A light rain was falling, but Sarai and Nathalie ignored it. Both had their earbuds in, loud music thumping away as they ran past the River Gate. Not many people were in line to use the dial pad today, and the street was mostly empty.

Sarai was grateful for the approaching storm, which was the reason Moonwood lacked some of its bustle. She wasn't in the mood for heat or people today. The rain would prevent her from dealing with both, at least for a little while.

They kept up a steady pace and were soon running past the gun range. From the corner of her eye, Sarai caught sight of two familiar figures. Rafe and Holly were leaving the range, their mouths moving in an inaudible conversation. Sarai didn't watch for long, knowing that if Rafe saw her, he'd have a few harsh words to share about minding her own business.

She'd had her fill of harsh words for the week. Sabine called her in for updates almost every other day, and when Sarai said there was nothing new to share, she was reminded of how incompetent she was. It was growing rather tiresome.

Nathalie removed an earbud and turned her music down. Sarai followed suit. "What's with those two?" Nathalie asked, jerking her head towards Rafe and Holly.

Sarai shrugged. "Rafe is an asshole to everyone but her, and she's the only person allowed to talk back to him without being yelled at later. Mostly because Rafe knows she wouldn't hesitate to chop his balls off. She's the only one who could get away with that too."

"I'm surprised you haven't done it yourself."

"That would require me being in a position where Rafe had his pants off, and I'd prefer not to explore any of those options."

"Fair enough," Nathalie giggled. "Is that what you say about Ruhn as well?"

"Yes."

"Speaking of Ruhn, when do you next meet up with him?"

"Tomorrow is the only day I can, but he hasn't mentioned if our leads have yielded anything yet. Blood Moon has a patrol tonight and Saturday is Bonding night. Ruhn is supposed to be off duty Sunday."

"You know his schedule?"

"We exchanged them so we could plan around our Aux requirements."

Nathalie furrowed her brows. "Did you ever get his number?"

"Yes, and before you ask, no, it didn't match the one that sent me the picture."

"That must've been Flynn or Declan then."

"My money's on Flynn. Declan might be Fae, but he's less of an ass than his roommates."

"I agree. Oh, are you going to come to Bryce and Danika's apartment later? Ithan is coming and in dire need of cheering up."

"Why?" Sarai arched a brow.

"He was supposed to hang out with his sunball team tonight but a few of them were invited to a house party and the others cancelled."

"Why wasn't Ithan invited to the party? I thought they usually went as a team."

"Connor said he was told by one teammate that Wolves weren't welcome at this party." Nathalie shook her head angrily. "I'm of the opinion that if someone wants to be prejudiced like that, they shouldn't be allowed on an All Species sunball team."

"Agreed."

"So, will you help us cheer him up?"

Sarai grinned. "Of course." They resumed their run as the rain fell harder.

◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ☾☽ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Ruhn lay on his bed, headphones covering his arched ears, although he didn't have any music playing. The headphones were to muffle the ruckus from downstairs. Flynn had invited a few of the Aux Fae over and from the sound of things, they were having a lively time.

Ruhn had downed a beer, smoked some mirthroot, and found himself in a completely antisocial mood by the time Flynn's guests arrived. He'd barricaded himself in his room and locked the door, hoping that no one would disturb him. He doubted they would, but he also doubted anyone would leave before the storm broke, which wouldn't be for a few hours.

Ruhn sighed and picked up his phone as the screen lit up. He squinted against the brightness, peering at the name again. Rai Rai. Right, he'd changed Sarai's name following their argument at the Comitium. Ruhn opened his message thread with Sarai and read what she'd written.

Are you and your roommates the assholes throwing a "No Wolves Allowed" party?

No, he typed back. But Flynn invited a few of the Aux Fae over. Ruhn pursed his lips and added, Why? Sarai didn't answer. We've had Wolves over in the past anyway so you should know it wouldn't be us.

    Unlike you, I don't pretend to know people.

Ruhn rolled his eyes. Are you butthurt because someone didn't want to hang out with you?

I'm upset because several of Ithan's sunball teammates let him know on no uncertain terms that he wasn't welcome at the party they were attending. Oh, and did I mention the team already had plans before the party popped up?

Well, it wasn't my party so you can chill the fuck out. He was going to have to smoke another joint in order to chill out himself.

Sarai's text bubble repeatedly appeared and vanished. Finally, she just sent him a middle finger. Ruhn snapped a picture of himself returning the favor. A heartbeat later, Sarai asked, What music are you listening to? He guessed that she'd noticed his headphones.

None. I'm trying to muffle the noise from downstairs, but I wasn't in the mood for music.

Several minutes passed before Sarai texted again. You should listen to "Tooth and Nail" by Helios.

Ruhn smirked. Isn't he also an actor from that shit drama show, Fangs and Bangs?

It's not shit!

You watch stuff like that?

You don't?

Nope, not usually.

No wonder you're always so uptight. You never watch mind-numbing trashy reality TV to take the edge off.

I rely on mirthroot for that.

Try combining mirthroot with Fangs and Bangs. That was the best experience of my life.

Maybe I will sometime, Ruhn answered.

He knit his brows, skimming over the conversation again. How had they gone from practically arguing to...whatever this was? A hesitant smile tugged at his lips. Maybe in order to get along, they just needed to talk like this more often. Then again, did he want to start getting along with her? It might make their jobs a little easier.

Ruhn began to type a question, but was interrupted by an incoming phone call. Tension coiled through his body as he answered. "Yeah?"

"I'm still expecting an update on your investigation," the Autumn King said.

"I'll come when the storm passes."

"You'll come now." The call ended, leaving no room for argument.

