Chapter 22: First Impressions

The sleek, black car pulled up to the front gates of the Vaelis mansion, the towering iron bars parting silently as the chauffeur drove through. Dorian had grown up in this house—it was a fortress of luxury, all cold elegance and imposing grandeur. But tonight, as the car rolled to a stop in front of the expansive entrance, he found himself glancing over at Alex, curious to see how the Beta would react.

Though Alex came from a comfortable background himself, Haleworth Academy had students from a wide range of social classes, and the Vaelis family belonged to the very top tier. As Dorian had expected, Alex's eyes widened slightly as they approached the mansion, the impressive architecture and sprawling grounds clearly catching his attention.

"Damn," Alex muttered under his breath as he stepped out of the car, his gaze sweeping over the mansion's intricate stonework and perfectly manicured gardens. "I've seen rich before, but this... this is something else."

Dorian offered a small, half-smile. "Yeah. It's... a lot."

They made their way up the grand stone steps to the front door, which swung open with perfect timing as one of the house staff greeted them politely. Dorian was about to lead Alex inside when he heard a familiar, deep voice call out from across the foyer.

"Dorian."

His heart sank slightly as he turned to see his father, Eryx Vaelis, stepping into view. Eryx was rarely home early—he usually stayed late for business or meetings—but tonight, it seemed, fate had different plans.

Eryx was an imposing figure, standing tall with his broad shoulders and commanding presence. His icy blue eyes locked onto Alex almost immediately, assessing him with the same intensity he used in every situation. Dorian felt a flicker of unease in his chest. He hadn't expected his father to be here, let alone to meet Alex without warning.

"Father," Dorian greeted, his voice calm but tense. "This is... Alex. He's staying over for the night."

Eryx's sharp gaze flicked to Dorian for a brief second before settling back on Alex, his expression unreadable. "Alex," Eryx repeated, his tone measured as he studied the Beta. "You're a friend of Dorian's?"

Alex, to his credit, didn't flinch under the weight of Eryx's intense gaze. Instead, he met the Alpha's eyes with a steady, confident expression, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Yep," Alex said casually, his hands slipping into his pockets as he spoke. "I go to Haleworth with Dorian. We've been working on a few things together, and he was kind enough to invite me over."

Dorian watched the interaction, his heart racing. He had seen his father size people up countless times before—employees, business associates, even some of his school friends—and Eryx's scrutiny had a way of making people falter, second-guess themselves. But Alex... Alex didn't seem fazed. If anything, he looked almost amused.

Eryx's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression cool. "Haleworth, you say. And what does your family do, Alex?"

It was a test, Dorian knew. Eryx wasn't interested in small talk—he was interested in seeing if Alex could hold his own in a world ruled by power, status, and influence. Dorian's stomach twisted with unease, worried that Alex might stumble or say the wrong thing.

But Alex, as always, seemed completely unfazed. He straightened slightly, his smile widening just a touch.

"My parents run a small tech company," Alex replied smoothly. "It's nothing like what you've built here, of course, but they're doing pretty well for themselves. I help out when I can."

Eryx's gaze flicked over Alex once more, as if weighing his response. There was a beat of silence, and Dorian could feel the tension in the air, thick and heavy.

Then, to Dorian's surprise, Eryx's expression softened ever so slightly, a flicker of approval passing through his eyes.

"Interesting," Eryx said quietly, his voice thoughtful. "It's good to see young people involved in their family's work. It shows... initiative."

Dorian blinked, barely able to believe his ears. Had Alex just impressed his father? It was rare—almost unheard of—for Eryx to show approval so quickly, especially to someone he'd only just met. And yet, here he was, nodding slightly, as if Alex had passed some invisible test.

Alex, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, smiled a little wider, his confidence never wavering. "I appreciate that, sir. I've learned a lot from them, but I'm always open to learning more."

Eryx gave a small nod, his gaze lingering on Alex for a moment longer before he turned his attention back to Dorian. "Make sure your guest is comfortable," He said, his tone back to its usual calm authority. "Dinner will be ready soon."

Dorian nodded, still reeling from the interaction. "Yes, Father."

Without another word, Eryx turned and strode out of the room, leaving Dorian and Alex standing there in the wake of his presence. The moment he was gone, Dorian let out a small breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"Well, that wasn't so bad," Alex said with a grin, nudging Dorian lightly in the ribs. "I think he likes me."

Dorian shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you pulled that off."

Alex chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. "What can I say? I'm good at making people like me."

Dorian smiled despite himself, though a part of him still couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in his chest. Alex had handled his father well—better than most people did—but there was still a long evening ahead, and Dorian knew better than anyone that the Vaelis household was a difficult place to navigate.

As they made their way deeper into the mansion, Dorian glanced at Alex out of the corner of his eye, still unsure what to make of him. For someone so carefree and playful, Alex had a surprising knack for handling pressure. It was... impressive, if not a little unsettling.

"Come on," Dorian said, his voice quieter now. "I'll show you to the guest room."

