Hongjoong shifts uncomfortably as he stood and pretended to care about what a group of a few of Naex's richest aristocrats were rambling and laughing about. When they laughed he'd fake laugh. When the group looked at him after one of them asked a question Hongjoong very clearly missed he'd blink repeatedly and politely ask them to repeat the question because his mind was 'too occupied with important matters he had to attend to after the wedding reception'.

That was partly a lie of course, but it didn't matter. He's King and so whatever he says goes.

Truthfully his mind wasn't occupied with work but rather a pair of piercing storm cloud grey eyes on him from across the reception hall. A certain werewolf was looking at him. He didn't know for sure but he definitely had a good feeling.

That's only because they'd been spending all night sneaking blank glances at each other but refusing to actually approach each other and talk.

Hongjoong didn't have anything to say to him anyways. Plus he's stubborn by nature. After the way the werewolf cursed at him and spat in his face the last time he approached him, back in the cave months ago, he had too much pride to try going down that road again.

If he has something to say, he'll come to me. Though it'd be even better if he stayed away and stopped staring at me. Does he think I haven't noticed? Ugh, crazy fucking werewolf... Why'd he even agree to come to a vampire wedding if he didn't like vampires? And with his whole damn family at that. Whatever, I shouldn't worry about some dog. It's San and Wooyoung's wedding reception, I need to celebrate and be happy for them.

He turns around with a slight annoyance in his movement and just as expected Seonghwa was looking at him. Their eyes meet and Hongjoong narrowed his eyes and lifted his brows as if to say, "What do you want?"

Seonghwa felt his wolf jump when Hongjoong abruptly turned and their gazes meet again. Upon seeing the vampire's expression he simply shrugs a little and slowly brought the tall glass of champagne he held loosely in his hands, up to his lips. But his eye contact doesn't break.

Hongjoong face scrunches in annoyance. The hell? He thinks to himself but just rolls his eyes and looks away. The orchestral music being played and the chattering of a room filled with people just wasn't nearly loud enough to drown out his own thoughts. He needed a drink.

He reaches for a passing by, neatly dressed faery servant and the tray of drinks in long stemmed glass cups he was walking around with. "Your Majesty" The faery greets with a bow upon Hongjoong acknowledging him by taking a cup from his tray.

Hongjoong was too busy chugging the alcohol drink down to respond to the pink haired servant before he excused himself and continued walking around the room with his tray of drinks. The way it burned as it went down was oddly therapeutic and the bitter after taste perhaps perfectly matched his current mood.

He tries glancing at Seonghwa again but saw that he was no longer standing where he was previously standing. The space was now empty. He tries looking around for him again, his eyes darting around the room.

"Are you looking for something?" A husky voice comes from behind him. Hongjoong immediately spun around faster than he thought possible and looked up and wide eyed at Seonghwa himself.

"No. I was just looking for my brother" Hongjoong was able to find his voice and get out his lie without stuttering.

"Wouldn't it be 'yes' then? Since you are in fact looking for someone" Seonghwa voice was mocking.

"You asked me if I was looking for some thing, dumbass. And I said no. My brother is not a thing" He was unamused. "Why the hell are you even speaking to me right now? Go back to staring at me from across the room like a creep" Hongjoong attempts to turn and walk off but Seonghwa briskly stops him.

"I was just fucking around. No need to get defensive. Look, I understand you hate my guts but damn, can't we put aside our differences for just tonight. We're at a wedding" Seonghwa says with a scoff.

Hongjoong mocks him and scoffs even louder. "I don't care if it suddenly started raining money, I don't want anything to do with you. You've already made it clear you feel the same way months ago back in Lloth so what the hell do you want from me?" He whisper shouts in Seonghwa's face through gritted teeth.

"I have something important I need to share with you and I think you'll wanna listen" Hongjoong's face scrunches in annoyance like he was speaking gibberish. "I understand Naex has been struggling in their relationships with other nations and as a result, your supply of blood has been suffering. It's only a matter of time before a famine hits Naex and your people begin attacking outsiders for food which we both know is a violation of the treaty. All in all things won't end well"

Hongjoong gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw tight. He wanted to say something, wanted to snap back at him but he knew everything he'd just said was completely right. And so he figured, why not just hear the bastard out? Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

He looks around the room in contemplation before he shifts his gaze back up to the werewolf's observing eyes. A glint in them that said, 'so? What will it be?' Eventually Hongjoong sighs loudly.

"Fine. Follow me" Hongjoong mutters to him and turns to walk off. "Too many people around"

Seonghwa just trails close behind him as they made their way towards one of the exits out of the reception hall. They walked past tables and small groups of vampire aristocrats or at the least, very wealthy individuals judging by the expensive clothing Seonghwa noticed they wore.

He had to bite back a snarl each time the vampires turned to greet Hongjoong as they walked by but would then look at him with a threatening look. He glared back with just as much venom, obviously. I'm not threatened by some vampire...

