[12] Ezra: 'A Lose-Lose Situation.'-1

Ezra Harland's PoV: "Ah, the man of the hour!" I was roaming around aimlessly in-between the throngs of people on the outskirts of the dance floor when the vaguely familiar voice pulled me out of my conflicting thoughts. I turn around to see the widely grinning face of Angier Wellington-a guy I'd known all through my childhood through our trips and vacations and numerous parties. He was neither an heir, nor did his parents hold consequential ranking, but since he was the best friend of Alpha Karas' only daughter, he was like a son to their family and always tagged along with them to these occasions. Despite me feeling confused and overall puzzled as to everything that's going on in my life, looking at the face of a friend I hadn't seen in so long pushes away all those muddled thoughts and brings a huge grin to my face, "I hear someone is gonna become Beta!" I exclaim as I rush forward and pull him into a short hug, still grinning as I turn to his best friend, extending a hand, "Ms. Karas." "Beta Harland," The dark-haired Grecian future-Alpha returns just as formally with a small smile, seemingly very amused at the look of comical shock on Angier's face. Thing is, Alpha Karas' daughter, Tatum Karas, had woken up one night when she was twelve in unbearable pain that had confirmed that her Mate-wherever he was-had died. Ever since that incident, she'd closed herself off completely and had stopped attending all events and unfortunately for our friendship, we hadn't seen much of each other after that. When I'd called to confirm their presence at the party, Tatum had informed me that she had picked her best friend to lead beside her due to the fact she would be utterly alone without a Mate as it is, and since she and the actual Beta's heir have some bad-blood, she figured that this choice would be much better. I completely agreed because if I wasn't Seneca's best friend, things would've been way more complicated around the Mordecai pack. According to Tatum, Angier seemed to be very reluctant to challenge for the position. Now looking at his face, I can tell that she was right about it, "I was informed about it only last week! How did you . . . ?" His flabbergasted expression morphed to one of even more surprise as he turned to Tatum with accusation in his eyes, "You told him!" "Guilty." The Alpha-heir replied in a cool tone as she simpered and the way she was so closed-off and controlled reminded me so much of how Seneca used to be, that at that moment, my heart hurt for the girl. Because Seneca had found her Micajah, who'd managed to bring back the happiness she'd buried. But who would do that for her? Maybe as friends, all of us could try and fill the void of one person. Decision made, I clear my throat slightly to void it of any emotion, appraising Tatum quickly, "So, Ms. Karas, how have you been? It's easily been a handful of years since I last saw you." She nods politely, her expression so neutral that I don't have a single clue as to what she might be thinking, "Yes, I've been fine, thank you. And just call me Tatum, I'm not Alpha yet." "Good to know," I smile and something about the way I did must've tipped her off to the fact that I was just thinking about her Mateless status. "And as for the other thing, I'll do it only if you promise to call me Ezra," I say quickly, hoping not to offend her with any unnecessary pity or sympathy. "Sure." She acquiesces, "So . . . Had any luck finding your Mate?" She looks at me expectantly and the reminder of my Mate brings back an onslaught of confusion and utter hopelessness. I smile quickly in hopes of covering it up, but her observant gaze lets me know I wasn't as successful as I'd liked to have been,"Yes, I met her last week. It's Alpha Nyah Pineda." I see a shadow of sadness pass over her eyes, and instantly can't help but feel bad again. Because being a nobody without a Mate in itself would be a task that's unbearably painful. But, being an Alpha who has to lead an entire pack alone? That's on a league of unbearable of its own. She flashes a quick smile that's genuinely happy anyway as she extends her hand, and at that moment I gain new respect for her, "Congratulations. So, I assume you're gonna leave the Mordecai Pack and become her Aleph." Her statement throws me off completely in a second. "What?" I mumble in confusion as I accept her proffered hand weakly, and I realize that that's the first time the thought has ever crossed my mind. If I want to lead a happy life with Nyah, then I'd have to leave my pack and go live with her. Damnnnnn. "I . . . I don't think so. Nuh-uh, no way." I deny vehemently, shocking myself and the two of them. Only after I say those words do I realize that that's the reality of the situation. I'd be able to give up almost anything in the whole world for the sake of my Mate's contentment. But, my pack? nope. I would never be a happy man if I do. "Oh," Tatum says in bafflement and Angier looks confused too, "Well, it's either that or she has to step down. Maybe you can get her father to accept the brother who was thrown out." He suggests with a careless shrug, not knowing the importance of the point he just made. Goddess, why? Why can't I just have gotten a normal Mate with whom I don't have a history of fights with? This is just making this situation a million times worse. "Yeah, I guess so," I mumble distractedly, not wanting to open that can of worms right now. I'd have to sit in a corner somewhere and overanalyze this situation some other time when this whole fiasco is over. Just as I'm about to suggest another stronger drink, I catch sight of Seneca and Micajah along with Alarice DeVega and Anders Larzelere-the Alpha of the DeVega pack and her human Mate-in the crowd. Phew, thank Goddess for that little distraction. "Oi! Seneca and Micajah! Oh and Alarice and Anders, you too! Come here!" I holler over the loud music, making them turn to me in surprise. I wave them over and they push people out of the way politely, finally joining the three of us. "Oh, Tatum, it's you!" Alarice DeVega is the first one to talk as she throws her arms around Tatum and pulls her into a surprise hug, and I sigh quietly to myself in relief. Now that the focus is off me, I can finally mull over what I'd just been informed about. But no matter how much I think, I can't find a solution where everyone can win. It seems like a lose-lose situation overall. Fuck, what am I going to do? ~ A while later, all of us had moved to the basement as the music here is much lower and I'd made sure to put in lots of couches in here so that people can sit around and talk if they wanted to. And thanks to my thoughtfulness, that's exactly what we're doing.