Reaper

Chapter 19 -Evander

He’d been in his new place for a few days. His Grand Uncle had tutors into his dormitory room every day and so far he’d made sure their job was not easy in protest. He’d had two talks already about being a good leader and how this wasn’t how you did it. The old dragon seemed disappointed with him and he planned to keep it that way.

He pulled some things from one of his boxes and found a home for them. He knew no matter how big of a fight he put up, he wouldn’t get to go home so soon. He pulled a pencil cup out and smirked, dumping all of its contents out to see the business card. Oh how his parents had f****d this up. He’d texted Kouzen every day with no response but now he had access to his family.

He lounged onto the sofa in his room, pulling his phone out and put the number in. It rang twice and picked up and he waited for someone to answer him. No one spoke and the line disconnected. He frowned and checked to make sure he didn’t lose signal and tried again. It happened a second time and he tapped his phone on his chin as he thought.

His eyes lit up remembering Nick had given specific instructions. He dialed again, letting it ring twice. When it answered this time he spoke up, “My name is Evander Alfson, I need to speak with Nick Tarasov urgently.”

“Thank you for contacting us. Hold on while I see if your agent is available,” a woman’s voice came through, so on point he thought it was a recording. Horrible hold music came on the line and he grimaced.

“Nick here, better be important,” a familiar voice grumbled into the phone. He was agitated and sounded busy.

“It’s Evander. I don’t have information on Kouzen but I wanted to check in. My parents shipped me off to Norway because they thought you’d think I did it,” he growled into the phone and there was a moment’s pause on the other side and some shuffling.

“Hold on,” He could hear some small noises in the background including a ‘hold on baby, I’ll be right back’. His face turned red, understanding why he was flustered for the phone call, “Sorry. We’ve not heard from him yet but we found the car. It was at a farmhouse. I’m sorry, but that’s all I have.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me, sir. I just wanted to know. I … also wanted you to know I didn’t abandon him. They drugged me and put me on a plane, sir,” Evander sighed heavily, “I’d look everywhere for him if I was still at home.”

“I appreciate you reaching out, Evander. You can call any time, sorry if I was uh… cross when I answered,” Nick’s voice got awkward.

“Nah, sounds like you were in the middle of a good time, sir. I get it. Have a good day,” Evander chuckled as he hung up. He sighed and looked at his messages sent to Kouzen over the past few days. His heart hurt, he’d been worried about moving too fast but he loved the little freak. He felt smoke filling his throat and decided to go for a walk.

He wound his way around his new home, tipping his head lightly to any of the clan that greeted him. He found himself on a path in the forest and he sighed, groaning in frustration. He found a spot to sit under a tree and tilted his head back to rest on the bark, “Horns. Where are you?”

He shut his eyes, breathing deeply to recenter himself. A counselor he’d worked with as a younger child had told him to do it when he felt angry. It was stupid at the time but now it felt like the best advice in the world. He frowned as he felt something pull at the back of his mind. Kouzen wanted to snuggle.

His eyes shot open and he looked around confused. That had to be his dragon wanting to snuggle, it was impossible to know what the horned wonder wanted. He leaned his head back again, shutting his eyes and breathing. His mind was blank and then… Kouzen wanted to snuggle.

His eyes burst open a second time, his heart hammering in his chest. This was impossible, but a lot of things were impossible when it came to Kou. He tried to relax again, shutting his eyes to focus. All he could think of was how tight he’d hold him and then there was a shift in the thoughts. He was warm, just like when he was piggybacking back to the car.

“Evander, a word?” A shadow fell over him and he angrily opened his eyes. His Grand Uncle was looking down at him. He was livid inside, he wanted to explore this connection he discovered.

“I’m busy. Anger management s**t,” Evander gestured around himself. He needed to get back and try and see if he could discover where he was.

“Now. Get up and come with me,” the old dragon wasn’t used to being disobeyed. Everything was ‘yes alpha’ and ‘of course, alpha’ here. The oldest alpha of their entire family, he’d earned all his respect from the generations. His own grandfather had even regarded his oldest brother as one of the wisest before he passed away from an infection.

Evander rose slowly, his chest grumbling, “my boyfriend is in trouble, I’d rather focus on that today. I haven’t even had a chance to help him.”

“Your father told me about it. He told me there’s a possibility you hurt him. I can keep you safe in my position. I don’t care about that today, you need to let it go. He is a distraction,” his grand uncle scowled at him. He began walking, expecting Evander to follow.

“I will not let it go,” Evander stood in place. His grand uncle froze, turning on him with a look that rivaled his own anger. He at least knew where he got his volatile temper now.

“He can’t possibly be your fated match, you can let it go. You’ll get over it eventually. Now, move,” neither took a step towards the other, standing off against each other.

“And what if he is? There’s no way to know until I’m 21. You’d have me turn my back on him?” Evander felt his chest puff, bile bubbling in his chest.

