Because of Them

Chapter 1

"Alpha, Head Warrior is here to meet with you," Christian's assistant informed him.

"Thank you. You may go home," Christian told her, stacking some of his mess to make a clear, tidy spot.

Christian was the Alpha of the North Moon Blood Pack. It was a huge job, one that he resented being born into.

He loved his pack. He loved helping people, but he hated all of the work that came with it. He was only one person, and he was expected to do all of it by himself, just as his ancestors before him had.

He never got a chance to go out looking for his mate like wolves do when they turned of age. He never got to do any of the normal things that a person in their twenties should experience. He feared that was why he felt so distant from everyone around him.

Even if he had a mate somewhere out there, it would be selfish of him to accept them. He didn't have the time.

A knock on his door broke his thoughts and he told them to come in.

Warrior Wilder was tall, a little taller than Christian, and he was scary to look at. Everything about him was dark. His clothes, his hair. Not once had Christian seen him smile. He was always so serious.

"Alpha," Wilder greeted respectfully.

"Warrior," he said, equally as formal, shaking his hand. "You wanted to meet with me?"

Christian gestured for him to take a seat, and he did so himself, waiting for him to speak.

"You look like shit," Wilder said. He had always been blunt.

"Thanks," Christian said, rolling his eyes. He'd like to consider Wilder a friend, but in reality, he didn't have time for such luxury.

"My house got flooded in that bad rain we had last week. I know you wanted me to go down south for that job, but I can't," Wilder said.

Christian nodded. A lot of the area near him took a hard hit.

"Of course," Christian nodded. "I assume you can do those meetings over a call anyhow. Do you need a place to stay?"

"Are you offering?" Wilder furrowed his brow, casting a dark shadow on his sharp features.

"Yes. It's just me in this house, and I have plenty of space," Christian said, dropping his voice. He licked his lips a bit, nervously. He didn't know why he felt so compelled to have this man close, but something was urging him to do so.

"I have an obnoxious roommate who is loud as fuck," Wilder retorted. "We've got a hotel room we've been crashing in."

"I'm in here most days. I wouldn't even know you are here. One of the bedrooms on the other side of the house has an office attached to it that you can do your work from. I don't mind a loud roommate. It's always quiet in here."

Wilder nodded. "Okay, Christian." His name left his lips in a pleasant, warm wave that settled some of the anxious knot he always seemed fo have in his gut. "Thank you for being so kind. It's only until our place gets fixed up."

----

Christian hadn't realized what exactly he had gotten himself into, not until he met Lex.

Lex was almost built exactly the same as Wilder, except he was a bit shorter and blonde. He had a gleaming smile with pearly teeth.

"Alpha Christian," Lex greeted, knocking as he let himself into his office. "We've never officially met. I'm Lex."

"Nice to meet you, Lex," Christian said, shaking his hand.

"Pictures don't do you justice. You are hot," Lex smiled, inspecting every corner of his office. "This place is a mess, no offense."

Christian felt a blush creep up his neck at the compliment, and also a bit of embarrassment. His office was almost always a state of disaster. He was never very organized.

"I never have much help," he admitted. His assistant was good, but she had a million things to do, too.

"Well, since you have so graciously let me and Wild crash your place, I will help."

"Really?" Christian asked curiously.

"Course. You probably will get sick of me though."

"I know I do," Wilder chimed in, stepping into the office. "Leave Alpha alone, and go unpack your things."

"You are not the boss of me," Lex snapped, before turning to Christian with his same sunshine smile. "See what I have to put up with? A pissy attitude and a brute who thinks he can treat me like he would his mate."

Wilder rolled his eyes.

Christian muffled his amused smile by glancing down at his computer. He was refreshed to have some company, and even if Lex wanted to help just a little bit, that might take some weight off of his shoulders.

He couldn't explain having the two men so close. It wasn't a mate pull. There were no sparks or instant attraction, but there was a different kind of a pull. There was a feeling of being whole that wasn't there before.