Rian

Another, long week went by and everything still felt so... wrong. It was hard to explain but basically nothing felt right. I didn't feel like getting shit-faced when the old hag became too much for me, I didn't avoid work, I buried myself in it. Every time I caught a glance at Remus down the hall I didn't feel this heart-clenching ache to rip out his throat. Everything was off!

I even started looking into the rotations for my guards. I would've normally been checking up on my old friends but the calamity that was this business trip had shoved itself in my face leaving no room for other importances. I noticed that things were out of place, checkpoints weren't being rotated between and clock-on times were off by a landslide. About a handful of my guards had clocked-on around their late shifts but never clocked-off. I found it strange that they would be so careless to never clock-off or check in with other guards. Normally they would complete their jobs, no questions asked.

However, I didn't have time to set things straight as I was on my way to another one of these stupid meetings. When I wasn't being bossed around by my father or busy intercepting Florence's life I was in here, sitting at a table with my worst enemies and getting nowhere with this treaty. Now, thanks to Florence, I understood why.

However, now that I was sitting here things still felt off. Things were... silent. Eurus hadn't showed up which made his two advisors basically shake in their boots while Remus and I sat still as statues, every now and then conversing with our advisors. I didn't like the silence. I wasn't used to it.

Normally we would be yelling or have our advisors yell for us. We would usually glare at each with matched hatred or sit back and imagine the other's death. At least, that's what I did. But now that we were here, we did nothing. Not one single glare, not a threatening pick-up of a pen. Absolute jack-shit.

"So, since Meade doesn't look like he's going to show we'll just move ahead." One of the members from the Human High Order cut through the silence. I wanted to groan obnoxiously and show my boredom but I somehow felt like it wasn't the right time. This atmosphere was fucking killing my mood.

"It's been weeks and we still haven't come up with an arrangement that all three tribes find suitable." He dragged on, placing various folders onto the round table. "We only a have a few options left, and among those few options we were advised that only one would be the most likely,"

I was bored already.

I snuck a glance at Remus who looked almost as bored as I did. However, he did take to scribbling something in the notepads we were provided. I let the old bat ramble on while I tried to zero in on what Remus was doing. I thought at first he was writing something to his advisor but on further inspection I made out a face. He was drawing? Whatever it was it wasn't human as the only thing that was distinguishable from the mess was two long ears and a small nose.

"-along with the portions of land, the council is willing to surrender more than fifty percent of Miradel's resources. These, of course, coming from the mainland and the Royal Union." The last bit caught my attention and judging by the way Remus tensed he was paying attention too.

I looked at the just to see if he was truly serious. It sounded like a stupid deal on their end. Why would they give up more than half of their resources, their funding! Were they really that desperate to end this war? Would all of them willingly go along with this plan?

I felt the need to say no almost instantly but not because the plan was stupid and wouldn't satisfy anybody. There were other... underlying issues with this.

There was a weird moment where Remus and I held eye contact for more than two seconds and without any growls. No resentment, no hatred- nothing! Just a weird look of... worry.

"Florence.." he started, an almost audible clicking sound coming from whatever connected within my brain. "We would be taking away from him." I whispered. There was a moment of silence as my words hung in the air. The atmosphere was completely warped by my sudden realisation but it looked as if only Remus and I were affected by it.

"Florence Baker? Neil Baker's grandson?" The annoying human said. He didn't sound nice when using his name. He sounded almost disgusted.

I wanted to rip out his tongue.

"What happens to Miradel if we take the deal?" Remus asks, calming me enough not to lunge at this man. He looked surprised as to why Remus would even question the deal. I would be too. He hummed whilst thinking, tapping his slender finger on the table. "I'd imagine we'd have to thin out resources amongst the island. That would carry on for about.. maybe five years? After that resources would be stretched so thin that we'd have a massive recession,"

"We have a relatively low crime rate but due to fundings most likely ceasing, neighbourhoods would go under as employment declines. People would look to narcotics and... other activities to make ends meet thus sparking criminal activity. This hotel would most likely be on it's last legs and shut down which leads to tourism coming to a complete halt." He started slowly then eventually got himself worked up. He didn't look worried at all, evident by the smallest quirk at the corner of his lips and the almost gleeful tint in his eyes.

