He could already hear Ruoka speaking outside of Sebastian's room. The pup hadn't hesitated for a second to update his master on the new rules of the house. It was obvious that his heir wasn't happy about the new situation, but before he could even take a step towards the stairs Ruoka stopped him, somehow. A few quiet whispers were exchanged, but he couldn't quite make out what was being said as Sebastian began pacing. 

Ruoka wasn't hiding his alpha presence anymore, either. Well, he might not have intentionally hidden it to begin with, but he had no doubt that after his collar was removed, his understanding of his abilities and power over others became more and more clear. Thankfully, he'd only used his ability toward Sebastian once, and it had been a spur of the moment decision. That was the only reason he was giving the man a second chance. 

 I will not waste it, came Ruoka's response to a thought he hadn't voiced. 

"Cocky little pup thinks he's suddenly in control," Pretennon grumbled as he leaned back in his large chair and rested his head against one hand. His hair draped across his face as he closed his eyes, not bothering to fix what was unnecessary. He was done for the day. There would be no more meetings, outings, or anything else of such sorts. He knew that he would be busy enough tomorrow, so he'd made sure to clear his schedule for the remainder of the night. 

Perhaps I should just turn in early. 

He was just about to consider actually doing that when he felt a faint brush of warm skin against his face as gentle fingers slowly gathered his unruly bangs and tucked them behind his left ear. When that hand was hesitant to leave afterward, Preto turned his head and nuzzled into its palm. The scent of fresh, hot blood pumping just beneath the thin layer of flesh had his fangs quickly extending. Their sharp tips pressed eagerly against his lower lip, but he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to bite just yet. 

Kandza...

He hadn't invited the wolf over that evening, nor had he received any kind of announcement that he was on the property. 

But of course  you didn't, he thought sourly as he felt the man's other hand settle its fingers beneath his chin, silently requesting that he tilt it upward. 

You spent quite some time scolding your heir's alpha wolf, yet here your beta is sneaking through the window of your study with not but a care in the world for the consequences of such a rude entry. 

Even as he considered what punishment he should give his wolf, he allowed his head to be tilted backward against the fabric of his backrest, then obediently held it there as Kandza settled his knee between his legs and leveled some of his weight on his chair. When the man's lips finally pressed against his throat, Pretennon allowed his eyes to crack open the slightest amount. 

He stared silently up at the ceiling for several moments before Kandza's hand, that had been settled against the side of his face for some time, slid across to cover his eyes. 

Someone has a little kink going on, Pretennon thought to himself as he let his body relax a tiny bit.  

"Kandza, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" he said after allowing himself a few moments to enjoy the attention he was being given. 

He really did feel like turning in early, but even as he thought that, his hands were wandering towards his werewolf's backside. 

Hmm? He's actually wearing clothing? 

Nudging the man's hand from his eyes with a curt nod to the side, Preto looked down at the werewolf still nipping and licking at his neck. 

I don't think I've ever seen you dressed so nicely. 

"Why are you not naked?" he asked eventually, not interested in beating around the bush. 

Even though the man was fully clothed, Preto's hands were hard to deter. They easily tugged Kandza's crisp white dress shirt from his trousers, then slid comfortably inside the fabric to grab what was his. He felt the man fidget immediately at his cold touch, but it took him no time at all to accept it and settle into his lap. His nipping turned mainly to slower, gentler licks as Preto felt his wolf nudge at his thoughts. 

I wanted to see you, but I also wanted to report that I found a silver leg trap at the southern part of my pack's territory while on patrol earlier. It thankfully reeked of humans, though I'm not sure if some of the others in my pack would have noticed the scent. I tend to have a much stronger sense of smell since I stay in my wolf form the majority of my time. 

A quiet whimper from Kandza snapped Pretennon out of his growing anger, allowing him to realize that he was squeezing the man's backside far too hard... and with very sharp claws. 

"I apologize," he sighed out as he gently guided the man to straddle him, then lean up on his knees so that he could work his pants down a bit. "Hold onto me, please." 

He could already smell and feel the blood warming his fingers as he leaned forward and Kandza wrapped his arms around his shoulders nervously. Preto removed one of his hands from his werewolf's backside and retrieved a folded handkerchief from his desk. It was beautifully embroidered and had cost a pretty penny, but he cared far less for it than he for did the man he'd unintentionally hurt with his poor temper. 

Even though he wanted to question Kandza quite a bit more about the trap he'd found, and possibly get him to promise to never go on patrol again without another wolf, he bit back his words and focused on cleaning the marks he'd made. Of course, they would heal very quickly on their own and probably be almost gone within a day or two, but he was still mad at himself for causing them in the first place. 

