Hey guys!

Thank you so much for reading the first chapter. I really hope you guys are enjoying it and I'd love to hear from you.

Rex x

Chapter 2

Wei Wuxian chewed on a fingernail as he watched people come and go through the reception. His foot wouldn't stop jittering; his palms felt sticky.

"Wei Wuxian?"

He startled at his name, his head snapping up to look at the well-dressed young woman at the doors.

"I'm Li Yin. Welcome to Fusion." She gave him a flirty smile. "Come on through."

Wei Wuxian jumped to his feet, almost forgetting to collect his backpack, and scurried after Li Yin. "Er, hi," he fumbled with his bag until he managed to get it on his shoulder. "It's er, it's my first day."

"I know," Li Yin smirked as she led him through a bustling corridor. "You have your pass already, right?"

"Yeah," Wei Wuxian struggled to keep up with her. "I got it on my induction day."

"Good," Li Yin said over her shoulder. "You'll be assisting Han Chao today."

"Er… right," Wei Wuxian nodded. "What erm… what will I be doing?"

"Whatever he asks," Li Yin stopped outside a door that read Studio 1. She pushed it open and looked at Wei Wuxian. "Off you go."

"Oh… yeah, right," he slipped into the room and froze. The studio was large; cameras surrounded a white backdrop and a platform. He watched people scurry back and forth between a row of tables and mirrors and the set. Makeup artists and hair stylists crowded around beautiful women who stood gracefully and allowed people to poke and prod at them. Wei Wuxian couldn't believe his eyes. His first day and he was in a photoshoot.

"You," a voice said. "You're the new kid, right?"

Wei Wuxian frowned at being called a kid. He turned to see a man scribbling something down on a clipboard. "Yeah, my name is-"

"It doesn't matter," the man ripped the piece of paper off the clipboard and handed it to him. "Get these and get back here sharp."

Wei Wuxian grabbed the piece of paper, eager to get stuck in. "Sure, no problem," he said even though the man had already left. He glanced down at the piece of paper and was immediately disappointed. A coffee order?!

"Hey kid, why are you still here? That coffee won't get itself!"

Wei Wuxian bit back a snarky retort and stuffed the piece of paper in his pocket before heading out of the studio. He walked along the corridor, weaving around staffers as they hurried around with pieces of designer clothing hanging over their arms.

He glanced in each office he passed, searching for the young woman who had shown him into the studio. Instead, he found her in the break room, whispering with two other women who all turned to look at him with hidden smiles. His instinct told him they'd been talking about him, and the way one of the women checked him out confirmed it.

"Everything ok?" Li Yin asked.

"I have to get coffee," he took the piece of paper out of his pocket and waved it in the air. "Is there a particular place I go?"

"AGO's," she said. "It's just two doors down."

"Thanks. How do I pay?"

"Come with me; I'll get you a card," Li Yin led him to the office across the hall from the breakroom. She sat down at her desk and handed him a company credit card. "Don't run away with it." She smiled suggestively.

"I'll try not to," he said awkwardly and he turned to leave.

"Hey, you doing anything tonight?" She crossed her legs, and he didn't miss how she pulled her skirt up her thighs. "There's a cool bar on the next block. Do you want to grab a drink after work?"

"I'm meeting up with some friends."

"Maybe some other time then?" She shifted in her chair, her skirt rode up even more, and Wei Wuxian resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"I should go get these coffees," he said and quickly left the office.

Wei Wuxian knew he was an attractive guy. He'd had more than enough men and women at university flirt with him to realise he was desirable, but he'd never been interested. Many of them had been hot, totally his type, but something about them always put him off.

Wen Qing said it was their scent, that wolves were sensitive to pheromones. If they didn't smell right, they wouldn't be attractive to him. Wei Wuxian refused to believe it; he didn't want to entertain the thought that the wolf in him could take over his human mind like that. But he knew, deep down, she was probably right.

Since becoming a wolf, he'd spent a lot of time researching the complex life of wolves in the wild, and it annoyed him when he realised the similarities between them and his own life. A wolf wouldn't take on any old mate if a better, stronger, more desirable mate was offered. Not that he thought that way, although he knew the wolf in him did. Why take up with one of these humans when he could have had Lan Wangji?

