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"Come on hun, we'll be late!" Troy called out. He waited impatiently by the front door, waiting as his mate was doing whatever it was that was taking so long.

A couple more minutes passed and Troy was tempted to go into the bathroom and drag Shadow out so they could get going. Finally, the black wolf appeared from the hallway tugging at the expensive suit Troy had bought for him. Troy chuckled a little. Shadow seemed like a little cub with the way he was fidgeting and huffing.

"Do I really have to wear this? I mean, it looks good and all...but..I've never worn anything like this. It's confining. And what's with this tie? That doesn't even make sense...." Shadow pulled at the knot of the tie, trying to loosen it a little.

Troy walked up to him and pulled Shadows paw away from the tie, smiling at his mate. "Now don't do that. It took you a long time to get that done correctly. Besides, I think you look incredible. You'll make a great impression in that outfit."

That was definitely true. In the months that Shadow had resumed his physical training, he cut a very stunning figure. You could see his broad chest and strong shoulders as he walked straight and confidently. His black fur was sleek and well cared for, and while his arms and legs were not muscle bound they were obviously strong and graceful.

However, one of Troys favorite features had to be Shadows eyes. They had a piercing, focused quality about them. Whenever someone spoke, Shadow gave them his full attention. Some people actually found it disconcerting. It was like he was seeing into you more than just looking at you. Troy loved it. A shiver always runs down his back when Shadow gives him that intense gaze. Especially when he could tell Shadow was thinking...certain things...

"Hey, save that for later." Shadows voice cut into Troys thoughts and he realized he'd been standing holding Shadows paw and staring aimlessly.

Troy coughed and shook his head. "Hm? Save what?" He asked, smiling.

"You know exactly what. You're thinking of one thing when you stop and blush like that." Shadow chuckled, "I thought you didn't want to be late?" He said, smiling.

Troy smirked and swatted Shadows leg as he turned back towards the door. "Come on, you bad wolf. We have to hurry, my father doesn't look kindly on tardiness."

That made Shadow grimace again. He was going through with it with his usual determination and focus, but Troy could tell he was nervous about meeting his father. In truth, Troy was nervous about it as well. Troy looked down and examined his own suit. Grey, with some bronze colored buttons and a light blue tie. He smoothed it out, wanting to look his best.

His father had never really approved of Troys lifestyle. It had been one of the reasons why Troy had moved out, gotten a place in a low profile part of town. He didn't want to be the cause of any undue stress or difficulty for his father. There was no reason for Troy to stick around and cause problems. Besides, his father still kept Troys bank account full. As long as Troy didn't call any great attention to himself, things were okay.

But now, there was Shadow. And father wanted to meet with him for some reason. Troy had mentioned him in a letter to his father just a few weeks ago, saying things were pretty serious between them. Troy sighed.

"Let's get going then." He said.

They took a long taxi ride into the bigger section of Valor City. While the area around the college had grown into almost it's own separate metropolis, it was nothing compared to the bustling sprawl of the downtown area. As the industrial factories faded away, they were replaced with large, sky reaching buildings and massive apartment complexes. The two wolves hardly ever came down this way, though for different reasons. Shadow much preferred open space and found the bustling crowds and swift traffic discomforting. Troy...well, he preferred staying out of his fathers way. He sighed again.

"You've been doing that a lot lately." Shadow mentioned, still looking out the window at the passing city scenery.

"Doing what?" Troy inquired, looking at him.

"That sighing. Constantly checking and rechecking your clothes. Smoothing your fur. You're more uncomfortable with this than I am." Shadow replied, watching an elderly lady cross the street.

Troy shook his head, smiling. Shadow noticed everything. Those shining amber eyes were always taking in every detail of what he was looking at. There would never be hiding anything from him.

"Yeah.." Troy admitted, taking Shadows paw in his own as his mate turned to look at him.

"It's been a while since I've spoken with him...and I don't know why he wanted to see both of us so suddenly. Also there's.." Troy sighed again, looking down. "I was kind of happy to leave that life...it's..complicated. I don't know how to really tell you."

"Tell me what?" Shadow asked, squeezing Troys paw.

Troy paused, trying to think how to say it. "W..well, my family is sort of, um..famous."

