His Wolf

Chapter 2: Bottom Rung

Everyone else had left by the time Arthit finished his work. He didn't want any doubt about his ability to pull his weight. But he was still reeling from the aggression from Khun Paga, the chief accountant. It reminded him too much of the response he'd got from his first wolf interviewer. But he knew she wasn't a werewolf. He didn't know how; he just knew.

"Maybe they are alpha humans. They wouldn't take to another of their kind coming into their territory any more than an alpha wolf," Kongpob told him over the phone as he made his way to the pub where he and his friends had agreed to meet.

"But why would they take it out on me?"

"They wouldn't. It's usually reserved for unmated alphas—you know, unwanted competition."

Kongpob's explanation made sense. Arthit hated being singled out but it meant that his plan had worked. If they thought he was an unmated alpha, they would never think to treat him differently because of that mate. If this was what it took to be considered on his own merit, he was more than happy to endure their jabs. It would be his pleasure to change their minds.

He did shy away from his mate when he came up beside him and whispered a hello right in his ear.

"How was your first day?"

Where to begin? Arthit answered Kongpob through their connection.

Even though his friends knew about their relationship, they didn't know about their ability to hear each other. Arthit liked it that way. From the way Kongpob looked at him, he liked it just as much.

Was work that bad?

They sat down to dinner and drinks as his friends talked over each other about work and school and whatever was going on in their lives. Arthit felt comfortable. Like he belonged here and it wasn't just because Kongpob was present. He liked being around people who liked him. So, when it was his turn to pipe in, he did it with gusto.

"I feel like I'm being hazed at work," he said with a rueful shake of his head.

"At least you have a job," Tutta complained even though it had no heat.

"I'm dying to finish my masters and I only just got started," Knott said.

This was their life now. Separate paths with different challenges yet they were there for each other. Arthit was glad to know he wasn't the only one struggling with the change of pace. He might have let the conversation keep him occupied if Kongpob hadn't left the table to take a call from his father.

Is everything okay? Arthit asked when Kongpob returned.

The short static burst grated but Kongpob smiled. He looked a little spaced out and the quietness around him made Arthit uneasy. Then it lifted and felt like the air had been let back into the room.

Don't worry. Everything is fine. Kongpob reassured him.

Was it? It didn't seem like it but he didn't know what to ask. It unsettled him even more than his workday. Arthit reassured himself with a careful look at Kongpob. His mate looked fine, it's not like he could hide anything that truly bothered him. His wolf had a way of stepping in when Kongpob needed backup. He looked fine.

It took a little more to convince himself but Arthit felt more like himself by the end of the evening and he was all set to face his colleagues. Kongpob had other plans. He pulled him aside when they were about to leave Bright's bar. Arthit didn't know how but Kongpob was keeping his inner voice from him. It was like he'd pressed a mute button. He knew Kongpob was there but he couldn't hear him.

Then he pulled out a box from his jacket and handed it to Arthit. The moment of panic when Arthit couldn't think of what occasion he'd missed shook him. He had every significant date they shared memorized. This wasn't one of them.