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"Troy, meet your new mate, Akaysha"

Troy choked on the water he'd been drinking, nearly dropping the fine, etched glass. "What? Who?" He said, looking behind his high backed chair to the door. Standing demurely in the entryway was a slim, glossy furred female wolf. Her coat was deep midnight black and it contrasted spectacularly with her bright blue eyes and the flowing white dress and gold bracelets she was wearing. She didn't speak, only looked toward the floor shyly.

"Um..Father..?" Troy began, not even remotely knowing what to say in this situation.

"Yes. Of course. I simply didn't want you to be surprised to see her in your room. Akaysha, please leave us for now." His father said without looking at the female.

"Yes, sir.." Akaysha replied, her voice light and smooth. She turned and swayed gently out of the room, closing the heavy oak door shut behind her.

"But..Father..I already-" His father cut him off. "Yes, I know. Shadow. You will not be able to have any respect or authority if he is publicly known as your mate. Do not worry, I do not expect you to be physically intimate with Akaysha. However, she will attend public functions with you and stay in your room. For all intents and purposes she will be your legal mate for the eyes of society and, more importantly, the Board members."

Troy didn't know what to do. This had all been going so fast. His father had whisked him and Shadow out of their normal lives into this....bizarre reality. He wasn't even sure why he was here. He had older siblings, ones more deserving and more desirous to run the many business functions of the family. Troy was soft spoken and spent money like it burned holes in his clothes. Not to mention the fact of him being gay. What was his father thinking in bringing him here? Now he was expected to pretend that female was his real mate? Troy didn't think Shadow would appreciate that very much.

Troy sat back in his chair and sighed. His father looked at him. "You may go for now, I'll meet you later this evening and we'll discuss in detail what I need you to do." Troy only nodded and made his way out of his fathers office.

He looked at his feet as he slowly walked through the silent hallways of his family. His thoughts were jumbled and uneasy. Cadan, of course, was following behind; an ever vigilant presence that his father had set to watch him. He passed grand tapestries and elegant, marble sculptures. The towering windows were designed brilliantly to catch and cast the light majestically down the different corridors. As he walked, his shadow loomed large beside him on the walls; keeping pace with him, watching over him as his mate of the same namesake would.

Troy sighed deeply as he looked up, glancing about his passing surroundings.

Every inch of this sprawling personal metropolis was perfectly crafted to portray the strength and status and achievement of the ancient family who ruled here. Each pillar, each precision chiseled block of earth a testament to the most historically important tribe of wolves to ever live.

To him, they only signified how empty this place was, how heartless. He missed the shabby little apartment he and Shadow shared together. He missed the creaky floor that let him know when his mate was having a restless night and needed some company. He missed their life. What was he going to do about all this?

He stopped suddenly as he passed a large, dark, set of wooden double doors. one of the most exquisite displays he knew to be in the mansion was behind them. On a whim, he turned and pulled the heavy doors open and walked into a room that was amazingly even more cavernous than the vaulting hallway. There were no windows inside but the space was kept decently, if slightly more dimly, lit by a series of large chandeliers high above. The floor was covered in a thick, dark red carpet. His footfalls were soundless as he trod inside.

On the wall in front of him, was a massive painting.

It stood about twenty five feet or so in its dimensions and was framed in shining gold. It was an impressive display of skill. All around it depicted chaos. Fire and wind raged and species of all kinds tore at one another. fangs and claws flashed, brutal weapons of stone or steel arced through the air. Lightning flashed and smoke swirled about the sky. The landscape was mountainous but it was pitted and scarred. Blood ran in rivulets and filled up the cracks and flowed over the side of cliffs.

On a ledge stood a lone, white furred wolf. Behind him a yawning, black chasm gaped menacingly as hordes of dark silhouetted attackers rushed towards him. Those at the front however were being blown back as if hit by a giant, unseen paw. A faint sphere of light emanated around the wolf and seemed to be an impenetrable, unstoppable force slowly moving out from him. It was gentle and subdued, not a blinding flash of light. Yet it seemed to be striking those assaulting the wolf with divine force. The wolf was standing defiantly, with one paw outstretched and his paw clutching what seemed to be a glowing rolled up scroll or parchment of some kind. The object was obviously the source of the devastating and protective waves of light that surrounded the wolf and brought his would be destroyers to heel.

Beneath the image, perfectly and painstakingly etched into the gold frame were the words

"_In knowledge, was true power. With valor won true peace. Valorous semper victor! _"

Troy stared for long moments at the image. It was a tribute to his ancestors who had brought peace to the constantly warring furred races. With the undisputed dominion of his wolf tribe, the parts of the world where they had held strong influence had flourished and grown in culture and technology. Sadly, Troy knew there were still parts of the world that had continued in their ways despite the success of the wolf ruled nation. Places where clans of carnivores clashed with herbivores. Where groups battled and killed and ate one another, barely better than their feral cousins.