“He is a man and he isn’t a dragon. Once your match appears, he won’t be anything but a stain on your past,” his grand uncle started to square up. It would be stupid to try and fight him so Evander slowly calmed himself and took the first step. He wouldn’t give up, but the argument was over for now. Even if he had to wait until he got home, he’d find Kouzen. At least he had the tiny connection.

He was taken to a large hall, designed like the lodges of their ancestors in the viking era on the outside. Inside, it was a little more modern with nice chairs and tables that fit the aesthetic, a bar and other things that made it easy to use for meetings and parties. He couldn’t lie, he loved the old vibes of this piece of their clan. He’d enjoy it a lot more if they hadn’t rushed him here against his will.

He took a seat next to his Grand Uncle’s beta and forced a tight lipped smile. The beta’s warm smile was thrown off kilter and he chose to look back at his papers for the meeting. The Alpha at the head of the table narrowed his eyes in his direction, “As you’ve all heard we have one of my nephew’s son here for his Alpha initiation training. He will be taking over our Clan down southeast in Siam. Evander will begin attending our meetings to understand his duties. He will be on time and respectful as well.”

All eyes were on him and he schooled his face, trying to be the picture of who he was supposed to be. As soon as the meeting started he focused on Kouzen again, keeping his eyes on the Alpha as he droned on. His monotone at least made it easy to fall into a relaxed state. He had no luck, whatever had happened earlier was gone.

At the end of the hour long bore fest he hurried to his room, ignoring his stomach’s growl for hunger. He pulled his phone out and sent a long text to Kouzen telling him about his day and how he missed him. He waited for a long moment, hope buzzing in his brain. He wasn’t seeing this message either. He then texted Stats: ‘Man, I need you to do something really important for me. Horns is missing, I need a way to come home and find him. Make a reason, any f*****g reason to bring me home.’

‘I wondered why they told us at school you were gone. Some kids partied for real.’ Stats text made him snort. Of course they did, he wasn’t a nice a guy unless you were in the gang or someone he wanted to get to know. Kouzen would’ve partied a few weeks ago. He frowned, he would’ve been the happiest to see him go and now it was killing him that, that was true.

‘Can you get me home or not?’ He glanced up as he heard someone out in the hallway. He hated group living, he wasn’t sure what some people got out of it. It was basically a big apartment building and not many people had built their own homes in the clan. He missed his bedroom.

‘That is a big question mark. I can’t think of one thing that would sway your dad. I can try.’ He huffed and folded an arm over his face, rolling his phone out of his hand and onto his bed. He ended up falling asleep, his stomach grumbling through the night in anger.

He woke up angrier than usual. His whole body bristled with each little sound outside his room and he made his way to his shower to get ready for the day. Pounding on his door pulled him back out of the bathroom, a towel around his waist. The beta stood there, giving a nervous smile, “Sorry. You can finish your shower but you’re needed in the meeting lodge as soon as you’re done.”

“Fine,” he growled, almost slamming the door. Damn his grand uncle, damn the clan. He needed food and his nerves wouldn’t stop since feeling like he’d connected with Kouzen. Not even deep breaths were calming. He stood under the hot water, letting it run down his body. His body buzzed for only a moment, confusion washing over him. It buzzed again and he closed his eyes, he felt the connection again, Kouzen was thinking of him. He smiled softly, his anger dissipating.

He finished his shower and dressed before heading for the lodge. He found himself less aggravated as people stared at him on his trek. He was suspicious though, there were quite a lot of eyes on him for it to be normal. He entered the lodge and was escorted to the meeting area, pausing in disbelief as his eyes landed on none other than Nick and Shika. Prince Shika waved gleefully to him, Nick tipping his head. His arm was around his husband, the two clearly cozy with each other as they had waited. Breakfast items were out on the table and his grand uncle sat at the head of the table, absolutely livid.

“Evander! I’m delighted to see you again. Please, join us for breakfast!” Shika showed his grand uncle up in hospitality in his own home making the old man blow out a puff of smoke from his nostrils. Evander gave a huge smirk. He owed Kouzen’s mother so many favors when he got home, he loved seeing the old man suffer.

“It’s nice to see you both as well, Mr. and Mr. Tarasov,” He took his seat elegantly and helped himself to breakfast.

“I was adamant we keep breakfast for you, sounded like you just woke up, dear. I hope it’s not too cold. Nicky, maybe you can help the staff warm up things for him?” Shika gave his husband puppy eyes and Evander had to snort. Would that be his life with Kouzen if they stayed together? A sweet little prince on his arm, wide puppy eyes when he wanted something?

“It’s fine. It’s still a little warm. I take it you’re here for me if they came to get me?” Evander poured himself some orange juice. His eyes darted to the head of the table before he started eating.

“Of course, dear. Me and Nick thought about it, and as much as I’m scared you’re going to hurt my son very badly—and I will break you, doll. Don’t think I won’t if you hurt him again – that maybe he needs you. We don’t know what he’s gone through while he’s missing, we would like to have someone he wants to talk to when he gets home. My baby doesn’t have friends… he has you,” Shika squeezed his husband’s hand the whole time and Nick patted his shoulder in support as he nodded along. For how he carried himself, his husband was a very obvious soft spot. The Tarasovs looked to his grand uncle now.

