Rival Lovers-A Solangelo STORY

Chapter Nine

Nico walked out of his cold room, into the very large dark hallway with a scowl on his face. He hoped that his father had some good news for him, because he didn't want his mood to be ruined. He just had a very gay moment with a hot boy, and he didn't intend to ruin that for himself.

His converse didn't clack against the marble floor like his real fancy dress shoes did, and he was grateful, because to be honest, the sound made him grit his teeth. He wondered what Lord Hades would think of the attire he was showing up with. Only Will's sweatshirt, black ripped jeans, and his very wasted converse. Probably everything bad, but hey, he did get called very early in the morning.

The long hallway ended, and he was met with the place where his father always called him to meet. The dining room. Unfortunately, he wasn't there. He was beginning to think that he should've asked where his father wanted to meet him at, when he overheard Jason call over from the kitchen.

"Lord Nico, if you're in search of your father, he's waiting for you in the southern gardens," he peeked his head out from the small round window, with some soot on his thin face from cooking. Jason was somewhat a special case. Nico didn't like care for him much at first, but now they were kind of buddies. He had tried to escape multiple times though, so they had him on duty most of the time.

"Thank you, Jason," he gave him some gratitude, and he smiled at him sadly, taking off the apron tied on his head, which covered short, tousled blonde hair.

"Good luck, Nico," he said almost in a melancholy way, like he knew something Nico didn't. He'd just have to find out when he reached his father.

The way was pretty short, since he was already in the south part of the castle. Soon, he was facing the backside of his father, who was looking at some white roses growing with the rest of the flowers. He ripped out a petal and scrunched it up in his hand.

"Good morning, Nicholas."

Well, this was going to be bad.

"What did you call me here for, father?" Nico asked impatiently.

"A little on the rude side this morning, are we?" Hades turned to face him finally, and he wore a wicked smile. "But since you asked so nicely, I have some news to inform you of, that are of importance to you."

Nico waited, tapping his foot on the ground.

Hades scrunched his face up in disgust all of a sudden. "Nico, tell me why you are wearing this lazy attire, and where in the gods did you get this sweater that I have not seen before?"

Nico blushed a bit at the mention of the sweater, but he mostly rolled his eyes. "You called for me quite early, father. I did not expect it and didn't have time to properly change."

Hades grunted. "Well, on with the news. . . I have called at least three other 'packs' of werewolves out there," he tapped his fingers on his robe, studying Nico's face. When he said "packs" he of course meant something more like "kingdom."

"Go on," Nico urged.

"The other alphas agreed to bring in their. . .daughters. . in here, for a ball. But it won't be a regular ball Nico," he added when he noticed that the black-haired boy was rolling his eyes again, "You will have to choose a bride then, from those three."

Nico's eyes filled with anger, and his next words were almost spat out.

"What!? Already!? Father, you don't understand, I'm not ready! I'm still sixteen, I want to be single for a while longer, it's not like you're on your deathbed anyway! I-"

He stopped himself, as he was about to tell his father that he did not even find interest in females at all. Hades didn't seem to care about his outburst, just twiddled his fingers and gazed at him coldly.

"Nico, I want to make sure that the rest of my 'pack' is in good hands. Besides, it will be good if you meet her now, better than marrying a complete stranger."

Although Hades was right, and Nico understood this was his way of trying to make Nico more comfortable, he found himself storming out of the garden, his eyes glowing yellow with anger. It was not only anger towards his father, but towards himself, for being born this way. For not being able to love a woman. He walked sadly all the way back to his room, his elongated fangs making his lips bleed.
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Will was helping Lou Ellen hunt today. Usually, if you live in a castle like himself (and Nico) somebody brought the food over to you. He knew that Nico liked to hunt himself sometimes, but Will himself had no other choice now. The rations were low, and little to no food came to them now. Apollo had actually acknowledged him today, but he told him to go hunt for something. He was raging, and he had basically screamed the order at Will.

Apollo was pacing back and forth in the big room, when Will had entered upon being called.

"Those bastards! What do they think they're doing!! Breaking the treaty like that, and stealing all the food! HOW DARE THEY LEAVE US STARVING!?" He stomped his foot on the floor, making it crack a bit.

Will stopped him before he broke the whole ground. "Father, stop it! You're breaking the floor!"

Apollo turned to look at him with a rage filled gaze in his usually calm blue eyes. "Son, you have no choice but to go hunt everyday now! Go with your little friend, and try to bring your mother some rations! She's too sick to go hunting herself. If this keeps up, your mother may die!! And if that happens, I swear I will kill every last werewolf in that pack, and it'll be war!" He spat out.