Adrien Maurizio's six foot two body leaned against the door frame of the sitting room. His handsome tan hued skin had a light kiss of olive tint. His expression showed his seriousness while his seductive cold deep blue eyes spoke his pondering. He ran his hand through his loose black curls. His hair brushed against the tops of his ears. He watched his brothers, Angelo and Gianni, as they played hounds and jackals. 

To look at the Maurizio brothers, a lot of pride members and humans would think they were born at the same time. But, they were born two years apart. Adrien, the oldest. Angelo, second born. He stood at the same height as Adrien. His complexion lighter than Adrien’s. A few strands of his dark brown hair fell over his left eye as he concentrated on the game.  

Angelo decided he wanted to be a Medjai. It was fortunate for his father. Even though he was against it at first. He realized he needed someone on the inside of the Medjai. He could get Angelo to help him if needed. Much to Angelo's disliking. Gianni ran his tanned hued hand through his black hair. His six foot one inch body leaned forward. His brow furrowed in concentration. 

Gianni wanted to be like his father. He wanted to please him and show him he was capable of running the Maurizio pride if anything were to happen to Vincent. Adrien and Gianni often clashed about this. Pride rules state it's the oldest or the next male that takes over the pride. Gianni only fit in one of the categories. 

Darian, the youngest. The closest to Adrien. He looked up to him and admired him. He even looked like him. Just an inch shorter. Adrien didn't want him to follow in his footsteps. He wanted more for his youngest brother. He wanted more for all of them. 

"What!"

Gianni’s outburst shook Adrien from his thoughts. Gianni yelled as Angelo placed his last hound on his brother's side of the board. He walked over to the table where they sat. He noticed on Angelo's side there was barely any jackals. On Gianni's side, there was all but one space taken by his brother's hounds. He glanced at Angelo’s graveyard and saw it filled with jackals.

"I told you, brother," Angelo spoke. A slight accent laced his voice. He picked up his cup of absinthe from the table. He gulped down the small remaining remnants. "This is a game of strategy. It's not always about strength. It's about intelligence."

"Are you saying I'm not smart," Gianni sneered. He bared his teeth. His blue eyes turned light amber. The lion within him ready to strike. 

"You said it. Not me," Angelo's eyes showed his lion feared no one. He growled and bared his teeth. 

Gianni leaped up from his seat. He knocked the game board and the pieces to the floor. Adrien and Darian held him back. Angelo, definitely unfazed. 

"I'm going outside," Angelo stood. He smirked at his brother. "While I'm gone, why don't you come up with some new strategies. Stop boring me with the same thing. I grow tired of beating you."

"You bastard," Gianni roared. He watched as Angelo disappeared outside. 

Adrien forced Gianni back into his chair. Darian released him. He proceeded to pick up the board and the game pieces. He placed them back on the table. 

"Why are you such a sore loser," Darian stood. He looked at Gianni. "This was just a friendly game."

“No, it wasn’t,” Adrien scoffed. “Gianni bet five hundred on that one.”

"Angelo thinks he so smart," Gianni flopped back against the chair. He mockingly imitated his brother. Even down to his accent. "It's about strategy."

"I have to admit," Adrien smiled. He sat in the spot Angelo was in. He set the pieces up on the board. "He's right. I'll be the jackal. You don't seem to have much luck with them."

"Very funny, Adrien."