EXES AND MATES MEET. AWKWARD?

KINGSLEY

Will remains behind after my meeting and helps me put away the few items across the table on my desk.

"You have been avoiding me," he says, as he arranges the papers on my desk.

"I have been busy."

"Yeah, I noticed," he curtly responds. "You are avoiding me."

Frowning, I look at him and he finally looks at me. "Why would I be avoiding you?"

"The other night, you left before we even talked," he says as he steps closer. "You left after you told me you hadn't forgotten about us. I haven't seen you since then, save for this meeting."

"Will, what do you want?" I can't help but clench my jaw. He is pressing me and closer to me than I would like.

"I want to see you more often," he shrugs as he plays with the pen on the desk. "I want us to be like we were before, and remain as that. We were friends, right?"

"Right. I suppose I have been cooped up in the house and falling behind in my work," I sigh looking at the pile of workload on the desk.

"I can help you catch up, like old times, I know that you know I am very good at that," he smiles as he bumps his shoulder into mine.

"Fine, fine," I sigh exasperatedly relieved he is not bringing our history and wanting to reconnect that way. I have already told him we can never be what we were in the past. "If I can finish this, then I can conquer the whole world."

He laughs and playfully hits my arm. "You can do anything you set your mind to do. I believe in you."

"Yes, you have to as I am your alpha and all," I shrug and he starts laughing.

"Very bossy as usual, I like it," he leans in to whisper that and I lean away, to keep an arm's distance and that's when I notice a figure standing at the door.

Rain.

Rain being here makes me happy, and I suddenly want to show him off to all the pack members in the building today. But I am afraid that will be very rushed and he will feel pressured. So I settle on introducing him to the member in the office for now.

"This is Will, and Will, this is my mate, rain."

Rain looks uncomfortable and I immediately step closer to him, wrapping my arm around his shoulders, and kiss him on his temple.

I expect him to pull away from me, not knowing where we stand with public displays of affection but he surprisingly doesn't and even holds my hand.

"I have heard so much about you," Will tells Rain and I dread the moment Will will mention that he is my ex and all.

"I am sorry I haven't had a chance to meet you all. He doesn't tell me anything let alone about anyone about the pack," rain's soft tone makes me want to put him in my lap and sit down, but I guess that will not be appropriate as we have an audience.

 A beat of silence passes and I look at Rain who is smiling politely at will. "What brings you by, babe?"

"Oh I just wanted to see you and get out of the house, I was getting cabin fever," he shrugs.

"I am glad you are here," I smile and he blushes looking away.

"But don't let me stand in your way, I can stay here as you work, I just needed a change of environment," he goes to sit on the couch and looks at Will and me both expectantly.

"I should leave you both love birds alone …" will starts to leave but rain stops him.

"You were working, don't let me stop you. Plus I am with him all the time, let him work. I am only here to pass the time."

"Are you sure? I mean I don't want to impose or anything," Will asks Rain.

"No, I am the one who is imposing. Stay, help him," Rain assures him, and will nod turning to look at me.

I do want Will to leave but his staying will help me clear the papers off my desk and finish early which will leave plenty of time to spend with rain. It's a win.

"This is due today, how many days have you missed work, Mister Kingsley?" will tease as we go through the workload.

"A month I suppose, I have been busy, or should I say someone has been keeping me busy," I wink at Rain who is watching us and he rolls his eyes and looks at the view outside.

"Honeymoon phase, huh?" will tensely respond. "I can help you with all of this when you feel like you can't make it. You have taught me well enough, right?"

"Yeah, I suppose I did," I nod as we work.

"I still remember the first time I was here, in your office. You were the first young alpha I ever met," he laughs and I shake my head, amused.

"It was my first day on the job, very green and full of energy."

"I was scared, but then when we started talking, and I got to know you. It wasn't so bad after that."

"You mean, it was bad but not so bad?"

"I mean you were the best, even back then. I was happy to be assigned to work under you. I loved every moment of serving you," Will explains and I sigh.

"A lot has changed. I have grown up, and here we are," I muse, and will stop to look at me.

"Not everything has changed though," he hands me a file and I start typing away. "We are working as we were back then. We are moving seamlessly now as we did then."

"I guess you are right," I laugh. "With this pace, I think I can salvage my union with my mate by not staying away from work for so long."

He laughs and I sneak a look at Rain, who seems engrossed with the city views, seemingly far away from this world.