His heart throbbed at the thought of him.

"What can I get you?" The man at the counter asked.

Wei Wuxian handed him the list of coffee, and the guy gave a heavy sigh as he started to input the long list into his till. Wei Wuxian paid the hefty bill and took the receipt before taking a seat to wait for his order.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and stared at it for a moment. Ever since he'd found out about Lan Wangji's son, he'd had a yearning to call him, to speak to him. He just wanted to hear his voice, to feel close to him. He knew he was being selfish. He hadn't bothered with him for three years, and now that he knew he had a family, he wanted to see him again.

"This order yours?" A woman asked as she heated up some milk.

"Yep," he gave an apologetic smile.

"I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say you're working for Fusion, right?"

Wei Wuxian laughed. "What gave it away?"

"The disappointed look on your face," she smirked. "You're not the first person I've seen come in here doing the grunt work."

"It's my first day," Wei Wuxian said to her. "It's not what I expected."

"It'll get better," she smiled. "You're only young; things will work out." She started to pack up the coffees, and Wei Wuxian looked back down at his phone. He hoped she was right about his job getting better because he didn't think his relationship with Lan Wangji would improve any time soon.

-x-

"Open wide," Jiang Yanli opened her mouth and held a spoon filled with food in the air. "Here it comes." She made a whooshing sound as she playfully brought the spoon down and straight into the baby's mouth. "You're such a good boy, A-Ling." The baby stared up at her as he sucked on the spoon.

"I can't believe how big he is now," Wei Wuxian propped his head upon his hand and smiled at the baby.

"They grow so fast," Jiang Yanli scooped up more food, and A-Ling's mouth opened automatically. "You're such a clever little boy!"

"When does he get off the mush?"

"He's only six months," she said. "He'll be on liquids a while longer, but wolves develop teeth faster than humans, so I'll try him on solids as soon as his canines grow in."

"How different is it?" He asked. "You know, human kids and pups."

"I wouldn't know," Jiang Yanli laughed softly. "I've only really been involved with pups."

"Right."

"I know wolf babies develop faster," she said. "We keep them away from human children when they're toddlers because they show wolf habits while learning."

"Such as?" Wei Wuxian watched A-Ling wriggle in his seat. He let out a displeased gurgle which sounded like an attempt to growl; he was clearly upset his mother was taking too long to refill the spoon.

"Like that," she laughed as she gave him more food. "They communicate through wolf noises; they learn to recognise their environment and family through scent first. So, when he learns to talk, he'll learn to bark and growl even though he won't take wolf form until he's older."

"What do you think he'll look like?" Wei Wuxian asked. "Do you think he'll be golden like the Peacock?"

"Don't call him that," Jiang Yanli said even though she giggled. "I think he'll be golden. He's already got A-Xuan's eyes; it would make sense that he's picked up his genes, but…" she paused and gave Wei Wuxian a secretive smile. "I do hope he'll be like my side of the family. I'd love to see him with a mix of white, brown and black."

"Jiang genes are pretty strong," Wei Wuxian said. "You never know."

"Whatever he is, he'll be beautiful," she smiled down at her son, who had started to fall asleep despite his mouth dropping open in preparation for his next spoon full of slop.

"Yeah, sure. He'll be a real looker," Wei Wuxian used the baby bib to clean the drool off A-Ling's chin. Jiang Yanli laughed and slapped his arm playfully.

"How is the job going?" she asked as she gently nudged A-Ling awake to continue his feed.

"It's horrible!" Wei Wuxian sighed. "I interviewed at a magazine company because I wanted to learn about photography, and all I've done today is make notes, get coffee and answer phones."

"It's your first day," Jiang Yanli said with sympathy. "You can't expect to get your hands on a camera as soon as you step in through the door."

"I know that," he said. "I do. It's just that I thought I would be assisting the photographers. Like, helping in the studios and taking notes for them. But instead, I'm working under the guy who arranges the shoots. He's not even a photographer."

"You will work your way up soon enough," Jiang Yanli said. "You're so talented, A-Xian; they'll see that."

"I don't see how," he huffed. "There's not much opportunity to show them what I can do when all I'm doing is getting coffee."

"You won't be getting coffee all the time," she said. "Stick at it. You'll get a break soon enough."

