"Are... are you sure this isn't a fox?" 

Marquise stared at the wall as he stood on the examination table. Evidently, the groomer was also the local vet. Lucky him. He could see Kova smirking out of the corner of his eye and knew that the man was now getting his revenge for having to be nice to a werewolf. 

Hmph, I can handle this. It's just a basic doctor visit and brushing. Maybe a bath, too. 

"He's definitely a wolf. I just wanted to ask if you would be open to grooming him for me? He'll behave," Vrasje said before adding a pointed looking toward him. 

Yeah yeah, I'll behave as long as he behaves. 

Vrasje lifted a hand and began sifting it through Marquise's thick fur as he returned his attention to the groomer. 

"He's pretty malnourished but we're working on that, and I understand that this situation is a bit odd, but he'll be staying with me for a while so I'd like it if he didn't shed too much." 

The groomer seemed a bit startled, at first, but when Marquise simply remained standing still and kept his eyes averted, the man slowly calmed down. 

"I suppose I can help you since he doesn't seem aggressive," the man said as he nervously began getting his grooming tools together. 

Thankfully, he didn't see a need for a bath, which left him to simply check his teeth, structure, and then get busy on his coat. 

"This... is an impressive amount of fur," the man said after a short fifteen minutes. 

He'd decided to start from the front and work his way back, but to everyone's surprise, Marquise's fluffy neck just wouldn't stop producing fur!

"This might take awhile. He seems like a reasonable fella, would you care to leave him with me?" the man asked as he continued to work. 

He wasn't a huge fan of the brush the man was using, as it was some sort of rake and was pulling at his undercoat a bit, but he couldn't argue that the fur was really piling up.  

"I'll stay," Vrasje said immediately, then added, "Taru, Kova, you guys can leave if you want. I'll bring him back to my mansion when we're done here." 

Taru seemed hesitant to leave, but Kova somehow managed to convince him. Marquise wasn't exactly a fan of being left alone without his master, but he honestly didn't mind it as much as he thought he would, either. 

So, resolved to have to earn the food he'd eaten, Marquise tried to relax as the man worked. Vrasje tried to calm him with a head pat every so often, too, but eventually Marquise just nudged his hand away and flicked an ear. 

I am not a dog, lord Vrasje. 

Yes, he liked head pats, but the guy was practically petting him instead of just tapping his head. He was already in a stressful enough situation, he didn't need to be given any extra attention right then. 

Thankfully, Vrasje seemed to understand and backed away a few steps to give him some much-needed space. The groomer, however, didn't seem to be reading the situation all that much and just continued with his work, which was preferred. The faster he got done, the faster he could go home and rest. He had eaten quite a bit right before being brought it. 

"Alright, I've got the first part done. You've got quite a coat on you, little guy," the groomer said as he began working on his midsection. 

Thankfully, most of that fur was thinner, except for the area leading down to his belly, but even that portion didn't hold nearly has much fluff as his chest and neck had. 

So, within twenty minutes, he'd moved on to the last area. 

Marquise hadn't really thought much about having his rear end groomed, so when the man began pressing against certain areas while brushing out the feathers of his fur, he actually lifted his lip a little. 

That little action quickly morphed into a quiet whine, then a warning growl. The man backed away immediately when the growl started, allowing Marquise to catch his breath. He hadn't even realized he'd begun to pant. 

"I don't think he likes me working there. Can't really blame him, though," the groomer said as he took a few more steps back and leaned against a counter, seemingly needing a break anyways, too. 

"I don't know much about werewolves, besides to steer clear of em', but consider how similar they are to dogs, I'd bet this guy still had his winter coat. That's why I've been getting big clumps of fur off of such a small frame," the groomer said.

That actually makes sense, but then if he's been here since then... 

Marquise slowly settled himself down on the table and began licking at one paw as he sifted through his thoughts. It actually made sense, to a point. If his wolf truly had abandoned him, then he wouldn't have been able to walk so far as just a human, and those other wolf packs probably would have attacked him, silver scent or not. 

They probably just thought that I was a poisoned omega trudging off to have a quiet death deep in the forest. 

It all made sense now. 

Well, not how the little wolf came to be, but the rest of it was relatively logical. Even the fact that he had been enjoying rolling in the mud. A human wouldn't exactly enjoy such a thing... in most cases. There had been a bit of nostalgia in it for him, but there had definitely been something else nudging at the back of his mind to do it, too. 

The thought of pushing Vrasje down into that huge bank of mud he'd previously rolled in made him give a wolfish smirk that drew the man's narrowed eyes towards him. 

"Should I ask what you're thinking?" he questioned as he walked up to him and poked his muzzle, earning a snort in response. 

"U-um, elder Vrasje? Would it be too rude of me to inquire on why you suddenly have a werewolf at your side?" the groomer asked, clearly nervous about questioning someone so much higher above him in status. 

The question, evidently, seemed to stump the vampire, however, because he didn't seem to have any sort of response ready. The groomer didn't hesitate to clear the awkward air and step forward again with his brush, but right before he could begin working again Marquise swung his head around and lifted his upper lip. He'd had enough and was getting tired of having to show it. 

