(This is a mature chapter, mostly fluff, not plot building if you'd like to skip it.) 

My body aches as I slide against his form, so many sexual encounters in one day, I was beyond sore. Running my hand over his chest, my fingertips rest on the strigoi chain still wrapped around his neck. Testing the weight under my index finger, it never ceased to amaze and upset me that it bruised him the way it did. 

The marks under each link, nearly raw from the pressure, remained as a reminder that Fenrir would be free the moment he had the opportunity to be. Exhaling, I slip closer to him, shutting my eyes tightly as I will myself to just be present, to not focus on the demon god lurking beneath the surface. 

Yet, my mind drifts to last night, the prominent fangs that continued to make their appearance at even the slightest frustration. Pressing my lips to the tanned skin, I feel his gaze on me and know I've awoken him. "What an expression..." He murmurs, using this thumb to smooth out the lines between my eyebrows. 

"I don't like the way this marks you." It was easy enough of a distraction from my real feelings, the concern of who attempted to kill us of the many, the thought that Fenrir was still lurking despite the chain and the brand, concluded by the admittance that he thought he was a lousy father. 

Raising an eyebrow, he slides his arm around me, pulling me closer to him only to hesitate as I flinch. "Would you prefer to leave your own marks?" He asks, I shut my eyes once more as I'm squeezed against his chest before he flips us over. Hovering over top of me, I'm almost frightened to ask if he'd like to have me again. My mind was willing but my body was reluctant. With a smirk, he kisses my forehead, "Try not to look so frightened. It's aftercare, love."

Kissing from the corner of my mouth down my jaw to my neck in a slow, scorching trail, I bear my bruised neck to him. With his new found hitchhiker, he found it difficult to control the blood lust lurking underneath. "You're an amazing father." My voice is stern, final. 

With a low growl, he hesitates. "You're quite persistent. It's one of your most annoying traits."

"I love the thrill of being right all the time, it's a curse." I shrug as he straightens just enough to watch me. "Bathe with me?"

We hadn't spent much time showering together since his torture, let alone near the bathroom at the same time since the second attempt. Swallowing hard, I see the fear catch his eyes, I capture his face with my palms to keep him with me. "Please? I need to see you. We've got to get through this."

"Torture is hard to overcome." His retort is short, reluctant. 

"I can't help you if you don't let me see." I respond, soft, hesitating as my fingers find his hair and I note the darkening roots. "What is this?"

"Mmm... I believe the Americans call it bedhead.. sex hair.. not quite sure, darling." Skirting his teeth over my wrist, I can't entertain it as I slide onto my knees and pull him with me toward the bathroom. Stepping into the light, I stare up at him. 

Deep, dark, smokey roots hide under the tangle of gray. Almost like ash, it reminded me of Havoc, without the crisp strands of white finding the edges. He was still gray, but the depth of the black invading all of the roots of his hair made my blood run cold. "Coat color indicates one's true intentions..." I murmur, frowning. "Randy, what does this mean?"

Watching himself in the mirror, he seems unwilling to even acknowledge the stranger staring back at him. Stronger, wielding a strigoi chain and a demon's seal, how could we not expect it to have an effect on a true neutral? Yet, Verando had always drifted towards good. "I don't know. I can't say I feel any different. My father had black hair, it was always strange that his children were gray. Sherian was gray and obviously evil, Sota was white, and look where that got us. Perhaps we put too much on the color of a coat."

"You're practically devouring me, do you not find that concerning? I'm not complaining, I think it's hot as hell, but it isn't your usual." 

Flinching, his fingers brush over the leftover bruising on my neck from his fangs. "I've always had an affinity for blood, even before I became a lycan, and again when I struggled with the curse. I would venture that it has been harder to control that part of me. Though, admittedly, I am motivated by the sounds you make and the delicious way you taste."

Stepping towards me, naked and mouth-watering, I swallow hard as he closes the space between us. "Keep your hands to yourself, Mr.Mercer. I was promised some aftercare and we still have a conversation to visit."

"A submissive commanding his master?" The sinister tone makes me shudder, I bite my lower lip before slipping out of his grasp to stride toward the tub and turn it on. Consideration had been taken to make sure it was big enough for both of us, that must mean he'd intended to use it this way. 

Bending over the edge, I keep my thighs pressed together as I test the water, opting to remain silent instead of trying to plead my case. The warmth of his body behind me causes me to shiver, his fingers slowly trailing down my back as I feel the sensation of tension in the electricity that is ignited in my body. 

My wolf senses it before I do, his pounding heart rate that wasn't from any sort of arousal. He was terrified, I look over my shoulder at him, his face pale and his body covered in a thin layer of sweat. "I'm not going to let anything hurt you."

"I don't think I can do this." His voice is short and rough. Verando had slipped from his 'Alpha' persona. 

