(Part 2)
Jake was so done.
The werewolf hated vegetables more than anything else. Born half-carnivore, it's only natural. Fruits were okay, but there were barely any fruits other than apples and oranges in the kingdom.
And here Jake was, eating vegetables voluntarily over meat.
Why?
The stupid hunters and the stupid kingdom that decided to make their profit from wolves of all things.
Sure, it wasn't always like that. Yeah, there had been a time when wolves were not actively sought out all of the time. But when Jake was young something happened- he couldn't remember what exactly because he was young- that changed the human's way of thinking.
And the death of Jake's grandparents caused the werewolves to think differently about the humans as well.
The two groups spiraled down into this sour disgust of the other's existence.
But what was really disgusting was what was on the table for dinner.
Nathan had said that he was vegetarian and Jake had no idea what that was, until Nathan explained it. Now, he had seen why.
Not only was the meat not a fresh kill, but it was meat from a certain animal that made Jake want to throw up.
A wolf. It was wolf's meat.
Barf.
So, yes, he had told the king that he was also a vegetarian- who hated vegetables.
Derrick suddenly looked sick and had said he'd lost his appetite. They all now sat at the table like a happy family, even though the two kings were the only ones eating.
"So, Jake," King Just Rastus started, placing a forkful of meat into his mouth, "When did you realize you were a vegetarian?"
"Uh," Jake winced every time the king put another piece in his mouth, "Just recently actually."
Nathan was happily munching on his vegetables in his own little world, but Derrick snorted.
"And ah, son," the King smiled, Derrick's snort turned all of the attention on him," Any encounters with the lucky lady who is your soulmate?"
Nathan must have tuned into the real world at the wrong time because he started choking on whatever was in his mouth and pounded his chest with his fist. Jake looked over in concern, yet finding it amusing, while Derrick didn't even spare his cousin a glance.
The stone-faced, grumpy prince replied with an annoyed, "No."
King Rastus got the message and turned to Nathan for conversation instead.
"And, er, Mr. Drake? What about you? Have you found your lover for life?"
Jake inwardly giggled at the thought of Derrick being his "lover for life".
Nathan shook his head, "No, sir...Not yet."
The old king gave a sympathetic smile for the younger ruler.
"I wouldn't worry about it," Just Rastus assured, "They will come for you someday."
"I hope, " Nathan mumbled sadly, before perking his head up in alarm, remembering to be happy, "Uh- How about we talk about Jake?! Jake- um have you found your soulmate?"
"Yes, I have," Jake nodded, surprising Derrick's father and earning a warning glare from Derrick himself.
"Oh, really?" asked the intrigued king, "What is she like?"
Jake didn't really want to admit that 'she' was a he. Although he would tell anybody who would listen that Derrick was his soulmate, he didn't want to be kicked out of the castle just yet. He didn't want to take that risk if there was any chance that King Rastus was homophobic.
"Well," Jake said, biting his lip in concentration, "She has pale skin, like the moon when it's winter. Her smile is small and rare indeed, yet so beautiful when it shines. I want to run my hand through her dirty-blond hair, but she never lets me. She's stubborn like that. And her eyes-" Jake turned to look wistfully into Derrick's eyes-"They are like a pale plant blowing in the winter storm. Sad, with a hidden light that she never lets anyone see. I wish to see it some day, your majesty. But it only seems like I've known her for a day."
By then end, Derrick's glare had softened into a rather pained look, as if he was trying to hold something back or felt sorry for someone. Neither took their eyes off the other's.
The king looked in between the two, confused as to why they were staring into each other's eyes so intently, before clearing his throat.
"Ahem, right, " King Rastus dropped his fork on his now empty plate, "Well, seeing as how everyone has finished, you three are now excused to do anything you wish."
"Thank you, sir. The food was excellent, but I-I'm going to go to my chambers," Nathan said, before getting up and rushing out of the dining room. Jake noticed a sad, distant emotion in Nathan's eyes as he left.
Strange... Jake thought.
"Uh, yes, " Derrick said, out of his element for a second before he put his mask of annoyance back on, "Yes, Jake and I will be going now."
Jake raised an eyebrow as to why he was invited, but then shrugged it off. He followed Derrick, bowing when they neared the King, wondering where they were headed to.
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