Chapter Twenty-Three

He had wanted to walk into the room too see if anything had happened between them two. However, if something had he couldn't handle that. The dinning hall was a big room with many tables and chairs. Only other color than the dark wood was green table covers, and a big green rug in the middle of the room. The chief, when not busy, ate with his tribe. He said it was due to him wanting to seem more approachable. Alzie thought it was a ridiculous idea. When he sat down Frazen immediately sat next to him. His yellow, brown, eyes gazing up at him through long lashes. He had his head proped on his paws, which were crossed over eachother. Frazen had followed him everywhere yesterday. Saying that he had to be sure his wounds were okay. Yet here he was again, sitting next to him all flirty looking. He grunted and looked away trying to enjoy his meal in peace.

"Look out, here come the human." Frazen whispered, a little to closely, in his ear.

Alzie looked up to see Mira and Cyro walking his way. She looked so small hiding behind him. That's when he realized everyone was watching them. Cyro didn't deserve a bit of that kind of attention, this was her fault. He stabbed his eggs with a claw. Looking away he continued to eat, Mira and Cyro sitting across from him. The fox seemed to delight in this.

"So, Mira, how is it a little human like you ended up here?" He watched as Frazens fingers seemed to dance on the table.

"Well,.... ummmm." Mira's voice sounded different, ans bit shaky. This peeked Alzie's interest. "I don't know." He could tell she was lieing, reading people was something he was very good at.

"Really! How fascinating!" Frazen seemed to be enjoy every reacted he had, and it annoyed him. "Another question if you don't mind?"

"Um, sure." She seemed to fidget as she pushed her food around. Her plate only had eggs and a few berries.

"Is it true that you and Cyro are a mated pair?" The moment the words left the foxes mouth he began to choke.

He quickly excused himself not wanting the answer. He wanted to tell them he had written to the other tribes. Yet it seemed that would have to wait. He made his way to the chiefs room, hoping to speak with him. He wanted to get started with Mira as soon as possible. He knocked on the door, and checked his appearance before walking in. The chief sat at a small table looking through papers. He didn't look up just continued to read as he spoke.

"What can I help you with Alzie?" He smooth voice rendering him still.

"When are we going to start studying Mira?" He tried to stay respectful as he was not in charge here.

"Well, as soon as Cyro had backed off." He looked up at him with a studying glance. "Seems he decided to mate her here. Also best make sure he doesn't hurt her."

Alzie's heart stank to his stomach. So it was true, they had mated. He cursed himself for letting it happen. He nodded to the black eared fox, a silent agreement between them. Their new objective was to get Cyro away from Mira so they can start. With him mated to her now they couldn't do a thing. As was the law amongst all tribes. No mate shall be harmed no matter what tribe, or no tribe, they were from. They had to do this when the women started to become infertile. With the populations dwindling like they are now, every mating mattered. The argument could be made that she is not beast, but then that would make more problems. She needed to be removed from Cyro quickly and silently. He was lost in thought when something red and soft slammed into him. Frazen. He rolled his eyes and tried to walk away without looking. However, he looked at the soft tail and trailed up his body. He was quiet a delectable sight. He stiffened and turned when he met his gaze. Frazen was off limits, and he found him rather annoying. He tried to walk away, but a furry paw grabbed his arm.

He allowed Frazen to lead him too a room full of books. There were a few people in the center of the room sitting at tables. Shelves full of books were placed along the walls in a circle like maze. It was quiet impressive to say the least. The use if a light colored oak wood for the shelves made for a nice, but subtle, contrast to the dark oak wood. He looked at many of the books as they walked. Not once paying attention to where they were going. When they reached a particularly empty looking shelf, besides a stack of books, he stopped.

"These are all of our books on humans." Frazen looked at him like a child awaiting his reward. "We found them years ago in the ruins."

Alzie patted his head and reached for the books, but was quickly stopped.

"They're really old and can easily fall apart." The fox pulled at him again. "We wrote what we could read in a separate book. Only me and the chief have access."

Suddenly things made sense. The chief must have assigned Frazen to him as a helper. So that he could find what he needed easier and complete his tasks here. It did relieve him to know he wasn't just following him around. He pulled him up a hidden flight of stairs, to a small room. It had one window, next to it a bookshelf full of books. In the center was a desk, cluttered with papers and books. A fire place sat in the far corner away from the book shelf. It was quite cozy, not that he'd admit that. He moved to the bookshelf reading each title out loud.

"Human anatomy, human habits, the fall of humans." Obviously a theme was happening.

"Shall I clear the desk for you?" Frazens feminine voice did carry in the room.

"Yes, I'll also need clean paper and charcoal."

He grabbed a few books briefly flipping through them before sitting at the desk. Frazen was quick with cleaning up, and even managed to bring water incase he got thirsty. He first started with Human Anatomy, curious to see if it was truely possible for huam and beast. He was so absorbed in the books he hadn't noticed that Frazen was watching him from the window. The hours ticked by quickly as he finally set the first book down. His stomach growled and he realized he was late to lunch. However, Frazen was already setting a tray of food down in front of him. His tiny hips fitting perfectly on the corner of the desk. They both knew exactly what he was trying to do. Alzie ignored him once again and began eating. That didn't stop Frazen though. He laid out along the edge of the desk in front of him. Arching his back as he stretched. If this was how he was going to act, he might as well go finish the books in his room. He wasn't able to take his eyes off the slender fox. Now getting a closer look, it appeared he had small flecks of white on his red fur. Reminding him of the red berries he had once seen in the snow as a child.

He quickly pushed the thought away and stood up. That was the first and last time Alzie had ever seen snow. Being reminded of that memory only hurt. He grabbed the rest of the books, and his notes, and left without a word. He was glad the fox didn't follow him this time. The sickening feeling of that memory filling his stomach the way to his room. He would have made it to his room, if he hadn't noticed Mira standing alone in the dinning hall. Apon closer inspection he saw she wasn't alone, but rather with the fox chief.