"He's asleep," Wei Wuxian laughed as he nodded toward the baby. Jiang Yanli shook her head fondly and put the rest of the food on the table.

"I'll put him to bed," she carefully lifted him out of his seat. "Could you put that in the kitchen for me?"

"Does this mean it's wine time?" Wei Wuxian grinned.

"Yes," she rolled her eyes playfully. While she put A-Ling to bed, Wei Wuxian popped open a bottle of wine.

"Did you hear Lan Zhan has a kid?" he asked once she returned.

"I did," she took a sip of the wine. "I also heard what happened between you and A-Cheng."

Wei Wuxian avoided her eyes; he didn't want to see the disappointment he knew he'd see there. The look she always gave him when he and Jiang Cheng argued.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"You don't have to apologise to me," she touched his arm. "You are as close as brothers; you are bound to argue sometimes."

"I said a few things I shouldn't have," he admitted. "But he touched too close to home on a few things."

"Lan Wangji," she nodded knowingly. Wei Wuxian let out a shuddering breath. "Wen Qing said you didn't know about his son."

"I didn't," he fiddled with his glass of wine.

"Nie Huaisang and Mian Mian shouldn't have spoken about it," she said.

"It's not their fault," Wei Wuxian shook his head. "I was shocked, and I took it out on them…"

"Lan Xichen really didn't mention it?"

"We don't… he never talks about him." Wei Wuxian knew that was his fault too. "He just checks in on me, makes sure I'm ok. He doesn't talk about the pack."

"Do you want to know about them?" Jiang Yanli asked carefully.

"Them?" His mouth felt dry.

"The children," she said. "Lan Xichen had another child too."

"Wow," he scoffed. He'd missed out on so much. "Sure."

"A-Yi is Lan Xichen's son second son after Lan Xuanyu, you won't believe how big he is now," she laughed. "And they're both loud and rowdy! Nothing ay all like Lan Xichen."

"Lan Qiren must be pleased with that," Wei Wuxian laughed, but his chest felt hollow.

"A-Yuan is…" she smiled fondly. "He's the complete opposite. He's quiet and curious, a typical Lan."

"A-Yuan…" he said the name a few times, allowing himself to get used to it. "He's Lan Zhan's?"

"Yes," she smiled again. "He's taken quite a shine to A-Ling."

"You've... you've met him?" He watched something flicker in Jiang Yanli's eyes.

"A few times," she said after a moment. "A-Xuan has been helping Lan Xichen sell some of his paintings. We thought it would be good for A-Ling to spend time with other wolf children."

"Have you-" Wei Wuxian cut himself off at the last minute. Jiang Yanli looked at him with concern, and he knew if he really wanted to know what happened while he'd been in the city, she was the one person who would tell him without judgment. "A-Yuan's mother... have you met her?"

Jiang Yanli's eyes softened. "No," she said with a look of understanding. "I've never seen her. I don't... I don't know if she lives there."

"Was it a surrogate?" He asked, trying to ignore the hopeful feeling bubbling in his chest.

"He's not likely to tell me that," she said to him. "We talk about the children, nothing much more than that."

"Lan Xuanyu was born through a surrogate," Wei Wuxian thought outloud.

"Yes," she said. "And he had the same surrogate for his youngest. He was a bit more forthcoming with the details of how his children came into the world."

"Lan Zhan could have done the same..."

"Are you hoping he did?" Jiang Yanli asked.

"Yes," Wei Wuxian said honestly. "I know I have no right, but I do. I want him to be happy, but…." He hesitated in his honesty, unsure if he should really admit what he was feeling inside. "It's just, I've never thought about him settling down with someone."

"Do you love him, A-Xian?" Jiang Yanli asked. Wei Wuxian looked away, suddenly feeling uncomfortable, but when he looked up again, Jiang Yanli was watching him with kind eyes. He didn't need to tell her what was going on in his mind; she already knew he was conflicted.

"I don't know," Wei Wuxian said eventually. "I like him; you know I've always liked him. But it's complicated. Everything changed after… well, you know what happened. I don't know if I could go back to how it was. I don't even know if I want to."

Jiang Yanli gave him a sympathic smile. "Well, for what it's worth, I think it's clear he's always liked you too."

