I am panicking.

Yesterday, I finally agreed to complete the bond with my mate. It is not like anybody had to twist my arm in order for me to have sex with Stephano. I mean... have you seen him?

But what I was really worried about was Richard finding me here and trying to snatch Charlie away from me. I am terrified of that happening! However, I can not afford to put my life on hold forever. It has been almost two months since I arrived at Regency Falls. I can no longer leave my wolf on hold from having this experience with our mate.

I am days away from being stricken by heat, at best. I can no longer keep my feelings at bay. I need to complete the bond sooner rather than later. I am fully aware of that.

I woke up today in a state of panic with Stephano shouting in his sleep. He was restless, tormented. I tried to ease his suffering by caressing his head for a moment. It was only then that I realized he was feverish. In fact, he is incredibly hot to the touch.

Stephano's whole body was drenched in sweat, his forehead was moist, something was wrong with him. This is more than just a nightmare. I had to wake him up and convince him to see a doctor. By convincing him, I mean I did not take 'no' for an answer.

I practically carried him to take a cold shower to try to lower the fever, then we got dressed and I drove him to the nearest hospital. I did not wait eleven years to be mated to take any chance with my mate's health. Hell no!

My mate was admitted right away to be examined by the doctor who immediately started him on an I.V. drip. He was burning up and I am so worried about him. The last time I checked, I was the Omega in this relationship. I am the one who should be running a fever, not him.

I mind-linked Luna Linda to take my son to school. I did not know who else to call and she was the one person who already lived at the pack house. I explained the situation to her and she was more than ready to offer her helping hand. I also mind-linked my son to explain the situation to him because he would find it odd that I wouldn't be there to take him to school. It is always either me or Stephano that does that.

AN HOUR LATER.

"Mr. Aragon, I suspected Beta Cortez was in a rut when he was admitted. It is very rare for these cases to get so severe as he was experiencing, but as soon as the nurses took his temperature I suspected as much. He has been medicated now and is doing much better. The fever has lowered and he is fully conscious. I can take you to see him if you want." The doctor was explaining to me what happened to Stephano.

I was waiting for news in the lounge with Alpha Phillip and Luna Linda - who had already dropped off my son at school at this point. We were relieved to hear the news that it wasn't anything serious. At least, the rut is easily medicated.

I approached the hospital bed in which my mate was lying, his arm hooked to a drip that was finishing its course. He looked so vulnerable, but at least he wasn't feverish anymore.

"I can't believe you were struck by a rut. Here I thought I'd be the one who would be striking a fever. How did you beat me to it?" I told him in a humorous tone, taking his free hand to me, feeling his skin at a normal temperature.

"I guess you are stronger than you look. No surprise there." He winked at me, playfully.

I can not believe he can be charming even lying on a hospital bed. I really hit the jackpot as far as mates are concerned. He was definitely worth the wait, without a shadow of a doubt.

"Please don't scare me like that ever again. I waited too long to find you and I am not letting you go." I stated, causing a wide smile to be plastered all over his adorable face.

"I love you, Carlisle Ross Aragon." He declared himself to me and I swooned with hearts in my eyes.

"I love you too, Stephano Pullman Cortez." I said, pecking his lips afterward.

After my visit, the Alpha couple entered to see him and express their well wishes. Soon enough, his parents would arrive as well. The doctor said he was going to be discharged within the hour, so I returned to the pack house to get ready for work. I can still make my shift now that my mate is out of the woods.

The Hollingsworths would stay with him until he leaves the hospital. I can see how much the Alpha couple cares about my mate, I wish I had that with my previous Alpha. By all intents and purposes we should be best friends, but alas...

Around three p.m. I mind-linked my mate to check on him and if he would be okay to pick up my son later from school. I wouldn't want to impose, but I can't exactly leave in the middle of my shift here at the mall to do that. Stephano assured me that he was well again and would happily pick up my son.

Charlie was worried for Stephano when I told him of what happened this morning, so it is good that he will see him alive and well. I am sure he bonded with him in the short time that we have been living in Regency Falls. Plus, Stephano likes to spoil him so that always helps.

At night, I returned from work to find my mate ready for me on my bed. He was looking much better and told me I shouldn't feel bad because he got sick from me withholding the bond completion. I was entitled to wait for as long as I needed.

Well, I don't want to wait any longer. The time has come. I can not hold myself back anymore. It is not fair to me or him. I should do it sooner rather than later, while I still have control over the act.

If I get struck by heat, then all bets are off. Speaking of which...

"Can I ask you something?" I questioned him while we were cozying up in bed together.

"Ask me anything you want." He replied promptly, looking at me with a sweet gaze.

"I know we have never covered this topic yet, but when we complete the bond next Saturday... Can I top you?" I spoke with some hesitancy.

Stephano widened his eyes and gasped in shock at the question he was not prepared to answer this evening.

"I- I- Sure." He stuttered, nervously.

"I know people think Omegas are natural bottoms, but I would like to top you when we complete the bond. Is that okay?" I spoke as honestly as I could, not holding anything back.

My mate was gaping at me with a shocked expression on his face, but there is no day like today. We need to talk about it now before he goes into the day thinking it is going to be one thing only to be blindsided by another.

"It is not a big deal, mate. I am a modern queer man. It is not always that we get to top, though I prefer to do it, I can bottom for you without a problem. I am sure we can switch it up later, right?" He said, now relaxing into the idea.

"Of course! I look forward to feeling you inside of me." I winked at him and he blushed beet red.

We went to sleep and I felt comfortable next to him. It's great that we talked it out. It would be awkward to discuss this on the day and I wouldn't want him to feel pressured into it, like I would only complete the bond if we do it the way I want to.

In the coming morning, I double-checked with Stephano about our conversation last night.

"I hope you understood that I was just asking a question. I didn't mean to force you or anything like that, if you are not comfortable–"

"Relax, mate! I am comfortable talking about sex with you. If you cannot ask your own mate about what you want in bed then who could you ask this? Of course, I am okay with bottoming. I'd tell you if I was not. Don't worry about it! To be honest, I am so anxious to complete the bond with you that I would take you however you wanted. But I am not being forced in any way. Don't worry about it!" He assured me in a light tone, smiling at me.

"I am anxious too, mate. It's not like I haven't thought about it one million times at this point. If it wasn't for my situation, I would have completed the bond in the first weekend after we met" I said, flirtatiously. We played with each other as we performed our morning rituals. Today I went to work thinking about my mate and my good fortune.

Despite the circumstances of our encounter, I can honestly say I am over the moon to be mated to Stephano. I cannot wait to have my way with him... over and over again. Saturday really cannot come soon enough!

https://youtu.be/4fndeDfaWCg

A|N: BOOM!

What happens next has never happened before in the history of any of my books.

Twist?

No, my dears. That is an understatement!

Game. Changer.

P.S.: I do apologize for NOT being able to update this book sooner. It's my fault for taking on too much. Did I mention to you that I went back to college? On top of that, I am writing a different book altogether. I am crazy, I know... *breathes*

But I promise you I will not stop this one until I finish it. I will not leave you hanging. Even if I have to pace myself with the slow updates.

Love,

Léo.