Ruhn stared at his phone, drawing measured breaths. A new message from Sarai appeared. I want video evidence when you do.

Ruhn's gaze dropped to his half typed message. He deleted the invitation and didn't respond. He rolled out of bed and quickly collected his boots and the Starsword. Ruhn unlocked his door and made his way downstairs. Several of Flynn's guests looked up and waved when he reached the landing. Others called greetings which he didn't return.

Flynn and Declan followed him into the kitchen. Ruhn pulled another bottle of beer out of the refrigerator and uncapped it, taking a swig. "What's going on?" Flynn asked.

"My father wants to see me."

"Are you in trouble?"

Ruhn barked a laugh, brushing between his two friends. "When am I not?" He left the house, beer in hand, and ignored the rain that pelted his golden skin.

◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ☾☽ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Ruhn could walk the path from his house to his father's office in his sleep. He hated every step of it, but right now, he was choosing to relish it. The beer had been in his system long enough to send a warm hum through his limbs and his hair hung down his back in a sodden mass. He knew that as soon as he arrived, the Autumn King would be furious, but he didn't care.

The villa was only a short distance away now. Ruhn stepped onto the grounds and made his way to the front doors. When he reached the grand foyer, he paused to check his phone. Sarai had texted him again, much to his surprise.

She'd sent a picture of the TV in Bryce and Danika's apartments. They were watching Fangs and Bangs. Ruhn could just see the tips of Sarai's toes. Ithan Holstrom sat in front of her, and Connor was sprawled out on his back, his phone held over his face.

If these alphaholes can watch Fangs and Bangs, so can you, she'd said.

Alphaholes? Ruhn responded, and sent a photo of his drenched self, one eyebrow raised.

What happened to you?

My father sent a summons. Ruhn shoved his phone in his pocket and continued to his father's office.

He raised a fist and knocked on the door, waiting for admittance. It came only a second later. Ruhn stepped inside and found Einar Danaan observing his model planets. The Autumn King had always been interested in finding patterns in the rotations and movements of the planets and stars. Ever since Ruhn could remember, his father had spent most of his time here, watching the models and performing experiments.

"Have you made any progress?" The Autumn King asked, not looking up from his work. Wine red hair, a mirror image of Bryce's, shrouded his face from view.

"We have a few leads that we're following, but nothing tangible has turned up yet."

"If you had to volunteer for such a mediocre task, the least you could do is apply yourself to it." Ruhn swiped wet hair out of his face, not bothering to reply. The Autumn King glanced at him. "You look like shit."

Ruhn rolled his eyes. "Thanks, but you're the one who insisted I come in the middle of a storm."

The Autumn King straightened. "I'm growing tired of you constantly making a fool of me by going around drunk or high and acting like a complete..." He trailed off.

Ruhn stalked towards him and slapped a wet palm on the desk, bracing himself. "Like a complete what? Go on. Say what you really think of me. You've never hesitated before."

"A completely worthless son." Einar turned back to his work.

And you don't even know the extent of my worthlessness, Ruhn thought.

The Oracle's words echoed through his mind once more. "The royal bloodline shall end with you, Prince."

"Well, if you think I'm so worthless, then I see no reason why you should care if I choose to take on such a worthless task and partner with an equally worthless Wolf," Ruhn spat. He spun on his heel and started towards the door. "But if you ask me," he muttered, "My worthlessness is just a reflection of how worthless my father is."

A hand caught his arm and wrenched it backwards. Ruhn bit back a startled cry. The Autumn King shoved him to the floor, tightening his hand on Ruhn's bicep. The scent of burning flesh curdled in the air. Ruhn sucked in short rapid breaths, struggling to keep his pain from showing. He held his father's gaze, unflinching.

"You have always been worthless," Einar growled. "And the world never saw reason to believe otherwise." He let go and stormed back to his models without a second glance.

Ruhn picked himself up and hurried out of the room. He didn't look at his arm until he was in the corridor. The shape of his father's hand stretched around his bicep, the skin blistered and angry. Ruhn ripped off a small portion of his shirt and wrapped the wound, wincing and biting back a hiss of pain.

I needed a new tattoo anyway, he thought, attempting to distract himself.

He pulled out his phone again when he was almost to the grand foyer. Sarai had left him one last message. Sorry I snapped when you offered to walk with me the other day. I do my best to hide just how badly Rafe and Sabine get to me, and I guess it caught me off guard when you noticed. I didn't expect you of all people to offer to keep me company.

Ruhn hesitated before the front doors. I noticed because you looked the same way I feel when I have to meet with the Autumn King, he typed out. And sometimes I wish I had someone with me when I face him, so I thought you might feel the same. He sent the message without giving himself a chance to reconsider. Ruhn readied himself for whatever response he received.

A few seconds later, Sarai replied, You're right. I do. A picture followed. In this one, she was smiling, holding a cigarette between two fingers. Ruhn quickly saved the photo. A message popped up below it. Guess what I'm watching.

Ruhn smiled to himself. Still Fangs and Bangs?

No, the footage of me kicking your ass.

Ugh.

I probably could've stopped after I broke a few of your ribs.

Probably.

I've never seen a male go from looking so horny to so surprised in the span of a few seconds.

If I'm being honest, I was still horny up until the point when you broke my leg, Ruhn admitted. There's something very sexy about a female who can fight.

Even when she's fighting you?

Especially when she's fighting me. I get to see her from better angles than onlookers do.

Pervert.

Ruhn chuckled to himself and slipped out of the villa. His phone didn't buzz again during his walk home, but his smile remained. He'd answered the question he had asked himself earlier. He did want to try to get along with Sarai again. Part of him thought that maybe, just maybe, she could be willing to do the same.