"Yeah," Wei Wuxian scoffed. "It's because he liked me that he turned me into a wolf and a lot of good that did me…"

"It meant you could be part of our lives," Jiang Yanli said, and Jiang Cheng's words returned to him.

"I know," Wei Wuxian grasped her hand and held it tightly. "Sorry, I know I wouldn't have any of you if it hadn't been for what Lan Zhan did, but I didn't get a say."

"Would it have made any difference if you had?" she asked.

"I have no idea," Wei Wuxian shrugged. "Maybe. I guess it would have just been easier to accept if I'd been able to say yes to it."

"Would you have said yes if you'd had the choice?" Jiang Yanli raised an eyebrow.

"You've got a lot of difficult questions for me tonight," he forced a laugh.

"Sorry," Jiang Yanli backed off. "You just seemed like you wanted to talk about it."

"I did," he reassured her. "I wanted to talk about Lan Zhan, and I knew you wouldn't mind."

"Of course, I wouldn't" Jiang Yanli said, and she paused for a moment. Wei Wuxian watched her take a breath, as if she was considering something before she spoke. "He always asks after you, you know."

"He does?" Wei Wuxian was surprised.

"Every time we visit," she smiled again. "He's always happy to know you're doing well here in the city."

"I can't imagine he says that," Wei Wuxian laughed softly.

"No," Jiang Yanli laughed with him. "But he gets this little smile whenever I talk about you."

Wei Wuxian felt his chest tighten. He could see the exact smile in his mind, the same one Lan Wangji used to give him when he thought no one else was looking. It made him happy to think he still smiled like that when anyone talked about him, but it also sent a stab of pain to his heart.

"He misses you," Jiang Yanli added quietly. "They all do."

"Sometimes I really miss them too," Wei Wuxian said. "I try not to think too much about them, but…"

"Have you spoken to Lan Xichen?" Jiang Yanli asked. "The last time we were there, Lan Jianfeng was declining fast."

Wei Wuxian felt his stomach drop. "Crap," he pulled his phone out of his pocket. "I was supposed to call him back the other night."

"You should call him," Jiang Yanli said with a reassuring smile. "I'll get us a refill; why don't you call him now?"

"Yeah," Wei Wuxian opened his phone and stared at the screen before he clicked call on Lan Xichen's contact. It rang a few times, and Wei Wuxian waited nervously.

With each unanswered ring, he felt his gut twisting into knots and getting tighter and tighter. He knew he should have called sooner, should have made Lan Jianfeng more of a priority. But every time he thought about it, he'd start to feel queasy and find it hard to breathe. He'd quickly distract himself, putting his family out of his mind. It was selfish. He was being selfish, and he knew it. Deep down, a voice told him to put down the phone and just catch the next flight out, but he couldn't. There were too many doubts in his mind, his anger still too present.

Eventually, the call went to voicemail. He hung up before leaving a message.

"Call the house," Jiang Yanli suggested.

"They must be busy if Xichen hasn't answered," Wei Wuxian said. "I don't want to disturb them. I'll try him again later."

"Don't forget," Jiang Yanli pushed the glass of wine toward Wei Wuxian.

"I won't," Wei Wuxian promised.

Wei Wuxian had planned to call Lan Xichen. He had intended to call that night after he left Jiang Yanli's, but he'd fallen asleep as soon as he had flopped down on his own sofa. He promised himself he'd call during his lunch break the following day, but his new employers had barely allowed him five minutes of peace.

Days passed, and the longer it had been, the more guilty Wei Wuxian felt about it.

"Are you listening?" Han Chao clicked his fingers in Wei Wuxian's ear.

"Sorry, what?" Wei Wuxian blinked himself out of his thoughts and looked up at his boss.

Han Chao shook his head. "Are we boring you?"

"No, sorry, I was just-"

"Because there are plenty of people out there who would take your place if you-"

"I'm here," Wei Wuxian straightened up. "It won't happen again."

"Be sure it doesn't," Han Chao narrowed his eyes. "I need Angela from Wardrobe. Get her."

"Yeah, sure," Wei Wuxian nodded and quickly left the studio. He made a beeline for Wardrobe, carefully weaving in and out of the busy people also rushing around the corridors. "Angela!"

