Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“What the fuck is a ‘cotton candy fluff party’?!”, Robert Gadling asked out loud. He had asked the very same question for about ten times now, but had not gotten any kind of answer that would get him even close to finding out, where he was being dragged to.

Dragged by his friend Jo, actually Johanna Constantine, but everyone and their mother just called her Jo. This included her girlfriend Rachel, of course, who was also riding the almost empty bus with them.

“Like I said, you’ll see. It’s a great thing. Sadly only twice a year, but you’ll like it!”, Jo grinned,, description as vague, as the times before.

“Will I?”, Hob – yes, he liked that silly nickname no one had actually used, in years – sighed.

“Oh yes, definitely. C’mon, you really, really need to get laid, that’s your chance! You said, you’d be out of town for a few weeks anyway, so just take it, or you’ll be lonely and sex deprived for ages!”, she told him with a smirk.

“Will I?”

“Definitely! When was your last hook-up?”, she wanted to know.

It had been a while. A few definitely not serious encounters, since he had moved to the city, but, well, he was not actively looking for anything or anyone, he just... Lived his life in this current world. Not searching for anything in particular, since he had lost her.

Had met Jo two years ago on campus, purely by coincidence and since then, she had stuck around. Found him ‘interesting enough’ to uphold something resembling a friendship and dragged him out of his poor excuse for a single apartment every now and then to grab a bite to eat or a drink. And sometimes, when he had been unsocial for way too long, she even dragged him to some kinds of more or less shady clubs to get him to have some fun.

Luckily it was a dark, moonless night. No rainclouds to be seen and for an early spring night, it was actually quite warm. Which was why Jo and her girlfriend were dressed... Well, like this. Rachel was definitely going for ‘sexy’ with a very small and very short dress and Jo was also wearing quite revealing clothes.

If there had been a memo concerning the dress code, he had definitely not gotten it, because he was wearing a white button up shirt and just some pair of jeans. A leather jacket against the cold, because it was appropriate, not because the cold would actually bother him. Hob had not been cold, since he had been a pup, which was literally ages ago. But people gave him strange looks, when he was walking around without a jacket, these days.

“Yes?”, Johanna’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He had stared out of the window.

“Huh?”, he made eloquently.

“Your last hook-up? When?”

“Yeah, oh... Few moo-, months, I guess...”, he mumbled, only then remembering that he was a civilised man, a substitute teacher at university, someone who would be able to give real answers with actual time periods people used!

“Then it’s high time, Hobsy, you’ll like it. Here, hope you need it...”, Jo smirked and passed him something. That something was two condom packages and two similar sized packages of lube. He stared at them. “Take them. Hopefully you’ll find some relief. Know you’re open to things...”, she added.

And with a sigh and a roll of his eyes he took the items and shoved them into the pocket of his jeans. Not actually planning to use them. “So? What are you planning? Dragging me to some kind of orgy?”, he then wanted to know.

“Something like that. Let’s just call it a little party for open minded adults... You’ll love it! You’ve been to the place before, anyway!”, she smirked.

The music was loud. Not too loud, one could still have something like a conversation without shouting, but the beat was a constant throbbing inside of his head. He was sitting at the bar. Had done so, since he had come here, long black coat still on, thinking about his life choices and what exactly he was doing here.

He should not have come. He was getting too old for celebrations like these, but... The times had changed. One could no longer just creep around in the dark alleyways and wait, hoping to get, what one needed. And these applications on the smartphones his sibling had told him about, were just too modern, too strange of a thing for him to actually consider. So, it was the classic way.

Should be the classic way. He had planned on coming to this club, finding a willing participant and having a little taste in some quiet corner. Had done things like this often enough. What he had not expected, was the smell. And the texture. The lights illuminating a more or less massive wall of foam on the dance floor. Foam smelling like very, very artificial cotton candy.

He had stopped trying to smell anything or anyone about an hour ago, because... There was no way he could. His nostrils were filled with only that artificial something, so he was focusing on his other senses, well, on his eyes alone, actually, since due to the music, he could hardly hear anything more, at all.

So far, his eyes had not found anything worth lingering on. He was still scanning the mostly dancing crowd, but no, no one was catching his eye. He had... Well, he had a special taste. Today would probably put up with anyone  just to get his urges fulfilled, but he still had all evening. So for now, he could allow himself to be a little picky.

He took a sip from the red wine he had ordered. The second glass. And it was almost empty by now. Not a good wine, as far as he could tell, but he did not mind. They all mostly tasted like ashes anyway, but they gave him something to do. Something to occupy his hands with. Because he was more of the fidgety type, when he could get away with it. When stillness and elegance was not expected if him.

“Hey, get me another Martini, please?!”, a voice directly next to him called out to the barkeeper and he turned towards it on instinct. It was loud. Deep. Not as dark, as his own voice, but masculine and... Well, he wanted to see, who this voice belonged to. He was a predator, after all.

He laid his eyes on a shock of messy dark hair, brown, he would guess. The colourful lights were not helping. The hair belonged to a man. Definitely a man. Wearing a trimmed beard and a bright smile. Staring at the person behind the bar, who was currently busy restocking. Had either not heard, or ignored the man standing there, empty glass in hand.

But the man just shrugged and turned his face, still grinning widely, showing way too many teeth. But... Something about that grin was quite charming.

“Hi, you’re also being ignored?”, he asked, now directly looking at him. And Dream found himself just nodding. Playing with the stem of his almost empty wine glass.

“This person indeed seems... Busy...”, he replied.

“Shame. I’m really looking forward to another drink. Name’s Hob by the way!”, the brunette told him, now even turning towards him and dreams gaze flickered from his face, briefly down his chest, over his half unbuttoned shirt, revealing dark, curly chest hair on a broad, probably trained chest. Not bad, Dream thought.

“Hello Hob. It is a pleasure, meeting you”, he answered, again focussing on the face. A glint of mischief in his eyes gave away, that this Hob fellow had caught up. Noticed his look.

“A pleasure, indeed. At least something pleasant. Have been abandoned by my friends, you see? Dragged me along and then just vanished to one of the private rooms... What brings you here?”, Hob asked, still smiling. Still standing there, glass still empty.

“I... Am trying to relax... So, you are alone  now?”, Dream asked. That was good. A lucky coincidence, he thought. Because that man was... Interesting. In some way he could not quite explain.

“I am. You, too, I assume?”

“Indeed...”

“Are you here, often?”, Hob wanted to know, now full attention on him. That was good. Easy. Like that, he would not even need to charm him.

“For the first time, actually. I... Am not very familiar with establishments, such as these ...”, Dream admitted.

“The foam and the cotton candy smell is hilarious...”, the brunette nodded. Catching on, on what was putting him off.

“Indeed...”

“So? May I ask your name, stranger?”

“You may...”

“And? Any chance to get an answer?”

Instead of answering, Dream caught the barkeepers eyes with his and called him over, using just a little of his charme. Made a little hand gesture, to things seemed plausible, even to the attentive observer. He could do this human thing for a few hours! He did not completely suck at it, like his sibling often accused him.

“Hey, you look thirsty! What can I do for you?!”, the barkeeper shouted at them.

“Another glass of wine and this gentleman wants a Martini, right?”, Dream ordered, completely ditching Hob’s question. He did not usually give his name. Not that easily. Names held power, where he came from.

“Ah, yes! Please!”, Hob nodded and passed his glass over the counter. The barkeeper nodded, then turned, to take care of their order and returned after barely a minute of silence. Placed the drinks in front of them and just walked off. Maybe dream had used more of his charme, than he had intended? But who cared? Who would call him out for not paying?

“Then, cheers?”, Hob suggested, again smiling at him. And Dream nodded. Let his fingers slide over the stem of his glass, before he took it in hand and raised it.

“Cheers...”, he smiled sweetly and took a sip. And looking at Hob’s face, the bright grin, the ashes suddenly tasted a little sweeter, than before.

“So? Wanna dance, maybe?”

“You... Ask me for a dance?”, Dream wondered, tilting his head curiously.

“Can hardly just ask you for a shag in a quiet corner, right? So? Do you dance?”, Hob winked at him.

And for a moment, Dream was speechless. Blinked at him. Because that was a thing, people did. Like breathing. Things he had to remind himself of, every now and then. But for now, he was doing fine.

“Please?”, Hob added. Smile wavering.

“I... Have not danced for a while...”, Dream finally said, not wanting to put him off. This one really was interesting. Something in Hob had immediately caught his attention.

“Me neither. Just go with the flow a little?”, Hob tried again.

“Fine. Lead me to the dance floor...”

The brunette smiled like the sun, then downed his drink and grabbed the hand Dream had stretched out, like it had been fashion not long ago. Well, maybe long ago. Who knew? Things changed so rapidly nowadays.

Hob pulled him with him. The first few steps more like he escorted a fair lady, but as they entered the dancing area, he actually pulled him a few meters, then came to an unexpected halt and turned to him. Nose wrinkled, but only for a moment, as soon as his eyes met Dream’s , the bright smile returned.

“Shall we?!”

“I... Usually do not dance in that fashion...”, Dream admitted, deep dark voice still reaching over, undisturbed by the crowd and the noise, side eying the people around them, well, what he could see of them in the large cloud of foam.

“Let me show you?”, Hob shouted at him, over the noise of the music and the people.

“Have me...”, Dream nodded, then the only slightly bigger man pulled him in, against his chest. And then, they both started dancing, moving to the rhythm. The black haired slender, pale skinned man with almost unreal elegance, coat moving like it was actually a part of his body, the brunette, bearded man with the broad shoulders with almost brutal force.

The crowd around them parted, gave them space, as they moved against each other. And soon Hob opened another button of his shirt. Dream could not smell it – thanks to the heavy perfumed smell in the air – but he saw, that the man was getting hot, sweating. And it was endearing. Hot.

