Since they returned from forest, lot of things had happened. Arthit and Singto got in to a big argument over Kit and it resulted in to two fallen molars and three fractured limbs - all belonging to Singto who chose not to fight back thinking he deserved the beating from his mate's blood kin.

Earth Phirapat had only backed down from dragging Singto to commission after Kit reminded him his own words. He had asked for a chance if Kit remained mateless till next mating ball which was a year away thus right now he had no mating claim over Kit.

After everything was said and done, Kit was left thinking why was he defending Singto when he, himself wanted to gut him alive? He had no answer except a tiny internal whisper - he had seen a ray of hope and he had grabbed it with his everything. Hope to share his everafter with Singto, his mate.

A wolf will never leave or abandon his or her mate till there is even a flicker of hope to be together and honor the bond, Kit was no different.

But that doesn't mean he will forgive Singto easily. Singto must work to earn his forgiveness and a second chance with him. Nor did Singto want it easy, he had vowed to work for being together with Kit no matter how hard it proves to be.
And Singto had kept his word till now. Ofcourse, Singto was still royally annoying, sly . It still warms cold corners of his heart when he reminisces the past month spent with Singto.

At first Kit was furious that Singto came to meet him three days after the argument with Arthit. Although Singto was injured and needed healing, few hours was more than enough for him to heal completely without any evidence of prior wounds. Thus Kit was saddened but hopeful on the second day. When there was no sign of the prince, Krist's sadness transformed to worry, after enquiring after Singto through Mike, his worry turned to anger. Here he was worrying his butt off and Singto was happily hunting in the forest and doing his princely duties!

And thus when Singto finally decided to show his face after third day, Kit had almost shut the door of his room at his face.

" Get out" Kit yelled, " Go frolicking around in the forest." So much for spending rest of life proving how sincere he is !

Before he could shut off the door completely and bolt it for extra saftey, Singto pulled the doorknob towards himself and curled his fingers around the width of door, preventing Krist from blocking him.

" I don't want to see you. "

" Okay." Singto put forward a box, "can you accept this ? You can keep your eyes closed so you don't see me. "

Kit frowned " Are you always this dumb ? How can you rule a Kingdom when you have no diplomatic or persuasion skills ? "

"I know you are angry at me for not coming to meet you straight away, but I ... this..." Singto pointed at the box wrapped in his hand. " I think you will like it."

Seeing the light of hope slowly dying in Singto's eyes, Kit took the box " this doesn't mean I forgive you. " He warned and Singto nodded in understanding.

Kit unwrapped the box, a beautiful pure black fur was sitting inside.

" Oh my goodness ...this is ..."

" from a bear." Singto provided " My first courting gift to you. First mating gift should be something that symbolizes strength, devotion and willingness to strive hard to make the partner happy. I have chosen this fur to say that I will always be there to provide comfort to you by any means necessary. "

Kit ran his fingers through soft hairs of the fur. " Its nice. " He smiled eyeing the fur appreciatively. It was already top on the list of his favourite items.

" I am glad you liked it. I was hunting three days straight for it. " Singto left out a small detail - a ten inch gash he earned while hunting the wild bear.

" I did like it but I cannot keep it " Kit returned the box to a confused Singto .

" Did you not like it enough ? I will make another fur - "

" It is not about the fur, I cannot accept it because I have not accepted your proposal yet. Seeing, we have a decade of misunderstanding to clear, you chose to spend your time hunting rather than meeting your mate or discussing further . "

" It is customary- " Singto was again cut off by Kit.

" I know phi, but for once if you would have put societal norms behind and prioritized me, I would be beyond escatic. I know it is the norm to start courting with first gift that shows you are ready to work hard to gain approval and trust of your mate. But -"

" Are you regretting giving me a chance Kit ? "

The ' but' had pierced Singto deep, he realized something today, if Kit second guesses his decision to give Singto second chance, Singto would be left with nothing - no purpose or aim in his life. It's true that not even a week ago he had basically built his barriers so strong that Krist was just a stranger to him, more aptly he made himself stranger to his mate.
He knows every little thing about Krist but Krist knows nothing. Like people standing on both sides of telescope, he was at eyepiece and Kit at observing lense.

" No, I am not second guessing myself. But I must clear something phi. I know it is hard to apologize, to show vulnerability. Simultaneously, it's hard to open my heart for a second chance at possible heartbreak." Singto flinched at the word heartbreak as if physically hurt " When you have been tight lipped about the reason. "

" Krist, I will tell you the reason...first let me prove I am worthy of you.."

Krist folded his hands infront of his chest " I have conditions..."

" I am ready to accept any - "

" At least know them before agreeing. I want you to court me without any grand gesture or customary gifts, that means no gifts, no flowers, no lunch, no dinner. No possessive behavior, no ownership. No mating gifts and no contact of your wolf with mine"

" Excuse me ? " Singto stood dumbfounded. Didn't courting mean grand gestures ? Expression of love and adoration ? Fine wining and dining ? Running together on full moon nights, chasing game between beast counterparts ? The subtle expression of ownership ?

