Surrogate for My Brother-in-law - Chapter 77: Chapter 77

A few days after the council meeting, I was sitting in the garden with my mother and Ethan's sisters. Elise had begged for a chance to feed the baby. So she had Sable in her lap and a bottle in her hand.
Estelle quietly guided Elise through the process of feeding a stubborn infant. My mother moved a piece on the game board she and Erma were playing on. I turned the page in my book. Everything was peaceful and quiet.
Ernie came around a rose trellis and cleared his throat.
“Tessa? Are you feeling up to a visit from Leo?” he asked.
“Sure, is he here to see Sable?” I asked.
It was a little early in the day for a visit, but we hadn't set up a strict schedule. That wouldn't be fair with all of Leo's new responsibilities. We had decided flexibility was the best option.
Ernie shook his head. “He wants to talk to you, just you,” he said. “You can say no. I'll kick him out on his tail.”
I smiled and patted Ernie's shoulder. It was sweet how protective Ethan's siblings were. I still wasn't used to having so many people worry about me, though.
“It's fine,” I reassured Ernie.
And it was fine. Leo and I were both adults. We could have a civil conversation.
Leo was waiting in one of the manor's cozy sitting rooms. He lounged across the green velvet couch. He looked good, relaxed and powerful.
His eyes locked on me the moment I stepped into the room. The intensity of his gaze took my breath away. Before, he only looked at me like that when he thought I was Eva.
Now that look was all for me, and I wasn't sure how to feel about it.
“Hi, Leo,” I said, and took a seat in a nearby chair. “You wanted to talk?”
“Yes,” Leo said. He slid off the couch to kneel in front of me. “I am here to formally ask permission to court you. Your permission, I mean. I already secured Ethan's, as your current alpha.”
“Ethan said yes?” I yelped.
I'd honestly thought he would refuse, since he wanted to court me himself.
“He didn't have much choice,” Leo said, “You're single and he hasn't formally declared his intent. Also he's always been a fan of a fair competition.”
“I'm not a prize,” I protested.”
“No, of course not,” Leo agreed. “You're the judge. You decide which one of us is the better mate. You set the rules.”
“This isn't a game,” I said.
Leo shrugged. “No. But competing is better than fighting. We do things this way for a reason.” He paused. “You can stop it all at any time. You accept one of us, or refuse us both. You're in control of this, Tessa.”
“If I refuse you both, or just one of you, you'll really back off? Really give up?” I asked.
“I won't like it,” Leo admitted, “but it is our way. I will obey tradition.”
“Okay,” I said. “Okay, I'll give it a try. You may, um, court me.”
“Thank you, but I have to actually ask, and present my courting gift. I want to do right by you. I don't want to mess up again,” Leo said.
“Oh. Um, sure.”
Leo nodded, and bowed his head. “Healer Tessa, I humbly petition for the chance to court you, as my mate. As token of my intentions and of the high regard I hold for you, I bring this courting gift.”
He reached back and pulled out an ornately wrapped box that he'd tucked under the couch. He held it out on both hands, palms flat. The wrapping was beautiful and intricate, rich green paper tied with a golden cord.
I took the present and hesitated. It was so lovely, it felt like a crime to open it.
Leo smiled. “You don't have to accept it now. You can take it to your room, open it in private, and decide then. If you reject the gift, you send it back with a messenger. If you accept, a letter is traditional but I'm just as happy with a text message or a phone call. Or a visit. You're always welcome to visit.”
“I... I just don't want to destroy the wrapping,” I said, embarrassed. “It's so pretty. Did you do it?”
Leo nodded. “This isn't the kind of thing you have your beta do,” he said. “My father taught me that wrapping style. He used it to propose to my mother.”
“Oh. Wow,” I breathed.
How was I going to open it, knowing that? Maybe someone in Ethan's pack knew the trick to open it?
Leo stood, and took my free hand in his. He kissed it, lips warm and dry against my skin.
“I take my leave,” he said, “and await your message.”
“Oh, um, okay,” I stammered. “Thank you. For the gift. And the, um, the proposal. I just need...”
“Time,” Leo finished. “I know. I understand. Take all you need, Tessa, I will be waiting.”
And why did that promise make my cheeks warm up? I watched him leave, and looked down at the package. What was it, anyway? What was an appropriate courting gift for a situation like ours?
I wasn't sure what to do with myself, or the present, so I ended up wandering back out to the garden. Mom and Ethan's sisters were still there, although Elise had finished feeding Sable and had given her to Mom to rock to sleep.
“Oh, wow, is that a courting gift? That's courting wrapping, I know, I saw Ernie practicing when he proposed. Who is that from? It's not Ethan, he can't hide that from us, and he uses silver cord,” Erma said, bouncing in place and speaking all in a rush.
“It's Alpha Leo, obviously,” Elise said.
“Are you going to open it?” Erma asked.
“I'm not sure how,” I said. “It's so pretty.”
“You tug the cord here,” Estelle said, pointing. “The knot comes undone and pulls the paper with it.”
I followed her instructions and tugged. The wrapping fell away, revealing the gift. It was a beautiful, leather bound book with creamy, hand made paper pages. The leather was stamped with my name, and the symbol used to denote a healer. There was also a small box containing a beautiful calligraphy pen, with several small bottles of ink in vibrant colors.
It was a magnificent gift, a healer's journal. It was something I was meant to fill with my observations and techniques. Something I would lend to other healers, and leave to my protege, perhaps, or donate to a pack library.
“I don't think I can accept this,” I whispered. “It's too much.”
“It has your name on it,” Erma pointed out. “It's not like he can return it.”
“And you are a healer and should have a fine journal,” Estelle added.
I looked at my mother, who smiled and shifted Sable to her other shoulder. “It is your choice, Tessa, but it is not too much. You deserve nice things.”
I looked down at the gift. It really was perfect. But could I accept it, when I wasn't sure if I wanted to accept Leo's courtship?