"I don't blame you for them. If you had almost gotten injured in such a way patrolling without help, I would have been equally as mad," Kandza said as he reached up with one hand and dug his clawed-fingers into Pretennon's long hair. When he gripped it tightly after a moment, Preto nudged his head into Kandza's side gently. 

He got a growl in return for his efforts, but the grip in his hair loosened immediately, too. 

"I will go with you on your next few patrols," he said abruptly, making the man leaning against him stiffen immediately. 

"Th-there is no need for Elder Pretennon to belittle himself with such things," Kandza stuttered out. 

Preto would have reprimanded him for the added title in front of his name, but he chose to disregard it. There were more important things to deal with at that moment. 

"It is not up for discussion. Besides, I am the one who set those boundaries, and I was the one patrolling them before they were given to the Rain pack," Preto said, making Kandza completely release his hair and lean down just enough to wrap his arms around Pretennon's head, then press a kiss to the top of it. 

"I will forever be grateful to you and Lord Marquise for what you two have done for my pack. I love this city, our new territory, and you." 

Me? 

Preto felt his heart shiver in his chest as he hesitated pressing the cloth back against Kandza's backside.  

 Love...

He was not someone who loved. Living things tended to die, no matter how hard one tried to keep them alive. He'd tried love  a few times in the past, but illness, accidents, and otherwise unfortunate events would always remove his partner from his life far too quickly. Of course, he could simply decide to take a vampire to his bed, and had honestly done so a few times. Unfortunately, if one considered a werewolf to be aggressive over territory, than he, himself, was a beast that no one wished to cross when dealing with other vampires. 

His home was his territory, and while he was tolerant of those that slipped in from time to time without invitation, his bedroom was another story altogether. 

You have allowed him to walk into it without so much as a warning growl, though. 

He had bitten him during that interaction, though... but it had taken some extra nudges for him to finally push the warning to becoming physical. Just the memory of how good Kandza's blood had tasted that night made his jaw ache as he gently guided the man from his lap and helped him fix his trousers. 

"I will accompany you on your next three patrols. You go out early in the morning and return around noon most days, correct?" he said, his voice taking on a straight-forward, business-like tone.

Kandza seemed confused by the sudden turn of events, but still gave a slow nod in response. 

"Yes sir," he added quietly. 

Pretennon nodded in return as he tossed the dirty handkerchief onto his desk, then looked back up at Kandza. 

"That will be all for tonight, then. I had already planned to rest early, so I will see you tomorrow morning," he said, effectively dismissing his confused pup. 

He's not yours if he wants more than what you are willing to give. 

Preto had to clench his teeth together tightly just to keep himself from leaning forward and pulling the man back into his lap when he turned toward the open window to leave. Right before he hopped out of it, Kandza turned with a small, nervous smile. 

"Rest well, Eld—P-Pretennon," he stuttered, catching himself before he used his title again. 

By that time Preto had stood up from his chair and made his way over toward the door after blowing out the two candles he'd used for lighting. When he turned back to look at the werewolf, he could tell that Kandza knew he'd messed up with something... but he probably wasn't exactly sure what. 

"You as well," he said with a forced, pleasant smile before opening the door and stepping into the hallway. 

As he felt the wolf slowly leave his property, Preto lifted his hands up to delve his fingers into his hair, pressing his sharp nails against his scalp as he sighed. 

My hands should be massaging those adorable black wolf ears right now, not my own aching head. 

"Lord Pretennon, would you like to feed before I retire the servants for the evening?" 

Blinking sleepily up at one of his head housekeepers, Preto yawned behind one hand, then shook his head. He was hungry, but his fangs only ached for one person's blood, and he would definitely not be having that tonight. If he ever did again.  

"I am fine. Have a good evening," he said with another fake smile before heading up to his room. 

He just needed some decent rest, then he'd explain to Kandza how things would be. There would be no love, even though he sometimes used it as a pet name. He wanted everything else the man had to offer, though. In return, he'd give him what he wished of the relationship, too, but not love. He'd been down that stressful road too many times.

There will be none of that from me. 

Even as he thought those words and changed into his nightwear, his eyes refused to stray from the closed balcony doors for more than a few seconds at a time. Of course, Kandza wasn't standing there beyond the glass squares because he'd sent him home, but his mind kept telling him that the wolf could still appear. 

It was, after all, not the best at listening. 

Resigned that he truly was not returning that evening, Preto finished changing his clothes, then fell into his giant bed with a tired sigh. Vampires didn't usually need to sleep each night, but having to deal with his heir's pup, then having that scare downstairs with Kandza? He was exhausted. That being said, it took him no time at all to drift off to sleep, and while he didn't really dream about much, he could somehow feel the sensation of being watched nudge at his mind throughout the long, cold night. 

(Edited)