Dream licked his lips. This man was making him hungry. He wanted to get closer. To feel him. And maybe he would let him fuck him, before...?

Hob Gadling was mesmerized. This stranger was not only breathtakingly beautiful and elegant, no, he was moving against him in an almost obscene way, here on the dance floor. And who was he, to deny him that? He wanted. Really wanted this man!

Had not expected this, when he had laid eyes on him purely on accident, approaching the bar, but now he could not be angry at Jo for dragging him along and leaving him alone not even half an hour later to shag her girlfriend in private.

Apropos private... Maybe he should suggest one of the private rooms to his stranger? Because this was getting hot here. He was sweating, shirt already glued to his chest, not only because of the foam and he was completely hard. Oh, and the man was grinding against him, body mostly refreshingly cool and less damp, which was making him feel even better.

He really wanted this, wanted him! Was so very aroused, like he had not been for ages. Oh, how he wished to be able to taste his sweat – he was not even sweating, unlike Hob! – how much he wanted to smell him! But the only thing crawling up his nose was the artificial sweet smell of cotton candy. It had made everything difficult had made him want to turn around and leave, the second it had been clear, he was expected to enter this space, but Jo had just dragged him in. Because he she did not care. No, actually, because she did not know and he actually had no intention of telling her. He was living a comfortable life here in London and did not want to change this. He could deal with a little smell. He just had to stop smelling consciously. Had to ignore the unpleasant scent.

Well, now he had his stranger, who was very much helping, to ignore anything but him. He was so very hot, so beautiful. And he was shoving his leg right between his, pressing his groin against his, moaning into his ear. Oh yes, Hob was up for this! Hob was achingly hard!

“Wanna go somewhere more private?”, Hob asked, close to hit ear, hands on the man’s lower bag, barely moving to the music any longer. They were obviously just grinding against each other.

“Hmmm”, the stranger purred into his ear, making the hair at the back of his neck rise. This was quite a pleasant shiver going through him. “This sounds like a good idea... Lead the way...”

“Yes, yes, oh fuck, you’re so, so....”, Hob panted. He was out of breath, not because of the dancing or the sweating, no he had stamina! But his stranger was making him achingly hard.

“Bring me somewhere private and I will show you even more...”

“Oh fuuuuuck”, he gasped, then actually let go of the stranger, reluctantly.  Grabbed his wrist and pulled him off the dance floor, into the back. He had been to this place with Johanna once, a few months ago, with less foam and more leather, he remembered vaguely. He had not used any of the private rooms, back then, but she had shown him, nonetheless. So at least, he knew, where he was going. Eagerly.

The sweaty man was pulling him along. Down a hallway and past the toilet, tried to open a few doors, but apparently they all were locked. The man, Hob, growled in frustration. It was a deep, animalistic sound, vibrating through the air and his body. He seemed in a bad mood, all of a sudden. Looked around. Like a cornered animal. And Dream had never thought, this could look... Endearing on someone. To him. But he felt more than just thirst welling in his guts. He wanted to feel this man against him, around him, inside him.

This, he had definitely not expected, when coming here. But who was he to deny himself a little fun, before? It was not like he was not expecting a tough few days. Something to relax would probably benefit all participants in this future gathering...

Hob growled another time, then his eyes fell on a very small hallway leading to some hidden emergency exit. Whatever the point of that was. The green light of the sign was the only thing illuminating the area. Then he dragged Dream along with him, made a delighted sound, as he noticed, that there was a small path leading to a door with a ‘staff only’ sign on it, left side of the emergency exit. Here they would have privacy, Dream thought, and Hob must have had the same thought, because a bright, dangerous grin was overtaking his whole face, as he pulled him in, out of sighed and against the wall.

There, he pressed his larger, though not much bigger, body against him and pretty much just slammed their mouths together. Under different circumstances, this would have pushed the air out of Dream’s lungs, but this was not an issue right now.

He opened his mouth and let in the eager tongue. Hob was impatient, but he had to admit, he himself felt lust coursing through his body like fresh blood, so he was welcoming this eagerness. And the tongue. Sucked on in, carefully directing it, so it would stay away from the dangerous parts. He did not want to. Not yet. Wanted this, before he got a taste of the other.

“Yes, you’re wonderful. Can I fuck you? Please?”, Hob growled between kisses. Again in this rough voice and Dream sighed in delight.

“You may. But I need to face you!”, he explained, before sucking his tongue back in. He wanted to continue kissing him. And... Well, for obvious reasons he needed access to more of Hob’s body. Oh, yes, and he would not have himself be fucked against a wall like some filthy harlot in need for coin for another drink for the night. No, this much dignity he had!

Actually, he had very much dignity, he just was not sure, where he had placed it, as he moaned into the kiss, when Hobs big hands came to a halt on his butt cheeks, lifting him up as easily, as he was weighing nothing at all. He wrapped his legs around Hob’s back rather out or reflex, as the sweaty man started massaging his cheeks.

“Oh fuck, fuck, I want you!”, Hob groaned, rutting against him, letting him feel his hardness hidden under the fabric of his trousers. He was big, Dream assumed. And he kind of liked the idea. Liked it very much.

“You may....”, Dream whispered, voice dark and otherworldly. He could not help it. He was aroused.

To his own regret, Hob put him down again, but started nestling at his fly, opening his buttons, pulling down his black trousers and underwear. Taking in a deep breath.

“Fuck, damn cotton candy...”, the brunette growled in mild disgust, but then shifted his attention to what he was doing. And he was determined. Went down on one knee, to pull down his trousers, to help him get at least one leg free. Dream knew, what he was doing, so he assisted. But as soon, as they were done, Hob looked up at him, grinning. Let his eyes wander over his chest and lower, to Dream’s groin. His half hard cock made him lick his lips.

“I want your lips on mine, Hob!”, Dream commanded, maybe using a little bit of his charme. Just a bit, because Hob was already so very obedient and willing. He did not want to overdo it.

“As you wish, beautiful”, the brunette grinned and rose again. Sealed his lips and caught his tongue in an intense kiss, while he was pressing himself against Dream. A person of his built might have suffered from a loss of oxygen by now, the black-haired supposed. But he did not care. He liked this.

Hob was straight forward and raw. Wild. He had not had this in a partner since... Since forever, he assumed. But he was really into it.

As Hob pushed him up and against the wall again, he wrapped his legs around him, this time less surprised. His trousers were hanging from his right leg, but he could not care less. Later, he would welcome it, when he could get dressed fast.

“Got some condoms and lube...”, Hob breathed into his mouth, before taking one hand off him. Rummaging through his pocket, the pale man assumed. Here the music was much less loud, so he could make use of his extraordinary hearing. So he noticed, that not only some packages were retrieved from a pocket, but also a belt was loosened, a zipper pulled down and... Oh, yes.

“Yesss...”, Dream purred, as Hob interrupted the kiss, needing some more coordination to pull out his hardness, so he resumed to kissing down his neck to distract himself. Which... Was not a good idea, because he could feel the man’s warmth under his lips. The sweat. And the hot blood coursing through his vanes. Oh, he wanted! So he licked over his pulse point, shivering. Tasting the sweat on his tongue.

“Oh fuck, stranger, you’re really eager...”, Hob panted, still working under Dream’s butt. Probably pulling the condom over his cock. Dream was familiar with the customs of this day and age, so he did not interrupt. He would enjoy it this way, just as well.

“I want you, Hob...”, he whispered against his ear and made the man shiver, moan.

“Fuck, yes. Just, just a sec. That fucking lube, I, argh, now!”, Hob panted and Dream heard the sound of something tearing. Then something cold and slippery was pressing against his hole.

“Yessss...”, he hissed, as a lube coated finger entered him. Filled him. Spread the substance inside of him.

“Fuck, you’re cool, even inside! It’s fucking hot, how...Argh!”, Hob mumbled, but Dream soon distracted him by biting his earlobe. Just with his front teeth. Just to tease.

And it worked. The man did not seem to care about his body temperature any longer, instead pushed in further, started to move the finger and drew a moan from the black-haired’s lips.

Soon he entered a second finger and Dream took it greedily. He did not need it, for he had control over all the muscles of his body, but he did not dislike the feeling of being opened up. It was a preparation for the hot, hard, blood filled cock that was rubbing against one of his butt cheeks. He could feel the material of the condom against his skin.

“I want you. Can I? Don’t wanna hurt you...”, Hob panted, as he spread his fingers apart inside.

“I like it rough. Fuck me...”, Dream informed him. And only milliseconds later the fingers were leaving him. One hand was resting on his butt again, the other had grabbed the wrapped dick and was lining it up.

Dream could feel it. The pressure against his hole, the heat trying to enter him, filling him. And he could not suppress a moan. Took at deep breath, because it felt like the right thing to do, so he could breathe out, when it was finally going inside.

“Oh fuck, you’re tight, you’re, ahhnn...”, Hob moaned as he relaxed, as he let the man’s glans slip inside him. Fill him. Warm him. And it felt good. So very good! He knew, it was unusual. That he should be tighter, that this should feel uncomfortable for humans, but he just liked it. So he could not care less, just sunk down on the hardness with a moan, enjoying himself immensely.

“Fuck. Me.”, he demanded. Lips sliding over the thin skin of Hob’s neck. His arteries were so hot, pulsing under his cool lips. He wanted. He needed.

“Oh fuck, you’re the death of me!”, Hob exclaimed, finally completely inside that tightness. He needed a moment to get used to the feeling. Had expected it to be warmer, but he did not care. It was tight and slick and felt so wonderful around his cock.

