Green: Clouded

The reunion of father and son was heartwarming site to say the least as I witnessed Quezon's joy when he found out that his son was with us and safe. And for the days that Rex was with us I haven't seen the radiance of his eyes when he saw his father after so long and after such traumatic event.

I guess that would be one thing I will never know. A father's love for his child. Though I wasn't envious at them nor I am sad in any way. It's just a fact I have to accept. My father passed away when I was still in my mother's womb. I wasn't able to see him or even have little memories of him. But the tales I was told and stories that our elders have portrayed him made me proud of him as my father. And always aimed to be one day as great as him.

I smiled at the thought as I pushed myself from leaning against the wall. I should check on some papers before I interrogate Quezon about the things bugging in my mind but for now I'll give him his time with his son.

As I walked towards my office, I saw Zephyr talking to someone on the phone and his lips where curled into a smile before turning to a scowl once again. Must be someone or something might find of importance. So I ignored it before entering my office.

Once I entered the room the lights immediately flicked open. Everything are all in place as I scanned the entire room and took a whiff if the air and sighed, not a single scent of Blake. I guess it was regularly cleaned. I traced my fingers across the wooden desk as I circled to my seat.

I took a quick glance at the door and remembered Blake walking out that same door with me dragging, my arms wrapped around his grasps. Always the one to lead, I chuckled at the thought. Dominant. Arrogant. Confident.

A quality most fit for an Alpha. My mate.

I felt the leather touch my skin once I sat down. My eyes fixed at the room's only source of light. Fixated at the stillness of the glow from the luminous bulb. I can't help but feel out of thought.

After I settle things with Quezon and mainly this problem with this dark society, C'thun, I guess I can start courting Blake then. I'll make him fall for me once I'm done with this mess here. Just you wait Fang.

"Aries, you have a minute." I heard Zephyr knock from the other side of the door as I looked at the piles of papers still stacked on my desk. I didn't started even on one. I sighed and started to read the first document I could reach as I called out to Zephyr to enter.

I heard the door clicked open as Zephyr entered the room. I was reading one the reports on our pack's budget.

"Just give me a sec." I raised my hand as I re-read a paper regarding the pack's finance. "I need to recalculate this for next year's annual funds."

"You can leave the paperwork for me, Aries. It's been a hell of a week and you haven't had anytime to rest." Zephyr scolded as he placed his left hand on top of the pile of folders. "And besides I have something to tell you that needs your attention."

I looked at him with a raised brow as I returned the paper back to its own file and set it aside.

"Go on." I urged him as I leaned back on my seat. "And just for the record I've been sleeping for days before this." I joked but Zephyr didn't seem to find it funny.

"That's not a thing you should take lightly, Aries." He glares at me as he sits down at the chair in front of the table.

"Alright. Alright. I'm sorry." I apologized solemnly. "So what do you want to tell me?"

He sighs before looking at the wall which made me look at it then back at him.

"It's about Blake." He states and immediately my heart stopped for a second as I can't tell if it's something good or worse, something bad. "Well to an extent, it's about Blake."

"How can it be to an extent be Blake's?" I asked confused. "Wasn't he a part of this 'thing' you're about to tell me?"

"Yes and no." He groaned. "I just hate it when I have to tell you things concerning him."

"Well if you would allow me to talk to him like a normal person would then maybe you shouldn't have stressed about things that concerns about Blake." I smirked and he rolls his eyes.

"Yeah you wish." He scowls before looking down at the clear surface of my desk then focusing his eyes at me. "He wants to meet you tonight..." Zephyr started and my face heats up. "Prince Lucian wished to make your time."

I narrowed my eyes at him. Lucian? The only son of the King of Wolves. That Lucian. "Not Blake..." I murmured defeated as Zephyr sighed.

"Well, since the Prince is at Blake's pack I guess he will be accompanying the Prince tonight." Zephyr stated. "Just. Just don't get your hopes up if he somehow doesn't show up with him."

