They'd been sitting in the classroom for nearly forty minutes. King Scott had been absent from breakfast, which came as a disappointment for most of the suitors. It was supposed to be their first meal together, so everyone ended up discussing theories on why the King hadn't shown up. After that, they'd all been shoved into this room and left alone with the promise that they'd get instructions soon.
"And so yeah, my sister broke my arm when I was nine. My parents were so mad." The chubby Omega from yesterday, Robbie, had chosen to sit beside him. The tables were only big enough to seat two, and so far no one had really bothered them. It was mainly because Allen's expression made him look like someone pissed in his cereal every morning, but he wasn't aware of that. Murmurs hummed through the classroom, thirty mouths speaking back and forth as they sat under the fluorescent lights.
He made his glazed over eyes focus on Robbie, biting back his irritation. The man had pretty much been talking non stop. Allen let out a small grunt, "How did your interview with the King go yesterday?" He figured they might as well talk about something mildly interesting because he could not handle another story about Robbie's dog that ran away when he was eleven.
Robbie's cheeks turned a darker shade of pink and he sighed softly. "It was awkward. I wasn't expecting to see him so quickly! I bowed in front of him like a complete moron. He seemed to think it was funny though, at least. How did yours go?"
Oh, just nearly had a panic attack because he looked like his ex boyfriend. No biggie. "It was fine, I think. We didn't really talk about too much. He's different than I expected?"
"Really? How so-" Robbie fell silent as someone quickly stalked into the room, shutting the door behind them.
It was the King, and he looked a bit angry. His eyes were alight with agitation, curls messy as though he'd been running his fingers through it. Allen wished he could smooth his hair down.
"Sorry for being so late. The council called for a pointless emergency meeting." Scott huffed out as he attached his laptop to the projector that had been casting a blue screen onto the clean white board. It suddenly turned black and he looked up at the bunch before him. His eyes landed in Allen and he smiled at the Alpha, eyes softening a little bit.
Allen's heart skipped a beat. The Hell?
"One of you in this room will be my mate. As such, that person will need to be prepared for being royalty. Someone will be formally training all of you for the position, but I will periodically give lessons of my own." Scott said as he rounded the teacher's desk, hopping up on to it. He crossed his legs, getting comfortable before continuing to speak.
"The media is a tricky thing to deal with. They'll do anything for a picture, even if it means jeopardizing their whole company. They'll take pictures or words, and twist them to fit their own agenda. It's why we took your phones and deactivated all of your social media accounts."
Scott sighed out, leaning over and clicking a button on his laptop. Suddenly, the magazine cover from last night was blown up on the whiteboard in all of its pixelated glory. Gasps and hushed whispers spread across the room. Allen observed Scott, who was silent and looking angry. Almost like he was ready to defend himself.
He caught a few snippets and whispers, which were mainly questions of if that was really the King and shock that he wasn't pure. Once the Suitors died down, Scott continued with his speech.
"This morning, Cosmopolitan released a copy of this magazine nationwide. Their sales are off the charts." King Scott chuckled darkly. "I figured you all would like to know about this. They've had this image in their possession for months. The man with me shall remain unnamed, but we haven't seen each other since I decided to hold this competition."
"Why do you think they waited until now?" Someone spoke out of turn.
"Because I have thirty Suitors staying in my Palace. No doubt it makes me seem more scandalous to the more conservative citizens."
"Can't you just make them take the magazine down?"
"No, not without looking making myself look guilty, which I have no reason to feel such a way."
"Shouldn't you at least apologize though? I mean no one wants a King who..." This time it was an Alpha who spoke. He trailed off, wincing under Scott's withering glare.
"Apologize for what exactly, Mr. Saunders?" His tone was downright cold, demanding that the man answer. When one didn't come, he continued on. "I was in a private setting, that some vile person intruded to get such a picture. I will not be sorry for having my privacy invaded."
He stood up and shut the laptop behind him, making the screen on the board go black. "All of your rooms are being checked for hidden cameras, and I'm tightening authorization on the media in the palace. You all may do as you please for the rest of the day. Your lessons will begin tomorrow."
Scott set his menacing gaze on Saunders. "If you'll come with me, I'd like to have a word with you." The two left the room, the Alpha looking like a kicked puppy. Allen was sure he'd get sent home.
Not wanting to dwell on the smile Scott had given him, he turned toward Robbie, "Well that was something. I heard this place had an indoor pool. Wanna go find it?"
"Sure." The Omega nodded, looking excited.
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