Everett

It had been two weeks since I saw Felix, and I was feeling the strain of it. It was harder than I had anticipated, staying away from him. Maybe the strain was worse because I was sick with worry whenever he was out on patrol until he texted me that he was home and safe. Knowing he was out there, risking himself, and not being able to see that he was well and whole had me fighting against getting in my car and driving down to Lakota at night. It started feeling reasonable, commuting two hours in the morning and two at night just for the prospect of being with him.

I couldn't, though. My work days stretched out so I had time to eat, shower, and call Felix before collapsing in bed for the night. In fact, I had fallen asleep during our phone calls more than once, making Felix even more insistent on using video chat instead – a request I happily went along with. It let me see that he was unharmed and it let him see when I conked out. Win-win.

Usually I took weekends off, but we were still in such a state of crisis that I had meetings all throughout the weekend with concerned investors, trying to convince them not to withdraw the money they had left from our fund. I failed at that as often as I succeeded, but every person I met with would definitely have deserted us if I hadn't sat down with them.

When I wasn't trying to salvage my portfolio or meeting with concerned investors, I was shut in a room with the alpha and the heads of other divisions within the pack. Every part of the pack was impacted by the financial crisis. The lead warrior didn't want to cut back on security equipment and surveillance expenses, the chef didn't want to cut back his menu, the housing specialist couldn't bear to think of putting her newest building project on delay. It went on and on, with each person fighting against me and the alpha, clinging to every dollar in their budget – dollars I needed right now to infuse the portfolio with.

My life had turned into chaos. Gareth was getting irritated with me because I had missed the last three video game Saturdays with him. Zara, another good friend of mine, I managed to see at some meals. She also worked in the financial department of the pack, so her hours were just as crazy as mine. We often ran out of the office to eat when the dining hall was already picked through and mostly deserted.

It turns out, two weeks of living like that was about my limit.

First thing in the morning, I walked into Neil's office and shut the door behind me. He looked up from his monitor and frowned. "Everett? What is it?"

I sat down in the chair across from his desk and shook my head. "That crisis a couple of weeks ago, when I left suddenly and was supposed to have two weeks of leave?"

"Yes?"

"I ran out because I found out who my mate was, and that he was in trouble. He had been in a healing sleep for twelve days and I went to help him heal."

Neil stared at me for a moment, eyes wide. I realized I had mentioned Felix's gender casually, not worrying about how Neil might react. Was that why he was staring? But no, of course not. Neil said, "I didn't know. Is he okay now?"

"He's fine, but I'm not handling the separation well. Neil, I need to transfer to his pack. Making him move here doesn't make sense and I don't want to live like this, never seeing him."

Neil still stared at me, though his expression had shifted from surprise to something calculating. "I understand," he finally said. "But this is terrible timing."

I exhaled in a gust, relieved he didn't seem inclined to fight me on this. "I know. I can keep working on this remotely. I don't want to leave you in a bad position – I know how important my work is. I've been thinking about this a lot and I think I've come up with a solution. My assistant, Harry, has been working under me for years. He finished his master's in finance last spring, so he's qualified to take over my position, and he's intimately familiar with the way I structured the portfolio. He's been working overtime for weeks now, helping me put it back together. I really think he can handle it."

Neil frowned, considering this. "We'll put Harry in charge, then," he said. "There's still a problem, though. A lot of our investors only stuck around because they trust you. Without you here, we might lose them."

I nodded, having already thought about this. "I won't step away entirely. I can ease out. We'll transition Harry into my role and I'll drive up for any important meetings that arise. I can do a lot remotely, too. I can call in for meetings and consult with Harry regularly."

Neil sighed. "It's been an honor working with you all these years," he said. "I'm sorry to see you go. We'll have to make some adjustments to your pay – I'll redirect the tithes to your new pack and we'll work on easing you out of the job. Where are you headed, anyway?"

I smiled a little, anticipating his reaction. "Lakota."

Neil blinked a few times in utter astonishment, making me laugh. Since when had this started feeling funny? He shook his head. "Lakota? I have to say, it's hard to picture you there."

I smiled wider. "I know. But this is the right choice for me. It's where my mate is."

Neil shook off his shock and laughed a little. "I understand. If I hadn't been alpha when I met Maribelle, I would have followed her anywhere." His eyes unfocused and his expression gentled as it did whenever he brought up his mate. It only made me more anxious to get back to mine. Neil looked back up at me and asked, "When will Harry be in? I want to give him the good news."

I looked at my watch. It was almost seven. "Any time now. I'll go look for him." I paused on my way to the door and glanced nervously at Neil. "Is it okay if I leave today, assuming Harry agrees to all this?"

He grinned widely. "I insist you leave today," he said. I snorted. I would miss having him as my alpha.

I walked out of Neil's office and saw that Harry was already at his desk, typing furiously. "Harry, could you join me in Neil's office?"

He looked up, worry flashing across his face. "Don't tell me another crisis came up overnight."

"No, nothing like that."

It was fun watching Harry's expression as Neil and I explained that I was leaving and how we would transition my job over to him. By the end, he was quivering, though I wasn't sure whether it was with fear or excitement. Some of each, probably.

"I'll be available to you anytime," I assured him again. "Just a phone call away."

Harry blew out a breath and sat up straighter. "Thank you for this opportunity," he said to Neil. Neil nodded and Harry and I left.

"Do you mind if I leave now?" I asked Harry.

His eyes widened in panic. "Now?"

I shrugged. "What's the point in putting it off? You know all of the passwords you need. You've been involved in every meeting we've had, so you don't need briefed on anything. And I really meant it – you can call me whenever. It could be three in the morning and I would answer."