"Stop thinking about it, I'm right here, with you. Touch me." My voice is a gentle croon, swaying my hips as his hand slides to down to cup my aching ass. Warm on my chilled skin, very slowly and cautiously kneading in a way that was surprisingly comforting. I bow my head, attempting to fall into the submissive mindset as I cautiously allow my thighs to separate. 

"I've marked you.... damn it, I'm turning into a monster." His tone is harsh, I can hear his teeth gritting.

"I begged for it." I whisper, "Please don't stop." I didn't want him to take me, I wanted him to familiarize himself with my body. We were practically strangers to each other in these new forms. Sliding to his knees behind me, keeping my hands on the side of the tub, he massages my thighs in a slow, methodical kneading that practically makes me tremble from the discomfort and groan from the relief. 

My body was sore, aching all over from the abuse it was no longer used to. Verando was as strong as I was, we contended with each other in that he could actually hurt me in our endeavors in a new element we hadn't had when I was mortal. Those strong hands slide up and down my thighs, his lips skirt over the back of my knee and I gasp, jumping in surprise. 

"Be still." Verando exhales, and I feel his teeth threaten to graze me. "Your heart is pounding, it's absolutely mouth-watering." Yet, he resists, pressing a slow kiss to my skin instead. 

"Who do you think tried to kill us?" I needed to distract myself, my wolf fought for control, wanting to take advantage of the situation as he slowly kisses up my thigh. Worshiping me with his tongue, taking special attention to each and every bruise and nick to my skin. 

"It'd be easier to tell you who might not have done it." He grumbles, kneading my ass with the other hand. I rock my hips, he delivers a sharp smack that makes me cry out. Pressing a kiss to the offending ass cheek, I fight to stay still. 

"Yellow." I whimper. "Randy, I'm really sore. "

"I know, darling, but you must stay still. I'm trying not to bite you and you're waving your scent around. If you want aftercare, in this setting, this is where we are." 

Reluctantly, I nod. It did feel good, his fingers helped to remove any tension and ache in my thighs. "Answer me." I plead, attempting to distract myself as his hands slide up to spread my entrance, making me shiver at the nature of it. "Randy-" I groan as I feel his mouth on me, a low moan rolling into my chest as I fight to be obedient. 

The tub was almost too full, I pant as the steam makes my head spin, the warmth of the room coupled with the sensation of his tongue serving me. The ache deep in the pit of my stomach had me on high alert, the insatiable nature of him, the way he kept talking about my scent. I curse under my breath at myself, wondering if it could possibly be another cycle attempting to rip through me. 

Perhaps this was the best time for him to go on tour, maybe time apart during this would do us both some good, it was obvious he had his reservations and I was still raw from what I considered to be a miscarriage. 

My wolf whimpered for me to figure out a way to make him stay, pawing frantically at the gate of my mind. 

"No more, I can't take it." I plead as he releases me from his hold, spinning around in his grasp I stretch onto my tiptoes to capture his lips with my own. "Bathe with me?"

"I'm out of my mind." He growls, the light eyes hot with desire, raking over me in a way that made me ache to fulfill that need. "I think-"

"Do you remember when I couldn't bear to be around you? When I was afraid you would turn into your brother? You helped me rewrite those memories, you saved me, let me save you." I step into the tub, offering him my hand as he stares at me reluctantly. The impressive erection drew my eye, I swallow back the desire to serve him once more, wetting my lips as I beckon him to join me. 

"All these theatrics over a bath, one might think you were using your scent against me... or perhaps you feel I'm in such dire straights."

With a scoff, I roll my eyes, "You give me too much credit. I'm desperate for the foot massages, you're so generous with, in the bath." It's enough to break him, making him reluctantly step in as I sit down to gaze up at him. "Any requests?" I part my lips, eyeing his manhood with appreciation. 

"Rewrite memories, hmm?" He ponders with a shakey exhale, warning me with his eyes as he moves to straddle my hips in the cramped space. Wide-eyed, I stare up at him, uncertain of his intentions as the white-knuckled hands rest on either side of my head. "I'm coming apart at the seams, I feel like my body is trying to rip itself apart from the inside. I'm practically paralyzed with fear, but.. your scent is incredible and this steam is sending me through the roof." Grazing his nose over my cheekbone, one of his hands leaves the tub to capture my wrist, placing my palm on his hip.

"I don't want to talk about my daddy issues, I don't want to dissect whatever fucked up thing is going on with my body or who's trying to kill us, if we want to work on ourselves then this is a good place to start. I want you to fuck me, while I still want you so badly I can't stand it; before I leap out of this tub and lose myself in a bottle. You want to rewrite this memory, I'd suggest you bloody well make it good."

