*Warning: Strong language*

Dan: Hey, can you do me a solid?
He stared at the screen. Anxiousness filled him. It was illogical to think he'd get an immediate response. It was the middle of the week and late into the afternoon.
With a sigh, he changed texting threads.
Dan: Still down to study tomorrow?
Laying the phone down on the work desk, he stared out the college library window. Being a couple floors up let him get a good view of the campus. It was a slightly windy day. Leaves were fluttering on branches over students heads.
Vibration broke his concentration with a flinch.
Dave: Yup, still down. Library?
Dan: Yeah.
Dave: Twoish?
Dan: Yeah.
Dave: Cool, see ya then.
He stared at the phone for another moment.
Set down again.
Another sigh as he adjusted his laptop and got back to typing.
It'd been hard to focus for the past two weeks. Worry for Chris had been eating him up. Their conversation had really affected him. Acid had a permanent cling on his scent.
Chris's behavior had become even more muted than before. Even though he'd promised to play after rounds in the mornings, it wasn't the play he'd experienced from the hunt. It was stiff. Stand offish. Not organic or natural. Chris would quickly stop if he ended up in any sort of dominant position relative to him.
It was the same when they were gaming. Short answers, very little eye contact. Leaving only after a short time.
It made him angry. 
Angry that Chris had just accepted his death as fate. Acted like it couldn't be changed. Couldn't be fought.
That it was inevitable.
Chris had become important to him. Even more so since before he'd left. He was a strong, protective and guiding presence in his life. Someone who he could trust to take care of him. Who made him feel important and worth something. Who encouragingly pushed him towards his fullest potential.
He didn't want to lose that.
For the second time, vibration snapped his attention. He quickly snatched up his phone.
Jack: For sure. What's up?
Dan: Can you look into federal and state criminal laws regarding homicide inside protected wolf reservations?
Jack: Damn dude, serious much?
Dan: Just answer the question.
Jack: Fuck yeah I can, you forget I'm an intern at a law firm or somthn?
Dan: Fuckin idiot, why do you think I asked you?
Jack: Just checkin. I'll do you one better, I'll talk to Kelly for you. That foxy lady makes the law her bitch
Dan: Thx, I owe you big time.
Jack: Damn straight you do. Since you offered, I want that DLC comin out next weekend.
Dan: Deal.
Jack: Fuckin dumbass, I'm playin. I'm not that big of a dick.
Dan: You kinda are.
Jack: Well…maaaaaaybe a lil…
A bit of relief washed over him as the anxiousness temporarily dissipated. That gave him enough free head space to make progress on his midterm essay.
Growling stomach.
It reminded him it was time to go home. The sky was just hinting at darkening. He packed up his stuff, mind churning again.
“Hey Dad, you home, or at the Den?”
“At the Den. Everything alright?”
His voice was worried. The anxiety had obviously come through in his voice. Adjusting the phone in his hand, he pulled onto the road of the reservation.
“Yeah, everything's fine. Just need to talk to you.”
“Well, what's on your mind?”
“I'd rather in talk person.” He sighed.
“Where'ya at?”
“Just ten minutes up the road.”
“Alright…you sure you're okay?”
“Yeah Dad, see you in a bit.”
He took a deep breath and chewed on the questions in his mind.
Dad's eyes had a glint of concern when he looked up from his monitor. Acid in the air. He tried to force a smile, but it didn't materialize.
Letting his bag drop to the floor, he fell into one of the chairs across from his desk.
“I know that look.” Dad said in gentleness.
He didn't know where to start. Rubbing his temples with a couple of fingers, he huffed out a breath.
“Do you have any sort of plan to protect Chris when those wolves come for him?” He asked at last.
Silence. He glanced up. Dad's eyes ran across his face before he rolled his shoulders.
“It's too soon to know exactly what we're dealing with.” He slowly replied.
“But you're going to do something about it, right?”
Dad shifted without responding. That struck a chord of anxiety.
“Right?” He asked in angst, sitting forward in the chair.
“Of course I'll do something about it.”
“It doesn't sound like it.”
“I'm just going to have to talk to the pack members…”
“They don't know?” He blurted.
“They have an idea.”
“An idea isn't going to make them want to help!”
“Even if they did know, I can't just force them to put themselves in danger for a wolf that isn't even an official pack member.” Dad said in exasperation.
Anger and frustration rose within him.
“He is official! He hunts with us! He's Keeping us from starving! He lives on the reservation! He's my mate, dammit!” He exclaimed.
Dad's eyes flashed. He saw a muscle in his jaw twitch.
“How can we take your mating seriously if you haven't imprinted yet?” Dad forced between his teeth.
The bitterness in the air jerked him to his feet.
“Is that what this is about? He's not worth protecting outside of that?!”
“I can't risk pack members dying for someone…”
“You begged him to come back to do us a favor, but you weren't even intending on returning it? Fuck you!” The scream ripped at his throat.
“Don't you dare speak to me like that!” Dad bellowed.
Stabbing a glare right him, he stooped to snatch his bag.
“Danny! Wait!”
Without looking back, he flicked his middle finger up over his shoulder as he walked out of his office. He mentally dared his Dad to come after him. His body was asking for a fight. An outlet to channel the hurt and disappointment.
The energy in him compounded when he saw Chris's truck in the driveway. He slammed the car door and stormed into the house.
Chris was sitting at the table, his gaze glued to his phone as he ate meat from a cutting board.
His eyes snapped to him when he dropped his backpack on the kitchen tile. He was sure he could smell and see his agitation. Chris's eyes gave him a once over as he stared him down. The food went down his throat as he swallowed.
“We're imprinting, and you don't have a fucking choice!” He snapped.
Instantly his brows upturned. Blue eyes lit up in worry. Acid exploded across his nose.
“Woah, take it easy, Danny,” He could hear him trying to keep his voice steady, “What's wrong?”
More frustration fueled the raging hurt.
“What's wrong? What's wrong?!”
He slammed his hands down on the table and looked him dead in the eye.
“I'll tell you what's wrong! You're just going to sit here and let those bastards come kill you! I'm trying to help you and you won't let me! How the fuck can I get my pack to protect you if we're not imprinted?!” He cried out.
His eyes got stormy. He bored his stare right into them.
“We're not imprinting, Danny.” His tone was low.
“Why? Why not!?”
Chris let out a long exhale.
“I already told you.” His voice got quiet.
“It's all a risk I'm willing to take, okay? If doing something so simple means I can save your life, then dammit, I'm going to do it!” He yelled at his face.
Chris straightened out of his chair.
“It's not simple!” He snapped.
“Yes it is! What the fuck is so hard about biting my neck?” He snapped back.
Chris's eyes narrowed. He watched his chest slowly rise and fall as his nose flared.
“Is that what you think imprinting is? Just a bite on the neck?”
Something in Chris's tone suddenly sent his gut into a twist.
“Well…yeah!” He forced out.
Still his blue eyes cut into him.
“Did your Dad not teach you anything?” Chris growled.
“Obviously not, so enlighten me! 'Cause apparently you know everything!” He spat in bitter sarcasm.
In one blink, Chris's whole body melted from overbearing aggression to soft fluidity. Fear started rising when the bitter acid scent around him suddenly turned sickly sweet. He froze in panic as Chris closed the gap between them.
Eyes engulfed his vision. Irises thinned as pupils rapidly dilated.
His face was close. Far too close.