"I think we're going to call it a day. Let me pay you for the help, and I'd also like one of those brushes," Vrasje said as he took one of the brushes down from a small stand a few feet away. 

The green one looks better...

Vrasje glanced over his shoulder at him with an eyebrow raised high. 

What does it matter? It's just a brush with a dyed wooden handle.

Marquise wrinkled his nose and tilted his chin up. 

And the green handle looks better. 

Sighing, Vrasje put the black-handled brush back, then grabbed the green one before turning and placing it on the counter. He chatted with the man for a few more moments about how to finish the grooming at home, then paid and turned to face him. 

Except, Marquise was already at the door, his ears up, tail swishing, and butt still extra fluffy. 

"He... looks so weird with most of his body shed out besides his back end," Vrasje mumbled as he gave another quiet sigh and bid the groomer a good day. 

By the time they finally stepped out of the little shop he was surprised to see that it was already past midday. 

"Are you hungry?" Vrasje asked as they began to head back through the bustling market. 

Marquise, keeping close to the man for protection, shook his head. 

Kova fed me earlier, remember? 

Vrasje scowled as he continued walking, though Marquise wasn't sure why. 

You can get something if you want. I'll wait with you, he said, trying to placate the vampire, who evidently had a thing for human food. 

"Not hungry," he grumbled as he sped up a little, making Marquise pause for a moment in confusion before hurrying to catch back up, extremely glad that his new body didn't have his human one's current rot issues. 

Why are you mad all of a sudden? Did I do something wrong? 

Vrasje didn't even bother looking at him  as he replied with a blunt "no." 

Then what's wrong? You suddenly look upset. Are you mad that I didn't let the groomer touch my butt? 

Vrasje bared a fang before running his hand down his face, clearly trying to hold back his frustration. Before Marquise could try to question him again, the man blurred in front him, turned around, then scooped him right up into his arms like a two week old puppy! 

What are you doing?! 

Vrasje ignored him until he had him situated against his chest and had begun walking again. 

"You were going too slow." 

Too slow? You were going extra fast!

"Just behave. I'm going to speed up in a few moments, so don't fall," Vrasje said as he began weaving his way free from the crowds milling around them. 

You're already walking pretty fa—uck!

Before he could even finish his thought everything around them blurred and the wind buffeted his face so badly that he had to tuck head! He felt a firm hand press against the back of it as soon as he completed the action, holding him firmly in place until everything suddenly stopped. 

"We're here," Vrasje said as he began calmly walking again. 

Gonna puke. Head spinning. 

Vrasje stopped walking and gave his back a gentle pat. 

"Hasn't Taru done that with you before?" he asked, clearly confused about his response. 

Yes, but I just ate a ton of food, then was annoyed by that groomer guy for the last hour or seven. 

"...I suppose. You are an omega, so most things are probably just going to affect you more," Vrasje said, making Marquise finally look up at him with his ears pinned back. 

"What? Don't give me that look! The groomer thought you were a fox, alright?" 

I don't care what the groomer thinks. I'm an alpha. 

Of course, he knew that wasn't the case anymore, but evidently his pride had been healing along with his body. Vrasje didn't seem to think that his joke was funny, however, and lifted him up in the air like a tiny puppy. 

"Oh yeah, I see it now."

Marquise gave a quiet growl but didn't fight the man. Mainly because he already looked pathetic enough being held like baby. He didn't need to make himself look worse by trying to take a swipe at someone who would easily be able to dodge it. 

What do you see? he asked instead, taking the bait when the man didn't finish speaking. 

"The alpha in you. Or really, on you. You had enough fur for three alpha wolves, and maybe even a beta depending on the season." 

You...

"Elder Vrasje? Why do you have a wolf with you?" 

They both looked up at the same time to see a servant standing in the massive doorway, a look of pure shock on his face. 

"Ah, Lonnie, I've returned home a little early," Vrasje said as he simply walked right past the astonished man and carried Marquise inside. 

Holy money...

Don't get him wrong, he'd had a huge pack house when he'd been an alpha in charge of a massive pack, but that still didn't even come close to comparing to this. 

I kinda wanna run around and explore. This place is crazy big. 

"After I finish brushing you out," Vrasje said, making Marquise turn his attention back to the man and give him his best puppy face. 

Vrasje immediately looked away and sped up his pace, making Marquise twitch an ear and tilt his head. He hadn't really expected a reaction besides a glare or scowl...

Did my face look weird? Do I have something on it? 

Marquise lifted one of his paws away from Vrasje's shoulder to swipe at his muzzle. 

"Fur." 

Huh? 

Looking back up, Marquise tilted his head the opposite direction. 

What did you say? 

Vrasje rolled his eyes but still wouldn't look at him as he turned down a long hallway. 

"You asked if you had something on you. I replied honestly," he said, making Marquise frown and think for a moment. 

Then he realized it. 

You and your terrible jokes today. Do you have indigestion? Did you drink from someone who was drunk? 

