"No, I quite enjoy living in the city. Even so, I like to spend time at Weston Manor."

"What's Weston Manor?"

"It's our pack home. It's been in the pack for generations. I think you'll like it there. Certainly better than here in the downtown area."

Kai nodded and fell silent again, nibbling at his food while Ian inhaled his sandwich. He pushed his plate away with a soft sigh. "So much better now. How's yours?"

"Delicious," Kai said. "I don't think I can eat it all, though."

"Eat as much as you can and we'll put the rest away for later."

Ian cleared the trash while Kai carefully wrapped his sandwich in the wrapper.

Ian put the sandwich in the refrigerator and pointed it out so Kai could find it. When he turned away from the door, he almost ran Kai down. Kai was standing right in front of him. "Sorry, Kai. I didn't realize you were there."

Kai reached out, his fingers closing around Ian's shirt. He didn't back up or step out of the way, remaining in Ian's path, looking up at him with his wide eyes. "Alph--Ian, you're being nice to me. I don't know how to repay you."

With one hand, Kai untied the robe belt. He shrugged and it fell open, sliding off one shoulder.

Ian swallowed hard against the rising desire that coursed through him.

As long as he could control their proximity and be prepared when he put his hands on the omega, he was fine. Now, Kai was in his personal space and the raging hormones were trying very hard to assert control over his sensibilities. If he touched Kai now, there was no guarantee he could behave appropriately.

He already gave in one time. He wasn't proud of it. But he didn't regret it either, which was a bigger source of conflict for Ian.

Kai's hand slid from Ian's waist, down over his hip to lightly grip his obviously stiff cock. Ian bit off a moan.

It was with his considerable willpower as an Alpha that Ian was able to slide the robe back up Kai's shoulder. He closed it tightly in one fist and gently pried Kai's hand off his cock, a move Ian was sure to regret later. "You can repay me by telling the Elders everything that happened to your pack."

Kai stepped back, his head bowed. "I'm sorry. I just thought — I'll get dressed. Are those mine on the sofa?"

"Yes." Ian's voice didn't sound near as strong as he'd have liked it to but the damage was done.

Kai was retreating and Ian's wolf was howling.

Kai gathered the clothing and went back into the master bath. Wolfie trotted behind him, whining at the door until Kai cracked it to let the spoiled thing in.

Ian went to have another drink. If he was going to get through the night, he'd need it.

—

The day had eventually taken its toll on the poor omega.

Kai sat on the sofa, petting the beast, who soaked up all his attention. He was silent and withdrawn, taking his comfort in the presence of the dog.

Ian left him there while he had his own shower. By the time he was done, Kai had fallen asleep on the sofa.

It was a shame to try to move him so Ian covered him with a blanket and left him to rest as much as possible. He'd need his rest for the day that was coming.

During the entire drive to the manor the following morning, Kai stayed shuttered behind his silence. He stared out the window, barely sparing a look at Ian as he tried to make light

conversation. Ian couldn't figure out exactly what was going on. Was it because he turned Kai down the night before?

Was Kai nervous? The omega was so maddeningly quiet, only answering just what was asked and nothing more.

It rattled Ian more than it should.

By the time they reached the manor, Ian was in.

a foul mood. Kai trailed behind him as he pushed into the manor.

Ezra met them in the foyer. "Ian," he said pleasantly before looking behind Ian.

"Hello, Kai. So nice to see you again."

Ian glanced at Kai to see the same wide-eyed wonder as when he first set foot in Ian's apartment. "Is Pharrell in?"

"He is and he's waiting for you. Practically demanding you."

"Of course." Ian turned and rested a hand on Kai's shoulder. "I have some business to attend to. Ezra will show you to the others, if you'd like to see

them?"

The smile on Kai's face was heartwarming. With a gentle push, he waited until Kai was following Ezra before heading off to find Pharrell.

The pack Alpha paced in front of his office window, staring off at the grounds when Ian entered. "Alpha, Ezra said you wanted to see me."

Pharrell whirled from the window.

"Jesus, what took so long?"

Ian waved casually. He strolled to the chair across from Pharrell's desk and sat down.

"Something about needing a shower and to eat. Maybe some sleep. Minor stuff."

