Standing at the top of the red carpeted steps in a black tailored suit and slacks, Pretennon eyed the growing crowd below. Everyone's eyes were on him, but that was no surprise. He wasn't one for socializing all too often, but tonight was special. 

Turning, he extended a hand to his heir with a warm smile. Sebastian looked as if he were about to faint, but they had made sure to have him feed right before they attended their first event. He had accepted the invitation for them both from the Rain alpha the previous evening once their smaller guest had hobbled his way out the door. 

They had never gotten his name, and he hadn't been interested in speaking to him telepathically, but he wasn't bothered by it. The pup's manners were nice enough, and Ruoka actually calmed down a little bit towards the end of the night, once all the food had disappeared. 

 Sebastian tugged at the peach neckerchief that was tucked snuggly around his neck and down into his dark blue and white coat. His hair had been tended to, but again, no amount of primping managed to tame his sandy curls. 

"I will be here if you need any assistance, and Ruoka, I have no doubt, will remain by your side for the entirety of our stay," Pretennon said as he curled one finger in a come-here gesture. 

His heir swallowed down a lump in his throat and stepped forward, finally taking his proffered hand. Pretennon turned at that moment, then began to slowly descend the stairs, leading Sebastian carefully forward. 

All eyes were on them as the whispers began. They stopped on a small landing about halfway down before Preto gave a respectful nod to the gathering crowd. 

"I would like to introduce my handsome young heir to our society. This is Sebastian, of the Bloodfell line, please treat him kindly," he said as he continued forward.

He could already hear the excited whispers about who Sebastian would choose for his own heir, but there were also a few people speaking about the clearly-captive werewolf at his side. They had thankfully decided to leave the pup's chain leash at home, but the thick silver color was no less obvious. 

It wasn't going to be perfect right away, but as they greeted the Rain alpha and thanked him for his invitation, Pretennon knew that things would calm down quickly enough. It was a strike against Sebastian to have a captive wolf, but many people were perfectly fine with the idea. 

Besides, Preto knew that Sebastian was already considering giving his pup a bit more freedom. He truly felt that it would only be a matter of time before he removed Ruoka's collar. 

He calmly followed his heir as Sebastian quietly but respectfully greeted many of the guests that came up to him. His nerves were hard to hide, but as the band in the far corner of the dance floor began to start playing, he saw his him finally calm down a bit. That's when a young human woman in a strikingly-beautiful blue ballgown stepped up to him and bowed, then requested the young vampire's first dance. 

Try to enjoy yourself. I will be nearby if you need anything, he thought to him, drawing Sebastian's attention over his shoulder for the briefest moment before he allowed himself to be pulled onto the filling dance floor. 

Preto found himself a glass flute of blood and sipped at it for a long while, talking briefly with the few people who were brave enough to approach him. There weren't too many elders in the city in general, and to actually see one at such an event was an oddity that he thought humorous. 

The faint pressure of eyes on him came and went quickly as he found himself another drink, but when one gaze in particular remained for quite some time, he began looking around. He was taller than many of the humans present, but considering there were plenty of werewolves, too, he struggled to pinpoint whoever was looking at him. 

Let's play, then. 

Turning, he calmly walked across the room, his long black hair flowing on an invisible breeze as he made his way to the balcony doors. There were two werewolf guards stationed at either side of the open double doors, silver-colored masks covering their faces from their nose, upward. 

They simply bowed as he moved past them and out into the crisp, cool evening air. 

I didn't realize how much cigar smoke was in there. I will have to make sure that Sebastian comes outside several times to clear his lungs. 

Normal vampires and werewolves scoffed at the negative affects of smoking, but Sebastian didn't handle it very well. 

Pretennon licked the last remaining taste of blood from his lips as he lifted a hand to sift through his long fingers through his hair. 

I truly do hope that he finds someone to his liking soon. I know these events will take a toll on him, but he will be so much happier with another in his life. 

Heirs were normally humans, since they were the only beings that could be changed into a vampire, but Pretennon honestly wouldn't mind if Sebastian picked a werewolf, either. It would actually be quite beneficial to him, since he could feed from them from time to time and keep himself healthy easier. That choice would also likely release Ruoka from his captivity. 