Troy scratched under his muzzle as he gazed. He wondered what his forbears would think of their clan now? Living in absolute opulence, letting the world take care of itself while they exerted their influence in disguise only so far as to make sure their wealth and notoriety remained intact. Would they be pleased? Disappointed? Troy had been taught that his clan had favored knowledge and wisdom above all else; that they had taken the name of Valorous upon themselves and would only fight when pressed or in defense of an ally. That fact had seen them through to glorious achievements. Troy wasn't so sure these days. It seemed more like cunning than wisdom, to him. Calculated efficiency in exchange for valor.

He turned suddenly and left the oppressively large, silent room; closing the doors softly behind him.

He never had fit in with this world. The power plays and polite facades, running the world from the background. He had avoided it and eventually had run away from it the first chance he got. He just shook his head, it was all so crazy.

He finally arrived at his room. Troy peeked inside and was relieved to see that the female wolf was not there at the moment. Neither was Shadow, but his mate had a wanderlust and a dislike of staying still for long periods of time. He was most likely exploring outside where he felt more comfortable.

They had been here weeks now. At first it had almost been kind of fun. Being able to be with Shadow in the luxurious and extravagant Bellator home. But something was bothering him. He knew he wasn't incredibly popular with his family, but it was odd that none of them had made even a cursory show of welcoming him back.

"Where have they all gotten off to, Cadan?" He asked, not bothering to check if the servant was there. Cadan replied in his soft, silken voice. "I'm sure I haven't the slightest clue, my master. It is not my place to be informed of all their comings and goings."

Troy snorted at that. He was quite sure Cadan was informed of more things than people thought.

Troy looked at Cadan a moment. He had never felt comfortable around the strange fox. Cadan was tall and incredibly thin, but that belied a surprising amount of strength in his limbs. He had the stereotypical coloring of his kind; orange reddish fur with white under his muzzle and leading down presumably to his stomach. He even had the small white tip at the end of his wide fox tail. Brilliant emerald colored eyes peered back at Troy.

Although he was immaculately brushed and attired in his black suit, he had a raggedness about him. Both ears were numerously notched and there was a large, jagged scar that ran from the base of his left ear, past his muzzle and ended just above his neck.

Cadan smiled under Troys scrutiny. It wasn't a very comforting gesture. For as long as Troy had known this particular servant, it had seemed as if Cadan were privy to some secret joke at the worlds expense.

"How long have you worked for my family, Cadan? It seems as if you've always been here." Troy asked.

Cadan gave a perfunctory bow. "Many years, young master. I lose count, honestly. Your father took me into his service when I was quite young myself. I am grateful."

Troy gave a semi interested noise and sat down on the couch in the receiving room, deciding to relax until Shadow returned. How long were they going to be here? Despite what his father had said earlier, Troy felt as if he were only just now beginning to see the full scale of the task that lay in front of him. Running the families financial and business interests! That was more money and power than most any other nation had. How was Troy supposed to do this? Why had his father chosen him for this horrendous responsibility?

He supposed he could still refuse. Somehow. His father couldn't stand behind him and make him work all day. But.....thinking of the confrontation that would ensue made Troys stomach twist sickeningly. Perhaps, they'd just stay here a bit longer while Troy thought it over. He'd talk to Shadow about it when he got back from his wanderings.

Troy looked back over at Cadan. "You can leave Cadan, I'm sure you've better things to do than to keep watch over me all the time."

Cadan gave that same smile again before bowing and left. Somehow, Troy was sure that if he got up and left the room right now, that unsettling fox wouldn't be far. Troy shivered a little, then closed his eyes and waited for his mate to show up.

-SHADOW-

He sat high atop one of the marble columns that littered the expansive gardens. For some unknown reason, he'd felt the need for height. The carefully cultivated flowers and trees had begun to feel too restricting, despite their beauty. It'd taken him almost forty minutes to work his way up the smooth stone that had very few places to grip, but the top of the column was wide enough for Shadow to sit comfortably and he was grateful for the view.

It was still amazing that all this belonged to Troy. The garden itself went on for almost as far as Shadow could see. Troy had explained that there were full time gardeners always going around to keep it in pristine condition. Shadow shook his head. A small army of servants just for this one section of this immense property. Why would Troy have ever decided to leave all of this? His mate literally had the world at his whim. Why choose to live in one of the crummiest apartments probably ever built next to a neighbor who had tried his best to ignore his existence for two years?

A slight breeze blew across the estate, ruffling Shadows fur as his mind wandered. He lifted his nose to the air and breathed deep. The scents of freshly mowed grass and innumerable flowers were all he detected. Still, something seemed off here. His instincts were on alert for some reason he couldn't name, aside from the unpredictable turn their lives had taken. Shadow hunched forward, putting his muzzle in his paws as he mulled things over.

