Alek looked in his mirror, wearing a blue tailcoat jacket and white gloves and pants. He had gotten a custom sword, the blade the strongest and lightest metal. The hilt a deep blue with engravings. He smiled lightly, his eyes cold. He looked his best, prepared to meet the possible suitors. He frowned slightly, recalling two months before, when Bridgette had left for good.

Alek stepped into the main hall, holding his head high. He stood by his father, who sat in the throne. Guards lined the walls. Alek looked to his father who nodded. "Let in the first group." The guards by the door open it, a group of ten girls walking in. Alek stood politely as the girls introduced themselves and attempted curtsies.

They were all beautiful, but Alek felt no special attraction. He bowed to them. "Thank you for coming, you may go." The ten girls left. The next group of ten came in. And then the next group, and the next. After hours of introductions, Alek shook his head. "Please no more for today." Alek begins walking away. "Alek, at some point you'll have to choose someone!" Darwin exclaimed. Alek waved his comment away, walking out to the garden.

Alek moved into the sanctuary, laying down on the grass, feeling the cool air, signaling the arrival of autumn. "I wonder if she's alright... Mother, I know I agreed to finding a wife, or rather... I will. I know that but no one seems to match her... I'll find a way to do what I need to... I will."

♤◇♤◇♤◇

Bridgette runs through the forest, yells coming from behind her. It's been two months since she left Alcor, and her mind was much better than before. Except sometimes at night she missed her best friend, and would dream of the gardens in Alcor. At the moment, she was only thinking of the sack in her hand, and how fast she could run.

The yelling gets louder and Bridgette continues running, her necklaces dangling around her neck and in the wind. "GET BACK HERE RUNT!" Bridgette sticks her tongue out at him and runs faster, climbing up a tree quickly and setting the rodent in her bag free. Titan and a few other Wargons stand at the bottom of the tree. "YOU LITTLE BRAT! WE CAUGHT THAT FAIR AND SQUARE".

Bridgette shakes her head "No you didn't! Only dead things remember?" One points out, "Well... it will be dead. When we eat it."

She jumps down and sticks her tongue out "That doesn't count! You have to FIND it dead." Titan growls and grabs her by the wrist. "Wait until I tell Nixxiom." Bridgette Giggles "I will. Can't wait to watch him tear off your fingers." Titan growls more.

When she is back with Nixxiom, he scolds her but after Titan leaves he just laughs. They take a walk and begin talking. Bridgette toys with the bird necklace and looks down.
".... Bridgette...? Is anything wrong...?"
Bridgette sighs "I don't know... I kinda miss Alek and Kogan... and what if Rose wrote me a letter?! I have to read the letter right?!"

Nixxiom shakes his head and chuckles "Bridgette we have been over this... I'm sorry... but you have to stay here..." She looks down then nods.
Except she doesn't stop thinking about them.

♤◇♤◇♤◇

Alek leaves the dining room after supper. The king kept speaking to him about getting a wife. Alek would deflect any questions away and afterward went to the ballroom. Alek now sat at the piano. He sighed, playing a few notes.

Darwin walks into the ballroom. "Alek! We can not put this off any longer! You need a wife, a queen to help you rule! I won't last forever you know!"

Alek turns to him. "Father, you have plenty of time, i'm sure." He continues messing with the piano.

He sighs and walks over "That's not the point Alek. You are depressed, blank, almost empty. This better have nothing to do with that... what was her name?"

"Her name is Bridgette." Alek says and plays a quiet melody. "And I'm not depressed."

The King raises an eyebrow. "... Alek you need a wife. You need to forget about her. So... I have arranged a masquerade ball! That way, you can find your wife! I threw it in your honor, invitations have already been sent, and everyone knows you're looking for a wife!" He smiles wide.

Alek pauses his playing. He wants to object but sighs. "Sure, it's already planned." He continues playing, the song unusually gloomy.

The king sighs and frowns. "Alek. During the ball, be sure to have a good attitude. The ball is tonight, so notify your brother." He leaves.

