Chapter 24 A Cold Morning
October 16th
The next morning was different from usual. I was cold and the space next to me normally occupied by Leo was empty. I crawled out from under the covers and wandered out of the open door and stood at the top of the stairs. I could hear voices coming from Leo's office: Blair, Antonio and Leo. "So what's the deal with Ella?" I heard Antonio say.
"Just ask what you really want to ask Dad,” Leo groaned, "We're all adults here and I don't have all day."
There was a pause, "Why haven't you had sex with your mate yet?"
"Because she's resisting me," Leo replied frankly, "She stops me before we get far.”
"Why?" Antonio probed.
"She doesn't like who I am so she's refusing to let me have a fuck,” Leo said.
"What the hell has happened to you, Son?" Antonio asked. "You never had issues getting women into your bed before. Why can't you get your own mate to sleep with you?!"
"She is very determined not to give me what I want," I said, "And she's stubborn and hard-headed. It may take a while to get it."
"I feel like the whole forest did," I replied nodding my head down.
"Come here," He said patting his knee. I slowly approached him and cuddled myself into his warmth. "You're freezing," He said wrapping his arms around me.
"Why are they on your case," I asked resting my head on his shoulder.
He let out a big sigh and kissed my cheek, "They are concerned that you're...unconventional...” "Am 1?" I asked.
"Very," he replied with a smile.
"What was that about needing an heir?"
"Our son will take the Alphaship when he's seventeen. They worry that if we wait too long, I'll be too old by the time that day comes, leaving the pack vulnerable. They say Alphas want to be handing down their titles when they're about forty or younger.”
I sighed, "And you're twenty-three. That means they want me to have a baby in the next year."
He nodded.
"But you would never do what your Dad was suggesting, right?" I asked.
"Rape you? No," he said, "Never."
"So we'll keep taking it slowly, yes? I won't deny it, my wolf wants you. But the other half of me wants to wait so you won't take advantage...will you?"
There was a pause before he finally shook his head.
"No," he said in a strained tone.
I gave him a small smile, "Thank you."