“Wasn’t he a bit too susceptible to your charm, milord?” Adrian murmured, unable to contain the thread of envy. It unfair to blame Kallum or his powers of suggestion.
The Ringleader just chuckled, crouching down on the floor where Lan had shifted into a wolf. Cinnamon brown fur gleamed under firelight and his crisscrossing scars darkened. “I do instinctively try to charm wolves but this one may simply have no immunity. It even shifted back.”
Adrian checked that the library door was still shut and locked, not wanting the others to catch wind just yet. It would be a headache if anyone threw a tantrum over Lan’s presence.
“No immunity?” he repeated, coming over and sitting beside them. He ran his hand over the patches of fur, happy to see they looked healthier than the first time they’d met. It wasn’t saying much, but perhaps in a few more months, Lan would have a full, glossy coat of fur again.
Kallum gently rubbed the tender spot between Lan’s closed eyes, fingers drifting up his forehead and along the curve of his fluffy ear. “If I understood that story correctly, your lone wolf has known very little affection. Wouldn’t you also fall victim to a stranger’s kindness if you had only ever experienced torment?”
All fiends lived tragic existences, but there was something about Lan’s pain that made Adrian’s veins tremble. He knew all species had their laws. Night Children certainly abided by ancient, irrational things, too.
Yet this felt different.
“Perhaps you see too much of yourself in this lonely figure.” Kallum’s voice softened more, taking on a thoughtful quality. “I certainly have no qualms about adopting a wolf that gives you comfort, brother.”
Was that this feeling? A desperation for someone else who endured loneliness? Self-induced isolation? Another creature that, like Adrian, valued their own way of life over the demands of those around him?
He laughed thickly, pressing closer to Lan’s warmth. “He told me I smell safe. Isn’t that peculiar?” Adrian’s gaze lowered. “Are we able to provide true comfort for him?”
“A wolf that can fall asleep at my feet must be more comfortable than most,” Kallum replied dryly. “If Lan chooses to become my pet, I can fend off any awful monsters from the past.” He spoke as if it were a triviality.
For anyone else, it would be daunting to suggest taking on Valentine’s wolfpack. The Ringleader was an existence greater than some wolves could ever comprehend though. He lorded over the Highest House of Night. Commanded the darkest shadows. Thrived in chaos.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Adrian looked up, finding that Kallum was studying him openly.
“As are you.”
He grinned, not shying away from Kallum’s scrutiny. “So tell me, what part intrigues you the most? I’m sure there’s something that’s piqued your interest.”
“Aside from the sinful bestiality you’re partaking in? I suppose many things,” he mused, combing Lan’s scruff lightly. “I’ve heard the strength of a wolf’s claim is paralyzing. Although your little puppy appears docile, it’s been fending off such an all-consuming bond. This mental fortitude can be quite the advantage.”
Adrian stretched out on the rug, snickering. “Ah yes, because the infamous Ringleader needs a powerful guard dog.”
“Even I cannot be everywhere all the time.” Kallum chuckled. “The stronger Delirium is, the freer we become. Welcoming a loyal wolf into our ranks is an obvious move when the circumstances present themselves.” He tilted his head, smiling down at Adrian. “Wasn’t that your exact thought process when you first found Lan?”
It was. He couldn’t deny that gifting a sweet wolf to his Ringleader had sounded like a magnificent idea while drunk on a blue moon. However, it still sounded good the days, weeks, and months following their encounter.
And it was merely a bonus that this wolf desired Adrian so fiercely that the world faded away when their bodies touched.
“I did worry momentarily about the other Delirium members shunning Lan,” he admitted. “Though that seems awfully silly now. Your approval is the only one that matters.”
The others would fall in line and if they didn’t, their blood oaths to the Ringleader would force them to submit. It was the trade-off for a life free from the shackles of Night Child society. The price was simple.
Give Kallum your existence and he would give you anything.
“Can you make a blood oath with a Lycan?” Adrian murmured curiously.
“Will I need to?” His smile was oddly amused. Fascinated. It was a dangerous expression that usually signaled Kallum had found something new to occupy himself with.
“What do you mean?” he returned, warily.
The Ringleader’s lips twitched. “It’s nothing nefarious, brother. No need to be on guard.” He reached over Lan, brushing the back of his hand across Adrian’s cold cheek. “I merely meant you should refresh what you know about interspecies bonding. It may be enlightening.”
Adrian turned his head, kissing Kallum’s palm. “Understood.”
Long fingers dragged across Adrian’s lips, tracing the shape affectionately. In return, he kissed Kallum wherever his skin touched his mouth. It was an indescribable comfort to have his Ringleader so close. Even before the blood oath, this feeling had existed in its own capacity.
Kallum made others yearn for him. He drew moths to a flame and whoever was caught would be consumed immediately.
“You should put your wolf to bed.” As Kallum spoke, he grabbed the book he’d been reading when they first arrived. “I’ve bookmarked the chapter you might be interested in.”
Of course he was already reading it. Adrian nodded faintly, watching as Kallum leaned down to kiss the heavily scarred nape of Lan’s neck. Right over the claim.
Gathering Lan in his arms, Adrian held him close as he headed toward the door. In this form, it was nearly impossible to see in front of him. He unlocked the door with fumbling fingers and slipped out, using a side stairwell to avoid the noisy parlor.
Who would you rather belong to? Adrian pressed kiss after kiss to Lan’s fur, listening to the sweet purrs rumbling in his chest. A sane person would shudder in fear at the thick claws, large snout, and muscles. So why was Adrian so utterly insane?
My Ringleader or that beast who claims you? Who will you side with?
He set Lan down on his bed, veins tingling at the sight of him immediately curling into a ball and rubbing his face against the sheets. “You’re always too cute, aren’t you?” Adrian sighed, feeling utterly helpless.
The old book rested heavy in his hand, silk bookmark peeking out from between yellowed pages. It was written in a language he hadn’t read in many years. Perhaps more than a century. Adrian hoped Kallum had been kind enough to leave some translation notes.
Sighing, he set it on the bedside table and flicked on a lamp.
Changing into something more comfortable, he crawled under the blankets and wrapped himself around Lan. Adrian was far from tired and he had quite a bit of reading to do, but he was happy to spend some time watching over this increasingly precious existence.
Perhaps this was all just selfish on his part. Perhaps he’d been seeking out another lonely soul to draw comfort from.
Whatever it was, he didn’t want to let go.
I want to know more. I want to see more.
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