POV: Eli Blackwood

I looked up at the clock and noted it was almost time for the interview I'd agreed to. 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 pack Beta and my executive assistant work with me seamlessly. This was an easy week, only partially encumbered by my best human friend needing a favor.

I mean, she has done it before. I'm a really private individual for obvious reasons. Outside of public record information required for business, there isn't much about me. My dear Sammy uses that to her advantage. She sends potential writers for her public firm to me. Only two in the past were successful enough to get answers out of me that were somewhat provocative. In the end, they still had a very basic profile. Passable for her test.

I previewed the questions that Sam had forwarded. While they were general questions, a couple of them had potential. Sam told me that if the guy pulled off the interview, he also had to write an engaging profile as the second part of his test. It would be published on the new local economy blog. Sam is actually hopeful about this kid because she likes his writing. That's high praise from Sammy. She may like your personality or presence in an interview, but she rarely hires writers because she likes their writing. The baseline to get to the test is that their writing meets her firm's standards, so why would she need to bring it up?

Five minutes to go. I started clearing my desk to make sure nothing confidential was out. There was a quiet tap on the office door. A creeping prickle of agitation spread through me. Almost as if my wolf himself was trying to claw his way out of our soul bond. I didn't feel on guard. I didn't sense danger. I pushed the feeling back, cataloging the sensation for later. Alphas can never be too careful.

"Come in," I called out.

As the door opened, I was engulfed by a 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." I didn't see any desserts with him, and he also didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary.

The man watched me for a moment, then nodded. Casey stepped aside and left a younger man just inside my office door. He stood there awkwardly, flinching softly when the door clicked shut. He was petite, light brown-skinned, with curly brown hair. His clothes were smart and stylish. They fit him well. He was beautiful. Mouthwatering. I shook my head because I was getting distracted. My omega was alluring.

My omega.

My eyes locked on him as he took a deep breath. A mask of confidence fell as he ambled up to me. This little wolf was somewhere he wasn't supposed to be. He knew it, and he still had the guts to go through with this.

"Hello, Mr. Blackwood. Um, Alpha Blackwood." The man said, inclining his head respectfully. "I don't want to take too much of your time, so if you don't mind, Sir, I'd like to start."

He looked me in the eye despite his apparent nervousness. I like that. I like that a lot, if the tightening of my pants is any indication. His voice was soft and sweet, just low enough to tickle my ears pleasingly. I wanted to hear it again. Quirking a brow, I decided to play along, but the omega knew I had questions about why he was here.

"Of course, Mr. Gray." I felt a disgruntled rumble brewing in my chest. I bit it back.

The wolf was acting as if he were barely affected. Could the omega be capable of being that professional in his alpha's presence? As the pack Alpha, I had developed the restraint and control I was painstakingly demonstrating to take my position in the pack. An alpha is 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. I have visited many packs over the years, and yet I have never seen an omega meet their mate and be so calm. His control was the type developed years after a mating. Omegas usually were erratic for months after mating until their hormones rebalanced. Even after that, responsible alphas develop a primer pheromone to help the omega maintain hormone rebalancing.

Luca Gray.

Watching him as he set up his audio recorder and cell phone, I tried to recall who he was related to in my pack. Luca 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. My eyes trailed him up and down, noting his understated fashion choices, paired with the very obvious pops of his personality.

He was the cutest.

"If you are ready, Sir?" Luca asked.

Luca looked up at me, and I felt my lungs constrict. How am I supposed to make it through this interview knowing my mate is right there? He sat, fingers poised over the record button on his phone, watching me expectantly. I nodded, and he pressed the button on both of his gadgets.

"For the 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 replied.

Luca 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. If he noticed my mating pheromones, he certainly wasn't reacting.

"Mr. Blackwood -"

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

Well, at least, being in the presence of his pack's Alpha seemed to affect him. I am confused, though, that an omega can be so selective in their response to pheromones. But that isn't a conversation to start with a recording device on.

"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. He started reiterating some of the human safe pack history related to my family settling into this area in the nineteenth century. It was very generic information because my family arrived before the human settlers, but used the Westward Expansion of the Americas as a cover for our presence.

"When this city was being speculated, they actually had to buy some of the land in the North and West of the town from your family, and the Blackwoods retained conservatorship over most of the forest there, correct? Can you give me a little more background on how your family became one of four families that invested and established this city?"

I took a moment to process the questions before answering. This question was about my ancestors' land agreement with the burgeoning town council for the western portion. It still stands today.

