Ron barked orders as he trained group one of the King's guard. This was how his days started, waking up early to train a different group of the King's guard. He was pretty used to it and it wasn't like he was missing out on sleep by having to wake up before dawn. The trainings actually saved him from his staring contest that he usually had with the ceiling while lying on his bed. He couldn't sleep at night and if he did, he always found himself waking up an hour later or less. The only time he relied on getting rest fully, was when he met Doctor Brown to give him some pills that would knock him out. But now after five years has passed, he was getting tired of the pills and he stopped taking those a month ago.
"Alright guys! Keep up the good work." Ron concluded the training and the guards left the training ground.
He sighed and slumped down on a bench as he let himself feel the effects of not sleeping in a weeks top, even for an hour. He placed his arm on his lap and then bent down to rest his head there, eyes closed shut. He was tired and exhausted which he kept well hidden from his alpha and best friend. He didn't want any pity because he got enough of those in the looks that were regularly cast on him in the previous five years. But now he wasn't sure how long he would hold on before he completely falls apart.
"Hey," a voice greeted and Ron looked up to offer a smile in greeting. "How was the training?" Kenneth or Kenny as that was what Ron called him, asked while sitting down beside him.
"It was okay like always." Ron replied with a shrug.
Kenny nodded and the two remained silent as each of them got lost in their own mind. Kenny was aware of his best friend's situation even though he pretended not to notice. He knew about his visits to the pack doctor, his sleepless nights and also the rare nights where he could find his friend crying himself to sleep. He didn't come forward to comfort him because he knew it wasn't his comfort that his friend was seeking. It was the comfort of a man that Ron had drove away in his mourning period for Nate.
"Do you think he.......you know," Ron shrugged and sighed, not knowing how to word his thoughts aloud for the first time in five years. He had been shutting his best friend out for years and this particular morning, he wanted to share his thoughts. Finally getting a grip on himself, he asked. "Do you think he might come back?"
Kenny didn't expect the question but he was aware that his friend was now reaching out to him.
"To be honest Ron; I don't think he will come back." Kenny replied. "But that means you shouldn't go seek him out." He quickly added when he saw the sad look on his friend.
"I've tried that, Kenny. I went to his family and asked of his whereabouts but they told me they didn't know where he was. He only sends them letters and postcards with no return address. I tried calling up Zach but he gave me the same answer. I've looked for him and even went as far as getting a private investigator, it is no use. He doesn't want me to find him." Ron murmured.
Ron had started his search after attending his best friend's mating ceremony. That was the first time he had truly wanted to see Charles again after the said guy had walked out of his life months ago. Seeing the pictures that displayed his friend's life with his mate worked like a push that he needed to discover just how much he was passing up a chance to experience that with his own mate. He decided to give it a try with Charles but the problem was that he was too late because Charles was already gone when Ron decided to taste the waters.
At first he was sure Charles would be coming back but then a year passed and Ron wasn't sure anymore. When the second year passed, he started to seriously reach out and look for Charles. Third year passed and that's when he told himself he didn't care, tried to forgot about the man and that's when the dreams that would wake him up in the middle of the night begun. Now five years had passed and he knew he would breakdown anytime. He blamed himself for making Charles leave even though somewhere deep inside him knew he had a reason to why he acted that way back then. But the blame had to be on someone and who was better blamed than him? Everyone sure believed he was to blame.
"I am sorry Kenny." Ron apologized. "I didn't mean to act cold to him years ago. I just wanted some time to myself because the changes caught me off guard. I had recently just lost Nate and then suddenly the goddess threw me a replacement. I know you blame me for what I did but the main thing that I couldn't grasp despite him being my second mate was that-"
"I know about that Ron." Kenny cut him off, not wanting Ron to tell him about it. He already knew and didn't want to make things awkward by having Ron mention it out loud.
"What? You do?" Ron shrieked.
Kenny laughed at the look Ron had. Ron looked away in embarrassment and grumbled about how Kenny was a shit friend.
"I'm your Alpha and best friend, Ron. We grew up together, who else knows you in and out? I think I'm the only one who had to find out you were-"
"Don't you fucking say it!" Ron shouted and Kenny laughed until he shed a tear which made Ron smile honestly.
**
Kenneth had just finished having dinner with his family when he excused himself to his office. After the talk with Ron, he wanted to do something to help his friend. Ron was like a brother to him and he was fed up on watching him slowly breakdown. He had waited for Ron to come to him and confide in him but his friend took long enough to talk. He could've helped without waiting for Ron to open up but he didn't want to make a mistake. Ron had to be sure of what he wanted and come clean about it. Now Kenneth was sure Ron truly wanted to meet Charles so he had to make sure that was done.
"Hey alpha," the voice on the phone teased to which Kenneth rolled his eyes at.
"Zach can you do something for me?"
"Straight to business are we?" Zach asked while he moved to a less noise room in his house. "What can I do for you Kenneth?"
"I want to know where Charles is?"
"I'm sorry I can't do that."
"Zach." Kenneth warned his voice getting deep. He knew Zach wouldn't agree if asked politely but Kenneth had a plan b.
"He told me not to help anyone find him and I promised I wouldn't do that, so don't ask me about that Kenneth. Anything but that."
"I'm not asking Zach. I didn't want to do this but you leave me no choice." Kenneth stated leaving no room for discussion. The bond between him and the dragons meant he could ask or order Zach to do anything for him without the other declining. He never made that do anything unwilling but this time he had no choice but to use that bond.
"Of course you would stoop so low to use that against me."
"Don't make this difficult Zach. They are mates and you of all people should know how important it is for them to meet up. Charles is your best friend and your brother in law, I'm sure you want him to have a good fucking life and that's what I want for my best friend. So don't give me shit statements of stooping low because I'd do it again and again if it means my friend would get a taste of a good fucking life." Kenneth yelled.
"I'll send you an email." Is all Zach said before ending the call.
Kenneth sighed knowing he would have to apologise to Zach for this. Zach was a good friend of his and he truly felt bad ordering him like that but he had no choice. His phone beeped and he saw a notification for a new email so he switched on his laptop.
**
Ron was spread out on the floor while he wrote in his diary. He never had one before until two years ago when he decided to find a way to share his thoughts. He got the diary and made sure he kept it safe from prying eyes. In it he wrote his feelings; all of it without holding back. He vowed to never let anyone read it because he would feel naked to the bone.
His dinner was still placed on his desk, uneaten. He had no appetite and only settled on drinking water.
"You are dismissed for tomorrow's guard training. I want you to pack your things, I'm sending you away tomorrow." Kenneth sent him the message through their mind link.
"How long will I be gone?" Ron asked as he got up from the floor and began securing his diary away.
The door to Ron's bedroom opened and Kenneth entered, closing it behind him.
"I asked Zach for Charles's location and he gave me." Kenneth said.
"By ask you mean...."
"Yes Ron. So you better not disappoint me by coming back without Charles. I'm not sure how long it will take you to work things out. Please take your time and don't rush."
Ron didn't know what to say to that so he did the only thing he could; hugging Kenneth. Tears spilled down his face and he freely cried. He had hopped for this day to come and he was happy it did.
As Ron lied in bed that night, he couldn't picture how Charles reaction would be to see him. He didn't know Charles so he was out of ideas. He sighed and closed his eyes hoping to sleep good tonight for tomorrow he would be on his journey to seek his fate.
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Until Next Time!!!
:)
(Pic above is Ron)