Ian BARGED into Pharrell's office and slammed the door behind him. He stormed across the office and planted his hands on the desk in front of Pharrell and leaned in. "We have a problem."

Pharrell's eyebrows rose and he leaned back in his chair. "Alright. I'm sure whatever it is, you can handle it. It's not like you ask my input anyway, which is not a complaint. I like things like that. You do things. I sign off on them. They get done. I look cool and everyone's happy."

"Not this time." Ian pushed off the desk and started to pace. "I have fucked up this time, Pharrell. I've really fucked up and I don't see a way out of this."

When the Alpha was silent, Ian risked a look over at the man. Pharrell had an amused grin on his face. "What?" Ian demanded.

"This is about Kai, isn't it?"

All his righteous anger dissolved and Ian collapsed in the chair. He flung his feet out so he was sprawled in a most undignified position. "You don't have to look so fucking smug."

"Such language. I think I'm offended." Pharrell leaned forward to brace his elbows on the desk. He rested his chin on clasped hands. "So tell me."

"I don't want Chase to get Kai."

"I gathered that much."

Ian glowered at his Alpha.

"You did no such thing."

"On the contrary, my friend. I could tell this was heading in that direction when I saw you two together in the hall before you left yesterday. And how you didn't fight the instruction to take Kai home with you instead of leaving him here. I could tell in the way you talked about him."

"So, do you have any illuminated advice for me?"

"Why? You're going to do what you believe is best for the pack anyway, Ian. That's your strength."

"You're not helping me."

"Do you want me to open the window and toss you out? It won't have the effect you want since we're only four stories up. Although the rose bushes will be prickly landing." Pharrell snickered at his joke.

Ian threw his hands in the air and rocked to his feet. "I give up."

"Oh stop it, you big ninny." Pharrell swiveled in his chair as Ian paced.

"Fine. Let's do it this way. What is the outcome you want from all this?"

Ian stopped pacing. He dropped his chin as he went deep in thought. It was a legitimate question.

"And no cheating. Nothing altruistic about what's good for the pack. That's a given. It's what makes you so effective at what you do. But this is about you, Ian. What do you want?"

Ian swallowed hard against the words. But they wouldn't stay behind his teeth. "I want Kai as my mate."

Pharrell nodded. "And how is this a
problem?"

"Because the Elders promised him to another Alpha."

"And how is that a problem?"

"Because no one asked Kai what he wanted." Ian tossed his arms in the air and started pacing. "Because it's an outdated custom that has no relevance in today's society. Because if the Elders go back on their edicts, it threatens to upset the balance of the pack, which — " he held up a hand to silence Pharrell's objection, "makes more work for me. Because I want him and that means it's me who's upsetting the balance of the pack. Me, Pharrell. The guy who works hard at maintaining the balance. And if you ask how that's a problem, I'm going to feed you your computer."

Pharrell laughed at Ian, which just made him angrier. "What?"

Pharrell went to the bar and poured two drinks, handing one to Ian before sitting in one of the chairs across from his desk. With his glass, he gestured to the other chair for Ian to sit down.

Ian did sit down. He swiped the glass and tossed it back with one swallow, coughing lightly at the burn.

"Do you think anyone asked Chase what he wanted?"

That was a question Ian never thought to ask. "I assumed — "

"He may very well want to accept the mate chosen for him. He may not — "

"You said he was anxious to meet Kai."

"Well, wouldn't you if you were in his place and didn't feel you had the standing to rebel against the Elders' final decision?"

Ian rose to refill his glass. "You know, it disturbs me that you're better at this than when you first let on."

"What, you didn't think I was listening all the times you lectured me?"

"It did cross my mind."

"I learn from the best, my friend."

When he sat down again, Ian took his time drinking. "And it still leaves me trying to figure out how to get out of this. I can fight for Kai or try to forget him. Forgetting him, Pharrell, wounds me deeper than I've ever felt anything in my life."

"Is this fated mates level of bad?""

An astute observation. His Alpha was full of surprises today.

Ian nodded.

"Wow. You do have it bad." Pharrell buried his smile in his glass. Ian lashed out with a foot to kick him but Pharrell was faster and moved his thigh before it landed.

"Alright, Ian. I'll see what I can do to put pressure on the Elders to change their minds."

"What about Chase?"

Pharrell gripped Ian's forearm tightly and gave it a friendly shake. "Let's deal with one catastrophe at a time because they're not going to like the pushback."

"You have been listening. I'm impressed."