The college Dean had handed them both some "Acceptable Suspension of Academics" license, saying that they'd be able to come back to their studies whenever they wanted. Shadow had never heard of this, but Troy had just muttered something about his dad.

His ear twitched to the side as he heard someone approaching from down below. Shadow leaned over and looked down. Was that Troy? Sure looked a lot like him. Shadow smiled and thought about yelling down and causing Troy to jump up into the air, squeaking like a girly pup. He hesitated when he saw someone else appear as well. He leaned slightly and strained his ears forward to listen.

"So?" Asked the wolf who seemed so similar to Troy. His voice was far different though; it was deeper and slower, with a tinge of condescension in his tone.

"As expected." Replied his companion, a rail thin fox in a suit. Cadan. Shadow had made a mental note to remember that one. What were they talking about?

"Troy is hopeless. He ran away years and years ago, he has no sense on any of this. This ploy is so obvious, he must know everyone sees through it. Do you think he suspects?"

"Of course he does." Cadan said simply. "Your father is one of the most efficiently brutal and brilliant minds of our time. Only by exploiting a small loophole not of his design have you this slight chance against him."

The other bristled, his posture tightening even more. "You think so highly of him."

Cadan gave a chilling smile. "I do. He is a merciless predator and is master of all you see around you." He gave an expansive gesture to the gardens around them. "He has earned his status in ways that would make you blanch under your fur."

The wolf stared at Cadan for a moment. "Then why are you assisting me?" He asked slowly.

Cadan tilted his head, still with his smile frozen on his face. "It is the way of the natural order. Those with less power want to tear down those who do and take it for themselves. If your father cannot defend himself against you and the Board, then the mere fact of your victory means you were right to dispose of him."

The other seemed to think on this a moment. Then nodded. "So, when do we begin?"

"Soon." Cadan replied. "The others are all on their way. And I have prepared everything to the plans we outlined. Even one or two contingencies of my own making. Just in case."

"Contingencies?" The wolf growled.

Cadan made an airy, dismissive gesture. "Nothing to be alarmed over, my master." Somehow the way he said master implied none of the deference one would expect. "I doubt they'll even need to be put into play."

There was an uneasy silence. Finally, Cadans co-conspirator sighed heavily and looked away. "Very well. I will see you later on, then." He began walking away without another word.

"Very well, Master..." Cadan said smoothly, causing the fur on the neck of the white wolf to bristle, though he didn't stop or turn back.

Shadow leaned back carefully atop his perch. He blinked and rubbed his ears back. What had he just heard? Nothing had made much useful sense, but the tone of the conversation had been quite clear. Were he and Troy in danger? Or was this some kind of...business discussion? That had obviously been one of Troys siblings. One with a much keener interest in the position that Mr. Bellator was bullying his youngest son into. Maybe they both could just go home if his brother got the spot?

He risked a peek back at the ground. But the space was empty below. Cadan must've left soon after, as well. Shadow leaned forward and tried to catch any scent of him, but all he could sense was the immaculate garden paradise. He waited a while longer, then began working his careful way down. He had to talk to Troy. Maybe they could get out of here, finally.

-Cadan-

After only a few rings, someone answered on the other end.

"Hey, sugar! What can I do ya for?" Said a jovial, southern voice.

"Hello. I need your assistance, please." Cadan said gently. He found himself both amused and repulsed simultaneously by this singular individual. Despite some past failures, he was still a particularly useful piece.

"Oh MY! I haven't heard you say those words in an AGE, Cadan! Of course, of course! What do you need? I'm at your disposal, as it were." The voice chuckled.

"I need you to be Johnny, if you would be so kind." The fox replied in benevolent tone.

There was a brief silence on the line.

"....Really? What do ya want him for? He's still in trouble." The person on the other end sounded a bit uneasy.

Cadan gave a gentle sigh. "It's alright, I told you Johnny was forgiven. You can let him out again. I have a job I think he'd be perfect for."

"Oh..?" was the reply.

Cadan watched from his hidden vantage point in a small copse of thick leaved, exotic trees. He remained perfectly still as Shadow finally worked his way down the column to the ground. As the black wolf quickly made his way through the gardens back towards the mansion, Cadan finally spoke again.

"Yes...I think when you read the file I sent you, Johnny will be quite excitable to join in the..fun."

"Okay then, I 'spose...I'll be seeing you soon then." The person on the other end said hesitantly, then hung up.

Cadan slipped his phone back into his suit pocket and slid out from behind his cover. He placed his paws behind him and made his own separate way back. It was about time to bring Vinco his tea. Also, he had a brief meeting with the new hires for east wing maintenance today followed by organizing Vincos files for his briefing with a few members of the Board.

Much to do...much to do...