Chapter 8
Leo had been on edge for two weeks. Even Trouble was avoiding him, as if sensing his disquiet.
He thought about Petra constantly, and in an attempt to get her out of his head, threw himself into home repair.
He had found a small carriage house when first arriving at the Wild Zone, and decided that it was the home for him. It had been ramshackle to say the least. Siding was rotted, and the porch was warped. Leo had replaced the roof and pulled down wall after wall, ripping through lathe and plaster, and pulling out wiring.
The home was livable now, almost fit for guests. For two weeks, he used his pent up aggression sanding, staining, and waxing wide plank floors. He was working hard now, sweating through the repairs. Working past the point of exhaustion, before taking a break, going to his kitchen, filling up a glass with water, and sitting on his porch. The porch was his next project. He'd pull it off, rebuild the deck, and add a swing.
The sun pounded on his head, it was a hot and humid day, with the threat of rain. He tore off his shirt, and wiped his face. He drank the last of the water in the glass, but it didn't cool him off. He wanted something other than water. He wanted Petra.
And that was never going to happen.
He roared, letting out his frustration, and slammed back into his house. He went back to work, moving fast, trying to work out his disappointment on the floor, but in the back of his mind, the whole time, was Petra. The way she smelled like sunshine and raspberries. The way her hand had stroked him. The way she looked at him with trust, and not fear.
"Fuck!" He snarled, throwing the sandpaper he was trying to fit back onto the sander.
He heard an answering roar from outside, and stood up. The roar was unmistakable, it was Valiant announcing his presence.
Leo got to his feet and sauntered out of the house.
Valiant stood on the edge of his property, at the gate, holding his little boy, Noble, who watched Leo with a wide smile and his ears covered.
Valiant was frowning.
"I thought that you had been injured," Valiant said, "Noble and I were hunting when I heard you roar. You do not look injured." He looked over Leo, "Did you hit your tail? Turn around and let me look."
"No," Leo said, annoyed, "I did not injure my tail."
"Tail!" Noble called out, clapping his hands, before bouncing up and down in Valiant's arms.
"If you are well, then we will leave," Valiant said, "I will to return to my mate."
"Wait!" Leo called out, moving down the stairs toward them.
Valiant snarled, warning him back.
"I have questions about a female," he added, hoping it would calm Valiant, who had misinterpreted his movement for aggression.
"Are these questions that can be asked in front of my young?" Valiant asked, his eyes narrowed, "Or do I need to return him to his mother? I do not want to be long from her."
Leo thought about it, "Both," he said.
Valiant sighed, looking put upon, "Fine. I will return in a short time. But think about your questions now, so I may answer them quickly and return home."
He left without another word, Noble waving to Leo over Valiant's shoulder. Leo waved back to him. He would like to have a young one some day; maybe a family of his own.
Leo got a soda out of his fridge and then returned to the porch to wait for Valiant's return. He didn't have long to wait, but used his time to form his questions. Valiant was serious when he said he didn't like to be away from his family for long. If he felt he'd been away too long, he was liable to leave in the middle of a sentence, or while holding a ladder, both of which he had done to Leo in the past.
"Ask your questions, Leo," Valiant called from the gate, opening it and walking briskly to the porch.
"I met a human," Leo said, "I want her."
"So go get her," Valiant replied, "Is she at Reservation? Call and ask where she is. Borrow a jeep and get her."
Things were simple in Valiant's world.
"She doesn't live at Reservation," Leo said, "She lives in the out world."
Valiant scratched his head, pondering the situation, "Do you have a telephone? Ask her to return to Reservation."
Leo thought about it, "I would do that," he answered, "but I worry she will not want to return to me."
"Why wouldn't she?" Valiant asked genuinely, "You are a strong male who would protect and provide for her. You would be a good mate. You will need to show her this. Have you mounted her?"
Leo spit out the soda he had just sipped, "No," he said, but added honestly, "I would like to. But I do not know how she will react to me."
"Do you mean because you have a tail?" Valiant asked bluntly.
"Yes," Leo answered.
"Have you shared sex with a female before?" Valiant asked suddenly.
"Yes," Leo answered just as directly.
"I did not ask to be intrusive," Valiant said, "So you know what to do?"
"It has been a while since I have shared sex," Leo answered dryly, "but I don't think I could forget what to do."
"Ask your female to return to Reservation and then mount her," Valiant suggested, "show her you will be a good mate. You do want to mate her?" he asked.
Leo thought about the feel and scent of Petra, of how his entire being was focused on her and of how on edge he was. He wanted her by his side, wanted to know that she was safe. He thought that letting her go was the right thing to do, but it wasn't, he knew that now. As much as he struggled with his nature, he realized that in this, his instincts were leading him true. Petra was his mate. He would do whatever he needed to have her.