“-Makksi, are you listening?”

I glance up from the mindless scrolling on my phone to give Arko, my retainer, a pointed look. “Yes. Mother wants me at the dinner for the alliance talks with the SilverMoon pack. I’m aware.” I say with a slow wave of a hand.

He gives me a sigh, trying to hide his annoyance at my lack of interest. “Yes and your Honorable Mother tasked me with making sure your suit was ready beforehand.”

Grumbling, I set my phone down on the table next to me and stand for him to get the measurements needed. I could do without going, but Mother insists that I attend this stupid dinner.

The SilverMoon werewolf pack and our pride, the Cilese, have never been on good terms for generations; although Mother seems the blood feud with our pride and their pack has gone on for long enough.

“How well do you think these talks will go?” I ask Arko, while he spends what feels like an eternity, still, getting the measurements for my suit. “You can speak freely.”

“Um, about as well as any talks between werewolves and werecats have ever gone?”

I silently nod, feeling in complete agreement. It’s not just our pride and their pack that have been at odds. Werewolves and werecats as a whole have been at odds with each other for centuries. Yet Mother thinks a few simple talks between our pride, the head of the world’s largest pharmaceuticals, and a major pack that controls five major cities; can pave the way for peace. I won’t be able to see them in any other light than just a bunch of slobbering mutts, though.

“Your Honorable Mother thinks things will go well this time. The alpha’s son, Kaleb, and his soon-to-be beta will also be attending. I assume she hopes to foster better relations between their pack’s younger generation and ours. You and Kaleb, specifically.”

“Yes. Kale. He’s that ginger, loud, and tall as hell twat; if I remember correctly.”

Arko silently nods as he pockets his measuring tape. “Yes- sir… If- you’ll excuse me.” And so I nod and wave my hand in the air dismissively, sending him away without a glance.

Finally I can get back to looking at my kitten videos.

======================================================

“I don’t want to go.”

“This isn’t up for discussion, Kaleb.” my dad says with a slap of his hand on the desk. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to stop the pointless fighting between us and the werecats. Cilese and our pack can pave the way for-”

“I don’t give a shit. I’m not going-”

“Yes. You will, Kaleb.”

“-That pompous dick will be there. I can’t stand him!”

“This isn’t up for discussion.” my dad says again but more sternly this time. I will not be going to this stupid party. I’ve seen how that little shit acts on TV and I don't want anything to do with him, or spend a single second in the same room as that pompous little bitch.