POV: Eli Blackwood

It was almost 1:00 PM. I just sent out a batch of emails and finished signing the paperwork Casey needed. Managing pack business and the corporation was always frustrating, but my Beta and my assistant work with me seamlessly. This was an easy week, only partially obscured by my best human friend needing a favor.

I mean, she has done it before. I'm a really private individual because of obvious reasons, so outside of public record information, there is not a lot of information about me. My dear Sam uses that to her advantage. She sends potential writers for her firm to me. Only two in the past were successful enough to get passingly exciting answers out of me, but in the end, they still had a very basic profile.

I previewed the questions, and while they were general, there were a couple that I thought had potential. Sam told me that if the guy pulled the interview off, he also had to write an engaging profile as the second part of his test, which would be published on the new local economics blog. Same is actually hopeful about this kid because she likes his writing.

Five minutes to go. I started clearing off my desk. There was a quiet tap on the office door. I felt agitated. Almost as if my wolf himself was trying to claw his way out of our soul bond, but I didn't feel on guard. I push the feeling back while taking note of it.

"Come in," I called out.

As the door opened, I was engulfed by the heady scent. Cinnamon, Sugar, Lavender. I blinked a few times, trying to collect myself, realizing my secretary was speaking to me.

"Um, I'm sorry, Casey, thank you. You can leave us."

The man watched me for a moment before nodding and leaving the room. I continued to watch the younger man in front of me for a moment as he stood there awkwardly. He was small, light-skinned, with brown curly hair. His clothes were smart and stylish. They fit him well. He was beautiful. Alluring. Mouthwatering. I shook my head because I was getting distracted. My omega was distracting.

I watched as he took a deep breath and walked up to me.

"Hello, Mr. Blackwood. Um, Alpha Blackwood." He said, bowing his head. He looked me in the eye with confidence despite his apparent nervousness. I like that. I like that a lot, if the tightening of my pants was anything to judge by. His voice was soft and sweet, just low enough to tickle my ears pleasingly. I wanted to hear it again. "I don't want to take too much of your time, so if you don't mind, Sir, I'd like to start."

"Of course, Mr. Gray." He said in agreement and confusion." He was acting as if he were barely affected. Was he just that professional? As the pack Alpha, I had developed the restraint and control that I was demonstrating painstakingly to be able to take my position in the pack. An alpha was strong and, without care, could harm those under them in the pack hierarchy, especially if you were THE Alpha. The control I saw in my little omega was not something I had ever seen out of an omega when near their mate, and I have visited many packs over the years.

I continued to watch him as he set up his audio recorder and cell phone, then pulled out a little notebook decorated with flowers and butterflies. My heart almost exploded when he also took out a pen with a cat on the top.

He was the fucking cutest.

"If you are ready, Sir?" He asked, fingers poised over the record button on his phone. I nodded, and he pressed the button on both gadgets.

"For record's purposes, I am going to state the intent of the meeting. This is an Interview for Urban Pulse, a digital publication by Paxton Public Relations. I, Luca Gray, am here to interview Mr. Eli Blackwood, Chairman and CEO of Blackwood Incorporated. Thank you so much for joining me today and giving me your time."

"It's my pleasure, I assure you," I said to the younger man, who smiled and nodded, taking a quick peek at his notebook. I released some of my pheromones to see if he would react in any way.

"Mr. Blackwood -"

"Please, call me Eli." I interrupted Luca, who flushed momentarily before nodding in confirmation.

"Um, yes, Mr., um, Eli," Luca said with a slight stutter. "- just to get some of the historical basics out of the way.

Luca took another glance at his notes.

"I read that your family history in the area has roots prior to our city being built in the late nineteenth century. When this city was being speculated, they actually had to buy some of the land in the North and East of the town from your family, while to this day, you still retain conservatorship over most of the forest in the North and East exclusively. Your ancestors also had a land agreement with the burgeoning town council for the western portion, and this still stands today.