He flickers his gaze over the crowd and caught sight of Hyunjin who looked at him with an arched brow. The male had some bite sized pastries stuffed in his mouth and even more held in his hand. "Where are you going?" He barely mouths to the older werewolf through the food stuffed in his face.

Seonghwa just flicks his eyes at the back of Hongjoong's disappearing frame as said vampire kept walking unaware that Seonghwa wasn't close behind him anymore.

"Keep mom and dad distracted" He mouths back.

Hyunjin was already maneuvering his way around the tables as he raced towards his brother. "What about the plan?" He whispers to him once he approached Seonghwa.

"I have a different plan. In this one no one gets hurt. Just stall for me" Seonghwa pushes with haste in his voice them he turns to find Hongjoong again.

Hyunjin pulls him back once again by the wrist. He looks at Seonghwa with narrowed eyes as he studied him. He has no idea what his brother was up to but he decided to trust him. "I swear, you better not be running off to hook up with him or anything"

Seonghwa looks at him with an appalled expression. "Are you serious right now? Just go find mom and dad and stall" He whisper shouts then speed walked towards where Hongjoong was headed.

The shorter male stood at the exit, his lean frame leaning on one of the large stone columns. "Thought you ran off" He pushes himself off the structure at the sight of Seonghwa.

"I was just talking to my brother" Seonghwa replies but Hongjoong had already began walking off and leading them outside. He didn't care to actually find out what the werewolf was up to.

Seonghwa just clamps his jaw shut and follows him. They briskly walk past some guards, one of which asks Hongjoong if he needed any assistance. But Seonghwa knew they only asked because they didn't trust a werewolf to be alone with their king.

"I'm fine. Just taking a walk in the gardens with him" The petite vampire waves them off. "Besides, if he tries anything he knows I could easily take him" He mutters the last part to himself but made sure Seonghwa heard him.

Seonghwa bit his tongue and stopped himself from snapping back with a nasty statement. Instead he settled with simply rolling his eyes. "Dream on, loser" He too mutters under his breath but Hongjoong heard him loud and clear.

The night air was cool against their skin. Talking and music could still be heard from inside but as they walked farther away from the castle and deeper into the castle gardens a tense quiet settled between the two males.

"Ok, we're far enough now. What were you talking about back in the reception?" Hongjoong immediately turns to the taller male just as they walk past some large swan topiaries. His eyes were narrowed with contempt and suspicion. But funny enough Seonghwa even found a bit of  mild hope behind those stone cold, grey eyes.

Seonghwa takes in a long breath. "My parents are plotting to kill you or one of your brothers tonight" He says in a flat tone and Hongjoong almost wasn't sure he heard right.

"What?" His brows instantly furrows and Seonghwa could see the hope in his eyes immediately distinguish within a second as he froze in place. All that remained was detestation.

"They want revenge. That's why they insisted on coming. But I'm here speaking with you because  I don't want anyone to get killed-"

Hongjoong vampire sped forward and throws a mean right hook against Seonghwa's jaw sending him stumbling back. He connects another into his gut then aggressively pushes him to the ground to then straddle his torso. His hand flies up and wraps around Seonghwa's neck in a tight squeeze with intent to strangle him.

"I knew you were up to something!" Hongjoong's appearance had now shifted to that of a vampire out for blood. The whites of his eyes were a misty red, veins bulging around his eye socks from underneath his pale skin. Fangs bared and a mask of fury on his face. "You led me alone so they could kill my brothers?! The only fucking family I have left? Are you fucking crazy? I should kill you right here and now. You piece of shit" He curses in his face.

Seonghwa struggled to breath past the hand wrapped around his neck. From the first punch on his jaw to the takedown and now an angry vampire straddling him and cussing him out, it took all but 2 seconds and he was still processing what was happening.

Seonghwa was able to expertly slide his hand around Hongjoong's arm, pull him off and land a hard superhuman kick to his gut. This causes him to fall back into a small shrubbery with a grunt.

During this time Seonghwa scrambles to his feet but Hongjoong was already running to him. "Just wait! Let me explain myself!" He shouts but Hongjoong ignores him. He throws a punch, one that Seonghwa easily catches and pushes to the side.

"I'm not listening to anything that comes out of your filthy fucking mouth" Then Hongjoong raises his leg for a high kick into his side but Seonghwa also deflects that as well.

"I don't want to fight you. Just listen for a second!" Seonghwa continues staying on defensive. Deflecting and blocking all of Hongjoong's barrage of hits and kicks.

Everything he says falls on deaf ears. Seonghwa, out of irritation, grabs both his wrists and pulling him close to his chest. Their bodies were nearly fully pressed together but Hongjoong continued to fight against his grip. "Let me go! You fucker! Guards!!"

"I said listen!!" Seonghwa shouts over his voice. His eyes were blown wide with annoyance and this man's ridiculous temper tantrum.

"Listen to what?! Are you an idiot?!!" Hongjoong shouts back in response.

"Marry me!" Seonghwa spits it out against his grunting and cursing.

Hongjoong immediately freezes. He stops fighting against Seonghwa's chest and his tight grip on his wrists. "What did you just say?" His voice was much more mellow but his eyes were filled with venom.