_

The door to the guest room swung open, revealing a space that was, by most standards, almost excessive. The room was expansive, with tall windows draped in rich, dark fabrics, polished wood floors that gleamed under the soft lighting, and a king-sized bed that looked like it belonged in a five-star hotel. The furniture was sleek and elegant, a perfect blend of luxury and comfort.

Alex stepped inside, his eyes widening slightly as he took in his surroundings. "Okay," He said, his voice filled with awe. "I've got to admit, this is insane. This room is, like, twice the size of my bedroom at home."

Dorian let out a soft huff, standing just inside the doorway with his arms crossed. "Yeah, well, welcome to the Vaelis mansion," He muttered, though there was a trace of amusement in his voice. It was hard not to feel a little smug seeing how impressed Alex was. He had grown up surrounded by this kind of luxury, so seeing someone like Alex react to it reminded him of how different their worlds were, even if Alex came from a well-off family himself.

But even as he spoke, Dorian's mind was still spinning with disbelief. His father—Eryx Vaelis, the man who barely trusted anyone outside his immediate circle—had shown a flicker of approval for Alex after just one conversation. It was unheard of. Dorian had spent his whole life trying to meet his father's impossible standards, and Alex had somehow managed to pass some invisible test with hardly any effort.

"You're insane," Dorian muttered, shaking his head as he watched Alex walk over to the windows, peering out at the perfectly manicured gardens below.

"What's that?" Alex asked, turning to face him with a teasing grin.

"You," Dorian replied, his tone dry. "You're insane for managing to get my father's approval so quickly. I don't know how you did it."

Alex let out a soft laugh, shrugging casually. "What can I say? I've got charm."

Dorian raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. "Charm doesn't usually work on my father. He's... difficult to impress."

"Maybe I'm just an exception, then," Alex said with a wink, clearly enjoying the fact that he had rattled Dorian's world a little.

Dorian huffed, still not fully able to wrap his head around it. He had spent his entire life living under the weight of his father's expectations, constantly trying to prove himself worthy of the Vaelis name. And now, here was Alex, waltzing into his life with his casual attitude and easy confidence, somehow managing to navigate the world of high Alphas without breaking a sweat.

Noticing Dorian's silence, Alex sauntered over, the playful glint in his eyes making Dorian's chest tighten with mild irritation. "You've been kind of quiet since we got here," Alex teased, leaning against one of the polished bedposts. "What's going on in that head of yours, huh?"

Dorian shot him a look, though there was no real heat behind it. "Just... thinking. You're too comfortable around my father, that's all."

Alex smirked, unfazed. "That's because I know how to handle people like him. You learn a lot when you grow up having to deal with people who only care about status."

Dorian didn't reply immediately, his mind still grappling with the reality of the situation. But before he could respond, Alex clapped his hands together, breaking the tension.

"So," Alex said, flashing a wide grin. "How about you give me the grand tour of this place? I've seen the guest room, but I bet the rest of this mansion is just as ridiculous."

Dorian hesitated, eyeing Alex warily. "A tour?"

"Yeah!" Alex replied, his tone excited. "Come on, it's not every day I get to explore a place like this. Besides, it'll be fun. Show me how the other half lives, Vaelis."

Dorian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He hadn't exactly planned on giving Alex a house tour, and part of him was reluctant to let someone as unpredictable as Alex roam around his home. But Alex's enthusiasm was hard to deny, and before Dorian knew it, he found himself reluctantly agreeing.

"Fine," Dorian muttered, giving Alex a resigned look. "But don't touch anything."

Alex laughed, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "No promises."

Dorian shook his head, exasperated but amused despite himself. He led the way out of the guest room and into the sprawling hallways of the mansion, feeling a mixture of nostalgia and mild discomfort as they began the tour. The Vaelis mansion was a fortress of wealth and power, and even though Dorian had grown up here, there were parts of it that still felt cold and impersonal—like a museum more than a home.

They passed by an elegant sitting room with plush couches and a grand fireplace, then moved through the expansive dining hall where crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead. Alex's eyes lit up at every turn, clearly impressed by the opulence around him.

"This place is nuts," Alex commented, his voice filled with awe as they walked through the mansion. "Seriously, it's like something out of a movie. Do you ever get used to living like this?"

Dorian shrugged, his hands in his pockets as he led the way. "I guess. It just... is what it is. It doesn't feel like anything special when you've been here your whole life."

Alex nodded thoughtfully but couldn't help teasing. "I'm going to need a map to get around here. How do you not get lost in this maze?"

Dorian chuckled softly, his mood lightening a bit. "You get used to it. Eventually."

As they continued, they passed by Dorian's father's office, and Dorian couldn't help but feel a flicker of tension in his chest. His father's world was one of control and power, and this house was a reflection of that. It was impressive, yes, but it was also stifling.

They moved on, eventually making their way to one of the larger balconies that overlooked the sprawling gardens below. The cool evening air was refreshing, and for the first time all day, Dorian felt a small sense of peace settle over him.

"So, what's next?" Alex asked, leaning on the balcony railing as he glanced over at Dorian. "Got any secret rooms or dungeons I should know about?"

Dorian rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "No dungeons. Sorry to disappoint."

Alex grinned, nudging Dorian lightly with his elbow. "Still, this place is pretty incredible. I can see why your dad's so... intense."

