Chereads / The Lion's Bond - Side Stories / Chapter 4 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4

"Vi! You gotta stop pushing yourself and take proper rest breaks! Spend less time in the library on campus and more at home where you can be surrounded by the pheromones of your family! We worry about you, ya know! How many times have I been called to come and get you after you pass out in the library from exhaustion? How many times have you pushed yourself so much that you can't get home without an escort? This is twice now that you've let your heat creep up on you and ignored your body and collapsed at one of your jobs! Stop it!" Leon was passionate.

He truly was worried about how much Vi was pushing herself this last year alone. It was like she was trying to rush her graduation from college and med school even though she was already all but guaranteed to graduate on time and well ahead of her class! Just look at Jeannette, she was three years older than her but a year behind her in her studies and they had started med school at the same time. That was how much Vi had been pushing herself.

Vivi was a bit ashamed to be scolded by Leon. She didn't like to see him upset. She didn't want to hurt him, but she knew she had at least disappointed him with her behavior. Some role model she was. She hung her head and apologized.

"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad, Leon. I'll try to do better…"

"No. You WILL do better! Or I will have Dr. Matty push your practicals until such a time as you can take better care of yourself!" Asher said sternly.

"NO! Don't do that, Dad! Dr. Matty listens to you and mom and Uncle Kaito more than anyone! If you tell her about what happened, she'll make me wait until the summer to take my exams! Then I'll already be 23 and won't be the youngest graduate of medical school!" Vivi wanted to achieve her goal, her dream of being a doctor as soon as possible, to help people.

She couldn't help her mom with her brothers since she had been too young and her baby sister hadn't caused any undue stress on her mom during his pregnancy with her, but that didn't stop her from wanting to help omega moms that had difficult pregnancies. After she graduated, she would specialize in obstetrics like her hero, Dr. Matty, who is her best friend's great-aunt. She wanted to retire, but she promised to teach her and Jeanie everything she knew before she did.

"Then you will take the rest of today to recuperate and recover from your heat. You can't keep making Mom and Dad as well as Uncle Darrol and Uncle Asher worry about you Vi! I also can't keep coming to get you! I still have classes of my own to attend!" Leon scolded.

He didn't add that his overwhelming desire for her was getting harder to ignore, the closer to his 18th birthday he got. He couldn't ask Noel about this since she might tattle to Mom and Dad and then the cat would be out of the bag, and he would be given the third degree on his intentions for Vi. He wanted to spare her and himself that for as long as possible, especially since she hadn't accepted his feelings yet.

Vivi spent the rest of the day forbidden from studying and she was practically watched like a hawk with Leon acting as guard dog. The only time she felt like she wasn't being watched was when she retreated to the bathroom to finally bathe. She sighed as she relaxed into the hot water of the tub. Her 18th birthday present had been a complete remodel of the upstairs bathroom, closest to her room. She had asked her Dad if she could have a garden tub installed and he had gone a step further and had the whole bathroom remodeled for her comfort.

Her brothers and sister now shared the downstairs bathroom ever since she got this one to herself. On occasion she would pamper her baby sister and let her use the jacuzzi tub and would make a day of doing a whole relaxation routine with her. Hair, nails, makeup, the works. Although her baby sister was outgrowing these girly days and was spending more time with her friends than her on her days off from studying.

Leon kept a close eye on Vi as the day went by. Thankfully he didn't have classes today and had only been lounging at home and playing games on his computer before he rushed off to help her. Despite his complaints, he would always drop everything if it was for her. He would never not come and help her and was determined to prove himself as a good potential mate. He knew in his heart that she was his fated partner but getting her to realize that was harder than he could ever have known possible.

As the weeks ticked by, Leon and Noel's birthday was creeping closer. Vivi hadn't collapsed in any way since Leon had escorted her home. Soon it was the day before their birthday and his sister finally came home from school. He teased her a bit, knowing full well that it would irritate her, but he had missed her. She had been his constant companion and friend as a child, but they grew apart and barely spent any time together now. Despite that, he still loved her as his big sister. She was only a few minutes older than him, but he respected their birth order and treated her with a modest amount of respect due her as the oldest of all of mom's kids.

Checking his account, Leon noted that birthday money had been deposited by his grandparents and he did a quick calculation of how much he would need to set his plan in motion to woo Vivi now that he was turning 18. He had a few part time jobs over the years and a modest amount of savings and had been putting money aside for this occasion. He wanted a place where he wasn't going to be interrupted and a place that would feel relaxing and cozy for Vi.

He had secretly rented out a vacation home in the mountains about an hour's drive from town. Nestled in the foothills next to the river, and a fair distance away from the main road, it was the perfect love nest for his plan. Now that he had a bit of extra cash, he put his final preparations into motion. He went out and bought essentials for the place. Groceries, towels, and clean bed linens. Also, he acquired condoms, scented pheromone candles, as well as edible massage oils. The clerk at the adult shop barely looked at him as he purchased these since he looked older than he was. It wasn't exactly as if the things he was buying needed ID either, so he didn't have to worry about being carded for his purchases.

Putting everything into his car, he headed for his rental place. It was rented for the remainder of spring and into late summer. So, he planned on taking Vi here for her birthday as well if all went according to plan. Stocking the fridge, he made sure there were plenty of her favorites that he could cook for her. His mom had made sure that he and his siblings could cook, and their dad and Grandpa Elijah made sure they could clean and care for a house in its entirety.

He was prepared as he could be to celebrate Vivi's practical examination completion. He had secretly asked his mom to find out if Vivi had passed her exams and of course she had, with a perfect score. So, with his birthday tomorrow and her exam results at the ready, he headed back home with his bait in place.

The next day was spent with the entire family. His and Noel's coming of age was a big deal after all, for them all, so he couldn't escape the family until nearly nightfall. That was when he lured Vi outside, planning on tempting her with her scores…

"Hey Vi? Got a few minutes to spare?" he asked as he pushed away from the table that their family was gathered around.

"Yeah, what's up?" Vivi didn't suspect a thing, she just thought that Leon was fishing for more birthday wishes like the damned peacock he was. God, why did he have to be so damn handsome and cocky? She secretly loved and hated that about him, especially since all the other omegas were attracted to that about him as well.

"Come with me outside for a moment will ya?" He requested nicely. It was a cool, but not cold evening for April 1st.