I walked to the Pines Chamber with more purpose in my step. That mutt will do just splendidly with Pinetree, same track mind and all. Both of their minds orbit the thought of protecting their own alongside the obvious hate toward me. So in sync it's too perfect to happen, but just to last a bit longer, it will happen.

I cracked open one of the golden doors silently and stepped inside the room. Snoring could be heard from the Stan twin's room on the far right, the three humanized books in the lounge, and the mutt no doubt lying with the girl in Pinetree's room on the far left. I snapped my fingers once, the sound echoing through the room but causing no action other than to rouse one pawn to awake. In response the soft clicking of claws on the stone floor emerged from the bedroom. She saw me and I could hear her silent growling as she approached closer with a threatening stance.

What you want, evil? Alpha not here. The mutt snarled her thoughts.

If she was just some other hellhound I wanted business with I would be a little more cunning and suave but this one knew me well enough not to trust me.

"I came to offer a deal." I spoke softly and plainly.

Why I trust you? She demanded. Bad to Alpha and kin.

I took a calming breath so I wouldn't slaughter her then and there. Such primitive speech will doom me if Pinetree starts talking like this. "This time it will be good for your alpha." I explained. "I just need your blood to make it happen."

She looked at me with skepticism but her ears were perked with interest. She was just within claws reach. How much Beufo's blood evil needs? She sat on her haunches with a high and mighty demeanor about herself.

"Three full bowls worth." I answered before continuing. "With that much gone you, yourself, won't live, yes, but with your blood drunk by your alpha you two will be one, making him stronger than ever possible to do what you two do best." I smirked slightly. "Protect your own."

She turned her hard glare away from me. Alpha takes Beufo's blood to be stronger? She was speaking to herself. Then girl be sad without Beufo. But Alpha protect better with Beufo and girl be safe. Alpha be sad too. I looked around at the slumbering books, impatience gnawing at me with a severity unlike any other.

"Do we have a deal?" I asked calmly, offering my hand. It's been years since I did a regular deal than a contract.

She eyed me once more then she put her paw in my hand. Blue fire engulfed the handshake and it was official. The deal was sent, one less problem to worry about.

"I'll send for you when the time comes." I declared. "Be ready and don't cause a commotion. Are we clear?" I stared down the mutt, my obvious dominance threatening her on her own self-claimed territory.

As clear as pure glass. She answered meeting my stare head on and stubbornly.

"Good." I concluded and left the room.

The morning came like an ungodly spear to my head, which says a lot since I have my chambers in the heart of my palace and it's only lit by torches. Yet the only reprieve I had laid cuddled at my side, still asleep. In the dim smoldering light, I could see his features clearly. Calm and peaceful, not the silent small tyrant I pride myself on, like he was twelve again just about to go on thirteen. A clever and quick learning kid I grew fond of and actually hoped lived through my weirdness.

I toyed with one of the golden clips in his hair lightly, he needed a hair cut soon. I pressed my lips to his temple gently and just stayed there, my nose half buried in his brunette hair smelling the pine wood shampoo he must've washed himself with. It was nice, being like that, lying around in bed with someone beside me, that someone being my nemesis in particular. I flicked my gaze to the wall closest to Pinetree's side of the bed and a large bay window appeared with transparent and shimmering yellow curtains, the morning sun rising past the glass. The setting put on a mood I found interesting, subtle yet bold, innocent but seductive.

The sunlight crept along the bedspread and on to Pinetree's skin causing it to glow a pale light similar to moonshine. He looked beautiful. I exhaled heavily and pulled him closer to my person, away from the patch of light that made him glow. My Pinetree groaned his protest as I disturbed his slumber.

"Bill," he whined in a mumbled and groggy tone. I laced my fingers through his fluffy locks, keeping him close, my other hand resting in the small of his back just at the hem of his boxer briefs. Pinetree didn't fight against me, surprisingly, he wrapped his own arms around me, burying his head under my chin. "You're warm." he murmured against my flesh.

"So are you," I responded. "Pinetree." I was getting a warmth growing inside me, it was strange, stranger than the world I made. I lifted my head slowly and looked down at him, he had fallen back asleep. I rested my head back above his on the pillow again, just enjoying the moment.

Sir, Dallia's voice protruded my mind, Your challenge is scheduled for this afternoon. You said you wanted a reminder when morning light came.

I sighed at my ruined peace. Thank you Dallia. I just wanted to be like this for a while longer before I make an example on the first life form that challenged me since I was revered as an Egyptian god. I will have Pinetree there to see it and he will watch, no matter the screams, no matter the mess, matter the sight. He will see how I truly am when someone else puts their hands on my possessions. The thought alone put an upward curl on my lips. Pinetree is mine and mine alone.

I hoisted myself up on one elbow and prodded Pinetree's cheek, I won't be able to relax now that I have a blood splattered image in mind riling me up. "Pinetree, wake up." I ordered gently as I continued to poke him. He didn't budge an inch. I didn't know what a heavy sleeper he was. "Hmm...." I hummed thoughtfully, propping my head on my hand. Then I got an idea. I lengthened my nails into talons on the hand than still rested on his back, then took one talon and trailed the tip down his spine. My Pinetree shuddered in response, arching ever closer toward me. I tickled lightly at the waistband of his briefs. "Wake up, Pinetree." I said a bit louder. "Or pay the price." I added lightly.

His response was to nuzzle impossibly closer, grating more on my restrain. What is this human doing to me?
"Last chance." I declared staring down at him. He cracked open an eye. This little. . .

"Get up." I said, getting myself out of his grip and out of the bed. "We have things to do."

"It's literally sunrise," Pinetree stated in a gravelly tone. "What in this hell do 'we' have to do?"

I looked back at him. He was still under the blanket, though it rested at his waist, one hand was hidden under the feather down stuffed window the other was tucked under his head, his hair was a fluffy and fuzzy mess, his eyes were almost a dark ember to their usual brown topaz. The sunlight from my conjured window had spread across the bed, covering him in a pale glow again.
Helios help me.

"Well 'I' have business to attend to and 'you' will be joining me so I can be a bit distracted from killing and or severely hurt a fellow demon or Companion." I explained. "So get up so 'we' both can get ready." I finished with that and turned around quickly, then attempted not to seem hurried to get out of the room to clean up.