"No need to yell; I'm coming!" Angela rushed out of her workroom, holding a long dress in the air. "Grab the tail; Han Chao will be pissed if it gets dirty."

Wei Wuxian carefully gathered up the end of the dress and followed Angela. "He's already pissed at you for being late."

"He can kiss my ass," Angela smirked at him over her shoulder. "Thinks he's better than everyone else just because he has a clipboard." Angela winked at him as they rushed to the studio.

"About damn time!" Han Chao snapped as they entered. "You're holding up the damn shoot, you-"

"Oh, calm down," Angela rolled her eyes. "I'm not that late."

"If we run over-"

"Yes, yes," Angela sighed. "Overtime costs, I know. But I'm here now. Come with me, Wei Wuxian; there's someone I want you to meet."

"Where are you taking him?" Han Chao gave an exasperated sigh. "I need him!"

"I'm borrowing him for today," Angela said over her shoulder. Wei Wuxian hid a smirk and followed.

Angela was in her early 40's, a fiery redhead that had the biggest collection of vintage hats Wei Wuxian had ever seen. She'd been in the city for most of her adult life and had become a sought after stylist. She'd taken quite a shine to Wei Wuxian when they'd met during the shoot, and she'd taken him under her wing.

"Cal," Angela walked toward the photographer. "I think I've finally found the missing piece."

The photographer, a famous foreigner who was shooting the company's new season campaign, had requested Angela to work on his shoot. He'd worked with her during fashion week, and after he found out she was on the staff, he'd insisted she be the stylist assigned to him.

"You're amazing," Cal beamed at her. "This is beautiful."

"It will shine under the lights," she said. "It needs a tall girl, long legs, short body."

"I have the girl in mind," Cal ran his hand over the satin material. Wei Wuxian watched him inspect the dress until he stopped and looked up at him. "Who is this?"

"Someone I want to introduce to you," Angela said. "Wei Wuxian, he's just started here. He's a photographer too."

"You've come here to learn, kid?" Cal smiled.

"Yes," Wei Wuxian returned his smile and he didn't feel annoyance at him calling him a kid. There was almost an affectionate tone to it, like an someone speaking of his younger brother.

"What have you learned so far?" Cal asked.

Wei Wuxian's felt uneasy. "Erm… well… I've only been here a week, so…"

"Calm down," Cal laughed. "I wasn't expecting a reply. I saw you've been working under Han Chao. He can run a shoot like clockwork, but he knows nothing about taking the shot."

"I've been saying he should be working under a photographer. You should see his work, Cal. He's got real potential," Angela said. "You've been looking for an assistant, haven't you?"

"Are you playing Match Maker again?" Cal smirked.

"Me?" Angela feigned shock. "How dare you suggest such a thing!"

"Oh, of course, because it's something you'd never do," Cal laughed.

Wei Wuxian watched them joke around together, flirt in that harmless way good friends could. Angela took the dress to be fitted onto a model while Cal had started to reset the shot. Wei Wuxian had quickly moved out of the way, ready to do as Han Chao demanded. But Cal had called him over, and asked him to help move lights and get the set ready for the new model.

"So, what do you think?" Cal asked.

Wei Wuxian was staring into the camera, observing the scene from a photographer's point of view. "I think it will be too dark," he said.

"You do?" Cal looked at the set, a slight frown on his brow. "There's plenty of lighting."

Cal seemed genuinely puzzled, but Wei Wuxian knew he was being tested. "That new dress will disappear in this lighting. So there needs to be something that shines right down onto the model. But not a spotlight; it needs to be soft."

Cal smiled. "I agree," he said and requested a soft white beam and the lighting designers quickly got to work. "It usually takes junior photographers a good few months working on shoots to be able to see what's missing in a shot like this. I'm impressed."

"Thanks," Wei Wuxian felt a rush of excitement surge through his body.

"I'm only here for six months," Cal said. "But would you like to be my assistant?"

Wei Wuxian stared at him. "Wait… really?"

"I don't take many people on, but Angela vouched for you," Cal said. "I'm willing to give you a try."

"Really?" Wei Wuxian continued to stare at him. He couldn't believe his ears. "Are… are you sure?"