So, he started moving, rocking his hips, fucking this beautiful, strange man against the wall. And he deeply regretted not being able to smell his scent. He imagined it being sweet. Heady. Maybe a hint of patchouli, given the goth attire the man was wearing? Whatever. He did not mind, at this very moment. He was inside this man, fucking him and it felt so much better than anything he had ever had in a long while.

For a moment he had considered, just giving a fuck and not mentioning the condom, but he was a decent being, not wanting to encourage reckless and probably dangerous behaviour. So, he would bear with it. Was not feeling bad like this. In fact it was good. So very, very good.

“Harder...”, the stranger demanded, commanded. And Hob could not deny him. Especially not, as he felt fingers on his back, digging into his skin, through the fabric of his completely wet shirt.

“Yes, whatever. Oh fuck, you feel so, so, argh....”, Hob moaned, biting his lower lip in order to concentrate. Stay focussed enough to not lose control over his features. He felt his teeth prickling as he was fucking into that beautiful man and he could not have this. Right now, he was busy with his neck, but he did not know, for how long!

“More. Harder!”, Dream encouraged this wild man. Fingernails sinking into his skin. He needed to be careful. Did not want to draw blood!  But he needed to get a hold of something. Anything. Because Hob was fucking into him in earnest. Hard, wild, pulling out, just to slam back inside. And it was exactly, what Dream wanted. What he needed.

And then, much too soon for his own taste, he felt his orgasm approach. He just needed a little more, a little... Just some push.. something, to get him over the edge.

He drew out the pleasure as long as he could, but the skin was so thin, the artery so tempting, so hot and he was close, so very close!

“Oh fuuuuuck...”, Hob panted.

And he could not hold back any longer, bared his teeth, felt his fangs elongating, ready to strike. And then he bit down. Tore the skin so easily, without any effort, drew blood. And tasted the sweet sensation on his tongue. Ripe taste filling his mouth and he felt like a spark of lightning was running through his body. This sensation was.... Much. So much. Overwhelming. The blood was sweet, rich, but at the same time somehow musky, heavy, masculine, wild. The taste was overpowering him, swapping away all his consciousness for a second and he did not feel anything else, but this. The heat coursing through his bloody with every drop he drew. With every gulp he took.

“Holyyyy....”, he heard Hob’s voice. But it seemed so very far away. This was... This was too much. So very much. He had drunk and fucked before, but never had he felt like this, his whole body was growing hot, essence of life coursing through him, making him shiver, while that hot cock was still thrusting into him and, and....

“Hnnnnh!”, he moaned against the skin, mouth pressed there to not waste one single drop. One single bit of this delicious thing, this, oh, fuck, he had never tasted anything as delicious as this blood. Almost as if it was not human.

As he drew more and more, he felt his whole body tense, he felt even more. Saw the stars, a supernova explode behind closed eyelids, washing him away, explosion shooting through him with the hot blood, that made his skin flush pink and, and....

This. This had not been, what he had expected. But right now hob was not expecting anything at all. He was way too busy to actively keep up basic human functions, such as breathing. He had given up on pushing back his instincts, as he had realised, that the bite had not only been one to draw pleasure.

Even now, his brain was still processing. Probably due to the unexpected blood loss. All the blood he still needed, was pulsing inside his cock, keeping up his erection, because he was so close, so very, very close. He felt his face changing. His grip around silken butt cheeks tighten, claws digging into skin and then, he opened his mouth, teeth sharp and aching. And he bit down, into the fabric of the coat, piercing it way too easily. Breaking skin, tasting first wool, then blood in his mouth. His prey. He was holding his prey. Firm. Teeth digging into flesh. His instincts told him, he was doing good. He had caught, culled, claimed. And he came. Whole body shivering, pressing his prey against the wall, he spilled inside it. Him. Filled him with his semen. Claimed him. Well, no. He was spilling into the condom. But his predator’s brain was not made for this complex thought process at the moment. He was running on instinct alone. Nothing more than primal urges overtaking his body.

And then, he started feeling dizzy.

He licked the still opened wounds through his orgasm. Not wanting to waste a single precious drop, as the shivers ran down his spine. He was feeling warm. Safe. And so completely filled. Just his shoulder was aching, but it was a strangely delicious ache.

It took him a while of dwelling in the feeling, of just licking, no longer sucking, before he realised, something was off. Something was...

“Werewolf...”, he mumbled. Intended to spit out the word like a curse, but he was way too lax and satisfied to give his voice any sharpness. He probably was even slurring his speech a little.

“Vam...pire...”, was the weak reply.  Heavy breath against his bloody shoulder.

“Obviously...”, Dream said, legs still wrapped around Hob’s hips. Still impaled on his cock. Such a compromising position for a vampire...

“Fuck.”

“...”

“Suppose, you won’t try to kill me, given the circumstances?”, Hob asked, tongue heavy, but Dream assumed, his mouth was mostly human, because with a wolf’s snout it was hard to speak human words, as far as he was aware.

“You are still holding me up against a wall....”

“Hmm...”

“You will not die from the loss of blood. I suppose, a human would have passed out already. That you are still standing, is a good sign...”, Dream told him. Still none of them moved. Or made an attempt to.

“I’m not supposed to thank you?”

“You could. But I do not expect basic manners from a beast...”

“Hey, that beast’s still inside you! Watch your filthy mouth, bat boy,”, Hob grumbled in this deep voice. A wolf’s growl, Dream realised now. This man was a wolf. And yet... “Fuck!”, said man breathed, as Dream’s muscles tightened around his still mostly hard prick.

“You enjoyed that mouth of mine on you, doggy. Now put me down, I will need to get dressed...”

“Arrogant prick!”, Hob huffed. But complied. Carefully pulled out, suppressing a wince, then, holding the condom in place with one hand, helped him disentangle. And Dream had to actively suppress the urge to praise him, to call him a good boy, for obeying him. Which was... Concerning. But he had no time to be concerned. So he just got into his trousers again and straightened the fabric of his clothes completely ignoring his bloody shoulder, as Hob disposed of the condom and tucked himself back inside his own trousers.

Even mostly soft, he was not small, Dream’s useless brain supplied. And he scolded himself for this thought.

“I... Will take my leave. Farewell, Hob...”, he said, instead. Nodded and turned, already making his way out of the corner they had found.

“Wait!”, Hob called out. “What’s your name?”

Dream huffed and turned his head. “I do not give my name easily. In case, we ever meet again, I might be tempted, but for now, I have no desire to tell you...”

“Arrogant prick!”

“Farewell, werewolf Hob...”

Chapter Text

A taxi. He was riding the cab to the impressive mansion outside the city. He preferred this to the carriages of the past, but he still rather preferred, not having to go, at all.

The mansion surrounded by kilometres of gardens and even a forest and a lake, did not hold pleasant memories for him. It was an old building. Had been rebuilt several times during the past centuries, last time somewhere around the early 1800s. After that, only some modernizations had been made and the facade had remained mostly the same.

Still... Though he had lived there for centuries, this house did not feel like a home to him. It did not, for any of his siblings as far as he was aware. Yet, duty called for him to return to it. After their parents had retired from their duties completely three centuries ago, it had been the siblings, who ran the business. As far as one could call it this. They did not get along too well, so they  hardly interfered with each other nowadays, but every now and then, they had to get together and settle things.

On the last gathering, it had been decided, that it was Dream’s duty to lead the upcoming negotiations with the fae and the demons. Which he had done, passably. They were upholding a peace with the vampire folk. For now, thanks to him. So, of course the next one would be his problem to solve, just as well.

Destiny, his oldest brother was a genius, but had not left his library for decades and rarely ever did. He possessed the wisdom of the world, the several realms, but he was... Not good with people.

His oldest sister, named Death, loved the humans and all the creatures and while she tended to seal their fate more often than never, she was not cruel. She was soft and rather wanted a ‘normal human life’, than bearing the responsibilities of being and Endless. She would occasionally be there, on the mansion, she had told him, but she would stay out of it.

His younger brother, Destruction, had not been around in half a millennium. He did not even join their gatherings. He had completely severed ties with all of them, to, well to do whatever it was, he was doing.

The twins, Despair and Desire were also utterly unfit for the upcoming negotiations. Despair being a miserable creature most of the time, dwelling on her own pain and the misery of others and Desire trying to solve their problems by bedding their opponents, then slowly draining them, keeping them as their willing slaves. Well, one would not have them in charge of a serious negotiation! Really!

And well, the youngest sibling, Delirium, was just as unfit. She was still mostly a child and a little... Well, at some point in her existence, something had happened to her and she had... Snapped. She was a nice person, but unpredictable and... She was mad. Just mad. Different from other vampires who lost their mind with age, when they were just not ready for a life that long, but... Not entirely sane either. The fae folk liked her, though, but those people would not hesitate to tear her apart.

This left him, the third sibling, in charge. Because they had duties to fulfil,  coming with being the oldest family and probably the origin of all vampires walking the earth. In some way or another. Destiny knew, he had never looked into the family history that deeply. Or had just forgotten. Things just tended to slip the mind after a few millennia.

Well, anyway, he was in charge. Leading the negotiation in the Endless manor. Welcoming the leader of the pack of the south of England. Unlike vampires, those creatures were territorial. There were four... Well four leaders around England, where he resided, as far as he was aware. The other three were mostly peaceful, not really bothering his siblings, but this man was quite hostile. Had always been, but so far had refused negotiations.

Dream still was not sure, what exactly had lead to the change in the old mind, but he would wait and see. Find out, what Roderick Burgess wanted. Why he had approached the vampires, offering a chance for actual peace, after centuries of... Well, not an open war, but there had been incidents. Those people wanting to defend their territory, attacking vampires or vampires attacking families, that had come in the way. All right under the eyes of the humans.