Dorian stiffened slightly at the mention of his father, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he let his gaze drift out over the gardens, his mind wandering.

He wasn't sure how the rest of the night would play out, but one thing was clear: having Alex around was shaking up his world in more ways than one.

_

The warm, inviting scent of freshly cooked food greeted Dorian and Alex as they stepped into the kitchen. It was a vast space—polished countertops, gleaming stainless steel appliances, and rows upon rows of dishes laid out in preparation for dinner. Platters of beautifully arranged food were already set on the center island, waiting to be served.

Alex's eyes went wide as he surveyed the array of dishes. "Whoa," He breathed, glancing at Dorian with a grin. "Is this all for dinner? You could feed an army with this."

Dorian shrugged, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "That's just how it is around here. My parents like to have... options."

Alex chuckled, clearly impressed. He moved closer to the center island, eyeing a bowl of something that looked particularly delicious. "I mean, if all this food is just sitting here, I think it's only fair that I get a taste, right?"

Before Dorian could protest, Alex reached for a small spoon and scooped up a taste of what appeared to be some kind of fancy appetizer. He popped it into his mouth, his eyes widening in delight.

"Okay, this is amazing," Alex said with his mouth full, gesturing toward the food. "You're seriously spoiled, man."

Dorian crossed his arms, watching Alex with a disapproving look. "You know that's for dinner, right?"

Alex smirked, clearly unfazed. "What's a little taste test? I'm just making sure it's good enough for you."

Dorian rolled his eyes, but before he could say anything, Alex scooped up another spoonful of a creamy sauce and—without warning—flicked it directly at Dorian. The sauce landed on the front of Dorian's perfectly pressed shirt, and for a moment, Dorian just stared down at the stain in disbelief.

"Seriously?" Dorian muttered, his eyes narrowing at Alex.

Alex grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "What? I'm just helping you loosen up."

Dorian let out a soft huff of laughter, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're insane."

"And you're too uptight," Alex shot back, grabbing another spoonful of food as if daring Dorian to retaliate.

For a second, Dorian hesitated. The rules drilled into him by his parents echoed in the back of his mind—rules about decorum, about maintaining order and control. But in this moment, with Alex standing in front of him, grinning like an idiot, something in Dorian snapped.

Without thinking, Dorian grabbed a handful of what looked like mashed potatoes and flung it directly at Alex's shirt. The look of shock on Alex's face was priceless, and for a moment, they both stood there, frozen in surprise.

Then Alex burst into laughter.

"Oh, it's on now," Alex said, grabbing another handful of food.

What followed was pure chaos. In a matter of seconds, the pristine kitchen had become a battlefield. Dorian and Alex hurled food at each other with reckless abandon—potatoes, sauces, small appetizers—anything within reach became ammunition. Dorian, for the first time in what felt like forever, found himself laughing—really laughing. It wasn't the controlled, polite chuckle he reserved for social gatherings or family events. This was the kind of laughter that bubbled up from deep inside, uncontrollable and freeing.

Alex, meanwhile, was grinning like a madman, dodging Dorian's attacks and flinging food right back at him. The kitchen, once pristine and elegant, was now covered in splatters of mashed potatoes, sauces, and crumbs. It was an absolute mess, but Dorian didn't care. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had so much fun.

Just as Dorian was about to grab another handful of food, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway outside the kitchen. Both of them froze, their eyes wide with realization.

"Someone's coming," Dorian whispered, glancing toward the door.

Alex's eyes widened, and for a brief second, they stood there, covered in food and looking like a couple of kids who had just gotten caught in the middle of a prank. The footsteps were getting closer, and they had no time to clean up the mess they'd made.

Without a word, Dorian grabbed Alex's arm and pulled him toward a side door that led to a small pantry. They ducked inside just as the kitchen door swung open, muffling their laughter as they pressed themselves against the wall.

From their hiding spot, they could hear the faint sounds of someone entering the kitchen. It was probably one of the staff, coming to check on the food for dinner. Dorian stifled a laugh, his hand over his mouth as he exchanged a look with Alex, who was grinning like an idiot despite the mess on his clothes.

After what felt like an eternity, the footsteps retreated, and the kitchen door closed once more. Dorian and Alex peeked out from the pantry, their hearts still racing from the adrenaline of almost getting caught.

"That was way too close," Dorian muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.

Alex just laughed, wiping a bit of sauce from his cheek. "Totally worth it."

They managed to sneak out of the kitchen without being seen, still laughing quietly as they made their way down the hall. Once they were safely out of sight, Dorian leaned against the wall, letting out a long breath.

"We're definitely going to have to explain why dinner's late," Dorian said, still catching his breath.

Alex grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "Eh, they'll figure it out. Besides, it's not like we ruined all the food."

Dorian gave him a look, though he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, sure. Let's just hope we don't get caught."

They both headed upstairs to freshen up, each of them still buzzing from the fun and chaos of the food fight. Dorian couldn't remember the last time he had let loose like that, and as they cleaned up and prepared for dinner, he couldn't help but think that maybe—just maybe—Alex's presence in his life was exactly what he needed.