There had been a moment when Vladya stared directly into the angry blue eyes of Serris and begged the old Alpha to attack. Everything the pale bastard had done had been crafted to piss Serris off, to provoke a violent reaction and force that high-and-mighty King to climb down from his noble throne and get dirty. Vladya wanted to knock off that crown. He wanted to taunt Kobato’s beloved “brother-father” until Serris utterly lost his temper and therefore lost his grip on whatever wonderful sparkly personality traits he owned that made Kobato look up to him so damn fucking much. It was childish, and it was stupid, and Vladya certainly didn’t feel proud for acting like a jackass, but—dammit, HE wanted Ko’s attention! All of it! Why did he have to share her adoration with this—this—PRICK? His insecurity festered within him, a poisonous thing. And it had grown worse and worse as Serris continued to pointedly ignore his pretty princess’s chosen prince.

Vladya’s jealousy twisted further the moment he realized Kobato wouldn’t be sharing a den with him. Understandably, the girl wanted to put on a show of chastity so as not to upset Serris; the black fool would most likely have an aneurism if he suspected precious Ko of allowing a filthy hoodlum to defile her. A snarl burned the base of Vladya’s throat every time he said “goodnight” to his girl. He restrained himself heroically from seeking out Kobato’s bed just so he could listen to her breathe. Sharing warmth while they sought asylum in Spring Grounds had been one of the most important factors leading to Vlad’s recovery (pathetic, considering all the times Vladya had licked his wounds alone in the past). Now the ivory dragon found himself desperately missing the safety someone’s presence offered in the vulnerable limbo of sleep. Seeing her every other second of the day somehow failed to make up for this treasured, lost time. Selfish, stupid dog. Why couldn’t he just be thankful for her quiet smiles and little touches? How could he explain that she had become and addiction?

A miracle intervened and prevented Vladya from shouting “I WANT TO SLEEP WITH YOU” the instant Kobato approached him. Instead his bloodstained pyrite eyes sullenly stared at some point deep in the forest. Curved talons clenched at the dirt, as if to physically restrain those hideous urges. The only thing that would please the wardog more than some intense snuggling with Ko would be to march up to Serris and growl fuck you directly to his kingly face. Did Kobato realize her amaaaazing brother-father was probably banging his slut right now? That FREAKING HYPOCRITE had leaked his pheromones all over the damn place, taunting Vlad while the bone-colored brute had to act as if he’d never smelled a fae in his life. Oh GODS, why did Kobato have to smell so good? Why was she so FUCKING CUTE and sweet and sensitive all the damn time? Dumb kid.

Teeth that had snapped limbs and torn arteries ground together in agony when the petite warrioress trotted closer. The storm slowly stirring the darkening sky above held less electricity than Kobato’s aura. What? Aura? WAS THAT HOW HE KNEW SHE WAS LIKE, A FOOT AWAY WITHOUT LOOKING? Vlad sucked in a quiet breath through his fangs at the sensation of his girl’s shoulder leaning gently against his own. Don’t look. Don’t look at her. Her voice was musical. Vladya could listen to her chat allllll day long. Except she wanted to leave. Leave? “Wait, huh? You’re . . . ready to leave?” Unable to help himself, the bleached beast turned his cranium to peer down at the little lady. “What are you talking about? Kobato, we just got here. I thought this was the safe zone—or whatever.” A low roll of thunder crawled through the clouds. He reached over to tuck her head under his chin, so that she might hear the thrumming growl deep in his chest. “Is it because of Serris?”