Which was exactly the problem. In the old days, this would not have been a problem at all. Bodies just showed up occasionally, but there was this thing called forensic now. And humans were more suspicious, than centuries ago. They had to be more careful to wander unnoticed amongst humans. And sudden brutal fights between species’ was hardly unnoticeable.

Especially in the urban areas. In the countryside, this was hardly an issue, but especially in the less rural areas, the big cities, one could not just have a bloody fight right under the humans’ eyes.

It was high time, to settle this.

Hob Gadling was silent. Had been the whole day so far, because there had been nothing to say at all. He had been ordered to attend this. Hand not been able to refuse, since technically this man was something like his alpha, their pack’s leader. He was a loner, a stray, without any family or other attachments left. But since he was a born wolf, not a turned one and a pretty old one, just as well, of course for official matters it was that old wolf’s right, to summon him. To demand his service.

This was why he was sitting in that big, dark limousine, shoulder to shoulder with two other wolfs. Well, two men in their half turned form. The one they usually took, to fight or to scare away humans. Had, long ago. Nowadays one just remained human, when the moon was not forcing the change, and when changed, decided on a complete turn, becoming a wolf. In the city, one could easily pretend to be a stray dog, in case one had to leave the save hideout.

This fighting form was only taken rarely. Only to impress, inflict fear or to, well, actually fight. In this form they were strongest. Which was quite a suitable feature in a bodyguard. Which was, what he was right now. Together with the two other wolfs.

Ordered to protect the old man and his two sons. They all three had their human form, wearing formal suits. The grey one was wearing an old fashioned tuxedo, the man to his right, a formal business suit and the boy, actually not quite a man, yet, was apparently wearing his slightly too small confirmation suit. He looked, like he would rather be anywhere else, no matter, where. Looked way more like a human, than a proud wolf.

“Stop it, Alexander!”, the old man scolded the boy, slapping his fingers, that he had been fidgeting with.

“I’m sorry, father...”, the boy mumbled. And held still. Completely still. The man was looking out of the window, ignoring his younger brother.

They remained silent for the rest of the ride. The turned wolves had difficulties speaking human language anyway, so they had nothing to say. Just waited.

He had heard, this was an important thing. The old man, in need to increase his power, had come up with some kind of plan. Hob did not know any details, because, why would anyone tell him? He was not really part of the pack. Had just been living on the old man’s territory, and thus had ended up with this job.

Most werewolves nowadays were turned wolves. Former humans. They did not have much strength and barely made it to a lifespan of two hundred years. Those were... Well, they were mostly loyal to their territory’s leader, simply because they would not dare to talk back to the ancient ones.

This old man was probably older than a millennium, Hob guessed. He did not know, just knew, that he was way older than himself. Hob was somewhat over five hundred years old. Had not really counted. Just had seen the world around him change. With this, he was considered old. Even for a born wolf, an actual pup of two werewolves and not a mixed breeding. He was older than the first son. Randall was around three hundred something, he vaguely remembered. And the boy, barely a century.

Humans tended to think, that wolves would not get old. He had learned this, studying folklore in his current job. And he had not cared to correct that assumption. A turned wolf really did not grow old, he thought. Now, in the silence in the car, he could let his thoughts wander... Two hundred years, maybe. They aged like humans, just a bit slower. And only possessed a fragment of a true wolf’s strength. Those were mostly accidents, not actually planned turns. Some did not even know, what happened to them and... Well, went rampage, on the first full moon. Which was far from convenient.

Because those turned wolves needed a few years to actually get full control over the shift. So, someone had to pick them up, bring them to the pack to properly educate them. Hob had done that a few times in the past. Dropped them in front of Fawney Rig, the mansion the old man resided in. Had even educated one or two on his own. His Ellie had been one of those. Had been bitten by someone. They never found out, who it was.

He had found her, barely alive in the woods, two days after the full moon. Had nursed her back to health and helped her during her first shift. And the time after. Had grown to love her and she had loved him. She had become his mate during her second heat. And since then, he had been hers. That had been around the time of the invention of the printing press, he remembered. Could look it up, if he cared.

After many happy winters, she had gotten pregnant, given him a boy and when their pup was barely old enough to hunt on his own, she had been expecting again. Well, this had not gone too well. And he had noticed too late. The pup had died and thus killed her. Modern medicine had terms for this, treatments, but the doctors back than could have done nothing at all. After that, he had mourned. For years. Had spent his ruts alone and miserable and over the sadness neglected his boy.

Robin had aged slower than humans, but once had had been a man in appearance, about fifty years of age, he had gotten into a fight. Random humans had killed him back then. He had barely looked older than Alexander, Hob noticed, with a look at the boy opposite him.

After that he had spent more than a century in the woods. A lone wolf, far away from humans. But then, had become curious again. Had returned to civilization and had been delighted by the progress humans had made. Had briefly joined the old wolf’s household around the industrial revolution, before Alexander had even been born, but had left again.

Wandered most of England, but had always returned to the south. And then, a few years ago, he had returned to London. Had last been there, shortly after the second world war. Had helped rebuilding. And then, after, he had moved away, because he was suspicious. Staying in one place for more than three decades, was suspicious. He could pass for in his mid-twenties, when he wanted, but when he was reaching his mid-forties, people would stop believing him.

He had settled down in London for now. Had studied and was working as a substitute teacher at the university, had actually needed to ask for a paid leave because of a family matter, once the old man had summoned him. And he intended to come back, as soon as whatever matter was settled. Hoped, that two weeks were enough. Whatever. He just hoped, they were not preparing for some kind of war. Because he definitely had had his fair share of fighting in the past centuries. Not that he would not fight again, but he did not really want to. It was the twenty-first century! Most humans solved their conflicts with diplomacy, instead of violence! So, why would his people not be up for this?

“They are coming...”, Delirium smiled. It was barely dark outside a d he was standing on the balcony. She was hanging from the balustrade, upside down, because she could , wild colourful hair hanging down.

“You sense them?”, Dream asked, concentrating. But his senses were not as sharp, as hers.

“That, too. But the security camera picked them up.. they are almost by the entrance gate...”, the girl smiled.

“I see. Will you join us for dinner?”, he wondered, unable to predict her moods.

“I think I will go out, playing with Ophelia. Or just get lost in the woods. I like the woods...”

“Make sure, to be back before sunrise. You know, it hurts, when you touch the light...”

“I know, though I love watching the rays. When it hurts too much  I’ll go down, into the soil. The cold feels nice...”

“You know, this is dangerous. You are young...”, he reminded her.

“I am. But I like the thrill. Have fun with the doggies, brother dear!”, she smiled at him, still upside down, then just let go of the balustrade. Fell down, landing on her feet, hurrying away from the house. Probably seeking out the mushroom circle in the woods – there always was this circle, even in winter, Delirium would find it.

And then, he was alone. On the balcony above the front door on the first floor of the mansion. Observing the curved gravel road leading to the entrance. And then, he saw the unnecessarily long car at the horizon, heard the engine. And then, at some point he smelled the gasoline and another smell. Wrinkled his nose. Animal. Wet dog. At least, that was what he first thought. He stepped back inside, to go downstairs, in order to greet his visitors.

“Hey boss, they’re pretty much here!”, Mathew greeted him. He was something like a butler in this mansion. Already waited by the entrance door. He had been human, long ago. Dream himself had turned him ages ago, thus he was steadfast loyal to him.

Dream was standing there, not yet walking down the twin stairs. He waited. Trying to look as elegant and inapproachable, as he could. Face stern, like a dolls. Playing with the otherworldly beauty residing within him.

Then, there was a knock on the door and Mathew opened with a bow. Greeted the gentlemen. The one, who had knocked, obviously was a driver.  Dream was familiar with those attires. The man – no, a wolf, definitely a wolf – nodded at Mathew, while sending him a glare. They were not on friendly terms. Had not been in ages. Their species’ had been too different.

“As suspected from a wolf, the lack of manners is inherent...”, Dream called down to the party standing on the door, and immediately Mathew stepped aside, to let them in. Which they did.

The driver stepped inside, followed by an elder man with an elegant tuxedo. He was looking like a ruler. Dominant and strict. This was the Burgess man, without a doubt.

“Arrogant, as to be expected from a blood sucker...”, he called up the stairs, looking straight into Dream’s eyes.

“So, I assume, you are Roderick Burgess, leader of the southern wolves?”, Dream huffed, but followed common etiquette, stepping downstairs, to meet his guests on eye level.

Behind the Burgess man, there stood two boys, probably already men, one still looking so young, trying not to fidget. The other standing tall and proud. And looking just as arrogant as the vampires usually were accused to be.

Behind them, hard to miss actually, not only by size, but also by smell, stood three changed wolves, only covered by fur and a petty excuse of a loincloth. So, pretty much naked. Disgusting. Primitive...

Dream needed effort to not stick up his nose at the sight. But they were here in the name of diplomacy. He needed to swallow down his disgust. But, that was fine. He could hold his temper in check. He had fed only two days ago and it had been a feast, the blood was still coursing through his vanes hot and fresh, like it usually would not. A human’s blood usually did last for about a week, when he had taken enough, but the effects would have started to fade, by now. This, was not the case, since... He had not fed on a human the last time...

He tried not to remember too vividly, what had happened in this strange club in London. Not, when a bunch of wolves were standing right in front of him. He briefly wondered, whether they would be able to smell, that he had fed on one of their kind not long ago. He had no idea, how these wolf things worked.

“Indeed, I am. And you must be Dream of the Endless family. One of the fathers of the vampire kind....”, the old man drew his attention. And one of the wolves behind him made a strange sound. But for now, he just ignored the guards. Focussed on the old man alone, because he could. Etiquette dictated, that he was not supposed to feel safe, in need to watch one’s back.

