Only upon waking up to the smell of bacon and coffee did Ian realize just how tired he was when he dropped into bed the night before.
In fact, the past two days had been some of the most physically demanding, emotionally exhausting days he'd had in a long time. And that included his constant shepherding of one of the most uncooperative Alphas in the history of the Blue Moon Pack.
He put it all together that it must be Kai in the kitchen, cooking. How maddening, and in many ways, a bit of a delight. Ever since yesterday, the young omega had insisted on cooking for him.
Something told Ian that it was a useless battle to keep Kai from doing it. Perhaps that was his way of providing value to the situation.
Dealing with this emotionally-battered omega was going to prove to be challenging.
Ian didn't think he was up to the task. Emotionally stunted pack Alphas were one thing. Omegas who have had a rough life in severe pack dynamics were another.
Adding to the entire emotional mess was the developing feelings Ian had for Kai. It had only been three days since first meeting Kai and he had been swept up in a pack merger gone
catastrophically wrong.
His slipup in the cave, simply trying to comfort Kai, only to fall beneath the weight of Kai's desperate heat and his own weakness had complicated it further.
On top of all that was this compelling tug in his gut that drew him ever closer to the omega.
They were from completely different worlds. His desire to protect, shelter and provide comfort and safety to an omega clearly out of his depth was more than just being an Alpha and his instinct to protect.
He felt he needed to, due to this connection.
Fated mates. It was a phrase he wanted to reject, yet his inner wolf fought him every time he sought to put distance between himself and the omega. His instincts wanted him to claim Kai now and to mea culpa his way through the fallout.
That was no way for someone of his station in the pack to behave, no matter how tempting and attractive.
The crackle of frying eggs wafted through the penthouse and Ian realized he couldn't put off going out there any longer. He slipped on a pair of soft cotton pants and dug out an old t-shirt, tugging it over his head when he stepped into the living room. He tried to pat down his bed-head on the
way.
"Good morning, Alph-Ian," Kai said with a cheerful wave of his spatula. He had clearly been up and had his shower already. Ian felt like a bit of a slouch, having lain in bed all morning while Kai had been up and busy. In fact, in looking at his penthouse, Kai had done some light house-keeping as well.
“You've been busy,” Ian said as he slid onto the breakfast nook stool.
Kai slid a mug of coffee in front of him, along with the cream and sugar, both of which had been placed in decorative bowls. Ian picked one up and inspected it. "When did you get this?"
“Those are yours.”
Ian dumped some creamer in his coffee and stirred it thoughtfully as he stared at them.
"They are?"
"I found them in the top cabinet." Kai waved behind him.
"I had no idea."
“You don't use your dishes much, do you?”
Ian yawned, covering it with a hand before taking another sip. The coffee was perfect. "Not much of a chance. I stay so busy with pack matters that when I get home, it's takeout. If I come home at all. Many nights, I stay at the pack manor if it's required."
"What happens to Silph?"
Ian leaned around the counter to see the Yorkie eating heartily. "Usually, Ezra or one of his omegas swing by to walk and feed her."
“No wonder she doesn't like you very much."
Ian was normally a laid-back Alpha. But even he had his moments when anyone beneath him in the chain chided him, even in fun. From Kai, it felt like a subtle poke, but not in meanness. He didn't think Kai was capable of being mean-spirited. That in and of itself was very refreshing for Kai.
He pushed away the censure and chuckled softly. "I suppose you're right. How did you sleep last night?"
"It was weird. I was in that huge bed by myself. I didn't have anyone's elbow in my face, or knee in my back. Except Silph. She curled up right behind my knees and I was stuck like that for most of the night."
“You're welcome to push the little beast onto the floor, you know. Don't feel like you have to cater to her just because she lives here."
Kai set a plate filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and home potatoes in front of Ian. “I didn't mind it. It was nice to have someone in the bed with me so I wasn't so lonely. I hope the eggs are okay.”
"They're perfect," Ian said. He took the fork and rolled a few pieces of the egg around on the plate. "They're just right."
“I didn't know what your preference was so I figured scrambled was the universal egg form.”
Ian stuffed a fork filled with egg in his mouth. It was actually cooked to perfection. The bacon was just the right crispiness; the toast was the right color. He shook his head as he ate with gusto, coming up only long enough to wash it down with coffee.
Kai watched him with obvious pleasure on his face. "I take it you like?"
"Very much," Ian said around another mouthful. “Remind me to never fight you on cooking again if this is what you're capable of."
He paused before another sip of coffee. "Have you eaten?"
“I did before you got up.” Kai leaned on the counter across from Ian. “Ian, can I ask a question?"
"Ask as many as you want. Are there are more eggs?"
Kai retrieved the skillet and scooped out the remaining eggs. He set the pan aside. "What is this Alpha like?"
"Which Alpha?"
“The one that I've been arranged to mate with.”
Impatience and something very close to anger welled up inside Ian at the question. He took a moment to collect himself and to put that annoyance in its proper perspective. That's what the events of the last few days have been all about, so it was appropriate that Kai wanted to know.
“I don't know much about him. He's a new Alpha, not native to our pack. He wasn't born to a family associated with the Blue Moon Pack. Pharrell took him in for a variety of reasons. New genetic material. And he's a natural-born fighter so he is being trained for pack defense and security."
Kai's expression clouded and he straightened. "And you trust him? In the pack?"
It took a moment for Ian to catch on to the parallels. Shit.
Shit. He hadn't thought that through before saying anything. It only now occurred to him that Kai might be triggered by that. Ian put his fork down and went around the counter to
stand in front of Kai. He rested his hands on the young man's shoulders. "Things work a little differently for our pack than they did for you. I know you're not pleased with this
arrangement. If I were in your place, neither would I."
In fact, Ian wasn't in Kai's place and he still didn't like the arrangement. He didn't like it before he went to get Kai and he damn sure didn't like it now.
"I can assure you that the way you were treated with your old pack is not tolerated here. Omegas enjoy a greater degree of autonomy. They are encouraged to find work if it's what they want. Many times it's with the pack's holdings and companies. Sometimes they work outside the pack. Like the mate to our pack Alpha owns his own florist business."
Kai's eyes grew wide. “So that's how your pack is so rich! Everyone works and gives their money to the pack?"
Ian choked on a laugh. “No, Kai. If you work, the money is yours to keep. The pack finances are through our various businesses and investments."
“That's...” Kai shook his head vigorously. He sagged against the counter. counter. “That's amazing.”
"Things are very different here. It'll take you some time but you'll get used to it. And if you decide that you don't want to stay at the manor, We can help you find your own place to live. Although many of the pack choose to stay at the manor.”
"But I still have to mate with this Alpha."
“Some archaic notions are harder to turn loose and some change takes longer to implement."
"What if it's not what I want?"
That one question, Ian knew in his heart of hearts, was going to be a game changer for the pack. The Elders still clung to the old-fashioned notion that arranged mates were best for the
health of the pack. Many of the younger wolves disagreed with that. Pharrell Williams, pack Alpha, was prime example of that. He defied the Elders' wishes and picked his own mate. As he was Alpha, he was given his way.
But that was a bell that couldn't be un-rung now. The murmurings among younger pack members were growing louder, and the least thing Ian wanted was for him and Kai to be caught in the crossfire. Protecting the young omega was his top priority.
He couldn't afford thrusting him into chaos like that. He would never forgive him if anything happened to Kai. Never.
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