“We’re sorry, we know his studies are important but… the emperor himself has given summons for this. He’s agreed the royal family can be this small amount of greedy in their needs,” Nick’s eyes narrowed, seeing the ire roll of the elder dragon. He produced a summons from inside his suit jacket, setting it on the table.

“Does the emperor know the implications of not training an alpha?” the elder took the summons. Evander watched from the corner of his eye as he ate.

“I think the emperor would be more than willing to train him, himself in the arts of leading an entire realm if that’s what it took for his grandson,” Nick spoke with importance, Shika giving Evander a supportive smile as the two of them spoke.

“You can’t just come in here and throw your weight around. This is important clan training,” his grand uncle ground the words out, the summons clearly pissing him off more as he read it.

“We would never throw our weight around. We went through all the appropriate channels to summon Evander in service of the emperor. I think he has a great many years before he takes over. Can’t he resume studies after this has blown over?” Shika kept Nick from stirring the pot based on the way he quickly and diplomatically stepped in. His hand rested on Nick’s chest even with his eyes in the other direction. Evander found himself wanting for the life in front of him. He could see all the same mannerisms of his mother with the stubbornness of his father in Kouzen. He could almost picture them years in the future, his temper acting up with Kouzen’s hand lightly on his chest to hold him back as he took care of it. He chuckled slightly, making Nick’s eyebrows raise in curiosity.

“It is not in our traditions or customs. At 19 the alpha of the clan needs to undergo training to prepare him to be a proper leader by the time it comes to find his fated mate. You are asking to take away his opportunity to be an outstanding man for his future mate,” his grand uncle smirked as if he’d found the upperhand. Shika and Nick looked at each other, they knew what fated mate meant. They both glanced at Evander before Nick tipped his head forward, pressing their foreheads together for a second.

Shika gave a slight nod as Nick moved away and Evander happened to catch a mating mark under the collar of Nick’s button up. He was surprised, realizing they had just had an intimate conversation without saying a word. Shika turned back to his uncle, taking up Nick’s hand for support in his next stance. Just like Kouzen gripped his hand for strength in their errands.

“We understand the importance of a fated mate,” he held their clasped hands up as if to show their experience in the matter, “we also understand the importance of our son having someone to work these feelings through with. Even if at 21, Evander and Kouzen would separate for a mate, I do not see the harm in letting them bond before then. You don’t know our son like we do, he needs Evander. He has been summoned, he will leave with us.”

“You do not make that call--,” His grand uncle stood, his hands slamming on the table.

“He will come with us. Now I am throwing my weight around. I am prince to this entire world that you live in. You take orders from my family, Elder Erik. Your emperor has sent summons for one Evander Alfson and I, his son, will collect on his summons. Good day,” Shika stood up too, meeting his grand uncle’s eyes with a fierceness he’d not seen from the sweet prince. Fire raged in his green eyes and as mad as his grand uncle was, the prince didn’t back down until his grand uncle was forced into a low bow to his royalty. Shika stood over him for but a moment before releasing him from his bow with a movement of his hands.

“Evander, do you need your things? We can have some helpers up to pack back up. You will be staying at our house for the duration of your summons,” Nick looked across the table to him.

“Most of my things are still packed. I could use a little help getting a few things rounded back up though. Thank you. Truly,” Evander finished off his breakfast, passing a smug look to his grand uncle. He wished his father was here too, he’d love to see the brick he s**t as he walked out with them. He stood up and walked over to Nick, shaking his hands. They walked him out, one on either side of him.

“Darling, just don’t look back at him as we walk. No need to rub it in,” Shika patted the small of his back as they walked. Evander snorted at the wicked little look on the prince as Nick rolled his eyes. Shika stuck his tongue out to Nick playfully.

“Don’t make me come over there, Prince Shikamaru. Everyone here will know you bow to me in a heartbeat,” Nick smirked as Shika’s whole face turned red. Evander had to hold back a full out laugh.

“You wouldn’t dare, Nicholas Tarasov. I will divorce you,” Shika folded his arms as they left the lodge.

“One thing about Taisho ‘boys’, Mr. Alfson. Sometimes you do have to put them in their place. It just takes bending them over your knee,” Nick looked around the boy pointedly at his husband. Shika scoffed, hand darting to his chest in offense, “and you would not divorce me, darling. We are mated, how far are you going to get without me?”

“Don’t tempt me, Nicholas!” Shika’s lip jutted out in defeat, head swiveling to look in the opposite direction of his lover. Evander laughed outloud, making Nick laugh as well. He wanted this so bad, he hoped Kouzen would be with him like this. Playful and loving, even in his pouting Evander could tell Shika would be back in Nick’s arms in seconds with the aura that radiated between them. He’d never seen anything like it.