"Can you give me a little more background on how your family became so ingrained in the creation of the city and tied to the roots of its economic growth? Blackwood is one of four families that really invested and established this city, correct?"

I took a moment to process the questions before answering.

"Hmm, well, Luca, yes, I'll summarize the family history. The Blackwood line is strong. Our earliest known ancestors in the northwest region of this country came to this area 300 years ago.

"Tracking for fur is what initially brought my people into the territory that Crestview was built on. We started in the fur trade, as my people are exceptional hunters. We moved into lumber as the U.S. grew and more people came West. My family developed a peaceful relationship with several of the tribes in this area. Several members of my clan had married into the tribes.

"Many in the original Blackwood clan had partnered with members of the local indigenous. Our clan didn't want to separate, and the tribes didn't want to lose their children. This land was a gift of sorts, from the tribal council at the time, to allow the Blackwood clan to stay together. This land was a place of peace where all of the tribes could come together. We, as well as the indigenous to this region, have been the land stewards for centuries. We have sought to fight for that, it is one of the reasons why this area still to this day, has a significant indigenous presence.

"The heir to the Blackwood clan in those days was the first to find his soul mate within Native tribes, opening the bonds of kinship between his clan and the indigenous tribes. As more people intermarried, those bonds and belief in shared stewardship deepened over the generations. As the U.S expanded, the settlers cared little for the Natives in the areas they chose to settle. We were lucky here, and it is my duty as the President and CEO of this company to ensure that the land is used in ways that do not cause any more harm than necessary. Our early work in the Timber industry helped to establish and create legislation that does not allow over-harvesting in any one area of the forest. Even in areas that are being built on, call for land restoration clauses in all building proposals.

"The advisory board that oversees several of our real estate holdings is also part of a voluntary Land Stewardship Pact that is almost 150 years old. It is one of the reasons why economic development in this city is such a community-involved affair. We don't want commercial businesses that take away from the small businesses' ability to grow. We also must balance that this area is a great tourist attraction due to its proximity to beaches and national forests. Our council prioritizes the cultures found in this area and its rich history.

"Blackwood Incorporated focuses mainly on being a leader in sustainable urban development as well as tourism and hospitality. With our family's early history here being so deeply ingrained with and beholden to the local tribes of this region, it is our duty, having a common ancestor and just being halfway decent people, to continue to foster economic growth while not allowing that growth to take away from those who were here before us; which has sadly happened in many places around the world."

"That's actually very wonderful, Mr., I mean, Eli." I watched his eyes light up as I explained my family's ties.

He was clearly from my pack, but most of the pack did not know the deep history of our people and the business details. While the Blackwood wolves were not native to this continent, we did find ourselves here when my ancestors fled from being hunted in Europe. The early colonies on the continent weren't safe for a pack of wolves either, so my ancestors braved the new land and headed West to live in peace long before any of the European humans thought to take on Western Expansion.

"Okay, then, what are the biggest challenges you face as an entrepreneur?" I had liked his questions just as much as Sam did. I could see why she wanted to give him a chance, at the very least. Pausing, I take a moment to watch him while appearing to think over the question.

"I would say remaining humble is a challenge. Making sure that I humble myself and listen to my advisor. Again, it is my job to be a steward and protector. This is a promise that my ancestor made. If I forget that or get greedy, many things can go wrong for a lot of people. A lot of respect I could lose and relationships I could harm. So, ensuring that I listen to all voices rather than prioritizing business peers was a challenge in my earliest days. I think that while it comes more naturally to me after almost a decade in this industry, the temptation is always just out of reach. I definitely have had to battle some companies in board rooms and with lawyers to keep to our corporation values, even in the face of a pretty check that many of our shareholders would prefer I take at times.

"I think my other biggest challenge is that I have had to do this unpartnered. This wasn't necessarily a choice I made. It's just that my special person has only recently shown up in my life." I watched as Luca nodded.

