Nora


    I stare at Leo in disbelief. "Wait, hold on. Are you serious? Do you honestly think that I''m your mate? The twin sister without a wolf or even a lick of magic?" "Yes."


    "Why?"


    I sit by the table, and Leo sets down a cup oftte in front of me. He doesn''t know it''s my preference; he guessed. And it''s kind of annoying that he got it right. "I don''t know. Call it a mate''s intuition."


    My eyes roam his beautiful face as I sip on mytte. He looks good. Stunning really. Tanned from the sun, his hair''s blonde highlights are more pronounced now.


    I bet Lily is happy. She always spoke about Leo as if he were her trophy husband. It must make her happy he has turned into an Adonis.


    Even in the past, Lily loved being betrothed to the alpha every other pack girl wanted and dreamt about.


    I snap back to reality. "Are you insane? Do you honestly expect me to believe that I''m your mate? Leo... You''ve been with my sister for thest six years, and now you suddenly think I''m your mate two weeks before the wedding day?"


    "I haven''t been with your sister," Leo''s nose wrinkles with disgust. He actually appears offended. "Regardless of the arranged wedding and your mother''s vision, I''ve saved myself for my mate. I have never slept with Lily. And do you know why? Because I''m not an ?***t. I won''t believe she is my mate until the mate-bond kicks in."


    My throat goes dry. "You''re a virgin?!"


    His face turns a bit red, and Leo res away. "That''s not the point here. The point is that I don''t think Lily is my mate."


    "You live with her."


    "No, she invited herself over and has taken the guest house without permission," he shrugs. "I didn''t want to piss her off by throwing her out in case she truly is my mate."


    "Okay, I get that," I fold my arms on the table. "But I don''t get why you believe you and I are mates. Exin that to me."


    Leo shyly nces at me. I''m not used to him looking anything but severe and find the red color of his cheeks curious.


    He doesn''t like me, that is certain. But it embarrasses him to speak about this; that''s why I enjoy every minute.


    "Ever since I turned twenty, I''ve dreamed about you every night. It''s like clockwork. My eyes close, and I see that scene when you saved me from Satan."


    Leo stops sharing his thoughts to briefly look me over and ensure I''m listening. When I remain quiet, he continues.


    "At first, I thought it was because I''m grateful towards you, buttely, I''ve begun thinking that... Maybe you changed destiny at that moment because I can''t get you out of my freaking head."


    I stare at him. "I don''t believe you''re right, but sure, let''s y with this idea a little. If we are mates, why would you tell me? You hate me and would never ept me."


    "I indeed dislike you," Leo doesn''t even bother hiding the hatred in his gaze as he assesses me with his emerald eyes. "But I''m not stupid enough to risk the world ending by not marrying my true mate. Which is why I''m here, Nora."


    I lift an eyebrow. "Don''t tell me you''re here to propose."


    "Almost," Leo says without flinching or showing even a hint of emotion. His face is all business. "I want you to show up at the wedding in two weeks, and if your sister isn''t my mate, you should switch ces with her and marry me in her ce." I gasp. "And you expect me to just take my sister''s husband?!"


    "Please, you two were never close. You and I had a reason for being mean to each other. We never clicked from the start and were equally vicious to each other. It was how we yed, but your sister? She was mean to you for no reason at all." I swallow thickly. "It still doesn''t feel right to marry the man she wanted to have for years..."


    "This is bigger than her feelings!" Leo growls in a fury. "If you''re my mate and don''t marry me, it would mean putting the world in danger. Because those five remaining demons? They will attack, and I need to be at my strongest, which means I need my true mate." I hate to admit it, but Leo is right.


    I inhale and exhale. "I don''t believe I''m your mate for even a second, but if you''re right, fine. I will wear the wedding dress and be your wife instead of my sister. I will marry the man I despise and hate to save the world with all of my heart." "Great."


    "Don''t expect us to share a bed, though. I would rather throw myself down a mountain than sleep next to you."


    "Sharing a bed wasn''t even part of the deal," Leo says icily. "Because, believe it or not, I don''t want toy next to someone who hates me. Our marriage will be simply business and about saving the world. No love or feelings included since we obviously don''t have that."


    "Obviously."


    "Like there isn''t even an ounce of chemistry here."


    "Agreed."


    After those words, we both stare at each other. We try to wear our best poker faces, but my mind is drifting.


