I Scored Myself A Mate

The dining hall of the palace was very different from what he was used to at the werewolf compound. There were not that many people and it was obvious that the servants would not be eating with them from the few seats at the long crystal table that had laid on it a few sets of silverware with pretty moons and stars engraved at the handles. 

Alex shyly sat down next to Theseus who had helped him get there and tried to avoid Luke with his eyes. He seemed completely fine except from a huge purple bruise that was spreading on his right cheek and a bandage that was wrapped on his forehead, tightly. He had been staring at him the whole time, making him fidget in his place and he couldn't help but feel like he was emitting this evil aura that wished to hurt him. Theseus was sitting at the head of the table on one side while Adam stood in the other with Markus and Daniel next to him at every side. Then next to Markus sat Luke a few seats away from Alex, and opposite of him so if he wanted to look forward it was inevitable that their gazes would meet. His heart was beating very loudly and at the same time he couldn't stop worrying about Mark. He hadn't appeared yet and when Ea entered the elegant room with his best friend following him he let out a relieved sigh.

Mark's eyes had been red as if he had been crying and he dragged the chair making a very deafening noise on the polished floor and sat down next to his friend. He grabbed his fork and began playing with is as he kept looking at his lap. 

"How are you?" Alex asked him and placed his palm on his lap. Mark raised his head and looked at his friend with a sorrowful smile. He didn't know where to begin…about how worried he was that Mikael was like this? About how happy he was feeling to know that they both liked each other or how devastated he felt that he had to deny him and reject him, especially in his condition. He had run away like a coward but he was scared. Afraid that he would end up being like Luke and he preferred to never be with him and still nurture those innocent feelings in his heart rather than end up hating him in the end.

"There is so much I need to tell you." Mark said with a sigh and took Alex's hand in his. Their fingers intertwined as they channeled support one to the other. He appreciated having him next to him so much. Knowing that he had someone he could be completely honest with that would always think about his wellbeing. He was never afraid about motives when he talked with Alex. Genuinely he was the person he trusted most in this world and even after everything they had been through he still felt so lucky to have someone like him as a friend. Magical friend and all, he thought and smiled slightly. 

"Okay. We will talk later but no matter what you need, even if you want us to leave this very awkward dinner and just go and cry together we can do that." Alex told him with a comforting smile. 

"No we can stay. I am hungry, Ea said they will serve roasted chicken today and I like it" Mark commented making Alex chuckle. 

"Let's eat some chicken then." The green eyed boy agreed and at the exact moment from a back door, different than the one they entered two servants entered pushing silver carts with shiny trays. They stood next to both ends of the table and revealed the delicious steaming food making Alex realize how hungry he actually was. Watching the thinly cut pieces of meat and the mashed potatoes, the salads and the blood red wine being poured into their drinks it made his mouth water.

"Before we start eating I would like to make a few announcements" Theseus said and stood up, making Alex feel disappointed that he couldn't dig in immediately and enjoy the food. Nonetheless he focused his eyes on him and waited for him to begin.

"Please do" Adam agreed and placed his elbows on the table, making it seem like he was fully paying attention to him.

"From the time you have arrived I had reports of many broken chairs and furniture not to comment on the meeting room's crystal table…"

"You broke that table" Daniel said confused.

"Yeah but who was annoying enough to make me break it, also the fact that Luke's empty head was heavy enough to break the garden gazebo…" he said with a smirk while looking at the young wolf who had bent his spoon "…and that poor spoon," he pointed out annoying him even more "I think that you need to pay us back. I won't be asking for money, or the fact that we had to use so many medical resources on the stupid wolves you oh, so foolishly send to their deaths even though I said no but the furniture at least need to be paid for" 

"So you want money?" Adam asked him dissatisfied.

"No, not money but a favor."

"A favor?"

"Yes, if I ever need anything from you, you will repay my gracious hospitality with a favor"

"Your hospitality is written in the treaty." Daniel told him.

"You and I and everyone else know that those treaties mean nothing. So what do you say? Mighty pack leader?" Theseus asked him. Adam grinned and nodded his head.

"Sure. I know you have already something in mind but I don't want my pack to appear as rude. We do appreciate your hospitality, elf king"

Both of them were very good at scheming. Their smiles mirroring evil intends, Adam was sure that Theseus was setting a trap of some sort but at the same time he couldn't risk being kicked out, especially not after what his son had done to those hunters. It was very possible that soon there would be another threat and he had to have a few allies, even if in reality behind the mask they were enemies. No one liked the hunters, that was sure. 

"Anything else?" Markus asked as he brought the wine close to his lips, taking a sip. He seemed to enjoy the fine quality of the product. 

"Oh but yes of course, how could I forget. I will host your party. I am sure you already know, rumors spread fast after all but we need to make it official since it will happen the day after tomorrow. Feverish preparations have already begun so everyone can enjoy themselves. All the royal families have been invited and we even got replies on who will be attending."

"And who has said yes?"

"Princess Maya of the fairy Nation and her company, Rafael and his legion of angels, Demon Prince Aamon and his wife Achlys with the many little demons, and a few others, I think the Troll leader said he will attend but I am not quite sure but don't worry we have the space and refunds to offer them a very pleasant time." Theseus told them with a kind smile. 

"I see. Thank you king."

"It is my pleasure. So, shall we eat?" He asked them and sat down and everyone without a second thought began eating. It seemed like all of them were pretty hungry since the food seemed to disappear from their plates pretty fast. Alex was stunned throughout Theseus' announcements. They were all so diplomatic hiding behind poisonous smiles and someone who didn't know them could think they actually got along. It was very strange to him as he always was very expressive, thinking that that's what ruler do, they play games, dangerous games and he wondered what kind of a ruler was he? Everyone spoke very kindly of him but was he like this too?

"So Theseus will you have your locked wing open for the party? I am sure everyone wants to see it" Adam said and Theseus immediately stopped eating. He swallowed his food and wiped his full lips with a napkin carefully. 

"This wing stays locked Adam, no matter what"

"I've heard Allias' confessions are in there, his diary. I wonder if he has written about THAT time during the war, you know."

"Adam not this again. Stop it" Markus said. That was the only thing he shouldn't mention but every time he did. He knew that it would hurt Theseus the most out of every insult. Every time he mentioned the fact that his lover had been raped during the war and he was unable to save him he knew things would go wrong. 

"Well If I eat any more I am sure I will throw up." Theseus said and stood up "I will let this slide since today was a good day for me." He told them and his eyes turned towards his servants. "Next time, spit in their food" he commanded them and the servants tried really hard to control their laugh as they watched him leave. 

"I think we should go too." Mark whispered and dragged Alex away making sure that Luke wouldn't follow them. "I have an idea" he told him once they were alone.