It was the least likely thing I thought he'd say, straddling me this way with the warm water surrounding us. His hair was damp from the steam, his body so close to mine as he rolls against me in a way that makes my wolf stand at attention. I'd seen this side of him in his younger self, the one who needed to survive, the one who could use his body to get what he needed. 

Was this right? Was this how I wanted this to happen? The masculine nature of his own scent was enough to entice me, I slide my hand between his thighs, stroking him cautiously as I test the waters of his tolerance. "You want me to take you? Are you sure?" I manage as he hovers his lips over mine, teasing him, making him chase me. 

"Fuckin' hell, Nic. Are you really askin' for my consent?" Verando scoffs, gripping my jaw in his hand, invading my mouth with his tongue as he grinds his hips against mine. "My terms. My rules. I'm not going to be had like some whore, I'm in control of this, I'm telling you to take me before I change my mind and have you instead."

My body couldn't take another romp same as the one from last night, I needed to recuperate. Sliding my fingers into him, I shiver at the sensation, his back tenses as he kisses me once more and I force him to remain still with my hand on his hip as I move. "If you're going to move, then put yourself to work, I can't have you with your body so tense." I challenge him, earning a scowl as I move my fingers. My mouth finds one of his nipples, utilizing our height difference to sink my teeth into his chest before rolling the nipple in my mouth.  

Verando curses, body shuddering as I feel him beginning to relax. "Now I get why you hate foreplay."

"I understand why you like it so much. You're incredible." I murmur, massaging him, testing his tolerance and focusing on the sweet spot that caused him to make the most delicious sound. "Gods, Randy." I breathe, and I could see his inability to keep from devouring me, my teeth sank into his skin at every opportunity and he thrived on the pain. 

Glancing up at him, meeting those silvery eyes, his reddened cheeks and parted lips, the desperation in his gaze as he bends to meet my lips once more. I slide into him, deepening the kiss to keep him from retreating. "Nic-" He manages, I nip his lower lip, keeping him close, making him chase me as I rock against him. 

The feeling of being inside him, it was different than the first time in the woods and once more different than my time with his younger self, this was something so much more intimate. "You better last longer than thirty seconds." Verando exhales, I buck my hips against him in punishment for his sarcasm, earning a sound that makes me curse with its lustful intention. 

He was driving me mad. I clutch him impossibly closer, growling low in my throat as I keep a firm grip on his hip. "Do that again." He pleads, flushing darkly, embarrassed at how he begged for my aggression. "Don't stop."

"You're such a glutton for punishment." I snarl, gripping his hair, and yanking him down to me as I rake my teeth over his neck. "I bet you wish I'd bite you as you do to me."

"Yes, gods, rip my damned throat out-" he groans, moving back against me. I opt to grab the chain instead, pulling down on it to prevent him from moving as I thrust into him. "Ah!"

The startled noise is almost enough to make me stop, worried for his comfort, worried I was out of my mind and ignoring his signals that he wanted me to stop. "One might think you like cock with the noises you're making." I tease him, my wolf pushes me on, taking advantage of the sinful kink my husband hid within. 

Shaking his head, I almost chuckle at the refusal to accept defeat. "That's not what your body is saying. You're about to come and I haven't even touched you." It came so naturally from my lips, declaring how I could serve him, that I could bring him pleasure in this way. Verando trembled before me, on the cusp of losing himself in the sensation I was providing him. Together we pant, he clutches me as he nears his completion and I grip his throat to keep him from hiding from me. 

"I love you," I murmur to him, meeting the sultry gaze, watching him moan my name as I fill him with every stroke. I was painfully close, unable to hold on any longer. I finish inside him, moaning deep in my chest from the sensation, only to inhale sharply as he stands. Gripping my hair, he pulls my face into his crotch, thrusting the over-aroused manhood down my throat in a way I welcome and nearly choke on.

Greedily, I swallow as much of him as I can, focusing on attempting to breathe as he uses my mouth for his pleasure. "Ah, Nic-" He manages, getting close, I grip his hips as I slide my fingers into him once more. Trapped between me and my teeth, I focus on his sweet spot as he comes undone to my will. A battle for ownership of the other man's orgasm, I wouldn't allow him to take this from me. 

Finishing in my mouth, I swallow everything he's willing to give me, releasing my hold on him and allowing my hands to slide down to his thighs as his body shudders with the intensity of his release. Retreating to sit across from me in the tub, we're both spent, panting, chest heaving as we gaze upon each other. 

"Oh my god..." I exhale, wiping the last bit of his completion off my chin with the back of my hand. My eyes are quick to take in his expression, hoping beyond hope, that the face that met me wasn't one of disgust or distrust. 

"Cheeky minx..." It's a peace offering, he wasn't upset with me, he loved me just as much as we had when we started this conversation. If not, maybe even just a little more.