Alex frowned as he surfaced and looked out across the expanse of water to a girl who had thrown the rock which, fortunately, had just missed him by inches. He swam over to her and saw immediately that she was upset. Smiling slightly he pulled his half naked body out of the water and quickly grabbed his towel to go at sit with her. He smiled politely and sat next to her, not wishing to start conversation in case she shouted at him. But then, part of his charm was his curiosity. He turned to face her, "You know, there isn't anything wrong with me," he said grinning cheekily. Of course, there were lots of things that were wrong with him - the inability to not listen into other people's conversations, for example. Though, having acute hearing to begin with and then have it accentuated by his werewolf traits was enough to let him hear anything he wanted. It was bliss really - to know where everyone was, what they were doing and saying. But sometimes it was a curse, not that it really mattered anyway...

Morgan scanned the bank of the water. He knew Alex was here, but he was giving him space. His eyes lit on a small girl who seemed quite perturbed. He was interested and watched her throw a stone into the water only to have Alex emerge a moment later and curiously sit near her. He grinned and approached the pair cautiously. He didn't know this girl, yet he couldn't resist trying to make a new friend, and a chance to see Alex half naked was always worth a risk.

"Hey, Alex, he said casually," his eyes appraising the way the water glinted across his skin, "Hello," he said politely turning to look at the girl.

Alex chuckled lightly as Morgan came over and then he turned to the girl again, the cheeky smile still on his face, "You don't have to trust me - no one does anyway. Not least a pixie," he said raising his eyebrows slightly and pulling Morgan down next to him and wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulders. He smiled at the boy and kissed his head quickly. He didn't need the approval from the girl, but he didn't want her shouting about it to the world - loosing her temper like she had done just a moment ago. He had a reputation to keep up. He bit his lip to hide the sudden pain that shot through his arm - the dark mark, he had almost forgotten. He was being called. Biting his lip he got to his feet and quickly gathered up his clothes, "I...um...need to...umm...pee. I'll be back in a moment," and ran into the forest. He hoped Morgan would understand seeing as Alex felt safer in the forest than in the castle. But the girl was different.

Morgan cuddled into Alex's embrace, but he was attune enough to feel him stiffen and know the lie in his urge to go. He wrongly assumed it was a wolf thing and watched in surprise as he made a hasty retreat with a clumsy excuse.

"Well, Um..." Morgan stammered, "I'm Morgan," he finished, and added, "And that was my boyfriend, Alex." he said looking to where the figure had retreated.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you." he said now uncertain.

Morgan looked at the forest again uncertainly, "Yeah, he's not always so rude...well he can be rude, but he's just moody!" Morgan clamped his lips shut. He was doing a poor job of defendeing one who needed no defending.

He looked over at the girl, Adonia, with an expression half between apology and uncertainty. He could tell she was more like Alex than he was, him being just a simple wizard. He felt he wouldn't have to explain his gaffe, she seemed to be one who would understand.

He cast around in his brain for something to say and wished someone would come to rescue him from his stupidity.

Alex winced in pain as a wizard he knew very well shot a sectumsempra curse in his direction. A gash about a meter long appeared across his chest as did a few other cuts over his thin body. Alex bit his lip to stop himself screaming in agony.

"He needs more-"

"I know! I'll get them," Alex replied through gritted teeth, not wanting to be reminded of the task he needed to do.

"But will you? I've heard you spend all your time f*cking other boys. You disgusting dog!" the other man spat, striking Alex across his face.

"Shut up! I'll get them. Just p*ss off and let me do it myself!" Alex retorted, anger boiling up inside him. He wasn't a dog - well, only for three nights a month. Alex growled as the man raised his wand to the boy's chest,

"You better, or I'll kill you myself," he spat, disappearing into the forest as if he had never been there.

Alex growled in anger and punched a tree - which snapped - his anger wouldn't subside for ages and he knew if he didn't stay away he would take it out on Morgan, or even someone he didn't know. But if he didn't go back, Morgan would come looking for him. He growled in frustration and made a quick decision to run as deep into the forest as he could and not come out until he had calmed down. Then Morgan would have no hope of finding him...but what if the centaurs did?

Morgan had jumped up when Adonia suggested they go after Alex. His senses had been taut and he had tried not to worry over what danger Alex could be in. He knew what he was capable of, and yet he couldn't bear the thought of Alex hurt and alone. He was such a nerd to worry over a werewolf, but he knew about the Centaur's being on alert and the reason why.

He smiled at Adonia and nodded, "Ok, but he'll be in a bad mood when we find him." Morgan thought about Alex's moodiness and knew he was flirting with danger; but he couldn't wait to see him and know for sure he was alright. Centaurs were dangerous and Although Alex could handle himself Morgan would feel better to see him and hopefully Alex wouldn't yell at him too much.

Adonia seemed to be confident, and Morgan had a feeling she knew Alex's secret. Her soft smile reassured him, and Morgan followed easily.