Singto adjusted the lapels of his coat before giving himself a once over in the mirror. Satisfied with looks, he fixed a stray strand of hair and strode out of the room to his destination - The Mate Gathering.

It was an age-long tradition for the royals to host the mating ball or mate gathering as it's popularly known. Kongpob being wed to Alpha Arthit Rojanapat gave Rojanapats the status of royals by marriage and thus also to their pack. And it was simply the reason they could host a mating ball this year.

Or it could be because Singto was foolish enough to challenge two strong, adult Alphas by insulting their kin who is his own mate! And couldn't secure the alliance that would guarantee the security of the mating ball.

Rojanapats being naturally friendly and on peace terms with the majority of other packs in the country, posed the biggest ally as well as biggest threat. And Arthit Rojanapat being the most stubborn ass of the century didn't help at all. No alliance, no security strategy. So, he had to reluctantly hand the charge of hosting the mating ball to Kongpob.

It was not that he purposely insulted the youngest Rojanapat pup, he just didn't want the omega to be present in the room because lope-gurus were to be discussed.

When a werewolf bites a human, the human couldn't fully transition in to werewolf unless they had recessive werewolf gene. Due to lacking the spirit of the wolf in them, they get stuck into an in-between state which could be best described as a beast – half human half wolf.

Lope-gurus have a human skeleton, blood red eyes, fur covered body and claw equipped limbs. They can't turn back to their human selves and most dangerous of all - they lack any modicum of humanity or sanity at all. Their agonised souls corrupted with werewolf venom sees werewolves as their enemies. Lope-gurus are immune to silver and they hunt animals for food but werewolves are their favourite food.

Lope-gurus have been around as long as werewolves themselves but they are rare. They don't attack packs, nor enter the pack land. Lone wolves are their targets.

Recently, Lope-guru attacks have been increasingly reported suspiciously close to pack borders. None of the investigations had led to any concrete conclusion. It had Singto worried. He didn't want to cause unnecessary panic among his people by instilling fear in them and that is why he wanted the Rojanapat kid as far away from the meeting.

Krist Rojanapat could never stay away from juicy gossip, especially ones that paints Singto as an incompetent heir. Singto has few memorable hands-on experiences to prove that. So close to the mating ball, he would never take a chance to ruin all that he had built up for himself so carefully.

Although Kongpob had been an heir, Singto always had the burden of being crown. Due to frequent attacks on royals in the rebellion, Kong was moved to their maternal pack as a toddler while Singto was trained to inherit the crown. It was only after sixteen years that Kong returned to the Royal grounds, which explains Kong's ignorant attitude towards Royal customs and humanitarian values.

Sometimes Singto does envy Kongpob. He followed every single rule, dedicated every single minute in honing himself as a worthy prince and mate to his future spouse yet it was Kongpob who always won, without even putting effort. Even after breaking rules.

Kongpob visited Rojanapat's at eighteen, chased the hell out of the Rojanapat heir for a year and happily mated him at 19. And had settled down with his mate, even got a ready-made kid in the form of Krist Rojanapat. And what had Singto got? A new set of etiquettes and protocols to be a King worthy of Sutthiluck name.

The day Singto turned eighteen, he attended his first mating ball,hoping to meet his mate.

He still remembers that mating ball,he was feeling guilty for his future mate since his heart lied in the dimples of an eleven year old. He set aside his guilt and filled his heart with hope, for he had heard elders saying ' even artemis herself pales in front of a mate '.

So, he had wandered around,hoping for the miracle, trying to meet every possible individual, alert to catch the scent that would change the track of his life.

Even after four hours of mingling didn't give a whiff of mate, he slipped to his garden to take a breather.

There it was, the heavenly scent, he could taste the miracle on his tongue, hear the bond sing. He did have a mate. All the fatigue forgotten, Singto ran like an excited puppy, tracking the scent which led him to a small clearing in the centre, surrounded by queen of nights, in the centre laid the youngest Rojanapat pup. Carelessly sleeping with an angelic smile, yet to bloom fully. Moonlight caressed his face while the leaves fanned him gently, moving with the breeze.

Singto could feel Simba yipping inside, excited for the kid to wake up and introduce himself as his mate. Simba had even made plans to meet Rojanapats and lay his claim, also ask their permission to court their son once he come of age ( fifteen years)

Horrified, he ran away, shut his wolf out by using all the blocking techniques he had acquired over the years. No doubt he had been enamored with the kid while Simba always scorned his affection for the omega since the wolf took it as disloyalty and an insult to his future mate.

Once in their lifetime his wolf appreciated his choice yet he felt no joy, only horror. How could the moon goddess be so cruel as to pair him with a wolf Eight years his junior ?

Seems like the goddess wasn't done with him yet.