“I am hardly a father of any vampire these days, though most of my kind will obey to my orders. I assume, most of your wolves are also not yours, by blood?”, Dream told him.

“True. In fact I only have my two boys left, in direct line. Maybe a few bastards running around and their offsprings. But most wolves are taken in, these days... Doesn’t affect their loyalty, though....”

“I see. Greetings to you, Roderick Burgess. And sons of Roderick Burgess...”, Dream greeted the three men and bowed his head, just slightly. He would not bow to a wolf, but was willing to show basic respect.

“Greetings, Dream of the Endless”, the two boys replied.

“My subjects have prepared guest rooms for you in the west wing. Feel free, to follow my butler there. Dinner will be served in half an hour, if that works for you...”, Dream told the men. Then actually turned his attention to the guards. “There had also been servant’s rooms prepared, right next to the guest rooms, in case, your servants will be expected to remain close by...”

“They will stay close by”, Roderick nodded.

“As expected....”, Dream replied. Swallowing down a ‘from a pack of dogs’ that almost slipped from his tongue, while scanning the grim faces of the wolves. The bared teeth. Eyes lingering on one of the wolves for just a moment longer, eyebrows raised. Head tilting to the side, almost unnoticeably. That wolf...

“So, c’mon guys, I’ll lead the way. Let the boss have a minute, I’ll show you where you’ll stay. Prepared the best rooms with the softest bask- beds. Just for you!”, Mathew called out, walking towards the stairs and took the first few steps. Then he turned. “You coming?”, he crowed.

And all seven werewolves followed him up the stairs. Dream watched them. Really, that strange encounter a few days ago had not left his mind or body. Why did he have to meet with a bunch of wolves, right after he had been this thoroughly fucked by one of their kind? Completely by accident of course! A thing, he would under no circumstances ever repeat, but... It had happened. And it had not been too bad. It had brought him the best orgasm he had had in ages, when he was being honest, but... This was wrong. Had been so completely wrong.

That man had been a werewolf! A beast! An animal! He really should not have enjoyed this! But... He had. His shoulder and his ass had ached pleasantly the rest of the night. Until he had gone to rest at daybreak. And... It really had been good. He had barely been able to resist the desire to stay awake, to feel it longer.

He did not need to sleep during the day. To rest. But it had become a habit, since the light was hurting his eyes and his skin. He could go outside, if he wanted, or rather, if he needed, because he did not see a reason, why he should ever want this, so he spent his days inside. Either asleep or working.

He did not need to work. He had enough wealth and influence to live a decent life for the rest of eternity  but he enjoyed writing. Making up strange stories, writing down dreams. The humans – at least some humans – seemed to enjoy his works, published under different names, every few years. Lucienne, his personal assistant was taking care of this. She was taking care of everything.

She had been of their kind for several centuries, yet she kept in touch with humans, was very good at interacting with them. Having business relationships. As far as he was aware, she was pretending to be a whole company with several employees for at least a century now.  And she was good at it.

She was the one, he had saved himself, not quite turned, since she had been a vampire before, but had made her his subject by bringing her back from the edge of dying with his very own blood. Mathew he had turned on a whim, when he was on the brink of death after giving his human life trying to safe Jassamy, his former... Subject. She had died that night, but he had gained Mathew instead.

Lucienne had been a better choice. This one he had time to think through, after she had accompanied him for several years of her already undead life, being loyal and discreet.

Aside from those three entities, he had not turned anyone in two millennia. And he did not intend to. Burgess had called him the father of the vampires. This was far from true. Yes, his parents were the original ones, every vampire stemming from their blood in one way or another, but he himself had only once ever fathered one vampire. His siblings had been more active on this matter.

He did not want to know how many of the vampires in England originally came from Desire, his most active sibling, on this behalf. But... All of them had not recently been the actual parent of a vampire, as far as he was aware. Most vampires these days were formally human, bitten and turned by others of that origin. Only very few were born from vampires and even fewer were what humans called a Dhampyr, born from the engagement of a human and a vampire. Because usually those relations remained infertile.

He briefly imagined, what the relation between a vampire and a werewolf would be like. If that ever would even be possible. But he pushed that idea aside. Too unlikely to even consider this.

The servant’s room he had been assigned to was opposite Roderick Burgess’ room. The leader’s chambers were in the middle, his sons’ to his left and right. One of his fellow guards had the room right next to Alexander’s the other one was next to Randall’s. And his door was facing the old man’s. Just in case, someone would try something. They were in a vampire’s den, he was aware of this now. Completely aware.

So much more aware, than he had ever thought, he would ever be, because, because... It had taken him about one minute to grasp it. To realise that this man, the vampire in the formal attire, in the all black suit, had been him. Him. With a capital H. The Stranger. His Stranger. From two nights ago!

He had barely been able to keep a straight face, upon realising, recognising. His wolf form had helped a great deal, since facial expression was not a thing, wolves were good at. They were not made for this, with the hairy snout and lipless mouth. Otherwise he might have done more than just make a strange sound. He might have stared at this vampire in total shock, mouth agape. But like that, he had been able to remain still.

After all, this was some kind of diplomatic mission, was it not? He could not just casually greet this vampire leader and tell him his opinion on the shag in the hallway – which had really been a good one. A very good one! – no, he could not just do that! It might not just have ruined any base for negotiations, it would have probably gotten him killed, because from what he had understood of the vampire’s – Dream’s , he had a name now – conversation with the old man, that guy was old. Strong. Powerful. Yes, even he had heard of the vampire family called Endless, and he had spent most of his life under a rock! Minding his own business, staying away from all kinds of creatures.

So... That guy with the beautiful face and the most delicious ass he had ever encountered, was not only a vampire, but an Endless. Great. Just great. He really had the devil’s luck when it came to this. He had shagged one of the most powerful vampires in the world and it had been good. And furthermore, he had survived it! Had only been a little dizzy for a few hours, drank a lot of water and coke to get his electrolytes in order, but aside from that... Absolutely worth it, he had to admit.  This guy had been so good. And, well, the things that had not added up in his brain could easily be explained by his vampire nature.

Since Hob was a reckless man, maybe even a little tired of life, considering his train of thoughts, but well, he might have gone to that club again, after his return to London. Might have looked for that man. Might have wanted another go. Same conditions. Would happily give some of his blood for an experience like this. And maybe he really did not need to hold back with an undead. But as things had turned out, he could barely just hit him up, casually asking for another round. Not like that!

While he definitely was reckless, he did not exactly have an immediate death wish. And there were these negotiations. He could not risk the safety of his kind for the sake of his dick. Well, he could. But he would not. Definitely not.

Chapter Text

The table had been plated for eight. None of the vampires had any idea, whether the wolves made a difference between guard and master, when it came to eating, but dream had decided on going for a good impression, by offering food to all of their new guests. He would be seated at  the head  of the table, Roderick Burgess opposite him, his sons to his left and right and the three guards next to the men, between them and Dream. Mathew would be standing next to Dream during their meal, when he was not helping the servants to bring out and arrange the food.

They had ordered for a cooked meal. Heavy with high quality meat in all kinds of stages, in order to impress. To be good hosts. To show the good manners, they possessed. They in this case actually only included him, because he was the only Endless currently in the house. Delirium was out to wherever and none of the others would arrive in the next days. He was expecting Death, though, but she had never specified, when she would arrive.

None of the members of the household ate, but of course the servants were able to prepare proper meals.  Most had been proper chefs, back, when they had been mortal, so they would not let themselves be stopped by the lack of taste, when preparing human meals. And there were also drudges, humans working for them, fed with their blood, but not turned. They had to eat, but mostly stuck to simple meals.

Dream would not eat with his guests. His servants had prepared an elegantly shaped amphora filled with fresh blood from one of the animals that were living on the property. He had not tried it yet, but he guessed, cow blood was most likely, since many of the dishes were featuring beef.

He had just walked over to his chair, as the guests arrived in the dining room. One of the youngest durdges – Dream vaguely remembered the boy working in the garden most of the time – escorted the seven werewolves into the room, bowed, then vanished, sending them a scared look.

“Ah, Lord Burgess, you have found your way! Wonderful!”, Dream greeted him with a nod.

The guards still had their wolfish form, not having said a word so far, but the driver and the three men still looked human.

“Indeed. Jeff here will gladly join us for dinner, by the way, then he will leave us, for the time being, so you need not prepare for him anymore...”, Burgess nodded, pointing at the driver.

“I understand. So it will be the six of you for the following days, I assume?”

“Indeed. So? What can we expect? My son had told me, he was smelling fresh meat?”

“This is correct, sir. As you can see, we prepared several dishes for you lot!”, Mathew replied, going for polite this time. Some servants uncovered the serving plates and carried away the lids. Now all the dishes were exposed and the wolves looked at them with interest. At least the more human looking ones.

The driver and one of the guards were sitting closest to Dream now, as he opened their dinner. Poured himself some of the blood. Not because he was actually hungry – no, he was surprisingly still rather content with the blood he had drunk – but it was polite to consume, when sitting at the table.

Burgess was eyeing his wine glass suspiciously.

“This, is for me. I prefer the blood, over the flesh. That one over there is regular red wine. I assume, you enjoy this more”, Dream explained, gesturing in the direction of another amphora standing between the dishes.

“That’s right. I don’t mind my meat bloody, but without the flesh, it would not taste good at all... You...”, now the old man was looking at his servants. “Eat first. Try it all”, he ordered them, while he gesticulated towards his younger son, to pour all of them wine.

The guards and the driver followed the orders and started eating. Trying everything on the table. Just to make sure, it was safe, Dream assumed. And as none of them immediately started to throw up, Burgess and his sons also started eating.