Leaning against the tall marble railing in front of him, Preto nonchalantly skimmed his eyes over the visitors below him as they came and went. Most of the older humans and wolves had come as couples, while almost every younger person was dolled up and dressed to the T, hoping to impress someone worth their time. 

He'd been the target of them long, long ago. The memories were older than most of the werewolves, and even vampires present at the current gathering, and Preto had no interest in digging them up, so he redirected his thoughts to the eyes he'd felt on him previously. 

They had gotten closer... bolder. 

Brushing a length of hair behind his pierced ear, he straightened, then turned. 

A wolf guard? 

The man stood near the open double doors, a silver mask on the upper half of his face. His size was formidable, and his height... Feeling a smile slide onto his lips, Pretennon took a step forward. He was just about to address Kandza when he noticed something off. 

His heartbeat is terribly fast. 

Even for a werewolf. 

As much as he wanted to confront the man face to face, he knew when to back down from a situation. Or, at least, make it less stressful. Forcing himself to turn, Pretennon returned to leaning forward against the marble railing, his eyes focused forward, but not really seeing anything. 

 All of his attention was on the only other person still present on the large balcony. The man stood still for quite some time, but after what felt like several minutes, he finally heard footsteps begin to slowly approach. 

Normally, he would never turn his back on another person intentionally, but even after what Kandza had done in his study, he still trusted him not to hurt him. 

Preto jumped slightly, having gotten distracted by his thoughts, when he felt a warm hand brush aside his suit jacket and settle against the thin silk shirt beneath it. The man's claws were out, too, but that was no surprise since he was a pack guard. Preto was just thankful that he seemed to have enough control over them to not cut his clothing. 

"Good evening, Kandza," he finally said quietly as he felt the man's other hand move around his front to allow his arm to fully wrap around his middle. 

Another moment later and Preto was being guided backwards until he was settled against a warm, firm chest. He honestly wasn't expecting an answer, but when the man did respond, he felt a little bit of weight lift from his own chest. If Kandza would have remained silent like he had when he'd hugged him previously at his home, he would have had to be more aggressive with his current approach to... whatever their situation was. 

"Good evening, elder Pretennon." 

It was funny hearing the added honorific, but he didn't mind. Kandza did always talk to him that way through their thoughts, so it made sense that he'd speak in such a way, too. 

Preto smiled as he slowly straightened. Kandza adjusted his hold accordingly, but refused to release him at all, making his shirt bunch in the man's hands. 

"You are going to pull my tucked shirt from my slacks if you don't loosen your grip some," Preto said, only partially joking. 

Kandza didn't hesitate to react to his words, but it definitely wasn't what Pretennon had thought he'd do. The werewolf didn't hesitate to finish tugging up the remainder of Pretennon's shirt, then slip his warm hands beneath it to settle against his cold skin. Claws soon began tracing little circles just above his abdomen, distracting Preto just enough for him to not get mad at his roaming hands. 

He expected the man to lean forward and nuzzle against his neck, but when he didn't, he took the initiative and leaned his head back until it settled against Kandza's right shoulder. The gesture was submissive for a vampire, but he didn't mind giving a little to make the man more comfortable interacting with him. 

He could feel Kandza's heart speed up quite strongly at the gesture, but to his surprise, he still did not lean forward. 

Such an odd fellow. 

He was just about to straighten back up when he felt one of Kandza's hands leave his skin and rise until it was settled over his eyes. Then, not a moment later, the man's warm lips began to press against his bared throat. 

It was an odd sensation to allow himself to be blinded by another, but he found that he didn't mind... as long as it was Kandza. 

"Elder Pretennon..."

"Rain beta Kandza," he responded in a quiet whisper as he felt teeth skim along his throat. 

When Kandza finally began to nip at the spot he desired to leave a mark, Preto lifted his left hand upward. He wanted to feel that soft, shaggy hair that he'd been allowed to touch for the briefest moment back when the werewolf had transformed at his home. 

Except, right as his fingers began slipping through the man's silky hair, Kandza gasped and withdrew, staggering back several feet before turning and darting back inside the bustling building. 

Preto didn't bother watching him go. There was no need. Instead, he had opened his eyes and lifted his left hand in front of him. He understood now. It had been impossible to tell by just looking at him from a distance, but there was no mistaking what he'd felt tucked tightly, and probably painfully, within that thick, soft mess of hair. 

"You can't retract your wolf's ears while in your human form..." 

(Edited)