Not His Type Of Mate
Chapter 78

Nora's POV

I watched as he smirked and began unbuttoning his shirt. With a gulp, I stared at his well-muscled body and couldn't help but drool. After taking off his shirt, he took off his shoes and turned to hold my gaze for a second before smiling widely at me and leaving. As Alpha Leo stood there, shirtless and confident, a hush fell over the crowd. The protectors, who had finished their display, turned their attention towards Alpha Leo, ready to face the ultimate challenge and win the prize. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from Alpha Leo's chiseled physique and the air of power that surrounded him. It was clear why he was considered the strongest Alpha. I had no doubt that he would emerge victorious in this bet, but then why did I make a bet? Alpha Leo took a step forward, his gaze focused on the first protector. The young man, who had trained for five long years to reach this point, stood tall, his expression a mixture of determination and respect. The crowd held their breath as the two faced each other, ready to begin the combat.

With lightning-fast movements, Alpha Leo engaged the young man in a battle of strength and skill. His punches were precise and powerful, each one landing with a resounding impact. It was a display of pure dominance, as if Alpha Leo was a force of nature, unstoppable and unyielding.

Within seven seconds, the man fell to the ground, grunting with pain, and a healer rushed to attend to him.

The next protector fought valiantly, using every ounce of his training to defend himself. But Alpha Leo was on a different level altogether. His movements were fluid and calculated, his strikes hitting their mark with deadly accuracy. Within twenty seconds, the man fell to the ground. "Impressive," I murmured to myself, staring at him with admiration. Just by looking at him, I noticed he was just having fun as he had spoken. This seemed like an easy task for him, and I wondered what it would look like to see him in a real fight, using his abilities. One by one, Alpha Leo faced each protector, dispatching them with ease. His movements were a blur, his punches, and kicks landing with precision. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, witnessing the true might of Alpha Leo.

As the final protector fell to the ground, defeated and exhausted, Alpha Leo stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion. The crowd roared with excitement, their admiration for their Alpha reaching new heights. But all I could focus on was the victorious smile that graced Alpha Leo's lips.

He turned towards me, his eyes shining with triumph. We held each other's gaze as he made his way to me while Beta Jayson announced the best graduating protector who stood up to Alpha Leo for fifty-six seconds.

He reached where I was sitting and sat on his seat before looking my way. "Well, Nora, it seems I've won the bet," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "What is my prize?"

I scoffed and playfully rolled my eyes at him before speaking. "You can make a wish," I grumbled.

His smile widened, and he leaned closer, his presence sending a thrill down my spine. "I will think about it," he smirked and sat back in his seat.

With a gulp, I fixed my gaze on the ceremony, making sure to avoid his gaze until the inauguration was over.

After the ceremony, he went over to have a talk with the protector. With a smile, I watched him calmly speaking with them, but a tap on my shoulder made me turn my gaze and realize it was an elderly woman who appeared to be in her late fifties. "Hi, can I help you with something?" I asked, and she smiled before leaning toward my left ear. "Be careful, or you might lose them both," she whispered, and her words sent cold shivers down my spine.

She moved away from my ear, and before I could ask her what she meant, she began walking away. Confused and startled, I watched her walk away, wondering who she could be.

"Probably a witch or a seer," Lolita suggested, and I agreed with her. But her words got me worried. "Lose them both?"

Her words got me panicked, and I went into deep thoughts, wondering what would happen.

"Are you okay?" Alpha Leo's words snapped me out of my thoughts, and I didn't realize when he walked up to me.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly, and I nodded before getting to my feet.

"Can I go back home? I'm not feeling well," I said, and he stared at me for a second before nodding.

"Let's go," he said and led the way.

We both got into the car, and I rested my head on the window while the woman's words kept buzzing in my mind.

"What happened?" Alpha Leo asked after a moment of silence, but I didn't respond.

"Did someone say or do something to you?" he asked, and I still didn't respond.

"Did I do something wrong? Please just tell me." His words got me irritated, and I snapped, "Can you just let me be?" I blurted.

He didn't say a word, and I felt guilty. It wasn't right to speak to him in such a manner. Besides being my mate, he was also my Alpha.

With a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes, cursing myself for taking out my worries and frustration on him.

After a while, the car stopped in front of Dora's apartment, and before I could say a word, he came out of the car, got to my side, and opened the door.

I got out of the car and stood before him with guilt. "I'm sorry..." he didn't let me finish my words when he suddenly pulled me into a hug.

My heart raced as Alpha Leo embraced me, his strong arms providing a sense of comfort and security. I melted into his touch, feeling my tension and worries slowly fade away.

Out of impulse, I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest, taking in his familiar intoxicating scent.

"I'm sorry too," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity. "I didn't mean to push you. I just... I care about you, Nora. I want to understand and be there for you."

My eyes filled with tears as I realized how much he had changed. He was not just Alpha Leo but now he is someone who genuinely cares for my well-being. I pulled away slightly, looking up into his eyes. "Why weren't you this way when we first met?" I said, my voice filled with emotion. "This would have been much easier."

Alpha Leo's expression changed to that of regret, and he cupped my face in his hands, wiping away stray tears with his thumb. "I'm sorry for putting you in this mess and making things hard for you, but I'm certain of one thing."He paused and took a deep breath before he continued, "Whoever you choose will truly love you." He spoke while still holding my gaze. "I love you, Nora. I don't know when it happened, maybe when I followed you to that orphanage or perhaps when I saw you at that racing competition, or even when I saw you with Madison. But one thing is certain, I got to know you and fell for you."

His words caught me off guard, and my heart swelled with a mixture of emotions. Alpha Leo had always been confident and seemingly invincible, but now he was laying his vulnerabilities bare in front of me. It was a side of him I hadn't seen before, and it made me realize how much he had changed. "But I also can't deny the fact that Madison loves you. I see the way he looks at you, and he has only looked at one lady that way, and that was his late wife." His words dumbfounded me. I didn't expect him to speak highly of Madison. "Madison loves you, Nora. That's why I'm certain that whoever you choose will love you dearly, so don't get worked up thinking about making the wrong decision." He said, still holding my gaze.

We stared into each other's eyes for a moment, and as I watched him lean in to give me a kiss, I closed my eyes, waiting for his lips to touch mine. Instead, I felt a kiss on my forehead.

Confused, I opened my eyes and saw him flash me a weak smile before removing his hands from my cheeks.

I had questions, and I wanted to ask him why he was holding back, but I held back my words because I didn't want to seem desperate.

"Go inside and rest. I'll see you on Friday." He smiled weakly and walked over to the driver's side of the car, while I watched him get in and drive away.

As I made my way back inside, my thoughts were consumed by the choices ahead. It wasn't an easy decision to make, and the elderly woman's cryptic warning still echoed in my mind. What did she mean by "losing them both"? I couldn't shake off the feeling of impending danger, as if a storm was brewing around me.