"Famous?" Shadow repeated. "Famous how?"

"My-" Troy started, but was cut off as the taxi pulled to the side of the road. "We're here." the driver called back to them.

Troy grimaced and paid. They got out and found themselves at the entrance of a very high class looking restaurant. The gold lettered sign out front read "La Maisonette". Troy took a breath and started leading them inside. His father probably just wanted to meet Shadow. Maybe he'd decided to take more of an interest in Troys life. Showing your mate to your family was a normal thing, right? This might turn out well. Troy released the breath he realized he'd been holding.

"It's not a huge deal I guess. My family is just...kind of well off, money wise. I'm a little uncomfortable about telling people is all. Come on." They walked into the dimly lit restaurant.

Troy spoke briefly to the maitre d' and they were led quickly near the back of the seating area. The place was obviously built for privacy. Low lighting overhead gave just enough visibility to move around and the candle lit tables were spaced in a way so that conversations would not be overheard. This was a location where the rich and powerful could have secure conversations.

They were seated at a medium sized, circular oak table. Already there was an older wolf, who watched them solemnly. Troy's father.

There was definitely a strong resemblance between the two. Thick, all white fur. Tails that were bushier than average. They were of a same height and had identical bright green eyes. That seemed to be where the similarities ended; there would never be confusion of them. Where Troy had a playful look about him and a mouth and eyes that seemed accustomed to smiling, his fathers looked disinterested and dispassionate. As if everything he saw either had a use to him, or none. He was dressed in a stark black suit and red tie, watching them sit down with a calm, calculated gaze.

"Hello, Father." Troy said as they pulled in their chairs.

"Son." Was all his father said in reply. He shifted his eyes to Shadow.

"So, you must be Shadow. A pleasure."

Shadow nodded and replied that is was nice to meet him. Unknowing how to address him, Shadow decided to go with "Sir."

"Respectful. That is a good trait, young man." The older wolfs voice was very smooth, articulate and deep. much deeper than Troys or even Shadows, which was surprising.

A waiter hurried by, dropping off three glasses of a dark, red wine; bowing respectfully as he left their table.

"So.." Troy began awkwardly. "How's the business going, Father?"

"Turbulent." He replied, taking a sip of his drink. "It is good you bring it up. It is why I have told you to meet me."

Shadow looked quizzically at Troy. "Business?" He asked.

The solemn wolf looked at his son, a slight downturn of his mouth showing his disapproval. Troy shied back just slightly from that gaze.

"Do you have no pride in your family, boy? It is good you don't go spreading your name, but I would think your..." He spoke the next word awkwardly, "mate...would know of your heritage."

*"It...uh...just never came up. I'm sorry..uh-" Troy swallowed his words as his father held up a paw to silence him.

"Please, stop. You know I hate it when you stammer, son."

Troys father looked sternly at Shadow, as if somewhat disdainful that Shadow hadn't figured it out already. Finally he spoke.

"I am Vinco Bellator, though you may call me Mr. Bellator, or simply 'Sir.'" Mr. Bellator leaned forward on the table, his paws clasped together. "If you have a child's grasp of history, you will understand the import of that name."

Shadow did understand the import. His mind reeled. Hundreds of years ago, the Bellator Wolf Clan dominated the other carnivorous races, forcing them into a union that prevented the relentless bloodshed and miniature wars between them. Only about a hundred years ago or so, a member of that union, also a Bellator, created the formula for the synthetic meat which allowed the non-carnivorous races to finally live in peace with their meat eating neighbors. In short, Troys family was nearly solely responsible for the creation of modern civilization. Though they had abdicated direct control and governance of the nation, the Bellator Clan's wealth, power and influence were an undeniable fact of the world.

Shadow stared at Troy, wide eyed. He could hardly believe that the wolf who had been living in that tiny apartment with him, his mate, was a member of the indisputably most powerful family on the planet. It seemed impossible.

For his part, Troy slumped in his chair a bit, seeming almost a bit ashamed at the revelation. He toyed with his wine glass, swirling the contents and staring into their depths absently.

Shadow put a paw to his head, stroking the fur back in amazement. "That's why you always were picking up the cab fare..." He mumbled, still trying to get his mind adjusted to the situation.