Dream watched them all. The wolves in human form all showed a more or less human behaviour, when it came to eating. The wolfish guards, though, had trouble using forks and knives and chewing decently. Which looked quite amusing. These animals were actually trying to act as civilised, as possible. Well, he appreciated the effort.

“If your servants do not mind, I would excuse them foregoing their table manners in order to properly consume the food provided to them.... Would be a waste of perfectly fine food...”, Dream told Burgess after a while of observing. Of sipping his blood.

Animal blood was fine. Better than red wine. It stilled the hunger at least, but it did not really taste good. He preferred the human blood conserves being kept in the mansion, or, actually, fresh blood directly from the source. Yes, this he liked the most, but he could not hunt that often, anymore. Not enough to fully satisfy his hunger. He was substituting with animal blood at home, sometimes with human blood. So, he was used to the taste.

But still... He had tasted something more interesting recently. Something that was still rushing through his vanes. Still warming his body. He would give the leftovers of this blood to the servants later. Would not drink more than one or two glasses.

“This sure is a gracious offer, Dream of the Endless. Men? You can dig in!”, Burgess nodded and granted his less humans subjects the chance for a proper meal.

Which they took. Knives and forks clattered, as they dropped onto plates, then there pairs of claws started fetching big bits and pieces of meat. Teeth sunk into flesh and big bites were swallowed.

Much less civilised. But they were eating properly now. Dream could bear with the sight of this. Roderick Burgess and his sons kept eating the human way. Slowly. Patiently. The driver was going for a middle thing, but the vampire just ignored him.

He just observed the food vanishing from the table, beasts swallowing down large amounts and as disgusting, as this looked, he felt much less repulsed, than he would have assumed beforehand. In some strange way this was fascinating. So... Uncivilised. Raw. And for a moment, he could not help but remember how raw the coupling with a beast like this had felt and how much more raw it might be, in this so much less human form.

“Thank you for hosting this dinner, Dream of the Endless. I appreciate the effort”, Burgess explained, drawing his attention.

“You are welcome, Roderick Burgess....”

“Your siblings are not here, at the moment?”, the old man wanted to know, putting his cutlery aside. He seemed to have finished. Cleaned his mouth with a handkerchief.

“Indeed. We do not regularly live in this house any longer. But we all do come by on occasion. Do you fear their sudden intrusion?”, Dream wanted to know. The other wolves seemed to have caught up on the fact, that their leader was done, so they also stopped eating. Leaned back to observe. The wolf-shaped ones started cleaning their paws and snouts with the handkerchiefs on the table. Hints of manners. “I can assure you, you are in no danger here.”

“No, not at all, I was rather looking forward to meeting the eldest sister, you see?”, the old man explained.

“Death?”

“Yes, her. I heard, she is a real beauty, fair and warm hearted, for a vampire?”

“People say things like that, indeed...”

“Then I am looking forward to meeting her, later on…”

“She is not part of our planned negotiations…”, Dream told him. This was a thing between them. Why was this wolf suddenly so eager to meet his sister? This seemed suspicious. He did not trust him. Never trust a werewolf!

“Oh, she might be. You see, I am very interested in solving the ongoing conflicts between our people…”

“Yes?”

“You see, the werewolves and the vampires fight since the very beginning. I know the other pack leaders have negotiated some kind of ceasefire, but I actually want peace. A lasting one…”

“I understand. Indeed, I can assure you, this is in the interest of the vampires, just as well… But I do not quite understand the role my sister should play in your vision…”, Dream told him. And Randall Burgess, to his father’s right, smirked, but did not say a thing.

“Oh, she will play a quite prominent role, you see? We have fought for so long, your people have killed mine, my people have killed yours. Times have changed, humans don’t hunt us down any longer. They have turned us into some merchandise. The demons don’t mind us, as long as we keep away from magic and the fae, well, they have not harmed us in ages… We are pretty much safe, so why fight? You will not take our territory from us, as far as I am aware. And neither do we plan to extinguish your kind on our land…”

“All this sounds promising. I can agree to your points, so far…”

“Neither of us hunt and kill humans regularly. We tend to avoid the trouble. My kind prefers deer, anyway and you rarely kill in modern times…”

“Yes?”

“I think, it is high time, we show our people, that there is no need for further disputes…”

“This sounds… Promising…”, Dream mumbled, slowly. Looking for the catch. Because he did not trust the wolves. And especially not this Burgess guy, a leader, even the other wolf packs did not trust. This was telling.

“It does. So, why don’t we make a statement, show our kind, that we are not that different, after all? That we can get along?”

“Which kind of statement do you have in mind?”

“A bound between our kinds. A marriage”, Roderick Burgess proudly announced.

And a few things happened at once. Dream got up from his chair within a millisecond, wine glass dropping and spilling. Which put the wolves to alarm, causing the driver to rise and start shifting. One of the guards got up, as well, chair turning over, falling down. One of the others, in an attempt to rise placed both hands onto the table and winced, having cut his paw on a knife. Randall Burgess’ face started changing as well. Just Alexander sat there motionless, fear in his eyes.

This was a moment chaos could break out. The start of a fight. Of destruction, but…

“Gentlemen, calm down! Are you always this fucking nervous?!”, Mathew called out from his position right next to Dream and the wolves’ attention shifted towards him. “C’mon, sit down, guys. If the boss wanted to kill you, you’d probably be dead by now”, he added, rolling his eyes.

And Roderick Burgess stared at him for a solid thirty seconds, then he relaxed. Gestured at his wolves to sit back down. And Dream pulled his chair, too, sitting back down. Face stern.

“You… Intend to wed my sister?”, he asked after a while. Took a deep unnecessary breath and paused. Under the very present and very prominent smell of wolf – wet dog, dirt, fur and musk – there was a faint smell, that was not as unpleasant. Blood. The scent of fresh, living blood, so different from the animal thing that was spreading on the tablecloth. This was fresh blood, directly from the source and instantly he felt drawn to it. Smelled the air. And turned his head to his left. To the wolf sitting there, examining his bleeding paw. It was not a deep cut, the blood was not leaking from the wound, but it was slowly coating the dark brown fur. Scenting the air. And against his will, he felt his mouth watering.

He was no animal! Was above those primal, primitive instincts! He was a civilised being! A vampire with dignity! He was way above a reaction like that! Especially towards the dirty blood of a wolf!

“No, I don’t intend to marry your sister, I am way too old for another marriage, survived more than ten wives so far…”, Roderick Burgess interrupted his thoughts. And Dream was actually glad for the distraction from this distraction he was facing here.

“This is… Relieving…”, he voiced. Still a little distracted. But tried to refocus on the matter on hand. On his sister. On a marriage!

“My son Randall has taken a liking to your sister. He would really like to get to know her better…”, the old man continued.

“You… Have met her?”, Dream asked. Focus. Negotiations. Werewolves! This blood was smelling too delicious, to warm, too sweet. He despised himself for his own weakness.

“Not at all, but word got around. She is described as a beautiful, kind person, so my son fell in love only from descriptions and I must say, the idea is a beneficial one for both our sides…”, Roderick Burgess explained.

“My sister does not know either of you. She had never been fond of an arranged marriage, even when those were still common”, Dream told him. His sister. Death. He needed to focus on her. Not on the blood. The sweet fragrance, the familiarity.

“I see. She is one of those modern women. So, please, let us get her opinion on that matter. Maybe she will like my Randall? He is a very strong and capable man!”

“I… Will consult with Death on this matter. Though I do not wish to raise your hopes. She is a strong person and I will not make decisions against her will…”

“Fine. Very fine. Talk with her about this. Let them meet. We are in no hurry, after all…”, Burgess nodded and for the very first time smiled widely. Probably in an attempt of a friendly gesture, but it only seemed predatory to Dream. Suspicious. But for the sake of peace, he would consider. Ask his sister on her opinion. Would think this through himself…

As soon as he was able to get that scent out of his head. The sweet blood flowing from a slowly closing wound. His eyes flickered to it again. Just briefly. So dark and red and tasty. Reminding him of an encounter two nights ago. Of the taste in his mouth. Oh, he had wished to be able to smell it back then, but the air, his nostrils had been filled with artificial smell, had made it impossible to take in the full experience. Oh, he had wanted to…

Hobs tongue was rubbing against his palate. Eyes fixed on the vampire. Because it was his duty to keep an eye on the vampire. He could just as well pay attention to the other vampire standing next to Dream, looking slightly older – by human standards – and had something reminding him of a crow or another kind of bird. But… This vampire seemed completely irrelevant to him at the moment.

Was just standing there anyway. Had occasionally been rude, so far.

What was really catching his attention at the moment was Dream himself, his expressions. No, not the stern face he was showing the old man, but the occasional flicker of eyes in his direction. The brief glance over, to his paw. To the cut he had accidentally inflicted on himself, when standing up, fearing an escalation. Now, he was sitting peacefully again. They all were. Continuing the chat between the two leaders. Between Dream of the Endless and Roderick Burgess.

But Dream was at least partly focussing on his wound. On his blood. Hob assumed, he could smell it. Would he recognize it? The scent? Assume the taste from it? The fact, that he had had it, before?

Without taking his eyes off the vampire, he reached out with his paw. Started rubbing it over the wound. Keeping it from closing, spreading the blood over his fur. Which caught Dream’s immediate attention. At least for a brief second he was eyeing what he was doing, tip of his tongue sliding out of his mouth, for just a millisecond, then he turned his attention back to the old man.

Talking about some kind of arrangement, of marriage, of a sister. Nothing, that actually caught Hob’s interest. He was staring. Searching for a hint of recognition. Or at least another crack in the stern facade. Anything that gave away, that he was smelling him. That he was interested in any way. He had no idea, why he was yearning for this recognition, but he was. He definitely was.