    And to my horror, I picture sinful things-me innocently climbing to sit in Leo''sp, over those thick beautiful thighs. Grinding my wet s*x against him until I''m moaning.


    What would Leo do in that situation? Push me off hisp, or kiss my neck? Would he hold me tight and ask me to take off my clothes so he could pound me over the table?


    He has filled out so much in the years we have spent apart. Those shoulders are broad enough for me to sit on. I briefly imagine him eating me out while my legs are resting over them and my back is pressed against the wall.


    Holy s**t, I need to get a grip. I loathe this man.


    But they say hot, sweaty, angry s*x with your enemy is supposed to be the best in the world.


    Hmm.


    I better not ever tell Leo about my sick thoughts. He wouldugh his a*s off if he knew what I was thinking, and I would be forced to murder him so the word wouldn''t spread.


    Cracking my shoulders, I sit straighter in my chair. Leo is still watching me without uttering a word.


    I wet my lips. "Wouldn''t it bother you to be mated to someone who doesn''t have a wolf?"


    "With all due respect, if you''re my mate, you''re thest guardian of time. Youe with plenty of power."


    "But what if I don''t? What if I''m powerless?" I ask, my voice cracking.


    I furrow my eyebrows, and surprise flickers in Leo''s eyes. He can''t have expected me to show myself vulnerable, and fear bounces to life in my chest. What if he chooses to use this against me?


    Damn.


    I curse myself for having spoken. Leo is letting his eyes roam over my face, seeming to search for something he can''t find. I wonder if it''s dishonesty or a hint of my vulnerability being a lie. It must be because his lips curl when he seems to realize I''m being truthful. And I am being honest. I''ve always been useless, and it hurts to talk about it.


    "It wouldn''t matter," Leo says and holds my gaze. "If you''re my mate, then you''re my mate."


    Ah.


    I see what is going on. Leo just wishes to be with his mate to be more powerful.


    It doesn''t matter if I''m a weakling.


    My eyes focus on my hands on the table. "I see..."


    "Besides, power isn''t always a blessing," Leo gets up from the chair. He takes my cup and his own, bringing them to the sink. "People always treated me differently because I was gifted from early on. They didn''t fear me like your brother because I''m an angel. But the fake smiles and the fake kindness? I hated it growing up. No one dared to speak their mind to me, scared I wouldn''t protect them."


    His honesty floors me. I stare at him with my jaw cking to the ground and my eyes bulging out of their sockets.


    Leo''s feelings make sense.


    But here is the thing: I can''t let myself feel sorry for him. Not after all the bullying that he put me through. Leo might not remember it since it was ages ago, but he was worse than me.


    Because what happens when the future alpha of a pack bullies a girl? His pack members take after him...


    Leo might not have hurt me physically, but his pack members did. All of them did. Every day after school for years. Sometimes I had bruises.


    And Leo?


    He always asked about my injuries, but I always ignored his fake concern. It was probably part of his game to act like he didn''t know what was happening behind the scenes. The bastard.


    "Oh-my-god, the great Leo said actually has feelings!" I gasp and dramatically cover my mouth with my hand. "Who would have known that the devil had a heart?"


    Leo''s eyes narrow. "Really? I open up to you, and you choose to mock me when I do?"


    Guilt pierces my heart, but I can''t let myself feel any remorse. No chance. No way. Leo is my enemy.


    "Yup..."


    He rakes his fingers through his hair, sighing. "Whatever... I will be at the wedding, and if your sister doesn''t wind up being my mate, you better have it in you to switch ces."


    "I still don''t think I''m your mate."


    He smirks at me. "For your sake, I hope you''re right. It would s**k for you to marry the man you hate."


    "Don''t kid yourself-you hate me too."


    "Maybe," Leo heads for the door but nces over his boulder-like shoulder before disappearing. "When you show up at the wedding, wear a bra that is your actual size. Your n****e has been hanging out for the entire duration I''ve been here." I stare down at my chest, gasping, when I realize he is right: my n****e is ying peek-a-boo! Anger rises in my chest. "Why didn''t you say anything?!"


    "I was busy enjoying the view," Leo calmly stays with a ghost of a smile ying over his lips. "See you at the wedding, Ducky."


    "I hope you''re mates with Lily! You would make the perfect couple since both of you are evil!"


    There isughter in the hallway before the door opens, and I hear Leo finally leaving. I angrily fix my bra and re through the window to see Leo waving at me before disappearing into his ck BMW. Bastard.


    No way can the two of us be mates.