“True love is patient,” Catherine continued. “Real love waits. And from everything you’ve told me, you and Connor are building something real. Something that will last.”
“Yeah.” Leyden’s voice came out rough. “Yeah, we are.”
“So give yourself permission to feel desire without guilt. Take care of yourself without shame. And keep being the mate Connor needs – the patient, understanding alpha you are who is willing to let him set the pace.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Anytime, sweetheart. I love you. And I’m so proud of the mate you’re being to Connor.”
/~/~/~/~/
That evening, Leyden found Connor in their office, checking his emails. Connor glanced up, smiled, and Leyden’s body responded predictably.
But this time, Leyden didn’t spiral into guilt.
His mother was right. Feeling desire for Connor wasn’t wrong. Managing it privately wasn’t shameful. And waiting for Connor to be ready - truly ready, not just willing out of obligation - was building something neither of them had experienced before.
A foundation. That’s what they were creating. Not just sexual chemistry, but emotional intimacy. Trust. Partnership.
When they eventually made love, it wouldn’t be because Connor felt pressured or because Leyden couldn’t wait any longer. It would be because Connor genuinely wanted it, because his attraction had developed fully through their deepening connection.
And that…that would be worth every moment of waiting.
“You’re staring,” Connor said, not looking up from his report.
“That’s usually my line. You’re worth staring at.”
Connor’s cheeks flushed, but pleasure rippled through the bond. He liked being looked at. Noticed. Desired - as long as that desire came with respect for his boundaries.
Leyden could give him that. He could want Connor desperately while still honoring his pace.
“Come here,” Connor said quietly.
Leyden crossed the room. Connor stood, stepped into Leyden’s space, and wrapped his arms around Leyden’s waist.
Just a hug. Simple physical affection.
But through the bond, Leyden felt Connor’s contentment, his growing comfort with touch, his deepening trust.
Worth it. Connor was worth every moment of waiting, every private moment of self-control, every aching second of wanting more.
Because what they were building together was going to last.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Leyden chopped vegetables with focused precision. He was following the recipe he’d memorized diligently. He was making Connor’s favorite - grilled chicken with roasted vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes. Simple enough that Leyden wouldn’t screw it up, fancy enough to feel special.
He’d purposefully sent Connor on an extended patrol rotation specifically to give himself time. Candles waited on the dining table, unlit for now. Soft jazz played from the speaker in the corner. He didn’t want to do anything over the top which could make Connor feel pressured.
Just a nice dinner. At home. Together.
The chicken sizzled as Leyden flipped it. It was golden and smelled amazing. His mom had walked him through the timing earlier that morning, repeating things as needed while he scribbled notes like a nervous teenager planning his first date.
Which, in a way, he was. Their first real date at home. Just the two of them, no pack interruptions, no crises, no alpha business…hopefully.
Just mates being mates.
Leyden checked the potatoes. They were fluffy and ready for mashing. The vegetables looked good, caramelized at the edges like his mom had promised they would be. He dimmed the lights, lit the candles, and plated everything with more care than he’d ever given his appearance before a hookup.
