Luis and Thomas were in a small group, chatting with a few people that Andrew had seen them with a few times throughout the night. He assumed that they were actually their friends, not just part of the large group of people they had invited to show off to, and didn't mind too much when he wasn't fully introduced to them.

At least, he wasn't pulled aside and introduced to. They spoke to him and about him as if they already knew him, and Andrew liked that kind of treatment. He was just glad that they had friends.

"Max! Andy! What are you two up to?" It was Thomas, and his boisterous voice told Andrew how much he had been drinking. They were speaking to a group of their friends that were partially lounging on some of the couches around, a small table in the center of the groups laden with food and drinks. Luis and Thomas had an arm around each other, attached at the hip and it was cute to see.

Andrew didn't have to guess who Maxwell took after, since it was so obvious that it was a blend from both of them at the moment.

A few of the friends were lingering on the couches, while some were draped over the edges, sitting on armrests, standing nearby. It was just like a college party, but for people with money.

There was an expensive bottle of whiskey on the table, several clean rocks glasses nearby, and a clearly used rocks glass in Thomas' hand. Luis had a bottle of white wine in a chiller at the same table, a few wine glasses there as well. The platters of food looked barely touched, and Andrew hoped that changed as the night went on.

Maxwell smiled at his parents as he and Andrew came to a stop nearby. Andrew was sure that everyone could tell he was glancing around, the nervousness not completely gone since he was still feeling a bit tipsy. He wanted to rush getting out of here, but also didn't want to be rude to Thomas and Luis.

Andrew wanted to sit Maxwell down and bury his face in the man's groin.

"We're planning to leave. It's time, and I want to spend the night with Andy alone." Several of the more intoxicated members nearby let out a boisterous laugh. They were behaving like this was a shindig, and not a gala. Andrew didn't mind. They should enjoy themselves as far as he was concerned, just not at the cost of his sanity.

"What? Planning to give your parents two sets of grandkids back to back?" One of them joked from their slouched position on a couch and Andrew felt his whole body stiffen. He responded before anyone else could.

"I would never take away Amir's time to shine like that. We are not so irresponsible." Andrew said seriously and Luis froze, Thomas froze, and so did Maxwell, before he burst into laughter.

He dropped Andrew's hand, and then pulled his arm closer, pressing up tight against Andrew's side as he smiled up at the giant, serious man. Then he turned and spoke directly to the person who had teased them.

"You heard the man. That's the true answer." Maxwell said, smiling warmly. "Andy and I would never do that to Amir." Maxwell reinforced and Thomas started laughing, as did Luis.

"Well now, that's an adorable reason not to have unsafe sex. Plus, I don't think Maxwell is the kind of man who would like to be pregnant for his wedding. While Amir is soft and sweet enough to do so, I do believe Maxwell wants to have the full spectrum of fun. Plus, knowing him, he might miscarry from the amount of worry and stress he'd carry on his shoulders to make sure everything was just perfect." Luis said, smiling at Maxwell who nodded.

That seemed to raise the volume in the room. Chattering started amongst the group, and Andrew couldn't get a read on why they were chattering so much until someone spoke up.

"Wait, marriage? When? How? Why wasn't that brought up earlier tonight?" One of the guests asked from where they were sitting on a couch nearby, wine glass in hand.

"Well, we aren't engaged yet, that's why." Maxwell said carefully and Andrew felt his face warm. He had enough decency to drop his head, looking ashamed, embarrassed. Maxwell had no idea what Andrew was going to say since he wasn't looking up at the man, but Luis was looking at him. She opened her mouth, as if trying to stop him, but Andrew didn't stop. The little bit of liquor he'd consumed tonight making a great show of the night.

"It's my fault. I didn't have a ring prepared." Andrew admitted, sounding sad and put down. The mood shifted immediately. The others who had been so ready to tease Andrew and Maxwell paused, unsure. Was Andrew actually sad? Was Maxwell mad about it?

They couldn't tell since Maxwell and Andrew were being so serious about it.

"O-Oh, well, don't feel bad, Andy. I'm sure Max isn't holding it against you." Someone said, trying to soothe him, but Maxwell leaned into it. He let out a terribly sad sigh. He squeezed Andrew's arm tightly as he looked longingly into the distance.