"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 and were involved in fur trapping, as the Blackwoods are exceptional hunters. As more people came to the area, we turned to the lumber trade to help protect the forest."

That brought a mischievous smile from the omega werewolf as I masterfully crafted a human-friendly story for him.

"Yes, but how did you manage to persuade the indigenous to work with the others? Our area developed so differently than other places in the United States for many reasons. Even the Northwest didn't go well. There were many battles as colonization of the area set in.

"It's not really a secret, but some of my ancestors and other clan members actually were married into several local tribes, which is why there is such a large area of land that the Blackwood family holds under conservation. Even the community my family owns is on tribal land, so there are very specific agreements for the land use."

"But why would the indigenous give your family land? That is a pretty significant thing. Previous profiles say you have European ancestry, so during that time it seems unrealistic that you were anything other than colonizers like everyone else."

"It definitely would have that appearance, but our history shows that is not the truth. It's not a story that was made up, and honestly, most of the people in this area who can trace their ancestry to my family's clan and live in the gated community likely also share tribal ancestry. I live in that community rather than in the city in any of the housing projects we have in Crestview because of the connection with the land. That land was a gift so our clan would not need to separate, or the tribes would lose the children who married into our clan. It became one of many places 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. When the citizens of the United States expanded to this area, we fought with them to respect the land and cultures present."

He paused to scribble a few notes. The real truth is the heir to the Blackwood clan in those days was the first to find his soul's mate within the indigenous tribes, opening the bonds of kinship between his clan and the indigenous tribes. As more people inter-mated with the indigenous humans, 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 as the President and CEO of this company, it is my duty to ensure the land is used in ways that cause no more harm than necessary.

"Mr. Gray, I definitely suggest taking a look at the legislation around timber over time in this state. Our early work in timber shows how we established environmental limits on expansion that laid the foundation for how housing development works today in our state. All plans call for land restoration clauses in all building proposals."
"That's really interesting, Mr. Eli. That would make a lot of sense. The real estate advisory board page on your company website says that it is part of a voluntary Land Stewardship Pact that is almost 150 years old?

"Yes. It is one reason 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 in this area. It prevents everyday people and people from the surrounding tribes from being competitive. Crestview is a tourist attraction due to its proximity to beaches, forests, and the rich history of the local tribes. Our council prioritizes that. You see more family shops and restaurants here, rather than large chains."

"Would it be accurate to say that 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. We actively work against extractivism. We are still very flawed as a corporation, but that is always the goal."

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

Most of the pack did not know the deep history of our people or the business details. Although the Blackwood wolves were not native to this continent, we found ourselves here when my ancestors fled persecution in Europe. The early colonies on the continent, however, weren't safe for a pack of werewolves either. 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. I am honored by the sacrifices all sides of my family went through to get us here.

"Okay, then, what are the biggest challenges you face as an entrepreneur with your goals?" Luca asked.

I liked his questions just as much as Sam had. I favored this one, even though it was generic. No one has actually asked me this. I could see why Sam wanted to give him a chance, even if now that I met him I had some major concerns. I take a moment to watch him while appearing to think over the question, just taking him in. I was aware that even if this wasn't the intent, the entire interview was now my mate's first up-close impression of me. I was balancing multiple impressions now, while trying to understand why he wasn't reacting.

"I would say humility can be a challenge when people also elevate you. Again, it is my job to be a steward and protector. My ancestors made promises I hold dear. If I forget that or get greedy in the business world, a lot could go wrong for any of my charges. I could lose respect and harm relationships. Ensuring I listen to all voices, rather than prioritizing business peers, was a challenge in my earliest days. I think it comes more naturally to me after almost a decade in this industry, but the temptation to prioritize financial security is always there. I definitely have had to battle in boardrooms in the face of a pretty hefty payout that many of our shareholders would prefer I take at times."

I take a moment to breathe for this next moment. Being vulnerable doesn't come easy to me. I'm the Alpha of the Blackwood pack. While this has been my family's pack for centuries, there is always the concern that other werewolves could infiltrate and worry us.

"I think my other biggest challenge is that I have had to do this unpartnered. It 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.

The man seemed completely unaffected by what I said, as he jotted down a note. What the hell was going on? Not a blush or anything. He tapped his pen on his full bottom lip in thought before looking up at me with those bright brown eyes.

"Well, that leads me to two of my questions." He sat up straighter, looking slightly more excited. "First, who had the greatest influence over you growing up?"