"Who told you this?" I asked. I should have heard a notice or at least a note that I was summoned by the Prince. "It's highly odd for the Prince to call us in this time of day and in short notice.

"Frank called me." Zephyr responded but he seem to be agitated on stating it.

"Frank? Blake's Beta. I thought you hated everyone at Lance's pack. Why are you suddenly friendly with his Beta?" I leaned against the desk and stared at him accusingly. "Is there something I should know, Zephyr."

He instantly tensed and rubbed the side of his neck as he averted my gaze.

"I only don't like Blake." He started. "I never sa-said I hated Frank, erm, hated everyone at Blake's pack." It odd seeing him flabbergasted at a simple question. He's usually calm and collected and irritant most of the time. "Why are you interrogating me?!"

"No need to act hostile, Zephyr. It was an observation." I raised my hands in defense as Zephyr crossed his arms unamused with a tint of red on his cheeks. "Sorry if I said something you don't want to hear."

"Just stick with the matter at hand and I'll let it slide." He looks at me with a raised brow. I nodded in response as I don't want to speak out of hand. "So, are you going to meet Prince Lucian tonight?" I was about to answer when Zephyr smacked his forehead. "Oh yeah. Forgot Blake's going to be there."

"What does that mean?" I scowled. "I won't be putting all my decisions based on Blake alone."

"Yeah sure. So you're not going." He states and I growled. "See. I better get things ready for tonight."

"You're coming?" I asked.

"You're going then I'll accompany you." He answers as he dusted his pants as he stood up.

"It's because of Blake is it?!" I groaned.

"It's because I'm you're Beta." He stated as he opened the door. He was about to close it when he looked back at me and smirked. "And also because you're mate's going to be there."

With that he shut the door out leaving me with a surprised look on my face before shaking my head at him. Zephyr is that father figure that doesn't want their daughters to mingle with any men as if nothing in the whole world will be better for them. I sighed as I thought that he would be spoiling his kids once he find his mate. I smiled at the thought.

I looked at the clock on my desk and it displayed about quarter to five. I have time to settle things here before heading to meet the Prince. I'm sure it has to be about the human we found.

I immediately left my office and took a quick shower at my room before heading towards the garage to meet with Zephyr as he texted me after I left the shower.

But before I could turn left a figure caught the corner of my eyes before said person would speak I looked at him. His features calm and his eyes gleaming with happiness. What happened next caught me be surprise.

Quezon wrapped me in a hug. He squeezed my before letting me go as he patted my arm.

"Thank you, Alpha." Quezon spoke as his eyes started to water. I returned his gratitude with a smile as he wipes the tears before they fall. "My wife and I are in your debt. Words can't describe the happiness we're feeling knowing Rex is safe and alive. Once again, thank you."

"And your wife? Valentina." I asked as he looked surprised but his face returned back to normal with a smile.

"She's on her way here. She wanted to thank you as well." He trails off before biting his lower lip. "Uhm... I know Gale said it's alright for Valentina to come but I mean to ask you as well Alpha if by chance is she allowed to enter the pack grounds?"

"Quezon, call me Aries. I'm younger than you and everyone here calls me Aries instead of Alpha. I'm still far from the ideal Alpha that the pack needed." I stated and he shook his head in disbelief perhaps.

"I'll try, Al- Aries." He trails off before scratching the back of his head.

"And about your question. It's alright." I replied. "Any family the pack is welcome here. I don't want any division with the pack with such petty matters. The world has already a ton of that already." I shrugged and then again I was wrapped in Quezon's bear like hug.

I patted his arm and he lets me go as he went on thanking me again. I waved my hands at him to stop it as he finally calmed down.

"Uhm... There's also one more thing." Quezon started. "Valentina's bringing one more person if it's alright with you Aries."

"Hmmm..." I hummed. "As long it's family then why not."

"Actually, it's kinda a different matter. You see the other who's tagging with Valentina is Vladimir." I raised a brow in confusion. Vladimir's a familiar name and it sure rings a bell. "You know the Count's son."

