Brasserie Charmante was definitely not the kind of place Luan would ever choose–if he was ever given a choice–when it came to the fancy dinners he was occasionally forced to attend.
Sure, it looked nice, if not a bit stuck up with its fancy doors, walls littered with golden accents, and pillars lining every corner. But what stuck out of the edges, hushed laughter, comments meant to derail any thought of thinking one was better than the other, the way peoples eyes tracked every movement with cold calculation: That was not something Luan looked for when wanting to enjoy some quality food.
Luan was dressed in the suit, gold tie contrasting the silver in his eyes as he took everything in. His father was in front, being led to their table by the hostess. Marcilla stood next to him, blue gown fit more for a ball than any kind of eating. Arlan, of course, tagged behind them, a light grey suit accenting his dark hair and green eyes.
Surprisingly, he didn't look any more willing to be there than Luan did. Usually, Arlan was happy to show off their wealth with his parents, something Luan was rarely invited for.
Something was different this time. Whoever had invited them, Luan had the feeling he wasn't going to enjoy this dinner, if he managed to eat anything to begin with. Societal meals were the worst, because everyone wanted to talk, vying for whatever piece of information was the most crucial, gossip and business deals flying off their tongues while their expensive food grew cold on their plates.
Luan just wanted to eat fancy food while he could. It wasn't a very common occurrence, and he was going to make whoever was footing the bill pay while he stuffed his face with all the crumbs that would fit.
Arriving at their table, located conveniently in a corner, pillars making it seem almost private, Luan found out who their invitee was. Though, he didn't actually know the people at the table. There was a man seated near the wall, blond, cold blue eyes meeting each of their faces in turn, before resting on Luans. To say he felt creeped out was an understatement.
A woman, soft make-up decorating her small face, brown locks curling by her shoulders, and slight lines surrounding her eyes sat next to the man. Beside her sat another man, older, but with the same blue eyes. His face was hard, lines deepening as he looked at the approaching family.
They all rose to greet the Daltons as they reached the table. Luan lagged behind just slightly, not wanting to get caught in the tedium of greetings.
"You must be Mr. Henry Dalton. It's a pleasure to meet you." The woman was the first to speak, extending her small hand towards his dad. He took it, dropping a kiss on her knuckles as he returned the greeting.
"The pleasure is all mine. I was delighted to receive your invitation, Mrs. Sein. This is my wife Marcilla, and our sons Arlan and Luan." He gestured to each as he introduced them.
"What a lovely family." Mrs. Sein smiled, clapping her hands together as she met them.
"This is my husband, Richard and our son Miles." She gestured towards the two men that stood on either side of her.
"Please, take a seat." Richard finally spoke, quiet and gravely. Henry smiled, nodding as they took him up on the offer, each Dalton finding a chair at the table.
Luan somehow ended up by the window, across from the man with cold blue that wouldn't stop looking at him. Miles.
He pretended not to notice, looking around the room at the other occupants that decided to dine in such a lavish establishment. A couple sat nearby, no doubt on a romantic tryst with the way they talked in hushed voices, smiles adorning their faces as their faces flushed from the drinks.
A group of businessmen were further across the room, hands flying as they argued over whatever deal was trying to be struck, food untouched on their plates.
He paused in his observations when his eyes met a man seated at a table in the corner. He was handsome. Muscles bulged under his suit, arms crossed. He had black hair, leaning back in his chair, a smirk coming from his mouth as he caught Luan's eyes. He felt a shiver, something about the man dark and alluring. He was forced to break the stare when his father chose that moment to address him. It was only then he realized the table had been talking for some time, pausing when he was asked something.
"What?" Luan asked, looking towards his dad. He could see the anger in his eyes, no doubt not liking his attitude, and lack of attention with these esteemed people. But, Henry was forced to swallow that anger, repeating his question as though he didn't want to throw hands at his own son.
"I said, what do you think of Miles, Luan?" He repeated, gesturing at the man seated across the table. Miles was smiling, but there was nothing nice about it. It felt barbed, like he was hunting something and couldn't wait for the chance to rip into its throat. And like Henry, Luan had to keep his thoughts to himself, forcing a polite smile out at the slight warning in his fathers voice.
"He seems…" Luan trailed off a bit, trying to think of something that didn't get him in trouble.
"Very nice, father." He answered, zero familiarity to his tone as he turned back to the man. Luan just wanted his fancy food, and a quick exit from this nightmare they referred to as socializing.
"Well of course. Miles is a very sought after alpha, after all. Any person would be lucky to dine with such a high standing individual." His father praised, head practically up the man's butt with the way he was polishing his ego. Miles, all the while, looked delighted, as though he was somehow gaining something other than a very thorough ass kissing.
Something about this whole thing seemed off. Why was Luan even here, let alone seated across from a man of such 'high-standing', such as Miles.
He only nodded, going back to his stare off with the dark-vibed eye candy across the room. Said eye candy was still watching, though he at least had food to eat while he did. Luan frowned, though just slightly, as his eyes found the meal. It looked delicious, steam wafting over with the smell only something so expensive could create. This seemed to amuse the man, as he paused in his bite, a smile climbing his face as his eyes narrowed.
