The Tears of a Prince

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Philip asked him, seeing just the top of the hood since Kai's whole face and body had been covered by this very strange cape. The vampire prince was dragging him, hoping he would take him away as fast as he could. The werewolf after not getting an answer simply sighed and followed him outside. 

They didn't walk for long, just enough for the two of them to be out of the guards' eyes and the prince stopped, taking off his hoodie and letting out a relieved sigh. He looked around once more, noticing no one familiar in the almost empty street and nodded. He was safe. 

"I was in a hurry because no one in the palace would be pleased if I sneaked out." Kai said and both of them returned to their walk. 

The weather during the day in Bloodbound could only be described as dry. The red sun was shining above their heads casting a deep crimson shadow everywhere. The roads weren't very lively, barely a few people and carriages around. Usually the town came alive after the sun fell, the weather got cooler and vampires, in general, felt more comfortable during the night. Many businesses were even closed at this hour and Philip looked around, while they passed through the main street that led to the square with a dissatisfied expression. The scenery was not what he expected. 

"Why is no one around?" He asked and Kai scoffed. 

"Obviously there wouldn't be anyone around, it's the middle of the day. Vampires like to live during the night so mostly everyone is sleeping at the moment. All the shops and taverns will be open after the sun sets." The young prince informed him and the werewolf stopped, scratching the back of his head with a frown. 

"Great." he mumbled. "So are we supposed to walk around or what?" 

"Aren't you the one who said I would have lots of fun?" Kai asked him, crossing his arms over his chest with a cheeky grin as he watched Philip's plans scatter around him. 

"I was not aware of this." Philip said, pointing at a random closed tavern. 

"I am already reconsidering that truce of yours." Kai said, one golden eyebrow arched as he managed to make the werewolf even more anxious than before. The hazel eyed man stared at him, a pouty expression on his face and the prince started laughing, shocked by the expression that didn't seem to fit him at all. "Come on. I will take you somewhere." Kai decided to say and Philip's eyes widened. 

"Where?" He asked, curious, following with lively steps the vampire and Kai shrugged his shoulders.

"It's a surprise. For your birthday." he said and took a sudden turn, making them walk away from the main road and into a dark alley. The handsome prince remained quiet, thinking of the road they should follow as he walked. 

Philip was looking at him, more than he had realized. As he strolled next to him, able to see his side profile, he found himself curious about every detail, every curve and straight line of his face, all the colors and the blue of his eyes. 

"Your eyes have a bit of green in them" Philip said and Kai frowned. 

"Huh?" he asked before taking another turn. 

Somehow the prince had managed to lead them out of the town. The houses were getting scarce and the roads were not made from polished stones anymore. They simply stepped on soil. One their left was a mountain, tall and actually pretty scary with its pointy hills and leafless trees. On their right began a forest, spreading widely and Philip noticed that Kai was heading towards there. 

"You're not taking me to the forest to kill me right?" Philip asked him but still followed the young royal. Kai turned his head, blinking a few times. 

"Tempting but no." he answered and the werewolf faked a sigh of relief. 

"Great. I wouldn't want to die before I found my mate." he said. 

"Your whole mate thing is such bullshit." Kai said as they entered the forest. 

The weather became more humid the deeper they got. Branches cracking underneath their boots while the prince had to duck a few times to avoid some low branches that were on their way. Philip was still curious about where they were going but he couldn't ignore Kai's comment.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked him. 

"What I said. Not being able to choose who you love, being forced into a relationship, it's horrible. What if your mate is a killer? It doesn't make any sense to me." Kai explained and Philip shook his head, dissatisfied with his answer.

"It's not like that. No one is being forced. The soul is the one that decides. Once a wolf baby is born their beast souls search for their match. That's all. If you happen to be mated to a killer, as you say you can still reject them but it's painful and it is sure you will never find love. Everyone is waiting for the one, after all." Philip told him.

"Still, I don't like it. Being stuck with someone my whole life. Sounds awful." he answered and pretended to shiver. Philip rolled his eyes but decided to not talk about it any longer. He followed the obnoxious prince for a while longer until they reached their final destination. 

In front of them stood a huge willow tree, its long branches, reaching almost the ground like a curtain, hiding what stood behind and Philip frowned, a deep wrinkle between his eyebrows. 

"We are here." Kai said proudly and walked forward, grabbing a bunch of the thin branches. 

"Here is?" he asked, tilting his head to the side while Kai pulled the branches away revealing to Philip one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen.

"Happy birthday werewolf." Kai told him. 

"Wow." Philip exclaimed, his eyes hungrily looking around.. "This, this is amazing."