"The Elders have been screaming for you to come in and explain what happened."

"So Ezra informed me. What did you tell them?"

Pharrell collapsed in his chair and

kicked his feet up on the desk.

"The truth. You were sent. Hours later, the omegas were calling on your

phone. We barely worked out that we needed to get up there to pick them up and then we waited for you. Dropped you and the contract omega off at your apartment. The omegas have been quiet on the matter ever since they got here. So the Elders want answers and it appears only you have them."

"Which is what happens when you send someone on an errand with little notice and ability to prepare."

"Don't fucking take that flippant attitude with me, Ian. What the fuck did happen?"

"A clusterfuck, that's what happened. I walked into the tail end of a power grab and the Alpha doing it had just finished up his handiwork when I

arrived." Ian frowned at the memory of what exactly he had witnessed.

What little Kai had told him was enough to know that 'clusterfuck' was being generous.

"He's the reason why we couldn't get in touch with any of the Elders?" Pharrell asked.

"According to Kai, he managed to butcher them all."

"Even Kade, the pack Alpha?"

Ian nodded. "Even him. And now the omegas are traumatized. Including the omega that was the lynchpin to seal the deal. Pharrell, he's not ready to be mated to anyone, much less someone he doesn't know. Trust is very hard for him to come by."

"He seemed to trust you well enough."

"What does that mean?"

"That means I'm not as stupid as I look."

"No one has ever been idiotic enough to say that."

"Except you."

Ian shrugged. "Well...it's my job as your second to keep your pack running smoothly. That means also to check your ego when it gets out of control."

"As my second, I have implicit and complete trust in you to handle the affairs of the pack." Pharrell got up from his chair and circled the desk to perch on the edge of it in front of Ian. "So what aren't you telling me?"

It shouldn't surprise Ian that Pharrell suspected more. He was the Alpha of the pack, and where the pack got its name. He was the largest, the strongest. No one was better able to maintain order than Pharrell.

Despite being brawn and muscle, he was also a very smart man, even if sometimes he wanted to act the fool.

Especially when evading responsibility.

Ian could lie and Pharrell would accept his word. Lying was never a good idea. Trust and friendships built on lies never lasted. Pharrell was Ian's Alpha, true.

He was also Ian's best friend.

With a soft sigh, Ian slumped in the chair to rest his head on the seat back. "Kai and I had sex while we were on the mountain."

Expecting an outburst, Ian worried when it never came. He finally risked a look at Pharrell who stared at the floor with a thoughtful look on his face. "Did you — "

"Yes. We knotted. While he was in heat."

Pharrell inhaled sharply. He stood from the desk and paced back to the window. "A claim?"

"No. I'm not an amateur. But I fear Kai is attached to me."

"Savior complex?"

"Possibly. I don't know. He was traumatized, like the other omegas, but there's a strength to him. He was prepared to run when he had the chance. He even had a plan to get away." Ian rubbed at his forehead before he joined Pharrell at the window. "He's endured so much. Every so often, I see a glimmer of something special."

Pharrell faced Ian, his eyebrows creeping up his face in surprise. "This can complicate things. Chase was informed that his omega is here."

A sudden spike of anger speared through Ian and he glared at Pharrell.

"It's not complicated," Ian said. "The docs can tend to the omegas and he will live here at the manor. Once he gets to know Chase, Kai will see the wisdom of being his mate."

Yet even as the words came out of his mouth, Ian was mourning his loss. It was stupid to even think like that. Kai

was not his mate. Ian had not planned to be mated at all. At least for a long time. There was still so much responsibility on his shoulders.

"We can figure this out later. Right now, we need to report to the Elders. They'll want to talk with the omegas as well. Starting with Kai." Pharrell grabbed his cell phone and typed in a text. "Let's go get this over with."

Ian wanted to protest. Kai was not ready to talk to anyone about his experiences on the mountain. His wolf rose up inside, wanting to protect the omega from such a stressful interview.

But the Alpha had spoken. The Elders of his pack still held the final word on much of the pack business. The pack all answered to the Alpha, and ultimately, the Elders.

He wished he had the opportunity to prepare Kai more, though. The thought of his little omega alone with people he didn't know bothered Ian far more than he was prepared to admit openly.