If Miles seemed like he was hunting something, this man seemed like he was looking at a piece of meat he already owned. There was no need to catch something that was already yours.
Luan felt it was time to stop eyeing this man. He practically exuded danger, and the people at the table seemed like they'd start feeling offended soon if he didn't pay attention.
He tuned back in, finding the conversation to have shifted towards the business endeavor his father was currently investing in. Richard, for his part, seemed interested, noting how beneficial a joint venture between their two companies could be for both parties.
Arlan was sipping his drink, boredom practically seeping off of him. He caught Luan's gaze, eyes narrowing as he sneered behind his glass.
Classy.
Marcilla and Mrs. Sein were chatting happily about some party that had taken place a couple nights ago, mentioning the tidbits of how nice it was decorated, and the way the host had really glowed under all the spotlights. Mindless chatter, really.
And Miles. Still staring, though there was something angry about it now. When Luan met his eyes, he saw them narrow, before glancing towards the man across the room. He didn't seem to appreciate the distraction to Luan's attention, if his glare was anything to go by.
Like Luan cared. He'd take tall, dark, and dangerous over creepy dinner guest any day.
He leaned back, almost rolling his eyes at the man, before settling his gaze on the waitress that was, finally, approaching their table.
Needless to say, Luan picked the most expensive dish he could find that still looked appetizing.
If he was going to be forced to be here, he was going to enjoy the food while he could.
Finally, there was something to do other than sit and feel like you were being sold to some creep.
Wait.
Luan froze, not even one bite of his meal making it to his mouth. His gaze narrowed, turning towards his father. Why was Luan invited? There was no point, if all they wanted was to talk business and show off their accomplished family. He was the lowest of the low, a piece of meat to be auctioned and used to continue bloodlines, not something people brought outside to eat nice food.
He had a bad feeling about this dinner. And the food looked so good, too.
"Luan." Marcilla was the one acknowledging him this time.
"How would you like to accompany Miles to the gala tomorrow night, sweetie?" Her sweetie was so fake it almost made him puke up blood. If not for the words that she spoke, he would have fixated on that feeling all night. He knew they were trying something underhanded here. Miles looked happy, eyes gleaming with some gross vibe, like Luan wasn't wearing any clothing in this crowded room. He did not like this guy.
"What gala?" He asked, trying hard not to bolt through the doors they just entered from. He could see the urge to throw something at him in Marcilla's downturned lips, eyes squinting like she could somehow make him see her thoughts.
"The one the Jin's are throwing, honey. Remember?" Of course, he had chosen that moment to take a sip of water. He barely kept himself from spitting on their dinner companions, making himself choke on it instead. As unbecoming as the action was, he quickly wiped his mouth with the napkin, pretending he hadn't almost been killed by Dante with only the mention of the man's name.
It just had to be some party being hosted by the man that probably wanted his head on a pike.
"I'm not sure if I'll be available, stepmother. I have an immovable engagement coming up, and I wouldn't want to risk inconveniencing the other guests." Although his heat was coming up, it shouldn't be for another week. Marcilla wouldn't know that, though. She barely noticed if he was in the house when he was standing in front of the woman.
"Well, it would be a shame to miss. Perhaps you could just leave early, dear?" Marcilla pressed, hand clenching in her lap as she leaned forward, polite smile latching to her face like a leech.
"It should only take a couple hours in the evening. I'm sure Miles would love to give you a ride home, should you feel unwell during the festivities." This time, it was Miles' mother who spoke, clearly set on the two of them going together.
It wasn't even the fact Miles creeped him out that was the main issue. This was a party at Dante Jin's house, something that could get him killed. Luan needed his life, it was the only thing keeping him going. If he died, he'd have to face his mother before he'd even made these people pay. And that was unacceptable.
Apparently, so was Luan missing that stupid party. The women at the table practically bulldozed his comment, choosing to talk about what the two should wear that would match. Miles was grinning, eyes never leaving Luans face as they ate. He did not like this guy. Seriously, for being such a high standing individual, you'd think the man would understand that it was rude to stare.
And Mr. Eye candy had left at some point during the pointless conversation he'd had, so there was nothing to put his interest on.
Arlan was still brooding, picking at the expensive food on his plate like it came from the gutter. Like he had anything to be angry at. Luan was the one being sold to some random, rich alpha with a creepy vibe and a staring problem.
Eventually, Luan escaped to the bathroom, not being able to stand that weird dinner much longer.
He threw water on his face, exhaustion hanging at the edges of his person. If only he had never been brought back to his father's house, he could have lived in peace. Luan sighed, grabbing one of the towels in the dispenser and drying his dripping face. When he went to throw it away, the trashcan sitting by the doorway, he caught a glimpse of the man from before. Mr. Eye candy was passing the bathroom, heading down the hall. As close as he had gotten with that stride, Luan realized he was much more handsome up close. The man was practically oozing sex appeal with every step, long legs and broad back disappearing around a corner at the end of the hall.
And despite the notion that he shouldn't get involved with someone that screamed dangerous, Luan felt the strongest pull to follow the man. There was something about him that made Luan want to know what he could be doing in a fancy restaurant other than eating their expensive food.
So, Luan chose the option he shouldn't have, and followed the path the man had taken a moment earlier.
What's the worst that could happen, right?