<span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'Lobster Two'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)"><b><u>Preston</u></b></span></span></span><br/><br/><i>I have nothing to say to you.</i><br/><br/>If there was one thing Preston could say about his mate, it would be that the sandy-haired man was stubborn to a fault.  A trait they both seemed to pride themselves on.  Jaymus was also an asshole.  Whoever said mates were supposed to love you unconditionally had never had a mate quite like the gamma.  Sure, Preston felt that he hadn't earned the role, but that wasn't something he had expected his mate to say to him.<br/><br/>A flicker of pain crossed his face before his eyes narrowed.  He grabbed Jaymus' elbow.  It wasn't hard enough to cause the man pain or discomfort but it was certainly enough to get the younger wolf's attention as Preston all but forcefully moved him until he was crowding the Gamma against the wall.<br/><br/>"I thought you said you had nothing to say me," he says, his voice low and challenging.  "I think I'd like that too much right now if you shut up."  He crowds the other against the wall, close enough that they could feel the heat off of the other's body, but not touching.  Preston rested his elbows and hands on the wall on either side of Jaymus' head as he looked into the younger man's eyes.<br/><br/>"First of all, stop putting words in my mouth.  I never said you didn't know how to do your job, just like you need to realize I know how to do mine.  Secondly, I shouldn't need Luna to order us to have a meeting.  We're partners, even if we're not bonded."  He swallowed the pain at that thought before focusing back on the other's stupidly good-looking face.<br/><br/>Footsteps on the other end of the hallway drew their focus momentarily before Preston pressed his thumb against Jaymus' chin to make the other focus back on him.  "I'm not done yet.  We're going to the kitchen to get some food and taking it back to my office.  You're going to sit and listen about this plan I wanted to tell you about before the meeting.  You're going to help me make it better without getting rid of the entire thing and then both of us together will present it to Alpha.  Got it?"<br/><br/>Just as Alex, if Preston remembered his name correctly, rounded the corner, Preston's tongue darted out, licking a gentle line from the younger man's bottom lip to the tip of his nose before the blond drew back and straightened his clothes.  As he turned to their pack member, who had to have seen everything, Preston stood a little straighter.<br/><br/>He let the other speak, not that the Beta ever had much to say to anyone unless it was important.  They thought he didn't like to have fun?  Did Jay share that sentiment?<br/><br/>"Maybe we should make it a dinner meeting then," he finally speaks up, tilting his head towards Alex in recognition of the wolf calling him by his title.  His blue eyes focus on the intruder, crossing his arms.  "The Gamma hasn't eaten so before you kidnap him for this 'fun' little excursion.  Do make sure that he eats something," he ordered before turning back to his mate.<br/><br/>He leans in close again, close enough his lips brush the shell of his mate's ear, his voice soft so Alex couldn't hear him.  After all, Jaymus still wanted nothing to do with Preston if it involved them being mates.  "You look a little stressed Darling.  Go have your fun.  I want you relaxed when we meet at dinner.  I don't like you yelling at me.  Who knows, you might enjoy it."  He pulls back and flashes Jay a wicked little smile and a wink before turning to Alex.  "Food then fun," he emphasizes with a nod before heading down the hallway towards the kitchen without a backward glance.<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'Allura', 'cursive'"><b><u><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(255, 102, 255)">Mikaela</span></u></b></span></span><br/><br/>The shadows of the tree hid her from the view of the patrols she knew would be running the boundaries.  Her wolf eyes caught flashes of fur between the green foliage as she stood downwind.  She'd been watching for a few days as she nursed her wounds.  She should have healed by now, but whatever had been used against her had left deep wounds across her olive skin.  This pack would be a sanctuary if they would take her.  She needed to get by the patrols so she could talk to the Alpha.