Chapter 5

• "Aren't you going to ask me to sit down". Alistair asked teasingly.
• "please sit down".
• Alistair sat down while Theodore did as well.
• "I am quite surprised you paid me a visit", Theodore said.
• "And why should you be surprised,we are friends and friends pay each other visits",
• "I am not yet used to having a friend".
• Alistair smiled at him, Theodore could be so cute whenever he felt unsure about something.
• "Well we are going to be friends for a long time so you better get used to it, I am going to pay you visits and you are going to pay me visits, okay?",
• "okay".
• Alistair looked around, the room looked quite cozy. "would you mind showing me around the house?",
• "Of course". Theodore stood up and Alistair followed him.
• Theodore have him a tour of the house. Showing him round the house.
• "Your house is beautiful Theo", Alistair commented. Theodore smiled at the compliment.
• They were currently in the stable looking at the horses.
• "Which one is your favorite?", Alistair asked.
• Theodore walked to one of the stalls. Inside the stall was a beautiful white horse.
• "This is Storm, she is the love of my life".
• "She is really beautiful".
• "and she is also very fast".
• "Want to go on a ride with me in the park today?". Alistair asked Theodore. Theodore thought about it,he didn't want to go.
• "Please", Alistair pleaded giving him his best puppy dog face.
• "Okay", Theodore reluctantly agreed.
• Theodore asked one of the servants to get the horse ready while he went inside to get changed.
• Alistair waited in the living room for him to get changed.
• Theodore quickly changed. He asked a servant to inform his parents that he was going out with Alistair.
• He went downstairs to meet Alistair and they both left the house, the horses had already been brought out by the servants.
• They got on the horses and left.
• Theodore's mother looked at the two as they left on their horses. She dabbed the tears away from her eyes.
• Her husband looked at her affectionately. "And why are you crying Martha?".
• "Our son finally has a friend. Do you know this is the first time Theodore would go out to ride in the park without us. I just feel so happy".
• She burst into tears again. Theodore's father shook his head at her behavior and continued reading the newspaper in his hands.
• Theodore looked around as they rode, it had been a long time he rode in the pack.
• "Are you okay Theo?", Alistair asked him.
• "Yes, I am fine".
• They entered the pack, the crowd looked shocked to see Lord Alistair one of the most important men in town riding side by side with Theodore.
• "Could it be a mistake?",
• "Maybe his mother forced Alistair to take him along",
• "could Lord Alistair be under a spell?".
• So many of such whispers went through the crowd. As they were all shocked at the sight they were witnessing.
• Alistair looked at Theodore, he was withdrawn and quiet. He must have already heard the whispers.
• Some of Lord Alistair acquaintances rode up to them. They greeted Lord Alistair and completely ignored Theodore.
• Alistair noticed how sad Theodore looked and immediately took things into his hands.
• "Gentlemen, I believe you all know Theodore?", Alistair asked them. They all looked shocked but they quickly regained their composure.
• "Yes, we do. Hello Theodore". They all greeted Theo and exchanged pleasantries with him.
• Soon they were all talking and laughing as they rode their horses leisurely around the park.
• "I heard the beast attacked someone again". One of the men, Lord Fife said.
• "Who?", Someone asked.
• "a labourer coming back from work",
• "Oh no, was he hurt".
• Lord Fife shook his head. "as usual, just the bite marks",
• "What kind of beast do you think it is?". Theodore asked Alistair. The men too looked at him curious to hear his response.
• Alistair thought for a moment, "I don't really know but it must be really powerful".
• One of the men shivered in fear, "I just hope it doesn't ever come to our side of town and attack us", several of the men murmured their agreement.
• Soon the men dispersed and Theodore and Alistair were left alone. "See, hanging out with me wasn't that hard. You had fun didn't you?".
• "yes, I did".
• The two were still talking when Olivia rode up to them accompanied by her friends. "Lord Alistair, Sir Theodore". She greeted the both of them.
• "Miss Olivia, it is such a pleasure to see you". Alistair responded warmly while Theodore murmured a response.
• "I was wondering if you would like to join me for afternoon tea. I made a wonderful cake", Olivia asked, smiling prettily at Alistair.
• "I am so sorry Olivia. I already promised that I would hang out with Theo here". Theo looked at her shocked,why would he turn down an invitation from Olivia just to hang out with him.
• "Oh. You are invited too Theo", Olivia extended the invitation to Theodore as well. The expression on her face showed that it didn't really please her to be extended the invite.
• Alistair turned to Theodore. "Do you want to go?",
• "Huh?" , Theodore replied blankly.
• Alistair turned to Olivia, "he doesn't want to go, maybe next time".
• "Sure", Olivia bowed her head stiffly and left with her friends. In her heart she cursed Theodore. Everything had been going fine with Lord Alistair until he had shown up.
• "What are you going to do now Olivia?", One of her friends asked her.
• "don't worry, I will think of something".
• "Why did you reject her invitation?" Theodore asked Alistair.
• "because I told you that we would hang out together and there is no way I am ditching you to spend time with her. Friends don't do that".
• "Thanks for being my friend Alistair",
• "You are welcome Theo, now let's race back to the house. The loser has to pay the winner a visit tomorrow. Deal?",
• "Deal".
• They raced back to Theodore's house. Alistair won the race.
• "I am expecting you tomorrow Theo. Bright and early in the morning". He told Theo before leaving for his home.