" Do you think you can do that, Phi? " Kit asked, challenge clear in his tone.

" I will..." Singto replied. He didn't know if he can do it but he knew that he must do it , he had no other choice.

Kit gave him a smile. Although he was ready to start on a clean slate, he needed to know if Singto was worth giving a second chance to.

And Singto with his sneaky wolf Simba didn't disappoint at all. That beast is innocent as a rabbit and sly as a fox - exotic combination.

An hour later, Singto knocked Krist's door with a tray of breakfast.

Krist raised a brow " What is this ? "

Singto removed the lid on one of the plates and Kit couldn't help but melt.

It had cutest omurice he has seen. He lifted another lid, under it was a coffee mug

He was speechless " This is ..."
" Oon " Sing completed his sentence." I was giving it yellow eyes, Simba was adamant on blue. "

Singto was confused why Krist was suddenly looking anywhere but at him, his ears turned fiery red, also the younger male kept rubbing upper shell of his ear.
' It's the colour mate's eyes take when he wants to mate' Simba provided and Sing smirked looking at the male who was keeping his back at him and sighing heavily. He should remember to treat Simba to some raw steak that he liked.

" Come on in." Kit gestured, Singto followed him in with the tray which he kept on the bed.

" I said no lunch or dinner P'Sing or grand gestures ..." Kit reminded when they settled on the bed, face to face.

Sing kept his smile and expression innocent but his piercing eyes spoke volumes
" This is breakfast. And no, you can't add it to the 'no' list now."

" You are sneaky " Kit frowned.

" I am diplomatic and resourceful " Sing countered. " And this breakfast is for me. I just brought it here to show you my intentions. Since, you have banned me from giving you gifts or providing for you in any shape. "

" What are your intentions ? " Kit asked.

" Any guess ? "

" You wanna sleep with me ? " Krist blurted before thinking and Singto physically flinched before blurting a resound " Noo..."

It did hurt Krist a little. Was the idea of intimacy with him disgusts Singto ? "

" I think this will give you a better idea..." Sing replied taking the lid off another plate.

Singto was escatic when Krist turned beet red. " Is this Simba's idea too ? " Krist asked glaring.

" Nope. It was mine " Sing answered proudly puffing his chest.

So Sing wanted a pup, just like him? That's what he can see from the dish. And will the pup fall from sky ? Because Singto isn't keen on sleeping with him anytime soon!

As if reading his thoughts, Sing answered
" No... I want a transition like this. I want to build your broken trust towards me. As this bear is sleeping happy and carefree, in his partner's arms. I want that for us. I want you to be yourself with me. I don't want you to lower your guards, I want you to build a door in the walls you have built up around your heart, a door for me to come in.

I want to prove myself worthy of your trust, love and care. I want that day to come, when you will trust and respect me enough to join your family name with me. You will have faith that I will never stain Rojanapat's name should you decide to trust me with it. I want us to build a family together. Our family.
These are my intentions towards you,mate. With this, I want to ask you officially, ' I have laid bare my intentions. Do you think we can work on them together as a team ? Do you see me worthy enough to be your prospective mate ? "

" No. " Krist shook his head. " Right now, I don't see you worthy as my mate. I don't even know why you did, what you did. Eleven years is a significant period of time. Twenty one days are enough to form a new habit. You have practiced ignoring my existence for eleven whole years. I am not delusional enough to think it will change in one day or one month.
Although I hate how you made me feel, I believe there is a reason behind every action, I don't know your reason. I do know that there is one.
But, my heart is telling me, you will not let me down this time. That, I should give you a chance ...."

Singto took Krist's hand in his and gazed in his eyes, laying bare all his vulnerability and sincerity, he whispered " Thank you. I will not let you down. "

" Time will answer that but I don't  want to regret not giving mate bond a chance. Take me for a fool but I believe it's most sacred bond in the world. I believe in moon goddess and her decisions. "

Singto squeezed the shivering palms in an assuring gesture " I will do everything in my capacity to firm your belief in the foundation of mate bond.
Yes, there are reasons I can give you for my behavior but in my eyes all those are just excuses. I know I was always capable of overcoming the challenges in our path but I was a coward willing to throw away the gift instead of taking a leap of faith. I am still a coward but I want to change, change for you so we can have an 'us'.
I am not this talkative, I am not used to sharing feelings, giving explanations, it was a part of my training as a future King. I know that what we have is above everything,  all I ask from you is please be a bit patient with me. And know that I have always held you high in terms of affection, appraisal and ... love. In the past, in present and in future . I ..." Sing turned back, wiping the moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes, he faced Kit " All I want to say is ' Thank You'. Thank you for everything. "

Singto was suddenly quiet after that. The breakfast too passed in silence. Kit was reluctant to drink the coffee,he took a picture of the cute wolf atop before holding the drink to his lips.