A royal advisor found him in the garden and took him to the 'secret royal mating'. Telling him the fate has fucked him since birth. He was the cursed heir — undefeatable by others. One of his great ancestors had prayed the goddess to help him decimate all external enemies so as to secure a beautiful future for his subject. The goddess did hear his wish and granted him powers to decimate every soul wishing them harm only to create a monster inside themselves. Waging a battle that has to be fought every single day, every single minute.

Nothing in the world is free. And the cost of the unparalleled strength was their soul's only joy— their mate.

Every single wolf in his bloodline surrendered to the mating bond and doomed themselves and their mates to death. Poor innocent souls that were bind with them.

Nine out of ten times , the alpha failed to reign the power in and fell to madness — killing their mates or themselves. The other one of the pair soon followed. And the curse continued .

He will not let history repeat itself.
Kongpob was courting an alpha— there will be no kid from thar union. And Singto will not take a mate. He Wil end his bloodline and thus the curse.

It was simplest way. It was the only way where his innocent mate won't be in danger.

Rejecting a kid so young will definitely kill him. So Singto decided to reject the kid once he turned eighteen and attend his first mating ball. He had even started taking wolfsbane to weaken his wolf and thus prevent him from running to his mate.

He was patiently waiting for the kid to turn eighteen while doing everything in his power to stay miles away.

Yet, here they stood after eleven years from his own mating ball, the Rojanapat kid is twenty, will attend his third mating ball, still he couldn't gather enough courage to reject the kid.

Every mating ball, he inaugurates the event and slips into his garden. It has been the routine. Alas! Not this year.

He must gather the courage to finally reject his given mate for it was the right thing to do. After seeing Krist's near death, Simba had never been the same. He had been losing his control over the wolf. Singto had been suffering blackout episodes which lasted a couple of minutes to a couple of hours, especially at night.

He had heard these were the first sign of severe detachment from the wolf spirit. If this continues, he could turn feral - even a greater danger than loupe-guru.

........

Singto reached to the border half an hour earlier than expected, the alpha pair was waiting for his arrival.

" Let's check over security arrangements" Singto suggested and soon they were busy fool-proofing every possible entrance.

Singto was immersed in the task till there was an alert of breach from southern border patrol.

Apparently, Alpha Earth Pirapat, Crown prince of the neighbouring country had decided to grace the mating ball with his Royal assholeness. Simba growled at the sheer ignorance the rival showed towards their arrangements. It was previously announced that attendees would use east gate as official entrance yet there were self - certified assholes like Earth Phiraphat who like to be fashionably jerk.

" Earth " Kong greeted the alpha informally who was equally chummy with his twin brother while Arthit glared the holes through the alpha.

Simba wished Rojanapat to be gifted with laser gaze. Alas! Every wish is not granted.

Why is this rivalry, you say?
Simple.

Everything doesn't need a reason.
It's life, not an exam paper!

......

Krist was performing his duty as host in all excellency, he even tackled the disappointed attendees when inauguration was half an hour late.

As soon as Kong and Arthit cut the ribbon, Kit moved to make himself scarce. It was good that Singto hadn't decided to show up yet, Krist prayed Singto would be held busy in whatever he was doing until Kit escaped into the woods, away from every eyes and newly forming mate bonds.

He was about to climb the stairs that would lead to his room, but a voice made him stop in his tracks.

" Care for a drink ? "

Damn! Phiraphat!

Krist turned and smiled politely " No, thank you. I am not supposed to drink yet. Legally banned from drinking till 21. You know, omega and all.."

Earth smirked " You are not supposed to be heir of the pack. Yet here you are... " Kit raised his brow while Earth's smirk turned into a grin "Last time I checked, you didn't need a reason to break the law. "

" As you said, I am now the heir of the pack, I have to be responsible and set an example to other members. " Krist countered.

" An omega over 18 can drink in the presence of an alpha. Fortunately, I am an Alpha, a prince at that - "

Krist scowled " Humble much.."

" Come on Kit... It's just a drink. Isn't it your duty as a host to entertain your guests? "

" Phi Kong is the host - "

Earth smirked " I am sure your P'Arthit would looove Kongpob entertaining me."

Kit sighed in disappointment, this bastard was definitely up to something.

" One drink only. "

Earth grinned " That's the spirit. Come on... "

Kit didn't know when one drink turned to three and three turned to ten and soon he lost count.

Earth was a good company.

They kept reminiscing about old days when both of them would cook disasters along with Mike and put bugs in Singto's room hoping they would bite him at night. They were pair of dumb and dumber.