He seemed completely unaffected by what I said to him. What the hell was going on? Not a blush or anything.

"Well, that leads me to two of my questions," He pushes forward with his questions. "First, who had the greatest influence over you growing up?"

I sighed deeply, forcing myself not to frown or react.

"I would say my parents. My mother is a member of one of the local tribes. My father is, of course, a Blackwood. They have taught me the values of her tribe, the promises and commitments of the Blackwood clan, and the people who came to this region with them as they traveled west. They taught me about making hard decisions when despite it not being the choice you might personally want. They taught me a different way to look at decision-making, as well. If the choice is only good for just myself, it is not good decision for me because my soul will know that I prioritized myself over others selfishly.

As I explained, I remember how hard both of my parents drilled this into me. How my grandfather, who was a tribal elder, had taken me on many journeys to learn balance from nature. How my mother ensured that I was just as much a part of her tribe as I was of my pack.

"That temporary satisfaction will disappear as I see the suffering of others. If I don't see it, it's because I chose to be blind to those around me. My father, the former chairman, told me to ask myself what makes me more important than my neighbor. Why would I choose to risk another for my temporary gain? They taught me not only how to be a good man but a good neighbor."

"Thank you so much for that, Eli. Next, if it is not too invasive, you mentioned that no one special has shown up. I think most people would take your response not just as a sign of loneliness, but question of what you do with your free time. So, Sir, what do you do to live?"

I smiled at that question. It was one of the questions that I liked on Luca's list.

"Well, Luca, growing up how I did, I developed a deep affinity for nature and the land, so if I am not working or volunteering in the city or the little community I live in, you'll find me in the forest." Luca smiled. It was sweet.

He asked me a few more questions, and I gave him responses as thoroughly as possible while glossing over pack-specific references. Our time was up. He turned off both recording devices.

"Alpha, I really appreciated this. I was very nervous because this was a test for my first ever job, and I am so grateful that you gave me so much to work with." Luca smiled happily.

"I am glad I was able to help you," I replied to him, feeling a warmth bloom in my chest from being able to assist my omega in something he desired already.

"Luca?" I paused as he stopped packing his bag and peered up at me. "Do you not feel the mate bond?" I asked him, worried that maybe I was reading this all wrong.

My mind was raging, but he was calm. I watched as the color drained from his face and his eyes widened. He looked around, taking a few swallows, and then looked back at me.

"I-I'm s-sorry. Th-the mate bond?" Luca whispered, his distress perfuming the air.

He didn't feel it? I felt my wolf clawing at my chest, demanding I claim our omega before he could reject us. I pushed my wolf back back refusing to let him take control of our body.

"Yes, Luca. You are my mate." Luca looked up at me with wide eyes as he flushed with embarrassment. Almost immediately, his brows furrowed as his gaze turned fearful. That didn't help my wolf at all.

"Oh no. Oh, no, no. You can't tell my parents, Alpha, please." He snapped his mouth shut as if realizing what he said.

My heart began to sink. I was worried. Luca suddenly went from confident to skittish, like he was trying not to anger me while searching for a way out of a situation he didn't know how to navigate.

"Luca, are you rejecting me?" I asked apprehensively. He gaped at me for a moment before slowly answering me.

"N-N-No, Alpha, I just. I'm not a, um, regular omega," He said quietly as he looked down as if he were ashamed. "I really thought I would recognize my mate at the very least." I heard him say under his breath.

"Luca?" I inquire plaintively.

I really had a huge desire to take my mate into my arms, especially as I was starting to feel the faint whispers of his emotions now that our bond was stitching itself together. He was scared, heartbroken, and embarrassed. He didn't respond, and I watched as he nervously fidgeted while retreating into himself.

"Omega," I said firmly, and he reacted, making eye contact and then quickly looking away. "Luca, I need you to explain to me why you think you didn't recognize the mate bond and why you wouldn't want your family to know."

