RIEKA I call my son Alex on his cell phone while I’m driving home. I promised the kids we would watch a family movie together tonight after dinner, but it’s so late that I agreed to pick up a pizza on my way home. It was a longer day than I anticipated, but I think Aleksandr was genuinely pleased with the options I showed him. I also gave him a few ideas of what some of the buildings could be used for. He’s very open to hearing my ideas and didn’t seem too offended with my outspoken nature. I was curious about the shock I felt last time I shook his hand, so I made it a point to shake his hand again today at the end of our time together. Aleksandr seemed eager to shake hands again, and he held onto mine a few seconds longer than last time. Since we were touching for longer than last time, I noticed that it didn’t feel like static electricity as I originally thought. I was trying to figure out how to describe it. You know how when you get nervous or excited and you get that fee
ALEKSANDR I’m still floating on cloud nine after spending so much time with Rieka yesterday. When she initiated the handshake at the end of our meeting, it made me feel so good to know that she wanted to touch me. I’m still not sure if she can feel any effects from the mate bond. It’s so rare to have a human mate that I’m really not sure what this will be like for either of us. I’ve spent most of the morning thinking about her and going over our meeting from yesterday in my head. I keep forcing myself to think about the properties that she showed me, but I can’t stay focused. I’m daydreaming about her ice blue eyes, and her perfect lips. She had some great ideas for how some of the properties could be used, and I can already tell that she would make an amazing Luna. I can also imagine what her lips would feel like against mine, but I keep reminding myself that I must move slow. She’s still grieving. My wolf whimpers. I know she’s not ready for a relationship yet. My next s
ALEKSANDR When I returned from my run, I was exhausted, but in a good way. I quickly shower and dress in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I decided to relax and watch some tv before bed. I noticed again that I have not felt this at peace in ages. I’m sure the mate bond and all that time I spent with Rieka yesterday has a lot to do with it. After about an hour of mindlessly flipping through the channels I decide to go to bed early. I don’t know why I bother with television. There is rarely anything worth watching. I want to make sure I’m well rested for tomorrow because I need to see Rieka again. Before I climb into my bed, I send her a quick text: Aleksandr: Hey, I know it’s your day off, but I wanted to reach out while I was thinking about it. I have a question I’d like to discuss tomorrow when you’re available. I’m awake by 5 AM, so feel free to call or text whenever it’s convenient for you. I close my phone, plug it in, and set it on the dresser before stripping dow
ALEKSANDR I was disappointed when Rieka didn’t reach for my hand upon my arrival at the property, but I want to respect her personal space. Wolves are so physical, but humans often like to keep a certain level of personal space. I’ve got to let her take the lead on this and move things at a pace that she’s comfortable with. It's possible that she doesn’t feel any effects from the mate bond at all. She also looked a bit distrustful of Drea at first, but Drea quickly introduced herself and explained who she was. That seemed to put Rieka at ease. Drea was right though, they seemed to become fast friends. Rieka was so comfortable with her, and I couldn’t believe the amount of personal information Drea was able to coax out of her. I listened to everything intently and committed all the information to memory. If I’m going to win her heart, all of these details about her life will be immensely important. It was great to finally learn more about Rieka’s kids. I feel like I have a be
RIEKA I was so excited when Drea invited me over for dinner! I feel like I’ve finally found an extroverted friend who doesn’t make me feel like a burden. When she explained that the dinner would be at Aleksandr’s home I was intrigued. I thought over time I would think about him less and just get use to the way I feel in his presence, but the frequency of how much I think about him has actually increased and my feelings towards him continue to grow. Sometimes he’s so sweet and attentive that I almost think he is interested in me, but then I immediately scold myself for thinking such a ridiculous thing. He is so professional and kind that I think I must be reading too much into things. It’s not like I could do anything about it anyway. Every time I think of him in a non-professional way I'm plagued with guilt. It hasn’t even been a year since my husband’s death. If I really loved my husband, I would not be entertaining these ridiculous thoughts about another man so soon after.
ALEKSANDR I knew if I was going to pretend to be knowledgable about electrical work, I needed some help and fast. The very next day I mind-linked Chad and asked him to come see me at the pack house. He does most of the electrical work around the pack and if anyone can teach me how to help Rieka, it’s him. He wasn’t too busy, so he got to the pack house within the hour. I greet him at the door and welcome him in. “Thanks for coming over Chad. I was hoping you could teach me a bit about electrical work. I wanted to learn as sort of a hobby.” It was a half truth. Chad has a look of utter confusion on his face. “Uh… sure?” His voice goes up at the end in question. He's obviously really thrown off by my request. He probably never expected his Alpha to ask for a lesson on electrical wiring. “When… when would you like to start?” he stammers. “Well,” I continue, “I was hoping maybe today. I want to see how much I can learn in a week. For things like fixes around a house. You k
RIEKA I didn’t hear anything from Aleksandr the next day, and I was a bit relieved. I refused to dwell on the negative things that had been stressing me out, so I spent the day getting some work done and then hanging out with my kids. The kids loved all the treats I brought home from Drea, and they actually requested to come with me next time. Although, I’m not sure if there will be a next time. As much as I love hanging out with Drea, I feel awkward about how I ran away from Aleksandr’s house, and now I feel the need to avoid him and his house. I just need to be careful that I don’t damage our professional relationship. As luck would have it, a few days after the disastrous dinner, I spoke with the farmer who owns the largest section of the land that Aleksandr wants to purchase. He has agreed to sell the land, but before I tell Aleksandr the good news or write up any paperwork for the deal, I want to follow up with the other families. I send off some emails to each owner aski
RIEKA Drea starts bouncing in place as she tries to contain her excitement. I try my best to give her a smile and pretend to be excited, but she must sense my apprehension. Her smile faulters for a second before she recovers and then her smile grows even bigger, showing off those gorgeous perfectly white, perfectly straight teeth of hers. For the first time since I met her, I can almost see how her teeth could look menacing. I know that sounds crazy, she’s not a rabid dog, but there is something about her teeth that suddenly strikes me as a potential threat. Before I have any more time to think about this new revelation about my friend, she takes my hands in both of hers. Her eyes are beaming with excitement and anticipation. I give her my best smile, “What is it?” Then suddenly she squeals “I’m pregnant!” I don’t know what I thought she was going to tell me, but that wasn’t it! My face quickly transforms from nervous, to shocked, and then quickly morphs into excitement! I c