"Don't question it," Cal ruffled his hair and laughed. "We'll see how it goes. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But you've got a better chance at learning about photography from me than you do from Han Chao."

"Thank you," Wei Wuxian finally managed to say. "Thank you so much!"

"Don't thank me just yet," Cal smirked. "Finish assisting Han Chao; I'll talk to the higher-ups about getting you reassigned."

Wei Wuxian resisted the urge to ask him if he could be reassigned right that instant. "Yes, sir," he said instead.

"Just Cal," he laughed. "None of that 'sir' business, thank you very much."

"No problem," Wei Wuxian beamed.

He felt on top of the world. Even when Han Chao had given him another coffee order that was twice as long as it usually was, it hadn't dampened his mood. In fact, he went about the rest of the day with a spring in his step, and when the assistants had decided they were going for drinks after work, Wei Wuxian had agreed to join them.

"That's great news!" Li Yin beamed at him after he told her about his meeting with Cal while waiting for their drinks.

Li Yin was another person he had got along well with. It was clear to him that she had been interested in going on a date with him at first. But as they got to know each other, she quickly picked up on the fact he was gay and they had potential to become great friends.

"I'm excited," he said. "But, I still have to wait a month before I can start working with him. Apparently, Han Chao needs help with his workload, which is bullshit, all he gives me are the shit jobs."

"Well, he doesn't know you yet," Li Yin said. "Whatever work you do for him will reflect on him. I bet he just wants to make sure he can trust you before he gives you some of his work."

"It doesn't matter anyway," Wei Wuxian said. "I just have to get through this, and then I'll be able to move on to better things." He turned to pick up his drink, but he felt a hand clip the back of his head before he could. "Hey!"

Angela stood behind him, her hands on her hips and a frown. "Don't look down on him," she scolded. "You know I'm not his biggest fan, but don't ever look down on his work."

"But he's an ass-"

"We wouldn't be able to do what we do without him," she cut him off. "The shoots run smoothly because he's prepared for every eventuality. Who do you think brought the team together? Who do you think booked the models and the equipment? You'll need someone like Han Chao behind you when you're a big shot photographer."

Wei Wuxian sighed. He knew she was right, but he was too excited to start working with a professional photographer. He knew what Han Chao did was important, but he was too impatient to learn how it worked. He just wanted to get stuck in with Cal. "But like you said, I'll have someone to do that for me…"

"You need to know how it works," Angela said. "Some of the worst people I've worked with have had no idea what other people do around the set. Don't be one of them."

He knew Angela was looking out for him, and even if he didn't want to work under Han Chao anymore, Angela knew what she was talking about. He knew he should trust her advice. "I won't," he promised. "I'll work hard for Han Chao too."

"You better," she said. "Now, buy me a drink seeing as though I introduced you to Cal." Wei Wuxian laughed and ordered her a drink.

They enjoyed the night together. Wei Wuxian was still getting to know his new colleagues, but he could see potential in many of the new friendships he had made. As he walked out of the bar and said good night to Li Yin and Angela, Wei Wuxian decided that this job wouldn't be as bad as he thought.

He set off for his apartment with his steps feeling lighter, and when he felt his phone ring, he picked it up happily.

"Hello, hello!" he called joyfully down the phone without looking at the Caller ID.

"Wei Wuxian?"

Lan Xichen's voice was tense. Wei Wuxian felt the bubble of happiness in his chest burst. Then, it faded away and sank deep into his stomach.

"Xichen?" Wei Wuxian froze, his mind on one thing only. "He… is he ok?"

"Wei Wuxian," Lan Xichen's voice was tense, as though he was trying to keep any emotion out of his voice.

"Is he ok?" Wei Wuxian demanded to know. "Lan Jianfeng… is he ok?"

"You need to come home," Lan Xichen said.

"Why?" he felt his hands shaking.

"He's dying," Lan Xichen said. "The Alpha is dying…"

Wei Wuxian stopped breathing; his body went numb as he heard the words ring through his mind.

The Alpha is dying.

The phone slipped from his hand.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next chapter! Chapter 3 is much longer than the first two and we're about to start really getting into the story. Keep hold of your hats kids!

Next chapter: Wei Wuxian goes back to Cloud Recesses for the first time in three years...