Vrasje ignored him until they stopped in front of a large set of double doors.

"This will be your room until Taru's servants are evaluated and those who cannot conduct themselves properly are let go," he said before pushing the doors open with his free hand. 

The wood sighed quietly as it was nudged open to reveal a massive room decorated in dark reds ands golds. 

Wiggling excitedly, Marquise squirmed his way out of Vrasje's arms and hurriedly ran around the giant area. He checked every single thing out with a sniff, nudge, and sometimes even a lick as his tail swung wildly behind him. 

This is actually pretty nice!

He quickly scoped out the entire room, then pushed open a slightly cracked door in the left side wall. 

Oh, wow. 

It slowly drifted open to reveal an even bigger room. It wasn't a bedroom, but it was a very nice sitting room with a fireplace, several filled bookcases, and a few leather wingback chairs. 

I can totally see myself cuddling up in one of those chairs and reading the day away...

He actually loved to read, which was a bit odd for a werewolf, since most of his species still preferred to hunt for their entertainment. Good thing he was a strong believer in the phrase to each their own. 

The black and red color scheme is a tad too dark for my tastes, though. 

"This is my sitting room."

Ah yes, that makes sense then. 

He began sniffling around, but then slowed to a stop as his head tilted curiously to the side. After a moment of thought, he looked over his shoulder at Vrasje. 

Your scent in a lot stronger in here than in the other room. 

The man had moved to lean against the entryway to the room, and, of course, crossed his arms over his chest. 

"Of course my scent is stronger in here. It's my room and it connects to my bedroom." You are welcome to use it whenever you would like to, though." 

Ah, okay. That's makes sense. 

Marquise gave an understanding nod before beginning to sniff around more, but then he stopped again. Instead of turning back to look at the other man again, however, he instead kept his attention on the dark red carpet beneath his paws.  

This is your room, and my room is...

He couldn't  even finish his thought. 

"Is something wrong? I wanted you next door to me in case any of my servants decide to try anything, though I highly doubt they would even consider it," Vrasje said calmly. 

That makes sense, Marquise replied after a few seconds of silence. 

He wasn't really a fan of the man living directly next door to him, but he knew that he didn't really have a choice. Except...

Turning around, Marquise sat down and calmly wrapped his fluffy tail around his paws, then looked up at Vrasje. He was just about to send him another thought to ask if they could keep the door between their two rooms locked when he felt his body abruptly shift, leaving him sitting naked on the plush carpet with a growing blush rising to his cheeks. 

His request forgotten, Marquise quickly turned around again to avoid the eyes that were now narrowed on his naked body. 

"Sorry, it wasn't intentional," he mumbled awkwardly. 

He expected Vrasje to try for another joke, but instead of words, he heard the man's footsteps quickly move away, then return a few moments later as a warm blanket was draped over his shoulders. 

"Don't worry about it," he finally said as his he carefully helped Marquise to his feet, then led him over to sit on the bed. 

"It's been a long day. I'm not surprised at all that your pup wanted to rest after being locked away from so long," Vrasje said as he moved to sit beside him. 

Locked away... 

He had no idea how the little wolf had actually come to exist, so he decided to bite his lip on voicing those thoughts. It didn't really matter where it came from. It was there now, and that was that. 

After making sure that he was snuggly wrapped up in the red blanket he'd been given, Marquise looked over at the man and nodded.  

 "Yeah, you're right. Besides, it's not like you haven't seen me naked plenty of times," he said with a grin, then a surprise yawn. 

Giving his head a good shake, Marquise tried to fight off another yawn but failed miserably. 

"Alright, get some rest. I've got some business to tend to, but if you need me just reach out with your thoughts," Vrasje said as he slowly stood from the bed, then turned to face him. 

Marquise met his eyes with his own single one, then raised his eyebrow slightly when the man didn't make any further effort to leave. 

"Is something wrong?" he eventually asked, confused about their current situation.  "Did you want me to invite you to bed?" he added after a few more moments of silence, hoping that the joke would break the tension. 

The temperature in the room suddenly rose as Vrasje's eyes flashed black for a fraction of a second before cooling back down again. 

Not the right joke? 

There was silence for another ten or so seconds before Vrasje gave an exhausted sigh and rolled his shoulders a few times as he turned to face away from him, seemingly trying to release some tension. 

"Sorry, I'm just a little out of it today. I'm going to go. I'll send someone up to wake you later for dinner?" he asked as he moved toward the door while keeping his attention facing forward. 

Marquise frowned, but figured that the guy was just needing a break from him. He was a werewolf, after all. He was probably just at his limit for dealing with him for now. 

"Sure, I'll see you later, then," he replied as he scooted farther into his bed, then laid down. 

Vrasje didn't say anything else as he stood facing the double doors, so Marquise decided to just relax and take a much-needed nap while the man saw himself out. Except, during the entirety of the four minutes it took him to fall asleep on the super comfy bed snuggled up beneath his new warm blanket, he only heard Vrasje move again and the two main doors quietly drift shut during his last few moments of wakefulness.