Chris beamed at Dima innocently as if he didn't creep up on the vampire to scare the bejesus out of him.

"Sometimes I carry this sudden urge inside me. I feel like sneaking into your mind and seeing for myself what often keeps you there. I desire to explore the walls of your mind, touch them and find out the fascinating opinions running through this alluring place," Chris said, caressing the side of Dima's head, subtly pointing out how frequently the vampire spaces out.

Shying away from the touch, Dima looked at Chris blankly.

Unlike his face, his mind wasn't blank. It was filled with sentiments to the brim. All of them crashed and collided with each other, causing his brain to short-circuit and transform into goo. His tenacious and potty-mouthed side refused to refer to all that goo as mushy.

Well aware that the pestering flea that goes by Chris won't leave him in solitude, Dima stretched comfortably going to his previous posture - with his back rested against the tree. The outcome of relaxation proved to be a disaster because his tongue ran loose and spewed the words without a preamble. To think was the brain's job, not the tongue's. "How did you even get here without me noticing? My eyes were on you the whole time when you were on the stage so how di..." Cutting himself short, Dima squeezed his eyes shut tight and mentally cursed.

He didn't have to open his eyes to discern that there was a smug smirk plastered on Chris' face.

"Dima."

Dima would forever be grateful for his father's intervention. What timing! Thank you, dad. You are my saving grace; I love you.

Dimitri was a second late with his reply as Chris had already started selling a made-up story to his father. "Dimitri put forth his wish to go with me to my packhouse and look out for the clues himself."

Lance knew what the Alpha of Imperial Shadows said was utter bullshit but he refrained from causing a fuss since they were in public. Deeming it fit, he left the two young men alone.

Missing the chance of getting his father's assistance did not mean Dima would readily join Chris.

One can misunderstand Chris as anything but cannot mistake him for a fool. The ones who made that mistake were fools themselves. To the smart Alpha, it was obvious that Dima would put up a fight and make a ruckus if it came to it. He had to cajole Dima somehow and Chris had heard that words cut sharper than a sword.

"If you want to get away from the woman whom you were maiming in your château de pensées, then you would come with me," that was his warning before he took off.

Dima self-established that he would rather be with Chris than her, so he took off after the werewolf but not before quickly searching for the phrase.

Castle of thoughts. Hmm, French. The guy is murdering two languages together.

Soon, they were standing in front of Chris' car. Opening the doors to their sides, they sat inside.

"I thought you would turn into your wolf and run to your place."

Originally, Dima thought that was what they were going to do and he had to run beside a wolf. A shudder of disgust passed through him at the notion. Eww...

"Why? Wanted to have a ride?"

Chris ducked his head in time to save himself from getting hit by Dima.
What he couldn't save was the car from pivoting. Dima had to grip the dashboard tightly in order to not fall forward.

"Hey, careful!" the vampire shouted.

In return, Chris shrugged and whispered "Seat belt" as soon as he regained control over the steering wheel.

Although the man in the passenger seat glared at him, yet put the seat belt on.

At that instant, Dima acknowledged that everyone had their good and bad traits. Where his current chauffeur – Chris – owns a loose tongue, he was also a responsible person...at least while driving. Yes, Chris already had his seat belt on.

Dima too had flaws. No matter how rational, he can be careless.

We all are made up of flaws that we consider only as temporary faults. We justify ourselves, blame others, and refuse to accept who we are.

Not a peep was made until Chris parked the car outside his packhouse.

"Come on,” Chris said and got out of the car. On the way to wherever Chris was bringing him, Dima saw a muscular guy of about 6'2" height carrying a guy by the back of his shirt collar. The guy who was being suspended in the air was kicking, screaming and glaring at the muscular man. Chris too caught sight of the scene playing apparently because he bemoaned. "Oh, Goddess! ELIO! What did you do now?"

When the short guy merely puffed his cheeks and crossed his arms, Chris grilled the other one.

"He kicked Mitchell in the nuts," the muscular guy said.

“Elio.”

Elio signed in quick motions, recounting the story of how he ended up getting an airplane ride from Alan.

The rapid hand gestures gained Dima's attention and that's when it clicked. Wait! He is that mute guy. The little shit.

Chris looked up like he was calling the Gods above to grant him the patience to deal with Elio. Maybe he should make it mandatory for his warriors to wear protective cups because tying Elio to a pole for a whole day wasn't a solution or humane. Nah... it was Elio, everyone loves him despite his brattiness.

Waving a hand in their direction in dismissal, he crooked his finger at Dima to follow him.

They were about to ascend the stairs when shrieking was heard from behind them. Seemed like Elio had yet to say something.

Dima saw Chris smile fondly from the corner of his eyes after the little shit finished with his signing.

Soon, Elio was let down on his feet and he immediately stormed off, quite dramatically if Dima gets specific.

"What did he say?" Dima asked Chris curiously.

"He said, - " Chris started. " 'Mitchell told me I shouldn't fight because I am small and can get hurt. I showed him practically what you always say. It doesn't matter how you win, there are no rules in a battlefield. If you win, you win. Put me down, you ass or it will be your future babies next'. Damn cute." Chris chuckled.

Dima stared at him oddly. Right. If the devil's mate can be called cute, then he is definitely cute.

They took off for the stairs again, this time gaining success.

"Where are we going?" Dima interrogated.

"To my room."

"I don't want to go to your room."

"Afraid?" Chris goaded with a taunting smile.

"No, but you are a pervert."

"I am a lover."

"Cheesy and disgusting."

"Well, deal with it because we are already here. Don't chicken out now."

And Chris was right; Dima did not even register he had followed the werewolf inside his room.

Dima's eyes roamed to take in the decor of the surprisingly modest room.

While the vampire was busy gliding his eyes around, Chris' eyes were occupied cruising the expanse of his taut body.

An unknown force made Dima's gaze meet with Chris' and before he could do something non-sexual to simmer down the lust he saw whirling in them, his ridge hit the wall beside the door and the Alpha's lips were on his.

Chris kissed Dima. Dima kissed back. There was no battle of dominance, they were only exploring the battlefield for the time.

Dima can feel Chris' appetite and his answering one. He mentally pleaded to the Devil for Chris to stay oblivious to the pot full of feelings brewing inside him. The notion of Chris figuring out had his palms sweat, stomach drop and insides panic. Instinctively, he put his hands on Chris' chest to shove him away.

Chris didn't deter. He didn't flinch.

Dima gave up after his half-hearted failed undertaking since he was basking Chris and his kisses. He didn't stop the Alpha then.

Something else did.