Jae's mood worsened with the passing of the day. Every time a pack arrived with its caravan of royals and servants, Jae would be faced with the 'applicable mates' and reminded why the convention was being held. Jae did not want to look for a mate; that was the last thing on his list. If he were to mate someone, it would be the wolf that was no longer by his side and the one of which he thought in his every waking moment. It would definitely not be one of the primmed and primed royals that came parading through the doors every time Jae thought he could take a break from bowing and greeting and saying the same lines over and over.
Jae dreaded the arrival of another pack, but he did get a break, in a way, when the only other true blood of royalty in the eastern region approached him. Den, the crown prince of Eternal Dawn, was the only other werewolf that was taller than Jae and stood at a ripe six feet and seven inches (201 cm). Being only two inches (5 cm) taller than Jae, the difference in height was not too drastic, but Jae had always looked up to Den as the visiting prince was six years his senior.
"Jae!" Den greeted warmly as the two males clasped hands and brought each other in for a short embrace followed by a clap on the back.
"Den!" Jae replied enthusiastically. He was excited to see Den as Eternal Dawn's crown prince was the only other person he could talk casually with other than Yejin, being Den was of the same rank. "How are you?"
Den bobbed his head a few times as he answered, "I'm alright. How are you? It's been a while, right?"
"Yeah, I think the last time we saw each other was five years ago."
"Wow," Den exclaimed quietly with a slight shake of his head. "I can't believe it's been that long." Jae responded with a silent nod before Den inquired, "So, is there an unspoken reason for this convention?" The true blood raised a brow as he looked at Crimson Night's prince.
"You heard." Jae's expression fell a bit at Den's question.
"Yeah," Den responded with a small bop of his head. "Are you okay?"
Jae mustered the tiniest side smile. "Yeah. I mean, I've been better..."
Noticing Jae's fallen expression, Den sought to lighten the mood. "Want me to help you out? Which one do you have your eyes on, hm?"
"He's not here," Jae answered under his breath, shutting down the true blood's offer.
"Oh... I see." Den pursed his lips and fell silent, which was how he stayed until Jae inquired, "So, what about you? Found your mate?" Den shook his head and answered, "Nope. Not yet. Still looking."
"Ah. Maybe you will find them here. You will get exposure to several of the packs."
"Maybe," Den agreed with a slight nod. The two's conversation was cut short when the Alpha from Eternal Dawn approached the two true bloods of the eastern region. "Enjoying the reunion?" Gen inquired of the two younger males.
"Father," Den greeted. "Alpha Gen," Jae joined Den in greeting Eternal Dawn's leader, only he added a bow.
"Jae, it's nice to see you. My, have you grown. I assume you are well?" Gen said to the prince of Crimson Night as he looked up at the young male.
"Ae," Jae answered politely. "It is good to see you, sir."
"You as well, Jae," Gen responded kindly before saying, "Well, Leera and I are going to get some rest before dinner. I'll see you boys later."
"Rest well, sire," Jae replied as the alpha from Eternal Dawn nodded in goodbye and went over to his Luna. Den watched his father and mother disappear with a servant before turning to Jae and saying, "I think I will try to get some rest as well. We should catch up more at dinner."
"Yeah, let's do that," Jae said in agreement with the true blood. "Let one of my assistants show you to your room," Jae offered and waved over another member from his hovering group.
"Thanks, Jae. I'll see you later," Den said with a wave of his hand as he walked away from dark-eyed and followed the assistant to his room. Jae watched the emerald-eyed prince leave before searching for Yejin, whom he found to be engaging the son of Eternal Dawn's Beta in conversation. The white-haired beta scrunched his eyes and released a light-hearted laugh at something Yejin had said. Jae's heart thumped when he heard the beta's laugh, but it quickly transformed into an ache. 'His laugh is a deeper version of Syri's laugh.'
The prince swallowed dryly before turning his attention back to the door as a trumpet sounded indicating another pack had arrived. Jae clenched his fists when he recognized the call to be that of Black Moon.