Unsevered Ties

12. My Treat

Chapter 12: My Treat

All eyes went wide, and a sudden silence came over the previously jovial crowd. Many people stared, looking at Naki with great confusion. Even if they didn't know the entire story, they heard enough to get the gist of the situation. The young male had just walked up to a King and asked to be his mate.

Aiden couldn't hide his shock, hell, no one could. His eyes were looking over Naki in confusion. Naki was an Infirti. But when and how? Naki had never been one before, and Aiden was sure Naki wasn't one a few days ago unless everyone was hiding the fact. He looked first at the King's face and then at Sega. The King's face mimicked his own, and Sega looked downright lost, though, at the news or Naki's actions, Aiden couldn't tell.

Both men exchanged a glance, which told Aiden that they were not playing dumb with their unison confusion. Both knew nothing about what Naki was doing. His brassy eyes looked over to his brother, who looked more disgruntled than confused, and his brows rose slightly. Had Rafeo known then? Did it really matter if Rafeo knew? What did it matter?

Naki was never a candidate to mate. The fact that he could be... Aiden didn't know how to feel about it. Disgust should have been immediate, but now the young man had become nothing but a stranger to him. There were no emotional ties. He could remember that even as a boy, he did not feel connected to Naki. Only his past selfish anger.

"What?" Sega broke the silence as he stepped forward, placing a hand on Naki's shoulder. "Have you gotten into the drinks Naki?" Sega chuckled and shook his head, "you pups are so devious. Don't cause so much trouble. Naki, go back to your friends and behave."

Naki shook his head, stepping back from the Prince. "I haven't gotten into anything," he said politely, understanding that he'd caused a stir and now felt embarrassed to have so much attention on him. He tended to keep to his personal circle, afraid of their judgmental society and afraid of making new friends. Most of their Pack knew him by name and that he was a member of the second most important family in their society, but they wouldn't be able to place his name to his face. "I've thought a lot about it. I am completely serious. I'm old enough to be considered. I fit all the King's needs."

"What do you mean you've thought a lot about it?" Rafeo came bounding into the small circle, placing himself firmly between Aiden and Naki and giving both his brothers' disapproving looks. There was no way in Hell. He'd castrate Aiden before he even thought to entertain the idea. Rafeo swiveled toward Aiden. 

"You, don't you even dare to think about such a ridiculous notion, and you!" Rafeo turned towards Naki. "What do you think you are pulling? Apologize to everyone for making a scene, and let's go have a talk. You can't take such little information and do something like this, you idiot!" Rafeo's green eyes slid to Sega, who gave him a look in return. It seemed Sega had no idea Naki would pull such a stunt either.

“Rafeo, no, I'm not pulling anything. I am-"

"Naki!" Rafeo's firm voice put a stop to Naki's words. "Do not do this right now. What are you thinking? It's been less than three days since you found out about this. Do you even know what you are doing? I know you. I know that you are trying to help your best friend, but this is a Royal matter, and it's not to be so easily played with. You have no idea what mating or being mated means, so please go and sit your ass down!"

"But it's not like that!" Naki's temper flared, matching Rafeo's. "I've thought about it all... I mean as much as I've been told. I am serious! Everything I am saying is true, and you can't deny it! I want to do this for myself too." He looked over at Leion, who glanced between everyone, and then at Cerise, who gave him a "what the hell are you doing?" type of look. It was true that this was for the people he cared about, but he could also get something out of it.