"Indeed." Mr. Bellator cut in.

"Because of Troys....tastes..." Again, that awkwardness in the older wolfs tone. "It was beneficial to have him gone from the family estates, and to lead a low profile life of his choosing here in the city founded by our forbears."

Mr. Bellator leaned back in his chair and drained his wine glass. "However, that must now change. Son, you are needed back at home. I'm afraid you are going to need a rather abrupt education on the running of our families business concerns."

Troy sputtered and nearly lost the grip on his drink. With shaking paws, he gingerly placed it back on the table.

"What?" To say Troys mind was in tumult would certainly be one of histories greatest understatements. "Me? B..but..what of Bella? Or..Angelus? Surely one of the others would be better sui-" Troys protests were stifled by an icey glare from Mr. Bellator. Troy slumped once again, staring at the floor with a look of fear, confusion and complete befuddlement across his features.

Mr. Bellator rose, sighing. "I'm aware that you don't have too many possessions in your small apartment son. I expect you to be packed and ready to leave tomorrow afternoon at the latest. I'll send Cadan for you."

As his father began to leave, Troy reached and desperately grabbed Shadows paw in a tight grip.

"Shadow has to be with me. He...he has to come too." Troy nearly cried out.

Mr. Bellator stopped, and gave Shadow an appraising gaze. "That would not be wise son."

Troy took a deep breath to try and steady himself. "I love him, father. I..If he doesn't come with me...then I refuse.."

His fathers gaze slowly turned from indifferently calculating, to outright hostile. If possible, Troy seemed to shrink even farther into his chair.

"Please, father..." Troy pleaded. "It's not worth the battle...not now..please."

Mr. Bellator seemed to regain his composure, breathing out gruffly. "Very well. We will find a place for him. But we will discuss this later." And with that, he strode away without another word.

The ride back home was awkward and silent for a long time. In just a short span of time, it seemed the whole world had been tumbled about. Neither Troy nor Shadow knew quite what to say at the moment. At last Shadow decided to crack the wall of silence that had grown around them.

"This doesn't change anything...about how I feel about you. I still love you Troy."

Troy smiled wanly, looking out the window at the darkening scenery. "I hope that's always the case..."

Shadow pulled Troy close to him, so that he was leaning against Shadows shoulder. The white wolf pressed himself to Shadows chest, soaking in the comfort his mates presence gave him.

"Why would that ever change?" Shadow inquired softly.

Troy just closed his eyes, how to explain?

"It's just..my family..that life..it tarnishes and corrupts everyone that's too close. I was happy to leave..I thought I'd never have to worry about it." Troy clutched at Shadow tighter.

"You don't have to do anything, you know." Shadow said, smoothing the fur atop Troys head. "You can say no and go along as we have."

Troy let out a deep, resigned breath. "No.That would be pointless. If he didn't just have me hauled by my neck, he could easily find a way to get me to do what he wants." Exhausted, Troy laid back on the seat of the cab, resting his head in Shadows lap and placing his arm over his eyes.

"It's one thing to know someone has near unlimited power. It's quite another to feel them use it against you. Believe me."

"What about school? You still have a couple more classes to take eventually." Shadow said, gently scratching behind Troys ear. Troy nuzzled into Shadows lap.

"Father will take care of it. He always does." Troy replied, seemingly content to leave it at that and enjoy the scratching. Shadow frowned, but said nothing more.

As Shadow watched the world outside the cab window darken into indistinguishable shapes, he couldn't help but feel on a precipice of sorts. Dangers all around. He looked down at his mate, who was beginning to doze off in his lap. He'd already learned that he would do anything to protect Troy. This was no different. Shadow leaned his head back. For now at least, they could simply enjoy being close to one another. He sighed and allowed himself to relax slightly. Dangers all around...but not yet he supposed. Not yet.

*The revelation and adoption of a couples surnames is an intimate and sacred action among the furred races. The average person goes only by their first name. If there are instances of the same first name, it's usually acceptable to reveal the first few letters of the surname to distinguish one another, depending on it's length. Currently there are hot political/social debates on whether gay couples should retain the rights of a family name, or whether they should be banned from using their surnames altogether.