we built this city on broken glass

Rain was so very....disagreeable to his afternoon plans. That pen was spun easily within his fingers. The action almost absent-minded as his violet gaze turned to that window within his study to watch the rain dribble down the outside of the glass. Frost had, initially, been content to cancel his afternoon plans with Alexander and yet the Hunter had insisted no war was ever won by those who did not go out in the rain. Frost assured postponing that task Alexander had assigned him would hardly see them lose a war and yet he was un-inclined to allow Alexander to hassle him about being afraid to get wet. The Hunter unlikely to allow him to ever forget it. The man's memory nothing short of....impressive. That argument between the pair having been as vocal as it was short lived. Maybe it would stop that inccessent drizzling by the time the sun had set and he would get....less wet. Not that any sun could truly be seen from behind that field off grey fog that had long since covered the sky to allow those grey clouds and their deluge of rain to pour down upon them. The house, at least, was nothing short of pleasantly warm. Nadya, by some miracle, had managed to convince the children to watch television- leaving the house in relative peace and quiet, allowing him to work and the rest of the pack to attend to whatever matters they saw fit for the day.

His attention shifted away from that window then and toward the clock upon the side off his desk. It was very nearly two in the afternoon. Had he not asked Malia to come to his office at two? Where was she? Perhaps he should hardly have been surprised. The young woman was still learning to grasp the concept of time in any sense. Still, he suspected, it would hardly take her long to master those finer points of modern life. She was quick, intelligent learner. The young woman having proven herself and her value to him over and over. Nadya in turn having noticed the Coyote's efforts those past months not only to integrate into human society but too, her efforts with the pack at large. Indeed it was his own mate whom had first suggested that Malia might well be suited to that role of Beta. Frost himself having contemplated it several times over those past few weeks. His last Beta had been....disappointing to say the least. Edie had possessed both the skill and drive for that position and yet her loyalty, it seemed, had not been strong enough. Malia, Frost suspected, was a far more devoted creature. She had displayed as such those past few weeks. No task ever to trivial nor demanding for the woman to take on. She could, perhaps, work upon her diplomacy skills a little and yet she was, at her core, sensible, level-headed, capable and- when the moment called for it- dominant. Malia assured in her physical strength and a truly good fighter at that. She was, to his own mind, a sound choice for that position within the pack. If she chose to take it up. Frost inclined to discuss that very matter with her this afternoon- when she arrived.

There was too, that very matter of Henry. Frost hardly having discussed with Malia any of those things he had told her friend that night they had shared dinner together. Whether or not Henry had told her remained to be seen and yet Frost was not a man inclined to regret any of those words. In fact, the stallion was wholly content to ignore the matter of her companion unless she herself had some desire to speak off it. He had some faith that Henry had been truthful that night, that he had no desire to see Malia come to any harm and that he truly wanted nothing but the best for the young woman and yet, how readily he expected to see Henry come running back to Malia the moment things fell apart with that...boy he loved. Frost shook his head ever so slightly. The matters of that relationship neither one he cared for nor held any true interest within. That sudden, soft knock at the door saw the man pivot within his seat as his violet gaze rested upon the door.

"Malia? Come in."

FrosT