Kai slowly took off the mask revealing his pale skin and dark black hair that now flowed past his shoulders and down his back. The front part of his hair was held back with a long golden ribbon that stood out against the dark black. His eyes were the color of rubies, set a blaze with a mischievous glint. His face was smooth like porcelain, except one dark pink scar that ran across the right side of his face following the line of his defined cheekbone. His piercing red eyes locked onto the Alpha as if he were a snake hunting a rat, one side of his mouth twitched upward in a snarky smirk. 

He set the mask down on top of his cloak on the chair, never breaking eye contact with the shocked Alpha. Even with the Omega’s new, almost villainous appearance, Alexander couldn’t help but take in the natural beauty of his once fated mate.

“Kai-” started Alexander, but before the Alpha could say anything further he was interrupted. The Omega finally broke eye contact, looking over to Kyle.

“Kyle! It’s been a long time!” Kai said joyfully, running over to the Beta and enveloping him in a tight embrace. “How is Mandy and the kids?”

Alexander stared at the two conversing normally with an agape mouth. He wasn’t used to being interrupted and then completely ignored. This wasn’t the same quiet Kai that he was accustomed to all those years ago. This Kai was a totally different creature. 

Alexander couldn’t help but assess the rest of Kai’s body and it was then that the Alpha noticed the two short swords that were attached at Kai’s thighs. The sheaths were built into the Omega’s bodysuit, only showing the black hilts, a long golden ribbon adorning the tops of each.

“You're not supposed to have weapons in here,” Alexander managed to get out, finally coming to the realization that he was the one that was supposed to be in charge. Kai turned towards the Alpha, his eyebrows raising in momentary surprise before another, more devious smirk graced the Omega’s lips.

“Are you going to ask for them, Alpha,” Kai replied, drawing out the last word in a mocking manner. Shock reached Alexander’s face once again. Kai was challenging him? 

“Kai, don’t.” Kyle responded for the Alpha. Kai turned back to Kyle with a playful pout on his face.

“You never let me have any fun anymore, cuz.” 

Kyle smiled at the Omega’s words, “oh trust me Kai, you will have your fun. Just please, not right now.” Alexander looked between the two of them questioningly.

“Okay, what am I missing?” The Alpha asked.

“Well, big bad Alpha man,” Kai started, laughing before continuing, “according to the Golden Arrows social norms, asking for one’s weapon is extremely disrespectful. There is even a punishment that goes along with the act. Do you want to know what that punishment is, Alpha?” Kai paused for dramatic effect, not really expecting Alexander to answer him. “Death, my dear Alpha. Death is the punishment.” 

The shock in Alexander’s face grew as he realized what Kai was implying but before he could say anything, Kai took the threat one step farther.

“It’s too bad you didn’t make a formal request for my weapons,” the Omega pouted. “My babies love the taste of blood, especially Alpha blood. Maybe one day, you will get acquainted with them, Alpha.”

“Now that’s quite enough!” Alexander finally said, standing up to tower over the Omega, but before he could get around his desk, Kyle stood in between them, his hand on one of the Alpha’s shoulders. 

“Calm down Alex.”

Kai smirked before pulling out the second chair situated in front of the desk and sitting down. “Yeah, calm down, I am only joking. I am not going to kill you,” Kai said before whispering to himself, “well at least not today anyways.”

Alexander went to go towards the Omega again, only stopped by Kyle’s hand gripping firmer on his shoulder. 

“Kai, stop joking around, this is serious business and we are wasting time.” Kyle said firmly. Kai’s only response was raising his hands in a faux act of surrender. Alexander, satisfied that the threats were finally done, went back around the desk and sat down in his chair.

“I have a few questions before we discuss this arrangement.” Alexander stated. Kai nodded in response, seemingly bored with the situation.

“Kyle and yourself seem rather acquaintanced with each other. Now I know that you are family, but since you left the pack ten years ago, I am a little confused as to how you two know each other so well.”

“We kept in touch through letters. He also came and visited me a couple of times throughout the years with his family.”

Alexander seemed a little shocked at the answer. He wasn’t aware of this and Kyle usually told him everything. They had become close over the last ten years. Alexander even considered the Beta to be his best friend and confidant. He wondered why Kyle would keep such information from him, especially with how bad he felt about rejecting Kai in the first place. For now, the Alpha chose to ignore the confusing feelings bubbling in his stomach.

“Okay, well I guess it’s good that you kept in touch. I am assuming that is how you knew about this case?”

Kai just nodded in response.

“So, the next question is a bit personal, but knowing our history with rogues you can guess why I must ask, but your eyes? They are still red. Are you rogue?”