"Well, now that you bring it up…I am quite upset about it. I've had Andy's engagement ring practically ready since the moment I've met him, and I've been wearing chokers for the last little bit as well." He admitted, clearly throwing Andrew under the bus. Without a care, and easily too.

Gasps around the small cluster of people, while Luis and Thomas gave Maxwell looks. Andrew felt his whole face go red. There was a part of him that knew that this had to be an act, since they had discussed this, but he had a fear that there was a kernel of truth mixed into the dramatics on display.

"I…He's right. He had the collars picked out before I ever manifested." Andrew told the crowd, and then he let out a sad, pitiful whimper. "I'm a terrible alpha." Andrew whispered, loud enough that most people could hear him.

Luis let out a horrified gasp, her hand flying to her mouth.

"Andy! Take that back! You are not a terrible alpha! Maxwell! Look at what you've done!" Luis said, accusing her son of starting this. Maxwell, for his part, turned his gaze to Andrew, taking in the pitiful look, the way Andrew's big, amber eyes were slightly watery, and his lips twitched.

"Hmm, well, if it's my fault, what better way then for me to make it up to him?" Maxwell murmured, unrepentant as Andrew's face went red again. "We'll take our leave, everyone. Enjoy the rest of the party. We'll see you guys again soon." Maxwell said, giving a giant wave before yanking Andrew around and making a beeline for the coat check.

It was a quick in and out process after that, Richard having gone home long before now. Andrew didn't know when, but Rose had let him know at some point that he had, and that he was safe. Andrew couldn't remember when that had happened, but that was okay.

Maxwell had also let him know that the home security alarm had let him know that Richard was home, and with someone else. Andrew hoped that the someone else was someone that they knew quite well, even if nothing happened. They had a spare room, or several, for that very reason.

Maxwell had a car waiting for them to take the hotel, and Andrew was pleasantly surprised when they rolled up to the hotel and everyone knew who he was (of course), and were excited to have them staying with them. Maxwell was all proud, and Andrew felt like the blushing bride as they accepted their room key and headed upstairs, hand in hand.

It wasn't like the hotel that Andrew had stayed in that one time. He was sure, actually, that Maxwell had made sure that there wasn't even a remote resemblance to the hotel that Andrew had stayed in. No gold accents, mostly silver, the room they got was a suite as well, with a kitchen, dining room, and a large master bedroom with a huge bath, a shower with a built in seat, and…

Several of the condom boxes that they normally used on the nightstand in the bedroom. Andrew tried not to blush, but there was no way he couldn't when the staff knew what they were about to get up to.

Maxwell didn't seem to mind, and Andrew had to remind himself that Maxwell grew up with people helping around the house. He hadn't grown up in a normal home where it was embarrassing for others to see that because the people who were helping around the house were your family. It would be terribly embarrassing if they found out what kind of condom you used.

It was only as Andrew was in the bedroom, staring at the bed that he realised something.

"Was Michael invited to the party?" Andrew asked, turning to Maxwell who was slowly taking off his tie. Maxwell turned, opened his mouth before he paused, looked thoughtful, and then paused what he was doing to grab his phone.

He clearly pulled up the guest list, scrolling down, before he looked even more confused.

"I made sure to invite him. His name was clearly on the list." He said, before he sighed. "I'll message him right now." Maxwell muttered, his fingers rapidly typing on the screen. It was barely seconds later that he got a response. What was sent to him only made Maxwell's frown deepen. "One of his clients had a medical emergency. He was going to make it, but it happened at the last second. He's very apologetic that he couldn't make it." Maxwell looked up at Andrew, before he sighed.

"That's sad for him." Andrew said softly, beginning to tug on his own tie to undo it. Maxwell paused what he was doing, about to shove his phone back into his pocket but instead he stood watching Andrew's hands.

"It is." Maxwell agreed, and Andrew could feel the heat of his gaze. Andrew let out a soft exhale.

"Max, why are you looking at me like that?" Andrew asked softly, and Maxwell blinked slowly.

"Hmm. Go slower, would you? I want to see your fingers work." Maxwell said softly, and Andrew paused, blinked, and then swallowed. The switch had been flicked, and Maxwell was in play mode.

All bets were off the table now.

Andrew let out a soft breath, felt his mouth water, and knew he had to control himself. Tonight, he didn't have to worry about his glasses getting in the way. He could see everything up close, and he was excited to do so.