Steele was once again the first to rise the next morning. He glanced over at Aleu then smiled softly. Suddenly, something about Aleu caught his attention. He leaned closer to Aleu and inhaled deeply. Her scent was completely different that it had been before and after getting a better sniff, he knew why. He knew that scent and what it meant. He'd smelled it before when he was used as a breeding stud. Aleu was going into heat. This situation was completely different from other times though. Literally, it had been just business for his owner and himself, but he cared about Aleu and did not want to end up forcing himself on her because of how tempting she smelled. Steel grunted lightly in frustration and stood up then went to get a drink to clear his head. Aleu was up soon and spotted Steele getting a drink. She smiled softly then got up and began to get a drink beside him. Steele grunted and took shallow breaths in an attempt to not be taken in by Aleu's scent. Aleu flicked her ears curiously then glanced at Steele.
"Are you alright?" Aleu asked. Steele chuckled nervously and lifted his head to try and get her scent out of his nostrils.
"Yes, fine," Steele said lowly. Aleu grunted in irritation.
"Yeah right, Steele. Something's bothering you and I know it," Aleu said firmly. Steele sighed softly. There wasn't much point in trying to avoid the subject.
"Alright… It's just that… your smell is very… tempting. I'm trying to control myself, but it's difficult," Steele said in almost a whisper. Aleu blinked with confusion for a moment, but then it hit her. She knew that she felt different and that there was something that told her to act on how she felt. Her mother had explained it to her, but this was her first heat and she hadn't thought she'd be with a male, let alone one she cared about. Suddenly guilt washed over her. No wonder he'd been acting strange. She glanced down shyly and curled her tail up between her legs before she sat down.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Aleu said with her ears lowered. Steele sighed softly and regained his composure enough to sit beside her and rest his head on top of hers.
"No need to apologize. It's natural, Aleu," Steele quietly assured. Aleu nuzzled gently against his chest and sighed gently.
"I know but I've never… been through this before," Aleu whispered as she shuffled her front paws slightly. Steele gently pressed his nose between Aleu's ears to comfort her.
"We don't have to do anything you know. I'm controlling myself because I don't want to force you to do something you don't want to do," Steele explained before he stood up and took a few steps away from Aleu and sat down again. Aleu whimpered softly at his absence at her side and finally looked up at him. She smiled softly and stood up then slowly lifted her tail. She immediately noticed Steele's body stiffen slightly as her scent was back in the air but that didn't stop her as she began to confidently walk over to him.
"You don't have to control yourself, Steele," Aleu said softly as little smirk began to creep across her features. Aside from her sudden surge of confidence, her tone had also gotten huskier and more tempting. Steele couldn't help but inhale Aleu's scent considering she now stood right in front of him. He grunted and shook his head.
"Aleu, that's the hormones talking. I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do," Steele said as he glanced at the ground in an effort to not look at Aleu. Aleu giggled softly and stepped forward, closing the small gap between them, then licked underneath Steele's chin.
"Don't be silly, Steele. I do want this and I want you," Aleu said softly. Steele's ears perked up and he looked at Aleu with a raised brow. Hearing her actually say that she wanted him gave him a rush of hope that he wasn't expecting.
"You mean that, Aleu? You really want me?" Steele questioned. Aleu nodded firmly.
"Of course I mean it, Steele. I haven't felt like this about a guy before and frankly, I really care about you. If you'd take me, I'd like to be… your mate," Aleu said the last couple words a little softer. Steele smiled warmly, his happiness temporarily replacing the temptation, and licked the top of Aleu's head affectionately.
"I would be honored to have you as my mate, Aleu as long as it's your choice," Steele said gently. Aleu smiled happily and wagged her tail.
"Steele… I love you," Aleu whispered. Steele smiled happily and wagged his tail as well. Even though they hadn't known each other long, he knew it was the truth and had wanted to hear it for a while. He knew that he felt the same.
"I love you too, Aleu," Steele said softly. Aleu yipped happily and then let her eyes meet Steele's. Both of their eyes equally reflected their desire for one another. That night the two of them connected both physically and emotionally. Their first time together was a surreal rush of passion that neither of them would ever forget.