He was so caught up in watching his face, that he almost missed his cue to get up. Blinking, waiting to find out, why they were getting up. Where they were going. He had not listened at all.

“Anyway, I’ll show you the house. I’m spending more time here, than the boss, anyway, so if you have any questions, just ask me. Or the staff!”, the other vampire announced, then turned to the Endless. “Will you come along, boss?”

“I do not resent, walking these halls, so I will join your tour later on…”, Dream said. Now, they were all standing.

Jeff, the driver, now again looking completely human, bid his farewell and left. Well, he was  a driver. So of course, he would drive the limousine home. His services were not needed here, Hob assumed. He had really been busy staring.

And the others, including himself, well, they all followed the man who introduced himself as Mathew out of the dining room. Though arrogant, he was actually quite rude for a vampire, Hob thought. Not sure, whether that was a good thing. But he did not hate him immediately.

The old man was walking directly next to that Mathew guy, the butler, as he lead them through the rooms, explained details about modernization, art and architecture. His sons were walking behind him and his two fellow guards followed them. He was strolling behind them, looking at old painting and statues, while absent-mindedly rubbing his small wound. It would have stopped bleeding already, would probably be healed within a few hours, but he kept playing with it. Kept it from closing properly, just because it had caught that beautiful man’s attention. The beautiful man, who had not come with them.

He was walking a few steps behind the group, okay, right now not walking at all, he was looking at a big paining, showing a battle scene from France. 1700-something, he assumed, just by the uniforms. Been there, done that. But since this was not a museum, there was no plate with information or an actual date next to it.

“You like it?”, a dark, deep voice asked and he flinched. Had not noticed the vampire standing directly next to him, all of a sudden. Where had he come from? He had not followed them! Why was he here now?

“Arwh, eargh, weesivee…”, he made, noticed, his tongue was not quite obeying him in this form  and swallowed. He had not spoken all day, so he had pretty much forgotten, how far from human his current form was. So he looked around. Nervously. Noticed, he was alone in the room. They were. The others must have gone to the next room already. So, no one was watching.

“Hm?”, Dream made, tilting his head ever so slightly. Obviously not able to understand his growling attempts of speech.

So Hob shifted back. At least a little bit. Giving his face a slightly more human look. His mouth the ability to form actual words, though they still felt unfamiliar on his wolfish tongue. “Im- pressive…”, he produced, still mostly wolf. Yes, this sounded human. Okay, still rather like a growling beast, but there were understandable words.

“I painted it….”

“Oh?”, Hob made, tilted his head in a similar fashion. Looked at the beautiful face. He knew, this face, this whole being should rouse rage in him. Should make him want to attack, to fight, after all this was his hereditary enemy. Yet, the only thing rousing in him was further from anger, as things could get.

“You are bleeding…”, the vampire pointed out, still looking at the painting.

Hob nodded. “Knife. Cut wyself atta table”, he tried to explain.

“May I see?”

“Huh?”, he made. Confused. But the vampire just looked at him. One hand turned in his direction, palm turned up. So, Hob just placed his wounded paw into it, without hesitation.

Like that butler had said, if they had actually planned to kill them, they would have already been attacked. And, and… This vampire was smelling so good. Like moonlight. Rain. And something else, he could not quite name.

He was taking a deep breath. Inhaled. He had always thought, vampires would smell like death. Like decay, since after all, their life was stolen from the living. And the few he had encountered in his long life indeed had not smelled this pleasant. They had actually smelled of old, clotted blood. So very unlike this creature.

Dream was surprised, to just feel the heavy paw placed in his hand. It was about twice the size of his own pale, fragile hand. At least it seemed so small, compared to the hairy thing only vaguely resembling a human hand. Well, it had digits. But it did not look as dexterous, as human fingers would. The claws were long and sharp, could probably easily cut through fabric and skin. Reminded him of this wolf from two nights ago. Of too sharp nails digging into the skin of his butt. And the still lingering scent of blood was still making his mouth water.

“I…”, he started, looking at the cut. It was not a big wound. Nothing deep, as far as he could see under the fur.

“Yes?”, the wolf made. It, well, he, definitely a he, seemed to have trouble producing words in this shape. His voice seemed more like a bark, than a man’s voice. So raw. But, well what was to be expected of a furry creature of more than two heads bigger than him.

“Can I…?”, Dream asked, licking his lips. Why was he nervous? What had even come over him, that he had approached this, this beast? Had the smell of blood clouded his senses? Had that one experience with a wolf made him loose his mind?

But… It smelled so good, reminded him of the taste of that wolf so vividly. He wanted to taste it again. Just, just a lick maybe? To satisfy his curiosity? Maybe, it was just smelling good? Was actually tasting gross? Then he could leave behind this strange urge, this memory. Just, just one tiny taste would be enough to close that chapter. To stop his spiralling thoughts, he told himself.

“Go… Ahead?”, the brown wolf told him, baring his teeth. Showing even more of the long, sharp fangs, so much bigger, than his own currently hardly hidden pair. And Dream’s gaze wandered from the sharp canines over the furry snout and to the bright brown eyes. Looking for confirmation. For anything.

“I…”, he tried again. Not yet sure, what to say. But the brown eyes with the slightly golden spark in them were more than a little distracting. And they were… Familiar. Definitely familiar. Had all wolves eyes like that? No, he was sure, Burgess’ eyes were ice blue, had stared at them for about an hour straight. And his sons also did not have eyes like that… This was… Concerning. Something in his stomach made a weird movement, not unpleasant, but… unusual.

Still holding eye contact, he slowly rose the paw to his face, to his mouth. Smelling the sweet scent of the blood. Was reminded of artificial cotton candy smell and a pleasant feeling of fullness. Swallowed. Brought the paw to his lips. Parted them. Felt the fur tickle on his lips. Then he stuck out his tongue. Felt the bloody hair against it. Tasted the richness, the sweetness, the musk and all of a sudden was overwhelmed by taste and memories. Sudden heat flushing through his vanes, making him gasp, as he licked over the cut. Now fully running on instinct. Pressed his lips into the fur, in desperate need to taste more. More! More!

“Fuuuck…”, the wolf growled, keeping his voice low, sound rumbling, vibrating through his body. Resonating in his chest.

And he could not agree more. In fact ‘fuck’ was a perfect description, as well for the wish to voice his bafflement, just as to express his desires. Because he very much felt the urge to be fucked right here and now.

A quiet moan left his throat, as he suckled on the blood, cleaned the cut with his tongue and tried to coax some more from the small wound without biting down. Delicious. Absolutely delicious. He craved more, more of this sweetness, the rich taste, the, the… Hob, he wanted more of Hob!

Hob stared at the vampire’s face. Mesmerized. His eyelids were half closed, pupils dilated. And he found him absolutely beautiful. Had to actively suppress the urge to slam him into the next wall to repeat exactly what he had done in a club two nights ago. Fuck, he was into this. Into this vampire. Way more, than he would ever have assumed. Way more than was probably good for him. Fuck, he was here as Burgess,’ bodyguard, not to fuck some vampire – the one the old man needed his services as guard for – against a wall. He could not, should not... But this was so fucking hot!

He almost missed the sound of voices, footsteps approaching, only barely able to force himself to end this. To return to his duty. He pulled his paw back, right in the moment Mathew stepped into the room, followed by his lord. The old man.

“There you are, boss, was wondering, what kept you so long!”, the butler called out, again in this snarling, bird-like voice, looking at them both.

“I...”, Dream made, straightened and turned his back to Hob. His very beautiful back, the wolf had to notice. “Have told that creature about the painting I created, long ago. But I do not think, this one is able to understand the true effort behind a work like this...”

That hurt. A growl escaped Hob’s throat, before he could remember his manners. Looked at Roderick Burgess, and then down. Remained silent. Because, he was a guard. He was not supposed to have a basic education on the art of painting. Or an opinion.

So he just looked down. Head slightly bowed.

This had been real, had it not? This vampire had really just licked his blood only moments ago. Had looked at him, like he was burning with desire. This had not just been a trick of his mind, right? Right?!

“Ah, you are a painter, Dream of the Endless?”, Burgess asked.

“Indeed. I have practiced all the arts I am aware of, so far...”

“So... Artistic...”, the old man noted.

Then, they continued a very boring tour through the house.. Hob did not actually remember much. He was still mostly in his own head. Processing. Barely able to keep his eyes off the vampire, who was now accompanying them, answering the occasional question about art.

And then, after hours wasted, as the very first golden rim of light was just appearing at the horizon, they finally retreated to their chambers. Their private rooms. Roderick Burgess had the biggest one, of course. His two sons’ rooms were only slightly smaller and the guards, well, they had just simple small rooms with beds – at least queen sized – a desk and a very small bathroom attached.

Hob was not really tired, yet, but he knew, he should sleep. They had agreed on a schedule, for now. The wolves would follow the Burgess custom of sleeping till the early afternoon – which was not too unwelcome to him, since it followed his natural sleeping schedule rather than the one pushed upon him by university or human kind in general – so they would be awake before the vampires. As far as he was aware, the sun could kill them, so they only woke up in the night. He was not sure, whether it was true, but it was pretty much common knowledge that vampires burned in the sun. A d he would not want to witness that, he thought, as he stretched his body. Looked out of the window and pulled the curtain close.

“You made it back, on time, sister”, Dream greeted the girl, as she opened the balcony door and just stepped inside. Locks did not usually stop her. They usually pretended, she was not there, or very welcome.

“The sun will rise, soon. Titania does not want me to hurt...”, Delirium explained.

“I see. This is very reasonable of the fae...”

“I like playing with them, see?  Will probably stay with them a few seasons. What do you think, brother?”, she asked curiously.