There was a sinking pit in my belly. How could my mate show such little interest? No subtle flirtation. No discreet seduction. I sighed deeply, forcing myself not to frown or react in any way to his lack of interest.

"I would say, my parents. My mother is a member of a local tribe. 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 histories of people who came to this region with them as they traveled west. My parents taught me to make hard decisions, even when they aren't the choice you might personally want. If the choice is only good for myself, it is not a 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. I described how my grandfather, a tribal elder, took me on many journeys as a teen to learn balance from nature. Detailed how my mother ensured I was just as much a part of her tribe as I was of my pack. Because they all knew I would be an Alpha in a time when there were so many ethical, moral, and security risks that my species had not experienced before.

"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 as a question of what you do with your free time. So, Sir, what do you do to live?"

That had been my favorite question on his list. He didn't ask about my hobbies specifically. He was asking what filled me with life. What drove me beyond responsibility. I smiled. Despite how disconcerting this interview had been, I'd smile more in the last hour than I have in months, honestly.

"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 a sweet, soft smile that soothed my soul when he looked up at me. He knew exactly how much running through the forest brought our wolves ease and calm. It was one of the few times we could truly be ourselves.

Luca 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. I felt the tinge of anxiety grating against the edges of my being like a sharp blade carefully separating fat from hide without anyone realizing I was alive and flailing for attention. He was going to walk away and then what would be my next step? My confusion over his behavior is almost paralyzing because I don't know how to navigate this.

"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.

Unfortunately, I had to stamp that excitement down. I did need to broach the subject of why an omega was searching for work without the request coming across my desk. I also needed to know why he wasn't responding to the bond.

"Luca?" I asked. He stopped packing his bag and peered up at me curiously. "Do you not feel the mate bond?"

My mind raced, but he seemed calm. As the color drained from his face, I realized that something was quite possibly wrong. Luca's eyes widened. He looked around, taking a few swallows, and then looked back at me. His scent soured; there were too many smells, but I certainly could smell fear.

"I-I'm s-sorry. T-th-the mate bond?" Luca whispered, his distress perfuming the air, making it heavy.

Something was definitely not right. Didn't he feel it? I felt my wolf clawing at my chest, demanding I claim our omega before he could reject us. That was the only logic my wolf could apply. Our omega didn't want us as his alpha, for whatever reason. I pushed my wolf back, refusing to let him take control of our body when he was being irrational about this.

"Yes, Luca. You are my mate." His eyes seemed to go wider as his face turned red with embarrassment.

Luca's brows furrowed. His gaze shifted from embarrassment to fear. 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 most definitely worried. Luca suddenly went from confident to skittish. It was like he was trying not to anger me while searching for a way out of a situation he didn't know how to navigate. He picked up his bag, holding onto it like it could save him at this moment.

"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? Help me out here. I'm a bit lost." I inquired plaintively.

The desire to take my mate into my arms was overwhelming. I was starting to feel the faint whispers of his emotions now that our bond was stitching itself together, and I didn't like what I felt. He was scared, heartbroken, and embarrassed. It was painful to experience. He didn't respond, and I watched as he nervously fidgeted while retreating into himself.

"Omega," I said firmly. He reacted, made eye contact, then quickly looked 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. Even though Luca said this wasn't a rejection, it sounded exactly like one. Like a rejection, or like something going on in my pack that I need to know.

"Um, I don't really know the werewolf equivalent," Luca 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. 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."

He really did look mortified.

"As for my parents," Luca 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 practically snarl.

Luca took a step back. He looked concerned, and thoughts of my omega out with another raced through my head. I didn't like it.

You see that!" Luca spat, going from scared omega to angry werewolf in an instant.

"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. He shows up completely oblivious, then tells me he's 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 in confusion. A call interrupted me before I could think of a response. I picked up the phone without looking away from him. Irritation was digging deep under my skin.

"Yes!" I snapped into the receiver.

I listened as Casey notified me that the next appointment was waiting. I groaned loudly. I cursed under my breath as I slammed the receiver down without a response.

"Okay, 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 like I had every time he had called me that. "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 attend 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 dinner."

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

When he was done, he gathered the last of his things. 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." Luca nodded again, but he was tense. I led him through my office door. "I'll be right back, Casey. Can you settle my guests, please?" I didn't wait for a response.

I walked Luca out to the elevator bank, wishing him a pleasant afternoon. Watching the elevator door close on my mate may be the hardest thing I've ever done. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I groaned quietly as I tapped my fist lightly on the wall as I tried to gain control over my chaotic mind.

"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