides. He didn't move. He didn't turn to look at me.

I knew then-Leo wasn't human. I had sworn never to have anything to do with my kind. But standing next to me, is the man I love and it turns out he's not human as I had thought.

My emotions swirled in chaos, but I didn't feel fear or betrayal. I felt excited, confused, and...something far deeper, as if I had only just glimpsed the real man who had been standing beside me all this time.

"Leo?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

Finally, he turned to face me, the storm in his eyes fading back to calm gray, though shadows lingered at the edges.

"Are you okay?" His voice was soft again, warm and steady, as if none of it had happened.

I searched his face for answers I wasn't ready to ask. "What...what was that?"

He took a step closer, his thumb brushing over my cheek in a tender, grounding gesture. "I'll tell you everything," he said quietly, his gaze searching mine. "But not here. Not now."

Before I could reply, my father's sharp voice broke through the silence, worried and confused. "Is everything alright, Ivy?"

"Yes, father. Just uninvited guests but Leo and I took care of them," I replied with a calm voice. I didn't want to bother him about the past he fought so hard to pull me out from.

He nodded with a warm smile and excused himself, mumbling something about going to entertain the mayor.

"Leo?" I called when we were alone, and he turned to meet my eyes. "I'm sorry for moving towards him. I don't know what came over me, I..."

He raised a finger over my lips, silencing my rambling, and pulled me closer. His arms wrapped around me possessively, as if to shield me from the world, as though he could mold me into him and keep me there forever. His touch wasn't just protective-it was consuming.

"You don't apologize," he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous whisper that sent chills down my spine. "Not for that. Not for anything. Because you are mine, Ivy. My breath, my blood, my obsession. And if anyone ever dares to take you from me, I'll burn their entire existence to the ground."

His words hit me like a wave, raw and unrelenting, leaving no room for doubt. He tilted my chin, his dark eyes locking onto mine, the power emanating from him both terrifying and intoxicating.

Whoever Leo Ashton truly was-whatever he was-he was mine. And he had just proven to everyone, including Connor, that no one could take me away from him.

Not ever again.