Earth stopped visiting Kit when his responsibilities caught up to him. Last they met was three years ago, on Kit's first mating ball. Earth had proposed him to be his mate in front of all the attendees and Singto was furious on behalf of pack law. Since Earth has lost his mate, he could ask the hand of any single omega who desired him or those who had lost their mates. Kit fit none of the category, thus proving Earth guilty and the drama that ensued almost caused a war.

Talk about having a larger than life crisis! Kit faces them on a daily basis.

But before things turned ugly, Earth and Kit were good friends. Krist had sometimes even thought that he would have accepted Earth's proposal if he would have known that Singto will turn out to be his given mate.

No need to reminisce about the past though. It's a new day, night actually. Whatever. Kit was feeling a bit tipsy and nostalgic even.

It was like old Earth was back again and they sneaked in a bar and wasted their night away like they used to.

"Rojanapat " Earth suddenly called his attention, staring deep in his eyes he whispered in all seriousness " Did you eat magnets for lunch? Cuz you have been attracting me all night. "

" I only attract dumpsters while high, are you one? "

" I will be for you Rojanapat cuz you agreed to trash together with me. " Earth laughed dearly at his own stupid joke.

" Geez! " Kit frowned in disgust " Shut up or I will knock down your teeth"

" If you promised to not knock out my teeth, I would tell you, you look sexy tonight. Especially those hairs... " Earth longingly stared at the shoulder length locks framing Kit's face.

Krist flicked his hair dramatically " I know....I was born sexy Phiraphat. "

" Want to spread your sexiness to the next generation? Heard it's a good thing to do" Earth asked, smiling mischievously and Kit couldn't help but laugh.

" You are still stupid Phirapat. "

" Stupidly in love with you " Earth whispered, gone was the playfulness.
" How many times do I have to tell you Krist, I want you in my life. As my partner, my mate, my better half."

" Earth, I - "

Earth held Kit's hands in his
" I know what you desire Krist, I know you better than everyone present in this room. I promise to give you everything you desire to the best of my capacities. I promise to give you freedom to live your lifestyle. As my mate you will be free to do anything you want - modelling, teaching, dancing whatever the heck you want. "

" What is in it for you, Earth ? " Kit asked.

" I will not say there's nothing in it for me and I will do it for your sake. No, I will not. I am damn selfish Rojanapat. I want you to accept me before I lose you at someone else's hand.
I want you because I know, I will have you challenging me at every step, I will have you to keep me on my toes. You are one of those people who never give up, never fear to single handedly challenge authority if they are wrong. At the same time, you give unconditional love but will not spare my ass if the throne goes to my head.
People usually get love of life and critics in different persons, I wanna be the lucky bastard to get both in one.
I want you for myself, for I see all the qualities of a great leader who can rule with me. A great husband who can be selfish, petty, dramatic but will love me unconditionally. "

" And - '' Kit asked in trance. His alcohol hazed mind was ecstatic listening all that he wanted to hear, even though from someone else's mouth.

" That perky butt is always a bonus. " Earth winked, playful again but the vulnerability with which he had laid bare his soul, hadn't yet left his eyes.

" Let me be yours Rojanapat. I promise to fight till my last breath to give you, your happily ever after. "

" Earth, I - "

" He has a mate. '' Boomed an angry voice next to him and Kit almost jumped on his seat. Earth, although a bit startled, wasn't a bit shaken by the open challenge in Singer's voice.

" And who would that be? Earth asked. I don't see anyone laying their claim on Kit. I am in my rights to want to court or propose an unmated omega. "

" May I remind you, the omega is not twenty one yet. He would not know if his mate is died or have formed another bond - "

" But he will know if he has been rejected. " Krist couldn't help but retort in rage.

How dare Singto come and butt in, ruining his chances while not even laying his claim? He deserved better.

Singto's eyes glowed yellow " Can you show me the rejection mark? " Singto asked in a deeper voice than usual.

"I may not be in my right to claim Krist but I am in full right to do this. " Earth folded his hands in prayer.

" I,Alpha Earth Phirapat, crown prince from Phirapat clan express my sincerest intentions to court omega Krist Rojanapat should he remain mateless by the next mating ball. May our union be blessed by the moon goddess. "

" Blessed be " Everyone in the room chanted while Krist could only stare in disbelief as the golden rays showered over Alpha Earth.

Moon goddess just gave him a second chance at his happily ever after! His second chance mate! It was unheard of to have a second chance unless a true mate dies or rejects. But nothing in Kit's life happens normally.

Like he should be happy but he was furious. Raging even.

So when Singto lunged at Phiraphat, growling 'how dare you', Krist chose to kick his shin making him kneel before him and thwn punch Earth in the guts before thundering

" Sgut the fuck up...I am a living thing. Not a piece of land. I can decide for myself... " Just like that he left both alphas fallen on their bums.

He didn't deserve to be treated like this. Like a piece of land in dispute.