I spent the entire morning looking up information on both states’ reciprocity and downloading the bazillion forms I needed to complete. Thankfully, it looked as if there had been no official complaint filed by my old firm, which had been the true reason I hadn’t looked into things further; a fact I hid even from myself until I hit return on the search.

I had in no way perpetrated any “moral turpitude,” as my dismissal interview said, but that didn’t matter to my old firm. Since they hadn’t filed, I doubted it would matter to the state. They would see I was no longer employed and push my application down to the bottom of the pile. Mr. Fips, my old boss, had always taken a liking to me and even if he felt he had no choice but to fire me, his non-filing told me he was still on my side.

Before I could lose my nerve, I whipped out my phone and dialed his personal number. At this point, I didn’t have much to lose. Sure, he could still decide to file a complaint, but this far away from my termination, the chances of them looking at it twice were slim to none. One ring later, before I could change my mind and hang up, Mr. Fips answered.

“Miles.” His one word reply was filled with enough warmth that I didn’t lose my courage.

“Mr. Fips,” I responded lamely.

“How are you?” Mr. Fips had taken me under his wing when I first joined the firm as an intern and it was nice to see he still considered me worthy of his kindness.

“I’m doing. I was just looking at all the paperwork for being able to practice here and –thank you.” I was choking up just at the simple thank you.

“Never thank me. I caved under the pressure of the founding partners.” A large part of me had suspected that, but to hear it said in so many words was an entirely different thing.

I pushed up from my seat, making my way to the balcony as our conversation continued.

“So you believe me.” It wasn’t a question and it felt amazing to say aloud. I found the lounge charge and dropped into it, the tension falling off of me as I leaned against the soft cushions. Money might not buy happiness, but it sure bought comfy furniture.

“You’ve never given me reason not to.”

“That makes me feel remarkably better.” At some point I needed to file charges against the lying, sexual harassing alphahats, but for now being believed was enough. The same might not have been true last week when I was begging for any kind of real responsibilities at work, but nothing was going to put a hole in the bubble of joy my new mating brought. I was allowing my dad’s firm to be a crutch, falling into the role of unsuccessful son he wrote for me. No more.

“Did you call for a recommendation for a new position?”

“Not exactly, but I wouldn’t turn one down.” I still hadn’t figured out exactly what I wanted to do, career wise, not wanting to get my hopes up that I could still practice without a huge fight. Now that I knew that obstacle wasn’t impossible, I needed to talk with Miles about my plans.

“Fair enough.” There was an awkward pause before he continued. I knew Fair enough always meant more with him, but what he said next rocked me to my core. “And Miles, I’m still working on proving your innocence but I need to be delicate.”

By delicate, he meant he was risking his own cushy existence there. If he were closer, I’m be hugging the old man. As I were, my eyes were starting to fill.

“Just that you wanted to was huge. I appreciate it. The sexual harassment policies seem to favor the alphas a bit more than they should.” It was the harsh reality of it. I was already in the wrong before we began.

“That they do, another thing I’m working on.” Mr. Fips had far more layers than even I knew. He was a good man and if anyone could get things done, it was him. He wasn’t an in your face kind of alpha, he worked slowly and methodically to achieve his goals. It was why he never lost a case. Not one. In that way he was like a litigation god.

“I’m guessing if we are talking, you aren’t at work.”

“Florida.” He chuckled. “Family vacation. Beaches and laziness abound.” I highly doubted the man knew how to do lazy, but if he did, good on him.

“I’ll let you go then. And thank you. I knew you –I had a feeling –I just –”

“No need. I’m just wish I could’ve stopped it in the beginning but since you were on heat leave when all the charges were pressed.” He wasn’t wrong there. The 48 hours to respond to a complaint when you are on heat leave buts the omegas behind the eight ball. It isn’t like we keep up on our emails during our leave, even if it was alone, which mine always were.

“Understood. It was for the best anyway.” The realization hit me with full force. If none of that happened, I wouldn’t be here, mated and about to start the life I thought I lost.

“How so? You were on track to be junior partner within the year.” I had suspected as much. I would’ve been the first omega junior in that firm, the probable reason for what happened, which sucked. None of them deserved the position, expecting things to be handed to them based on their status alone. I shook my head, not wanting to let the negativity of that entire scenario fester.

“And instead I’m mated to my first love and about to start a whole new adventure.”