"If we get married, your family won't be hurt, and I won't lose any other family" Seonghwa tries to arrange his thoughts but because of the brief fight, his mind was all over the place.

"You must be out of your damn mind" Hongjoong breathes out with an appalled laugh. "Your deranged parents have my brothers on their hit list. One of which just got married today, may I remind you. And instead of trying to stop them you're here proposing to someone who's still deciding how to kill you" He forcefully steps away from Seonghwa's hold, ripping his wrists from the male's grasp.

"What, you think I want to marry you?" He immediately gets defensive upon seeing the pure look of disgust on Hongjoong's face. "It's all purely strategic and political. How about you use that raisin sized brain of yours and think for a second, huh? I'm an alpha's son and next in line to the title. You're the king of Naex, one of the biggest vampire nations in the world. Marrying would effectively begin chiseling away at the thousands of years of fighting and bloodshed between our races. Eventually leading to an alliance. Can you imagine? A fucking alliance between Naex and Boulia? It sounds like a fucking fairytale but we have the power to make that happen" Seonghwa lays out his points while staring down at Hongjoong straight in the eyes. His gaze was unwavering.

"The other nations allied with Boulia will have no choice but to open up their doors and resume blood supply to Naex again. I've been thinking about this for a long time and I know this is going to work" Seonghwa continues. He observes Hongjoong's wide eyed awestruck expression as he went over what he'd just heard. Seonghwa decides to keep pushing.

"You need me, whether you want to admit it or not doesn't matter. You've only been sovereign a few months and shit has already hit the fan and is only going to get worse" His voice held a bit more soft tenderness to it. He steps closer to Hongjoong, their eyes never once breaking contact. "You cannot do it alone and you have no one. No allies. Not even with the other vampire nations-"

"So what, you think you're doing me a favor or something?" Hongjoong snaps at him. "I don't need help. Especially not from you" He turns to leave but Seonghwa was quick to grab his forearm, stopping him.

The contact sent chills down Seonghwa's back but he swallows it. "Stop being a stubborn brat, dammit. This is just as advantageous for us as it is for you guys"

Hongjoong pulls his arm away. "What about your parents? I don't care what it takes, if any harm comes to either Wooyoung or Jongho I'll personally kill both of them myself" He threatens but Seonghwa just scoffs at him. Like I'd let you kill my parents... but he says that in the privacy of his mind.

"They'll have no choice but to back down. In our tribe it's forbidden to kill members of your own pack unless it's done in a traditional fight for the title of alpha"

"Wait wait wait, member of what pack? Ok this is just all so weird" Hongjoong closes his eyes and presses two fingers on his temples to massage away the growing headache.

"When we get married-"

"If.. if we get married" Hongjoong corrects pointedly.

"If we get married," Seonghwa repeats with an annoyed roll of his eyes. "You and your family automatically becomes part of our pack. Typically when werewolves marry their mates the two packs can decide to either merge into one or the pack of the woman can send her off to join her husband's pack. Since you're not a werewolf it'll obviously be a bit different but the law still hold true. My parents won't be able to do anything to any one of you"

Hongjoong caught on to the part where Seonghwa mentioned werewolves marrying their mates. He wanted to question the werewolf and ask what would happen to his actual mate since he'd be marrying a vampire. But he decided he actually didn't care enough to ask.

"So... what will it be?" Seonghwa questions when Hongjoong just stood and stared down at the grass on silence.

"This all seems too thought out. So what's the catch then?" Hongjoong looks up at him again, this time with an arched brow.

Seonghwa just sighs at him. "You're a very distrustful person and I get that. There is no 'catch'," He puts air-quotes around catch. "You care about your family the way I do. And all I want is for the them to be safe and to heal from the wounds Jaejoong left for us to lick"

Hongjoong watched his expression to try and spot any deceitfulness in them. All he saw were Seonghwa's earnest deep dark eyes. The moonlight reflected and danced slightly in them everytime he blinked. It was oddly mesmerizing. Though he pulls himself out of the abyss.

"Fine. Whatever, I'm in. And before you get too excited I wanna lay down some ground rules. It's like you said, the marriage is purely political which means we're not actually romantically involved, got it?" Seonghwa noticed how Hongjoong shifted uncomfortably when he said 'romantically'.

"So no intimate touching, looking, talking and everything else that comes with a regular marriage" He continues.

"Ah, so no kissing or sex?" Seonghwa teases but Hongjoong glares at him, not a drop of amusement in his expression.

"Kissing? you could bring about world peace and end famine everywhere and I still wouldn't do it" Seonghwa recoiled at how nauseated he sounded. As much as he wanted to pretend he didn't care that Hongjoong seemed to despise him he just couldn't. How could he not care when the man is his mate? And hearing your mate say words like that to your face... it's different type of excruciating pain.

But he continues to swallow the hurt and force a grin which comes across more like an annoyed grimace.

"I was obviously just kidding but hey, glad we're on the same page"

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