Leah

Alex looks up at me with wide surprised eyes and I can't help my nervous giggle at his excited face.

"Is that so?" He asks coyly and I nod.

'Get rid of this guy.' I mindlink him and he chuckles.

"I'll get back to you with the details. Perhaps we can come to you next time." He offers the other Alpha and he shrugs.

"Would you mind if we wandered your pack a little? My Beta has yet to find his mate." Alpha Knox asks and Alex nods.

"That's fine. Make sure you find my sister Penny. I'd love to send her to another pack." Alex says, his tone filled with humor and all three men laugh while I smack him playfully.

"I'm sorry, little one. I know how fond you are of Penny." He says and I shrug.

"In small doses." I add and they all three chuckle again. Alpha Knox stands and shakes Alex's hand and then surprises me by holding his hand out to me to shake mine as well. I take it much firmer than I had at first and smile at him.

The two large men leave the room and Alex whips to face me.

"What was that about?" He asks and I shrug with a shy smile.

"What was what about?" I ask coyly and he shakes his head with a small smile.

"Don't play dumb, Leah. It doesn't suit you." He says reaching for me and tugging me into his lap again.

"I just told him it wouldn't be a problem to solidify our bond. As long as you're ok with it." I say quietly and he huffs out a laugh, tucking his face into my neck.

"More than ok with it. But I don't want you to feel pressured or rushed." He says and my heart expands impossibly larger with affection for this man. How could it get any better?

"The last thing I feel is rushed." I say as I turn in his lap to straddle him. He groans as my legs part and I rub myself against him. The only thing hiding me from him is a thin scrap of my panties.

"Slow down, little one. I don't want your first time to be on my office floor." He murmurs and I chuckle before kissing his jaw up to his ear and whispering to him.

"The floor, the wall, the forest, a bed. I don't care where it is as long as it's with you." He shudders at my words and I can't stop my proud smirk.

"It will be in a bed and it will be special." He says firmly. I smile and thread my fingers through his hair.

"Can it be special tonight?" I ask.

"Tonight?" He squeaks and then starts coughing as if he choked on air and I tilt my head back to laugh.

"Yes. Tonight. I'm ready and eager." I say, pushing myself against him again. He grips my hips tightly and holds me steady.

"Stop that, Leah or my self restraint will break." He warns as his eyes darken. I lean down to look at him.

"Tell Balto to simmer. I need food first." I say nonchalantly before I climb off him, hoping my cavalier attitude hides my nerves.

I'm not nervous about being with Alex. I can't imagine anything more perfect. He's sweet, kind, thoughtful and gentle. I know he will make this as special as possible. I'm just nervous at the thought of having sex in general. What if I'm bad at it?

"What's with the sad look?" Alex asks as he stands and adjusts his erection in his pants. I shrug and look away from him but he doesn't relent. He walks over to me and puts his palms on my shoulders, the warmth of his hands thawing some of my icy thoughts.

"Tell me, little one. We need to be honest with each other for this to work." He says quietly and I nod, knowing he's right.

"I'm just worried that I won't be very good at... it." I admit and he chuckles a little before circling his arms around me.

"There's a learning curve, as is the case with everything, but I will be a very enthusiastic instructor." He says, waggling his eyebrows suggestively at me making me laugh.

"Well, I'm glad my education is important to you." I quip, smiling up at him. His smile only grows as his eyes soften.

"I much prefer a smile on your face to you looking sad." He says.

"I wasn't sad." I retort and he shrugs.

"Tell that to your face." he says as he scoops me up in his arms. I yelp at the sudden movement and hold onto his neck for dear life.

"What are we going?" I ask, trying to catch my breath.

"You are going to take care of anything that no one else can do for the next couple of days and I am going to make sure our guests scram. I don't want another Alpha on my territory when I mark you. I'm likely to kill him and I don't have time for a war." He says with much less concern than that statement needed. My eyes go wide at him.

"You will not start any wars. I forbid you." I say sternly making him chuckle. He kisses me on the nose and continues to carry me.

"Yes, my love. Duly noted. No starting wars is at the top of my to do list." He says.

"I thought I was at the top of your to do list." I say coyly, smiling wide at him. He tilts his head back and lets out one of those belly laughs that warms my soul. I soak in the sound, trying to save it so I can remember this exact moment for all of forever.

"You, my sweet girl, will be the death of me." He says once he has composed himself. I smile and cup his cheek, grabbing his attention.

"And what shall I do after I have completed my tasks?" I ask.

"Wait in your room for further instructions. I have romance to create and I will not rush it because you are an impatient little demon." He says firmly and I huff, but can't hide my grin.

He knows me so well.

He plops me down in the kitchen and catches me in a firm kiss, surprising me. I gasp at the contact and he uses the opportunity to thread his tongue with mine. I groan at the sparks flitting through me and his grip on my hips tightens. He pulls away suddenly and I whine at the loss of his touch.

"That's just a preview of what you're in for later." He says.

"Well, then I'm quite looking forward to the feature film."

"It's sure to please." He quips making me laugh.

"I have no doubt." I confirm before standing on tip toes to press my lips to his again. Just a quick peck before pulling away and pushing him out the door.

"Go do Alpha things. A lady should never be kept waiting." I say with a sing song voice and he turns on his heels, his eyes darkening.

"There's nothing ladylike about what I'm going to do to you tonight." He whispers the wicked promise. My heart flutters as my core instantly dampens. My breathing hitches as I watch him.

"Promises, promises." I say and he chuckles.

"And I always keep mine." He says and in the next moment he's gone, having disappeared through the door.

"Oh my God that was hot." I hear from behind me and turn to see Penny peeking out of the pantry.

"What are you doing in there!?" I squeal, horrified Alex's sister just heard that exchange.

"Hiding from that Alpha who's looking for his Beta's mate." She says and I furrow my brows in confusion as the blush on my face recedes.

"What? Why? Do you not want a mate?" I ask and she shrugs.

"I wouldn't mind it, but I don't want to leave. I love it here. If he were a lower ranking wolf I could just get him to move here, but if he's a Beta I won't have a choice." She says and I hug her, sensing she needs the comfort. She snuggles me back, her grip so tight it's almost painful but I don't protest.

"Well, Alex is going to send them away now so they should be gone soon." I say and she pulls away giving me a wicked smile.

"Yes. I heard why. Are you nervous? Excited?" She questions.

"Both." I say with a smile of my own as I head towards the small office I was given when I started teaching classes so I can tell all of my students there won't be classes for a few days.

"Alex will make it good for you. He's crazy about you and even though he's my stupid older brother, even I can admit he's a good guy." She says and I nod in agreement.

"I'm so happy I found him." I say honestly and her gaze softens as she takes me in.

"You're lucky you found each other. We owe so much to you, Leah. It's like you gave this pack our Alpha back. You gave me my brother back. We are more grateful than you will ever know and we have no doubts you will be a fantastic Luna." She says with another hug and I have to sniffle back my tears.

Any doubts I had before, she just erased with kind words and easy affection.