"I won't do that to you," Harry insisted.

I shrugged. "Never know when a crisis might strike."

Harry nodded. "Okay. Get out of here."

Joy flashed through me and I felt lighter than I had since leaving Felix. "Good luck, Harry. You'll do great."

I headed to Neil's office, wanting to say goodbye before I left, and I barely stopped myself from entering the room when I saw he was on the phone. I went to leave, but Neil waved me forward.

"One moment," he said, then hit the mute button and looked to me. "What's your mate's name?"

"Felix Holt," I said, the question in my tone evident.

Neil just nodded and unmuted the phone. "Felix Holt," he repeated. I stood awkwardly in the doorway while Neil finished up his phone call. He ended by saying, "Eleven works fine. Thank you."

After hanging up, Neil said, "You have a meeting with the alpha of Lakota, Spencer, at eleven. You'll be given directions at the front gate."

I stared at him, confused.

Neil smiled a little and said, "I got your transfer started." He slid a form across his desk for me to pick up. "This is already signed and stamped. Once Spencer signs and stamps it, your transfer to Lakota will be official."

I stared at the paper, almost afraid to take it. This was moving a lot quicker than I had anticipated. Felix didn't even know I was coming yet, and suddenly I was officially joining his pack?

"It won't bite," Neil said. "Take it. And know that if you and your mate ever want a change of scenery, you will always be welcome here."

That made me feel a little better. Felix had agreed to transfer to Delta, after all. If I was miserable in Lakota, we could leave. "Thank you for everything, Neil."

"Thank you, Everett. Drive safely."

--

I had a couple of hours before I needed to leave and I couldn't go without seeing my mother, even though I wouldn't be going that far. As I walked to my car, I debated surprising Felix by just showing up at his house tonight, but I was terrible at keeping secrets and I wanted to tell him the good news now. Felix had been looking as down and drained as I had been feeling, and I wanted to make him feel better.

Felix answered yawningly, "Everett?"

"Sorry, did I wake you?" I asked.

"Doesn't matter. What's up? You never call me in the morning." He already sounded more alert, like he was waiting for bad news.

I was almost to my car and the parking garage was deserted around me. "Can you switch to video?" I wanted to see his reaction.

"Of course."

I pulled my phone away from my ear and hit the video button. Soon, I saw Felix, who looked cozy and rumpled as he lay in bed. I couldn't help grinning. "You look comfortable," I said.

"I've reevaluated my definition of comfortable," he said. "It's not true comfort without you here."

It was such a sickly-sweet thing to say, but it melted me nonetheless. "Aww," I said teasingly.

Felix nuzzled against his pillow and yawned widely. "Shut up."

I reached my car and climbed in, putting my bag on the passenger seat and shutting the door.

"Where are you going?" Felix asked.

"To my mother's house," I said. I tried to decide how best to approach breaking the news I had for Felix, but I couldn't make up my mind.

"Don't you have work?"

And there was my opening. "Actually, I don't," I said.

Felix sat up and stared at me wide-eyed. "You don't?"

"I'm stepping down," I told him. "I'm transitioning out of my job."

His eyes widened further. "You are?"

I couldn't keep back a big, stupid grin any longer. "Yeah. Felix, can I move in with you?"

I expected happiness. Instead, Felix looked angry. I frowned – was this not what he wanted? I had been so sure of him, so certain that he would be just as excited about this as I was. "This isn't a funny joke, Everett. You can't joke about things like this." Felix's eyes glistened and I cursed myself.

"I'm not joking, I swear." I dug the transfer paperwork out of my bag and held it up, angling my phone so Felix could read it. He gasped audibly. When I tipped the phone back up to my face, I saw him wiping at his eyes. "I don't want to live without you, Felix. It turns out two weeks is my limit."

Felix just stared at me, wiping occasionally at his eyes.

"Felix?" I said cautiously. "Are you okay with this?"

He lost the grip he had on his composure, smiling while tears streamed down his cheeks. I wanted so badly to be with him in this moment that it pained me. "Yes, absolutely. When will I see you?"

Warmth spread through me and I leaned back against my seat, relieved. "Today. I'm going to tell my mother about all this – she's going to be so happy. I haven't told her I found you yet since I knew I couldn't handle staying away from you with her nagging me to see you, too. Don't be surprised if she shows up in Lakota sometime soon."

"Your mother is welcome anytime, Everett. My home is your home."

"I think you'll love her. I know she's going to adore you. Mom's been anxiously waiting for me to find my mate since I was a kid, I'm pretty sure." I smiled and shook my head. She would want grandchildren, but Felix and I were definitely not ready to start thinking about all that. We would have to adopt, but Mom wouldn't care. She just loved kids and wanted them in her life again.

"It'll be nice to have a mother figure in my life again," Felix said, bringing me down from my happiness a little.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't meet your parents, Felix," I said.

He shrugged and smiled sadly. "So am I. Will you be home for dinner tonight?"

It was the first time his house was referred to as my home. It felt weird – good, certainly, but weird. "Yes. I have a meeting with Spencer at eleven and I'm free after that, though I'll need to finish up some work online at some point. Where should I wait for you?" His cabin would be locked while he was at work.

"Come to the cabin. I'll make sure you can get in," Felix said.

"Okay, thanks. Now, I really should go. I still have to run home to pack a bag after seeing my mom and I don't want to be late."

"See you soon," Felix said, excitement glinting in his eyes.

"Soon," I echoed, and ended the call. I clutched my phone against myself for a moment, smiling happily. I had been worried about Neil's reaction to my trying to leave just now, and it felt amazing to have that worry gone.

Now, the fun part: seeing my mom.