Chapter 114
Evelyn’s POV
I couldn’t believe my eyes when Leon walked into my lab without his wheelchair, standing tall and strong as if the past weeks of agony had never happened.
The LDS virus had completely cleared from his system, and his connection with his wolf was fully restored. My research worked, actually worked beyond theoretical expectations.
“Look at you,” I said with a genuine smile spread across my face. “You’ve made a complete recovery p>
Leon grinned, his blue eyes shining.
“All thanks to the brilliant Dr. Blackwell.” He placed an elegantly wrapped gift box on my desk. “I wanted to thank you properly. Dinner tomorrow night p>
I hesitated. He had already given me so many gifts, and with him being my former college boyfriend, going out to dinner felt really awkward.
“It’s just dinner between old college friends,” Leon added quickly, reading my hesitation. “And you saved my life. Surely that deserves at least a meal p>
Before I could come up with a polite refusal, he crouched down to Alexis’s level. My daughter had been quietly coloring in the corner of my office.
“What do you think, Alex?” Leon asked her softly, ruffling her honey-blonde curls. “Should your mom come to dinner with me? I heard they have amazing chocolate cake p>
Alexis’s eyes lit up at the mention of dessert. She looked up at Leon with that irresistible smile that always melted my heart. “Chocolate cake? Yes! Mommy should go p>
I laughed despite myself. “That’s bribery, Leon p>
He stood up, hands raised in mock surrender. “Guilty as charged. But it worked, didn’t it p>
I sighed, realizing this might actually be the perfect opportunity to address the steady stream of gifts he’d been sending. “Fine. One dinner. But we need to talk about a few things p>
“Perfect. I’ll pick you both up at seven tomorrow p>
Leon didn’t stay long after that, claiming he had meetings back at his company. As he left, I noticed how smoothly he walked now without any trace of the weakness that had plagued him just days ago. The data would be invaluable for my ongoing research.
“You’re staring,” Gary noted from his workstation, not looking up from his microscope. Gary had come with me from Viremont to Ravenshade to help build our new research base and experimental projects together.
“Just assessing his recovery,” I replied, turning back to my work.
Gary made a sound that was half-snort, half-laugh. “Sure, Doc. Just assessment p>
I threw a crumpled paper at him, which he dodged without even looking up.
The next evening, I found myself sitting in the private dining room of La Maison Rouge, one of Ravenshade’s most exclusive restaurants—known primarily as a date spot. The soft lighting, intimate table settings, and romantic atmosphere made me shift uncomfortably in my seat.
“You didn’t mention this was I gestured vaguely at the rose centerpiece and candles.
Leon smiled easily. “Best food in town. The atmosphere is just a bonus p>
I noticed he’d arranged everything perfectly—a booster seat for Alexis, special children’s cutlery, and had even ordered her meal in advance. When the appetizers arrived, I watched in amusement as my daughter picked up her tiny fork with determination.
Leon reached over to help her, but Alexis immediately shook her head. “No help. I do it,” she declared firmly.
“Alex started feeding herself the moment she learned how to hold a spoon,” I said with pride in my voice.
I watched her eat her meal so carefully. “She’s really independent p>
Leon watched her with real fascination. “She’s amazing. So smart for her age p>
His sincere voice surprised me. I remembered him from college. He was brilliant but always working. He never cared much about family life. But now he seemed completely charmed by my three year old eating dinner without making a mess.
“She takes after her mother,” he said softly. His eyes met mine for a moment before he looked back at Alexis.
During dinner, we talked easily. It surprised me how natural it felt. We discussed his recovery and my research. Eventually we talked about what he did after college.
“The Brownfur Pack finding me changed everything,” Leon explained. He swirled his wine as he spoke. “Suddenly I had resources and connections. Everything I had been struggling for p>
“You’ve done really well,” I said. I remembered the shy, smart student who used to worry about buying textbooks. Now he ran one of the biggest tech companies in the country.
“It wasn’t easy,” he admitted. “But now I can actually make a difference. I can help people who matter to me p>
I took a long drink of water. I pretended I didn’t understand what he meant.
“How are the boys?” he asked. He changed the subject smoothly. “Rhys told me he loved that action figure I sent p>
I smiled. I felt grateful he switched topics. “They’re doing great. They love everything you send them. But you really don’t have to keep giving them gifts p>
“I like doing it,” he said simply. “They’re good kids p>
When dinner ended, Leon wanted to drive us home. We pulled up to my house and he asked us to wait. He went to his car trunk and came back with two bouquets of pink stargazer lilies. They were my favorite flowers from college. I had forgotten I ever told him that.
“A big one for you,” he said. He handed me a beautiful arrangement. “And a small one for the little lady p>
Alexis’s eyes got huge with excitement when she got her tiny version of my bouquet.
“Leon, you don’t need to do this,” I started to say. But he stopped me gently.
“This is the last thank you gift, I promise,” he said with a warm smile. “You gave me back my ability to walk, Evelyn. Flowers seem like the least I can give you p>
He sounded sincere. His eyes were clear and honest. I found myself taking the bouquet even though I had doubts.
I was single now. Even if I really accepted flowers from another man, so what?
“Thank you,” I said.
He turned to Alexis and got down to her level. “And this is for you because you shared your candy with me last time. Fair trade p>
My daughter held the small bouquet against her chest like it was the most precious thing she ever got. “Thank you, Uncle Leon,” she said with that smile that melted my heart.
We walked toward the front door. Alexis skipped happily next to me with her flowers. Leon called after us.
“Evelyn,” he said. His face got more serious. “If you ever need anything while you’re in Ravenshade, anything at all, please call me. I really mean that p>
I nodded. I understood his offer was more than just being polite. In a city where Calvin held most of the power, having someone like Leon as an ally could be really valuable.
“Thank you. I’ll remember that,” I replied.