"The vampire Prince." I asked as it seems odd that he will be tagging along. "What does he has to do with your son? Friend perhaps."

"You can say something like that." He looked down and scratched his chin debating if to continue. "He was at the Academy as well and was one of Rex' classmates. You could say he was kind of attached to Rex as Valentina described to me."

I grew silent for awhile thinking this over. Vampires aren't our pack's problem nor do we have an issue with them but the werewolf community would find this outrageous. Even though our pack is shrouded from the outside world and the werewolf society, I can't help but feel worried that it might post some problems in the future though having a strong ally in the Prince will also prove well for the pack if problems may arise that may need his assistance.

"It's alright but." I paused. "To be safe for now can the Prince come alone if it's alright with him. I don't want to instigate any rumors about a Vampire-Werewolf alliance going out causing mass hysteria in the world." Quezon looked at me before looking down at his hand.

"I think it can be managed." He replies. "I'm sure Prince Vladimir can accommodate your wishes Aries."

"Thank you. Just inform me later or tomorrow about the arrangements. Because I have an urgent meeting tonight." I nodded and started to walk when Quezon grabbed my shoulder.

"Is it by chance with Prince Lucian?" He asks and I stopped my steps before turning to look at him. "It's not my place to tell you this but as a father I think it's my place to place my son's safety first before anything else."

"Why are your son and the Prince not in good terms?" I looked at him concerned.

"Oh no they're not. But..." He grimaced. "The Prince has taken Rex more than was intended for him. And the King didn't quite like it when he found out that the Prince...liked Rex."

I remained silent as he explained his son's situation. And it was complicated as it was described to me by Quezon. So Prince Lucian's father the King didn't approve of his son's sudden change of heart it seems and sees such actions as taboo within the royal bloodline as an heir was needed. Having same sex mate's in our community is hard enough as it was in the human world.

"So what do you want me to do with tonight's meeting with the Prince?" I asked. "You do know he will bound to find out that your son was here with us if by chance we denied his whereabouts. And I'm well sure he would do anything to do the same to us when he ever found out."

"I know. But Rex' life is also important. It's because he got tangled in this mess with them that this thing happened to him." Quezon reasons out as he balled his hands into fists. "It would be better if the Prince forgets about Rex altogether."

"Why don't you come with us instead." I suggested. "I'm sure the Prince will have a better understanding if it comes from you. As everything as they are, I'm in no position to deny information from the Prince once asked."

"I don't know. Will he even listen to a nobody like me." He reasons out.

"You're Rex' father, you should be a somebody in his book if he wants to be in good terms with your son." I pointed as Quezon nodded in thought. "And besides Zephyr and I will be there to provide support. So don't worry." I assured him.

"Alright. I come." He answered as he pulled out his phone. "I'll just call Valentina of our arrangements and I'll be right down with you."

"It's fine. Meet you at the entrance neat the garage." I waved as Quezon nodded and we went our separate ways.

I strode down the stairs as I saw mother talking to Sera. She might have notice me looking that she turned to see me. She smiled and Sera bid her farewell to my mother as she waved at me before leaving.

Once I reached the last step, mother approached me with her calm, motherly smile though on her eyes I could see the conflict she has going on in her mind.

"Aries, my son." She started. "I... I." She stuttered as she looked down. I smiled at her and lifted her chin to look up to me.

"It's alright. We can talk when your ready." I stated as I'm in no hurry to know what mother was about to tell me. "I'll wait."

She just held my hand with hers as she smiled as she shook her head. Her hair gleaming in the light as I took my mother's features in memory once again. She kissed my hand and we let go of our hands as I continued to the door but looked back at her as I started exiting the house. She stood there smiling sadly, waving at me as I smiled back at her knowing she understood. With that I turned my heel and the door shut close.

Off to meet the rumored Prince with the hopes of seeing my mate tonight.

Blake.