LEANDER'S POV
After driving me crazy the night before, running her tiny fingertips all over my body and visually inspecting me, my little mouse had chosen to go the leash route. I expected that was going to be her answer, but had patiently waited for her to decide, enjoying watching her squirm. She hadn't been happy about it, but she hadn't fought me this time. Progress.
When I'd emerged from the shower, I found her out like a light. I removed the leash and slid into the bed next to her. She didn't move the entire night, sleeping soundly, which I was glad for because she had a busy day today.
It was 6:30AM. Dressed and ready to go, I waited on Hycinth who was in the bathroom...still working on her hair. When she'd asked earlier, I told her it looked fine. Apparently, fine was not the right answer because she'd disappeared again, leaving me to fidget.
I looked at my watch. She needed to finish by 7AM when Ever arrived to watch over her, and then I could get started on the task at hand. So far, my control of the situation had been tenuous at best and nonexistent at worst. Not exactly how I planned our little reunion to go.
I'd had three years to get over the anger and irritation that had initially overwhelmed me since learning she was my mate. Three years to cool down and reassess what was important. Having her as a mate was the hand I'd been dealt. I couldn't escape it. It was shitty, given her parentage, but regardless of my personal feelings, I was the Alpha, and I needed to do what was right for my wolves. And what they needed right now was the Claiming Ceremony.
So with my reassessment, came a new plan. When I finally caught her, I would give her as much room and opportunity as I could to let it be her choice. I was willing to work toward that goal, spend time getting to know her better, making her feel welcome in the pack because her choosing to go through with the ceremony was the ideal outcome.
But if she couldn't decide on her own, then I would do it for her. If that made me a bastard in her eyes, then so be it. I would mark her and let nature take its course. And nature would always be successful. She and I would be alone in that little cabin. I wouldn't have to force her. Quite the opposite. In fact, she would likely try to force me if I denied her. And I had no intention of denying her.