Alek shuts the piano, waiting a moment before heading upstairs. He knocks on Kogan's door. "Kogi, father wanted me to tell you that we're having a masquerade tonight." Kogan flings the door open. "A MASQUERADE!!"

"OH ALEK!" Kogan grabs Alek by the wrist. "WERE GONNA MAKE YOU LOOK SO CHARMING!!" Kogan starts pulling him to the studio.

Kogan stands Alek in the center of the studio and begins sketching out ideas. "Oh we could make you an owl, OH OR A WOLF!!" Alek shakes his head. "No wolf masks."

"But, A WOLF IS SO PERFECT FOR YOU! YOURE LOYAL AND BRAVE AND WOLVES ARE ALL ABOUT THAT!!" Alek bites his cheek. "Kogi, I'm not so sure..." Kogan puts a hand over his mouth. "Nope! You're gonna be a wolf!!"

Alek sighs. "Sure, that's fine I suppose." Kogan giggles and starts making the suit.

"Alek, you can make the mask!!" Kogan says, happily cutting pieces. Alek shrugs, moving to grab some casting mix for the mask's base.

Alek finishes the mask after Kogan had finished the suit. It was painted with gold, blue, and white. Black outlines the eyes and traced the nose. Alek frowned slightly. His work was well done, but it reminded him of Timber. He was curious, having not seen him in some time.

Kogan came back in the room. "Okay Alek, I've got your shoes! Now, TIME TO GET DRESSED!"

Alek pulls on the new suit, straightening the sleeves. Kogan does his hair and adds a touch of makeup, just because this is the one time Alek wouldn't say no. Alek didn't smile, yet he was glad Kogan was enjoying himself. "OH PUT ON THE MASK TOO!!!" Kogan runs over grabbing the mask and tying it to Alek's face.

Alek looks up, his blue eyes standing out with the mask. The colors all complement each other. Kogan giggles. "If you weren't my brother." Alek rolls his eyes. "You really should stop saying things like that." Kogan pouts but smiles again as Alek pats his head.

Alek gives Kogan his mask, a cat mind you, and Kogan laughs. "They're so perfect!!! Lets go show father!!" Alek is pulled by Kogan down to his father's office.

Kogan knocks on the office door. A servant opens it. "FATHER LOOK!"

The King looks up "That is marvelous! Perfect for tonight!"

Kogan claps and Alek just stands there, hand messing with the hilt of his sword. "When does the ball start?" Alek asks, almost as if bored.

The King frowns "Alek! You must act excited for the ball! Aren't you excited to have a wife?!"

"I'm practically overflowing with excitement." Alek says.

Kogan pouts. "Alek!"

"What is your problem Alek?" The king interjects.

"I never said there was a problem! I just find this ridiculous and a waste of my time." Alek crosses his arms.

"To find you a queen?!?"

"Yes. There are great rulers in history who have gone their entire lives without a spouse. I'm fully capable of that." Alek takes off his mask, holding it in his hands.

"I just think you might be a bit happier! And you might finally stop thinking about- ... oh what was her name..."

"Her NAME was Bridgette! I'd hope you'd at least have the decency to remember the name of the girl you sold into slavery over a few words said by a stranger!" Alek narrowed his eyes.

The King glares ".... You are to find a wife tonight Alek, before I assign one to you. Now leave."

Alek bows and sarcastically adds, "Yes your highness." He leaves quickly after.

The King growls and slams his fists on the desk. He looks at Kogan. "Make sure he's happy for tonight."

Kogan nods. "Okay!!!"

Then he leaves quickly behind his brother.

The ball soon starts, and the king sends for his sons.

Alek and Kogan walk down together, masks on their faces. Alek is silent, Kogan keeping calm to uphold a proper image.

Kogan moves to join the dance, Alek standing to the side, hands behind his back as he watched.

The King introduces them and the ball begins.

********

A/N: Yay! Oh the first chapter is out and the story has begun! Oh this came out fast.

L/N: Dang A! You're hard to keep up with! XD

I might not do chapter photos...