Something To Believe In
[KAWAI]
Gabe's embarrassment was something that he had never anticipated, but then again, coming to the mating ball was not his choice either. He had been hoping to make a fool of Tamiko, but then the young Lycan had once again won over him.
And the worst part of all this, was the fact that Gabriel Grealor had put himself as a target for the Lycan king. It wasn't the best of things really because not even the goddess would come to his mercy this time.
"Tonight is a beautiful night, Gabriel Grealor. So, I won't use your blood to paint my palace walls. Trust me they would look prettier with your addition. I'll only give you one chance to save your life and your people.
"Leave this palace. Leave Kawai and never come back to this side of the realm. Leave with your people and if anyone asks why you are leaving, cook up some damn excuse, before I use your people as my breakfast meal, you get me?
"And the next time you try to force yourself on a mate, be careful, you might pick the one who will kill you as you stand. Now get the fuck up… and leave before I count to three," King Zaffuto said to Gabriel.
His voice was firm and he looked more like a disappointed father than a king. He looked like he could truly find Gabriel's damned face and make ketchup with it. Oh, how the king had so many ideas running in his mind.
Maybe he was losing his shit, but then the admission Gabriel had made tonight was not something he was ever going to forget. The bastard had hurt his son and was proud of it. The audacity was something even Zaffuto hadn't seen ever.
Maybe there was something like that, but then the king wasn't in the mood for that tonight. Tonight was about seeing his son happy so he wasn't going to focus on the bastard who tried to run it all.
"My apologies, Your Highness," Gabriel forced out and Zaffuto snickered. He looked at Tamiko who was currently holding his Lycan chief's hands. He could see that the kid was confident and happy.
Zaffuto knew the Lycan chief was never going to break his son's heart for obvious reasons, and also because what Kosta had done should have been private and yet he had done it publicly.
The Lycan chief's actions were a declaration of what Tamiko meant to him, and while others would argue that they had punted a target at Tamiko's back, seeing as he was just an outcast, this was the reminder that Tamiko was taken.
Igor Konstantin had an Erasthai and the entire realm knew about it. Soon enough word would spread and other people would know about it. Of course, some would be stupid and try coming after Tamiko, but the wise ones would steer clear of the kid.
"I shall take my leave now, Your Majesty,'' Gabriel said defeatedly as he got up. He knew that this was not the last time he would see Tamiko, but then again, he was certain that there was a storm coming.
Either that or the storm was already here but one thing was certain. Grealor was in grave danger and no one would ever be able to save them if Tamiko didn't stepmom. Maybe if Gabe managed to convince Tamiko to mark him instead of Igor, it would be easier, right?
Oh, but Gabriel had run out of options and now even his life was strong to make no sense. Maybe at the end of the day he was born to pay for the sins of his father, or the sins of his people, but that didn't even matter right now. He had to leave.
"Congratulations, Chief," The Lycan king congratulated Igor Konstantin, the smile on his face so sincere that even the leaders who were at the podium were convinced that King Zaffuto Hinata was bipolar.
There was no way a man who had threatened an entire pack was smiling ear to ear at a Lycan chief he had never even seen talking to for over three years right? It just didn't make any sense but then again, being alive was more important, so they stayed silent.
"Thank you, Your Highness,'' Kosta said as he stared at the entwined hands with Tamiko.
The chief loved the king's son so much that he didn't care if Tamiko was a prince or not. The only thing that mattered to Tamiko was they all had something to live for, and that was worth it in the end.
"Alright get out of here you two. Go have fun and dance and make merry. Go live in the moment," King Zaffuto said and Tamiko stared at him softly. His father was making his life better and if Tamiko was being honest, he loved having a father.
Tamiko could only hope that someday, there would come a time when he would tell his father that he was the son he had been looking for for so long, that he was the product of his love with Liana.
But until then Tamiko would be patient and watch his father take back his life and protect the Kawai citizens as usual.
It was something that he could only ever hope for, but then who was to tell him that his father already knew who he was and that Zaffuto was never going to compromise when it came to Tamiko?
"You're kicking us out?" Tamiko asked with a pout as he looked at the king and then at Lord Sadako who simply shrugged at the two like he was all for the chaos, but not the Zaffuto-Tamiko kind of chaos, at least not today.
"I did not… I just said you both go have fun. All the mated are dancing there and you guys are mated. I just want the both of you to be happy and enjoy the night like every other thought couple out there," King Zaffuto defended and Sadako snickered.
"Help me out, brother. Tell them what I meant," King Zaffuto said to his best friend.
"Nope. I am not even here. I'm going to get myself a mate too," Lord Sadako said and Tamiko rolled his eyes at his uncle. This man was something else to leave them here like this.
"Tell him, uncle, tell him it's not nice to kick people—" Tamiko began, but his uncle stared at the father and son before making his decision too.
"One look, there's a lot of food in that corner. I'm hungry and I'm going to eat. I'll see you a lot around," Lord Sadako said as he walked away, only for him to come back and drag King Zaffuto with him like he had forgotten something.
"Have fun you two! And remember to smile often, it might reduce the creases on your faces!" Tamiko shouted, instantly sending the entire mating camo into silence, while the king and the Lycan Lord stared at him amusedly.
"Oh, goddess, they're looking at us… they are all… let's get out of here, Kosta," Tamiko rambled on and Kosta let out a soft laugh.
"I thought you'd never ask," Kosta responded cheekily at the same time that King Zaffuto spoke.
"Make sure you use protection!! It's too early for me to have grandkids running around!"
"Ignore the King… he is drunk. Everyone, have fun!" Sadako countered loudly while Kosta and Tamiko slipped through the portal and disappeared, leaving the king and his Lord laughing their ass off.