Kai twitched a little in his seat, showing the first signs of vulnerability since arriving. This was an uncomfortable topic for him to discuss for a multitude of reasons. He could still feel the sting of rejection and the burning behind his eyes attributed to the rogue transformation.

“No, it’s a long story that I would rather not share, but I am not a rogue... Well, fully anyways. My eyes are just permanently red from the process of stopping the rogue transformation. You do not have to worry, I have full control over my will.”

“You stopped the rogue transformation?”

“Yes, like I said it's a long story and not something I am fully comfortable talking about, especially with you Alpha. You should understand right? Since you are the one who caused it.”

“...” Alexander was at a loss for words, luckily Kyle spoke up.

“Alex, Kai is completely safe to be around. You know I would not let him around my children if I thought he was dangerous.”

Alexander nodded, clearing his throat before continuing.

“Well, even though you have threatened me several times today, you do not seem like a threat to the pack and I trust Kyle’s word.”

“Good,” Kai responded.

“One final question, why after so many years come back? Why did you agree to take this case?”

“Well, Alpha, Kyle specifically requested me considering I have a past investment with the pack. I also have some… well history with Nikolai.”

Kai didn’t respond any farther, indicating that this was all that the Alpha would be getting from him as an answer. Alexander wanted to ask what connection he had with the vampire, but chose to move on.

“Given your answers, we can proceed to the next step of the hiring process. Since you departed ten years ago, we have implemented new screening processes for outside hires to ensure that they are qualified and committed to the pack and the job at hand. This includes an interview with the elders and a series of trials to test your abilities. Is this something that you think you can handle?”

“Yes”

“Okay, well the first step is the series of trials. You will be tested in several different areas including speed, strength, and weaponry. The first trial is archery, where you will have to outperform some of our best archers. This will test your long range weapon knowledge and skills. The second trial is hand-to-hand combat using short distance weapons such as swords and will be against one of our top warriors. This will be done in human form and will test your skills in fighting. The last trial will be a wolf fight and you will be fighting against our packs Be-” But before Alexander could finish his sentence, the Omega interrupted.

“I will not fight my cousin,” Kai said, “Kyle has briefed me on the trials and while it is typical for the person to go against the Beta, the potential hire does have the option of naming an opponent during the last trial, don’t they?”

“They do but-”

“Good, because I know who I want to challenge,” Kia paused, smirking at Alexander, “I want to challenge you, Alpha.” 

“Kai-” Kyle started to say.

“No, Kyle. You asked me to come here and I agreed, but I have my conditions and one of them is this. I want the Alpha to be my opponent in the final trial. If this requirement is not met, then I might as well leave now.” Kai said firmly, getting ready to stand up and leave.

“Fine, but if you get hurt, it’s not my responsibility. Challenging an Alpha is no joke, Kai. I hope you know what you are getting yourself into.” Alexander said with a sigh. Kai sat back in the chair and laughed.

“No, Alpha, I hope you know what you are getting yourself into.”

“Anyways,” Alexander continued ignoring the blatant disrespect, “the trials will be set for tomorrow. You must get my approval before we set up an interview with the pack’s elders. In the meantime, we will have a guest room set up for you to stay in for the duration of your stay.”

“If it's all the same to you Alpha, I would like to stay at my old home. Kyle has been keeping it up since I left.” Kai said, turning towards the Beta. Again, this left Alexander in a bit of shock, as he thought the Wen house had been demolished after the rogue war. He looked at Kyle questioningly.

“I’ll explain later.” Kyle said to Alexander before turning to Kai, “come on, let's go! Don’t forget to put that creepy mask on!”

Kai chuckled before getting up and gathering his mask and cloak. 

“I was only joking about early cuz, it doesn’t matter who sees me without the mask. I just didn’t want to ruin the surprise. Did you see his face Kyle! That will be engraved in my memory forever now!” The Omega continued to rant about the Alpha while walking towards the door and exiting the office, never even glancing at Alexander again. Kyle followed suit, turning to nod a goodbye to the Alpha. 

Alexander was left alone in his office questioning what just happened. In such a short time, it seemed like his life had been turned upside down. Now he knew why he had been so distracted for the last couple of weeks. He could still feel the connection in the pit of his stomach. It was damaged, but still there. It was also a shock to see the man behind the connection as well. The man that he used to be infatuated with. Kai had changed from a sweet and quiet young Omega, to a strong, wise cracking man. The difference was drastic, but Alexander still felt some of the feelings that he did years ago. Feelings that went beyond the realm of a fated mate connection.