Vilem’s eyes never left Mika’s body as the latter carefully browsed through the contract. He had one of his best lawyers write it, so he was quite confident in the content, thus, he could enjoy the different changes in the shifter’s expression instead of worrying about his approval.

He found the shifter mesmerizing and wanted nothing more than to scoop him up and bring him in his dent. What was worrying him, however, were the scars peeking out from under the man’s clothes, telling tales of past torture. Some seemed old, way too old to have been inflicted on a child. He wondered what the shifter’s past looked like. 

Vilem may be a bit of a tyrant and a ruthless ruler, but children were still precious to him. He knew he could probably never have children himself, mostly because of his new found sexuality and the fact that others’ blood disgusted him. By logic, if he were to have a child with another person than Mika, the fedgling's blood would probably make him find him repulsive. The only solution would be for Mika to bear his child, but as a man, it was impossible.

Or so he thought.

Mika signed the paper after a few minutes, having found that it was exactly as Vilem had said and even more beneficial for him. Seeing the incursive signature, as cute as its owner, Vilem’s vision nearly went red on the spot. He had to clench his teeth to prevent his fangs from coming out and lunging at the prey in his arms.

His prey.

“Such a good boy.” He whispered in Mika’s fluffy ear, making the black panther let out an involuntary purr of joy. Mika clasped his hand over his mouth, too embarrassed to face the Vampire King.

“Nothing to be ashamed of, Love. I love hearing you express your joy. I will praise you as much as you want, because you deserve all the praises in the world.” Vilem said, rubbing his cold nose against Mika’s hot neck. He felt the artery pulse under his touch, the flow of blood accelerating, making the delicious scent stronger.

“Now, I will absolutely adore to stay like this, but the cockblocker will be here in a few minutes and I would like to get your things ready by then. Then, I will be able to show you my penthouse, your new home.” At the Vampire’s words, Mika finally remembered the position he was in, ignoring the way Vilem had called Charlie. He flushed with shyness, before attempting to get up. What stilled him, though, was the Vampire’s last sentence. Hearing the word home coming from a stranger was strange, but coming from Vilem, it felt real. It was as if he could believe what he was saying, as if he could lean on him without worries. His heart warmed up, and he forgot to get up, only for a slight nudge to be made against his bottom.

Mika turned back toward Vilem, seeing the Vampire raising a brow at his inaction. The shifter blushed as he realized the man’s hand was on his buttcheek, slightly squeezing the flesh like a cat kneads a blanket. He hurriedly jumped away, cowering toward his room without looking back at Vilem.

The man was intimidating and even when he gently teased him like this, Mika’s heart still shuddered in fear. The years of abuse he had experienced at his father’s hand guaranteed a life-time of trauma, but he still hoped for a near recovery. 

Maybe the ruthless Vampire King would be the one healing his broken heart.

As Mika threw the few things he had in a bag, he heard the Vampire enter the room. He turned slightly to see him, fearing to be attacked from behind. It had happened in the past with his father. The King had made the knights attack him while he had his back turned, always screaming at him while he was being beaten up that a true shifter would never be caught with his guard lowered.

The Vampire King seemed to sense the change in the mood and decided to stay at the doorway instead of stepping in like he had intended, leaning on one shoulder on the doorframe. Vilem observed Mika with great attention as the latter made his luggage. He was quite disheartened at seeing the poor amount of things the shifter had, silently cursing the blond cockblocker for not spoiling the shifter rotten.

He would find a way to make the shifter tell him all the things he wanted, even if he had to tickle him to death.

The mental image of Mika curled up on the bed, laughing until crying at his tickling, ears down and tail curled between his legs, made a small smile appear on the corner of his mouth.

Mika busied himself like a bee, going from one corner to another. He made one last check a little while later, turning around in the room to make sure everything was in his bag when he had finished. He had been barefoot, so he had taken out a pair of stocks and put them on.

Vilem glanced with amusement at the little chibi dragons spouting out fire on the black socks, making a mental note to buy more things with dragons on them or in a dragon form. His Blood Partner was so sweet, it made his teeth ache. If it continued, he would get diabetes.

He let a little laugh slip at the thought, pressing his lips together when Mika looked at him with wide surprised eyes. He coughed in his fist to disperse his embarrassment at dropping his guard before his soulmate. It would be bad if his cool image was tainted before he could woo the shifter. It’s not like he had anything to hide, but he wanted to appear as his best in front of the young man.

Taking Mika’s hand in his, Vilem gently tugged it and went toward the entrance when he saw the shifter follow him. When they passed by the kitchen, Vilem felt Mika stop slightly on his way and turning his head toward him, he glanced at the hesitation on the shifter’s face. His frozen heart tightened, fearing the worst.

What if the shifter had a change of heart?

Even if the fact that he had signed the contract reassured him, Vilem was still stressed about the shifter’s thoughts of him. He didn’t want to be hated or feared. If Mika had found out he was too disgusted with his tyrannical acts to live with him and didn’t want to become his Blood Partner, he didn’t know if he could stay clear-headed.

At this point, he didn’t even know if he could still play along with his second plan.

He had quickly grown attached to the young man and keeping him chained to his bed like a pretty canary in a golden cage wasn’t what he wanted their relationship to be like. He wasn’t sure what he wanted exactly, but it wasn’t to keep the shifter against his will.

“Erm, would it be possible to leave a note for Charlie? I don’t want him to worry…” Mika trailed off, not quite sure if the demand would offend the Vampire. If they were as territorial and possessive as Charlie said, it wouldn’t be a good idea to mention another vampire before him, but he couldn’t stop thinking about what the Doctor would think when he would come back to an empty apartment. Charlie had been the one to help him in time of need, to help with his depression… What he thought was depression, because he never went to consult. Anyways, Charlie had always been there, even when Mika tried to take his own life, reality having become too heavy to bear. He had lent his back to lessen the burden, even if it was still there.

He would be forever thankful to him, and he wanted to leave a note to express it to him.

He wanted to tell him that he would always be grateful. 

Hey dear readers, how do you think Vilem will react to the demand?

Character development? Already? Yes! Vilem falls quite quick ;)

And for those who know me, you know I don’t like to make my stories too complicated with pushes and tugs between the protagonists. It helps that they are Soulmates, though.

Adam is feeling jealous of all the words I write in this story, but I promise I will write more in Path soon! Please wait a bit my little hedgehorn before sending your beefy bear on my track!

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(1 350 words)