During the time spent in breakfast, Singto's  eyes kept changing colors from  soft brown to pitch black to yellow to ambre to red. He kept closing his eyes and keeping his head down to hide his inner turmoil but it didn't  escape Kit's eyes.

" Simba wants to say something ? " Kit asked. And that was enough time to develop a Crack in Singto's  focus for Simba to slip out and take control.
" Mate " the deep baritone was enough indication.

Krist smiled " Hello Simba. "

The wolf grinned " Human was shy so I came to tell you. Human wanted to make you both wear clothes... black. My
human loves that colour. But Simba loves skin. " the smirk made up for unsaid words.

" Simba is sure pup would be like Kit and Oon. That is why Simba made Human make that cute pup. My Human loves food art. He had learnt that to impress his mate. He was waiting since long for this day. Are you impressed Human? "

Such a simple question. But Kit was speechless. Is he impressed ?
Totally ! More by the fact that Singto had designed it himself and not just ordered the chef to prepare it.

" You are not impressed human 😒" Simba frowned sewing Kit chewing his lip thoughtfully. " My Human only knows how to make omlette and rice. You tell me your favourite dish, I will tell my Human to learn it. "

" I am very much impressed Simba. " Kit smiled. Singto had cooked the food himself !

" How much human ? "

" This much " Krist spread both his arms behind his back. The wolf looked happy with the answer.

" Okay, time to go now. Human is fighting too much. Tell Oon , Simba loves Oon. " Simba made a kiss face. Kit raised a brow at weird behavior.

" Simba saw it in television. This is in trend. It's what they call romantic now a days. Oon is smart wolf, he loves human trends. " Simba explained and Kit couldn't  help but laugh at his antics.

" Okay, I will give your kisses to Oon. " Kit chuckled.

In a second, Singto's amber eyes turned brown and his confident yet innocent aura turned to embarrassed and confused.

" I ... Don't  believe a word Simba said. I am sorry if he said something inappropriate.  " Singto apologized hurriedly. " Its hard to control him now a days. Our relationship  is not like normal human and wolf soul. We are master at blocking each other,  thus many a times, the other half doesn't know about actions of his soul half."

" Simba was telling me how you cooked the breakfast yourself and arranged it in such a lovely manner. "

Scratching back of his head, Singto looked everywhere  but at Krist. " I took up food art seeing how you would only eat vegetables if you were presented it in cute shapes. I hope you liked it. "

Krist loved seeing Singto blushing so much so that he decided to tread on dangerous waters..

" I was more curious about the clothes you wanted us to wear. You prefer pajamas, shorts or boxers ? " Krist smirked.

" Want to find out human ? " came the reply. The deep baritone and yellow eyes gave out Simba.

Krist twisted Simba's  ears " Did you think I forgive  you for sniffing my dick? Don't  you think, I don't  know about the hickey you gave me. Oon told me everything about your secret visits .. "

" Oon... Simba gave hickey mark to ai'oon" Simba corrected. " And Simba was checking injury.."

" It was my body your teeth took it as its playground. " Kit glared. " It was me, not Oon who had to wear turtle necks for four days straight. Now, you let me talk to your human  or I will give you a little taste of what it's like to mess with me "

" Mate is scary " Simba pouted before relinquishing control.

" Sorry for your ears. But Simba was getting on my nerves. "

" Its Okay. " Singto rubbed his reddened ears. " He needed it. Your habit of boxing my ears is still intact I see. " Sing chuckled to which Kit raised an eyebrow. " My habit ? "

" You used to twist my ears whenever Simba or I acted out. " Singto answered, chuckling " or when I didn't let you win."

Kit was dumbfounded " Why don't  I remember ? "

" May be your wolf took your memories or locked that part. Our animal soul works in mysterious ways. " Sing provided.

" May be " Kit shrugged, still finding it weird.

" I..." Sing sighed before taking a deep breath " Iwanted toask willyou move withmetoroyalgrounds?"

" huh ? "

" I .. it's customary for a royal pair to move in to an abode that provide them seclusion and proximity so they can strengthen their bonds. I am not asking you because it's customary to do so. I see a practical reason in it. My pack is four hours away from yours. Traveling back and forth everyday would take too much time that I can spend in knowing you better. This is why, I would like to ask you, would you be amenable to move in with me for a month before you decide next course of our relationship ? "

" I do. I agree to move in with you for a month. " A small smile played on Krist's  lips. " But, I won't move in till you answer my question. "

Rather than blushing again, Singto stared straight in to Krist's  eyes. " My answer is none of those. "

" Then what do you prefer ? "

" You will know once we start living together, next week. " Sing provided to which Krist puffed his cheeks like a baby
" That's  cheating! "

" Its diplomacy " Sing provided. " May be out next breakfast will have answer to your question " Sing smirked before turning to the door.

" Handsome Jerk " Kit swore. " And the reason.."

" I will tell you once you move in....or rather I will show you. Then you can decide if I am worth all the efforts or not .."

❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