That stung. That thought scared me. Despite Luca saying this wasn't a rejection, that is precisely what this sounded like.

"I don't really know the werewolf equivalent," he said slowly, "but the humans call it aromanticism and asexuality. I think because I don't experience those types of attractions and we aren't close, I just assume what I've been experiencing today was nervousness about the interview. I thought I felt at ease with you because you are my Pack Alpha." He sighed as his brow knitted. His frustration was palpable. "I guess, objectively, it must be the mate bond that made me feel comfortable. I suppose your scent is nice and more potent, but I just assumed it's because you are in this room a lot. I just really didn't register it as being a mate bond. I wasn't sure what to expect when I finally did meet my mate.

"As for my parents," He paused, thinking before speaking. "Look, it's not that I am opposed to this," he said, gesturing between us both, "I just am not super interested in a romantic relationship or even a sexual one. I know what my parents want for me and what they expect. If they find out that the pack Alpha is my mate, I will never hear the end of it until we mate, mark, and I am pregnant. And I want to, like, live, you know. I just got back from college two months ago, and you won't believe how many dates my parents have sent me on since then, just trying to find my alpha."

"You've been dating?" I said gruffly, and he had the wisdom to look worried as thoughts of my omega out with another raced through my head. I didn't like it.

"You see that!" He spat angrily.

"What?"I asked, quite stunned at his reaction.

"You just got mad, just over the idea of me dating. You got jealous. You don't even know if you actually like me or anything. You are just jealous and possessive because of the mate bond." I mean, I couldn't deny that.

I have been waiting for my mate for 14 years, and he shows up completely oblivious and then tells me he has been dating. My omega mate. Yes, I am a bit affected.

"You don't like that I feel a certain way about other alphas wanting my omega?" I asked him with all the calm I could muster.

"You don't know enough about me to even know if I am worthy of those feelings from you," Luca said flatly.

I tilted my head but was interrupted by a call. I picked up the phone.

"Yes!" I snapped into the receiver.

I listened as my secretary notified me that the next appointment was waiting. I groaned loudly. I cursed under my breath as I slammed the receiver down.

"Ok, I don't really know much about this aromanticism or asexuality you are talking about, but you are saying that you aren't rejecting me? That this isn't a typical matebond and that you don't really feel anything for me?" I asked him as he eyed me warily.

"Um, yes, but no Alpha." I shivered when he called me that. It sounded very different from his lips. "I am not rejecting you, but I am not experiencing any of the things I was told I should experience with a mate bond."

"Okay. Okay, I have to have this meeting, but clearly, we need to discuss this more." I took out my phone and handed it to him. " Give me your number, and I'll text you. We can discuss this later. I'll arrange for a long lunch or a dinner."

"Um, okay. Thank you." He nodded stiffly as he followed my request.

When he was done, he gathered his things, and I walked around the desk to him. I wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but I did understand that my omega needed me to take this at his pace.

"Let me walk you out." He nodded again, and I led him through my office door. "I'll be right back, Casey. Can you settle my guests, please?"

I walked Luca out to the elevator bank. I wished him a pleasant afternoon as the elevator door closed behind him. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I groaned quietly as I tapped my fist lightly on the wall.

"Fuck." I groaned softly, breathing in the last traces of his scent.

I think I would like to change my answer about my greatest challenge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey, Bubbles and Butterflies,

Now that you have met Eli, how do you feel this mixed orientation relationship will go?

If you have questions about asexuality, aromanticism, or mixed orientation relationships, drop a comment or find me on social media. I'll answer you back to the best of my ability. Please note that some of your questions may be answered on my socials as well. I won't use screen names if I post your question.

Early releases of the chapters will be on my Patreon. This story will have slower updates for now. Probably once per month. Right now, the first four chapters are up on Patreon.

xox,

kitty