I didn't care for humans- well most humans but the way he worded it made me feel bad for them. This man was one of their leaders yet he described the downfall of his society in a childish manner. As if they were his toys. "This island's economy would completely crash, while you and your tribes sit up high on your mountain.." he said slowly, having the balls to eye us off. If I wasn't so shellshocked by his words I would've ripped them right off and shoved them down his throat.

"..watching the entire island go up in smoke."

I audibly gulped and tensed. Why did this man's words make me feel so off edge? I didn't like it. I wanted to crack his skull for acting as if he were the most powerful man here in this room.

He went to speak again, a devilish smile placed onto his lips but he was thankfully interrupted by the doors swinging wide open. Our heads snapped on it's direction as a guard I recognised as belonging to Remus did his best to control his sporadic breathing. "Renée. What is it?" Remus addressed his guard who held the doorframe for support. She looked sloppy and disordered.

"M-Meade..." she breathed out between pants. I was getting impatient already. "Well? Spit it out, we're in the middle of a meeting-"

"He plans on leaving!"

Remus and I shared shocked looks as we both glanced at each other. Why would Eurus be leaving now? Had he finished whatever business he was really here for? No one had seen him in weeks and now all of a sudden he's leaving? Question after question filled my head leaving no room for other thoughts. I didn't have time to be angry or pissed.

My hands curled into fists and I shot up to go confront him. I didn't have much to go on, only the slow, dripping rage that filled my senses. He dragged us all down here when we could've been home. We could've been doing something more productive than this shitshow.

I stormed passed the the guard and headed straight for his room. I ignored my advisors warnings and the sudden heavy footsteps behind me.

His was only a floor above but the elevator allowed enough time for whoever was following me to catch up. "Wait!" Remus barked as the elevator dinged and a family awkwardly slid past us.

"What do you want?" I snarled, turning around to face him. I expected maybe a punch in the gut or a dangerous glare but all he wore was his standard frown. "What are you doing?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

I matched his frown, wondering why in the hell was he standing this close to me without some kind of weapon. And why I hadn't reached for a weapon. I also couldn't help but notice how tall he was. We had never stood this close before but now that I was only a few feet away from him I realised I had to look up to him, even just the slightest.

It made me mad.

"To talk to that piss-poor excuse of a shifter!" I barked back. I didn't bother sparing him a second glance as I walked into the elevator and pushed a few buttons. "You know he want listen to you, right? He never bloody listens to anyone other than himself!" He warned but I didn't listen. I shouldn't even be within a ten mile radius of him yet I was standing side-by-side with him in an elevator. "Trust me, he won't enjoy finding us at his hotel room-"

"You're really fucking annoying." I growled, not having much else to say. He didn't snap back at me like I was expecting. He never really had much to say. "What does it matter to you anyways?"

He didn't down at the floor as if he dropped his answer somewhere and was trying to find it. Did making me think always take this long?

Dreadful silence quickly flooded the elevator as both of us waited. It made my hair stand on end and caused my brain to split in two, my instincts and something else I couldn't explain took battle within me. The need to attack itched at my finger tips but I dulled it down until it was nothing more than a small buzz.

"It's because I'm worried." He muttered, just as the bell dinged. As the doors slid open I put two and two together. "About what will happen to-"

"Florence. Yes." He quickly cut me off almost as if he were embarrassed about it. I wanted to laugh at him, provoke him like the shitty child I was but I empathised with him. The boy, he..

He made me feel things.

"He won't listen to us," Remus repeated again. I was irritated but relieved he said something again. It took my mind off the weird warmth on my face. "Then what do you suggest we do?" I asked in a mocking tone.

He looked me dead in the eye and furrowed his brow. He was clearly determined. "We talk to the one person he will hear out," he said, a small smile to his lips. "And I have a feeling I know who that is."

Woooo, another chapter! I got a little too excited writing this chapter as we got another small interaction between Remus and Rian! I honestly liked writing in Rian's POV because I like having to portray everything as if it irritates him.

Predictions and Thoughts are always welcomed!