“You would do this, no matter, my opinion...”

“I do like to hear your opinion, you know?”

“Hm. Go. We have the wolves in the house currently. They can be dangerous...”

“Can they? Looked not too impressive... What do they want?”

“Marry Death to one of them...”

“Oh. She’d hate that idea, y’know? Have you told her?”

“I contacted Lucienne. She will notify our sister...”

“Marriage for power or contract is stupid. Had been a millennium ago, and still is... Wouldn’t want that...”, Delirium huffed, now again upside down, this time walking on her hands. He walked with her. The usual way. She liked to see things from that perspective.

“None of us are too fond of the werewolves. I do not believe, anyone would volunteer to marry one of their kind...”

“You’d be out of your mind to desire one of them, hm?”, she laughed. Then jumped back up, onto her feet with a bright smile. “I’ll sleep now. You, too, should rest, brother. You don’t look good, you know?”

“Good night, Delirium...”

And then, she was gone. Just like that. He had no idea, where exactly she slept currently,  always choosing a different spot, when she was here.

And he was left alone, not yet sure, what to think. Because, well, he found himself pretty mad at the moment. After all, he had pretty much desired that wolf. Hob. It was the man called Hob, right? The one from the club, just much more feral, beast-like. A real wolf in this shape. No wonder, he had not recognized him. Only noticed, upon tasting his blood. And finding himself wanting...

He really should go to sleep. Rest for the day. Try, to redirect his thoughts. Because this was more than insufficient. He should not think anything like that! Those thoughts were... He could not desire that wolf’s blood. Or body. Wonder, whether everything about Hob was bigger in that shape. No, definitely not a good idea!

Chapter Text

After long hours of surprisingly peaceful sleep, Hob rose from his bed. He had decided on a human shape, to sleep. Just in case. Whatever that case might be. But the case had not occurred, so he just yawned, stretched and got out of bed. Straightened his loincloth and looked around. He had not unpacked. The small travel bag that has appeared in the room between his first visit and his return still rested on the chair. he had brought clothes. He had just not needed them so far. And he probably would not need them any time soon.

Still, he searched it for his toothbrush and took care of basic body hygiene. It was afternoon by now, so he should get ready. The sun would set in approximately three hours, if he was calculating correctly, then they would most likely meet Dream again. Would they? Yes, probably. The old man still had negotiations to negotiate.

He shifted into his wolfish form, checked his teeth in the mirror and tried a smirk. A very toothy smirk. Well. They would see, what the day would bring.

He met up with his pack leader – not that he actually acknowledged him, but rules were rules – and the others and had a light breakfast, already prepared for them. Then they took a walk through the now almost fully empty mansion. Only a few people were up, walking around. Drudges, he supposed. Human servants, loyal to vampires. He had heard of this, but had never been interested in vampires and their customs much, so he had no idea, why they would work for bloodsuckers.

One of those humans was a dark skinned woman with very short, braided hair, who sent them a suspicious look, but did not approach them, as they opened the main gate and walked into the garden. Took in the fresh air. The full moon was still more than a week away, yet they were drawn to the woods, to the large gardens. They did not need to talk about it. Their inner wolves just knew.

“You can take a run. Just be back, before those freaks wake up”, Burgess told them, looking at his sons and the guards. And with a nod, both men undressed, leaving only their underwear, then they shifted. Turned into their full wolf form and started running on all fours. Hob and the two guards exchanged brief looks. The largest one – he had no idea, what her name was, but well, who cared? – walked towards Burgess and came to a halt right next to him. That meant, he and the other guy could follow the Burgess kids. Which, they did. Shifting into wolves, running after them.

And Hob could not help, but feel delighted. Alive. He had not run in years, had mostly curled up in his flat, when fully turned and waited it out and when there was no full moon, he just stayed human. Because times had changed. City and such. One could hardly give in to the instincts and just run. One could just sometime sneak into parks at night, but that was risky.

Also, he was a loner, so he had not run with other wolves in ages. Actually quite enjoyed chasing the other three wolves for quite a while, just running and running, until it got late. Sun already half vanished at the horizon. The trees were already throwing long shadows, making the forest darker, than the garden itself. He should return. He really should return, he thought.. after all, he had no idea, where exactly the others went. Had not seen them in a while.

Yes, of course, he could start sniffing, actively looking for them. But why? He knew the way, they had come from and they would return there. He should. Because soon the vampires would be up and the old man expected them back. He could not get lost, he thought. And then he smelled it.

“Wolf...”, Dream mumbled. Not loud, but loud enough. With the setting sun no longer holding enough power to actually harm even a delicate vampire, such as her, he had sent his little sister off to the fae. Had escorted her to the mushroom circle and bid his farewell. She would be fine. Delirium always would be. The fae adored her and – despite her fragile appearance – she could look after herself. She was not a child any longer, though she was not exactly a responsible adult.

He had felt, then smelled the scent of wolf during his short trip, but now, that he was alone, he made the effort to actually pay attention to it.

He was aware, the wolves had been running through the forest, the gardens for a while now, but only now he could make out a certain scent. Familiar. Distinguishable from the other wolves. So he had followed it and spotted a dark brown wolf – real wolf not half-man-half-wolf-creature standing on a small clearing. Ears twitching. And he could not help it. Despite knowing better. He approached.

Instantly the wolf’s attention turned towards him and its – his – brown eyes widened. Was it just his imagination, or could he actually see the recognition on the beast’s face?

“You are out here, on your own?”, he asked, leaning against the tree for whatever reason. Maybe because he wanted to have something at his back, when approaching a beast? Or because he had absolutely no idea, what he was doing and had just done things on an inkling, no plan at all? Because that was how things worked in books, in the stories he so loved, that he spun.

The wolf turned his body fully towards him, stared at him. And Dream could feel a tickle inside his head. Not quite like a pain. And when he realised, what it must be, his eyes widened.

“You... Can communicate like this?”, he asked, tilting his head. And gave in to the slight pull, the feeling. Opened up his mind, only just slightly. A thing, vampires rarely ever did. One always was on guard, in case other creatures wanted to get into one’s head. In the more literal way. Some – especially demons – were well known, to meddle with the minds of others, once having gotten access.

>So you can actually hear me?<, the wolf asked without words. Voice resonating inside Dream’s head alone.

“Indeed, I can. I was not aware, your kind was capable of this…”

>It’s not like we commonly use it. Not necessary with other wolves most of the times and we don’t run with humans...<, the wolf explained.

“I see. You did not use it, yesterday…”

>Can’t. I mean, technically, I could, but it works better, when I’m fully wolf. That hybrid form is too human. It wants to use actual words, but, well… Hard to speak with the mouth full of fangs...<

“I… Understand. You are… Not stupid…”

>Pardon?! Did you assume, I was some stupid animal?! Well, yeah, hm, guess, that’s what we are to you arrogant lot...<

“Do not call me arrogant…”

>You think, us wolves are some uncivilised creatures. Of course that’s arrogant! You know? I’m not dumb. I teach at university…<

“You do? So… You live a human life?”, Dream asked in surprise. Because somehow this had not crossed his mind so far. He had not thought about the wolves and their habits a lot, but yes, they could not just all live on Burgess’ land at Fawney Rig or in the forests of south England. They were living amongst humans. Always had. So, why would they stop now, in modern times?

>Of course I do! What do you think? Besides the fur I#m a pretty normal human most of the time! I even have human friends, who drag me along into strange clubs occasionally!<

“I… Was aware of this. I think. So it really is you…. Hob?”

>Hob Gadling, yes. Pleasure, Dream of the Endless or so?<

“Not ‘or so’. I am Dream of the Endless family…”

>Is that some kind of big secret? I mean, you just could have told. I’m no fae creature using that information to trap you or so...<

“Names hold power, Hob Gadling. I do not give mine recklessly…”

>You said, you’d tell me, when we meet again, but I guess, that old man has robbed me of that chance...<

“I… Have not expected seeing you, again… You are a werewolf….”

>Well, you knew about the meeting, right? Unlike me<

“This… Is correct. But I was not aware, you were part of Roderick Burgess’ pack…”, Dream admitted, still leaning against the tree, as the wolf came closer, looked at him. Sniffed him. He was bigger, than a normal wolf, he supposed. Definitely bigger than a dog. But he seemed slender, elegant, despite the size. Not as plump and uncoordinated, as he had assumed, the wolves would be, judging by their large half-human form. Pure force and killer instinct.

>I’m not, actually. Not really, I mean. I’m a lone wolf… Technically I’m living on the old man’s territory, so by law, I need to follow his orders, but, well… Not like I’m part of his pack...<

Could wolves shrug? Well this one, now standing directly in front of him, snout reaching up to his bellybutton, definitely did. A quite human gesture. But inside this wolf, there was a human mind.

“Is this, why you came? Because Burgess ordered you?”, he wondered. Because… Why would this Hob be here? Why else. He did not seem like a liar. Or a sly, manipulative mastermind or whatever. And, well, he was a wolf.

>Exactly. I mean, I usually don’t give a fuck about vampires or whatever creature. Just trying to get by, live a decent life or whatever you call it. Wouldn’t have thought, you’d be this...<, the wolf explained and ended with a low growl. Sniffing. He was close. Only a hands with between them.

Dream looked at him. His fur looked soft. Not at all dirty. It did not reek. This wolf just smelled… Like Hob. Different from his blood, but somehow alike. In a strange way his scent reminded him of the blood he had tasted only yesterday and though he was not particularly hungry yet, he felt a need. An urge.

“This…?”, he asked, tilting his head.

>Hm, dunno. You’re, well… Don’t hate your scent and...<, Hob told him. Sniffed again, wet nose touching his hand. And Dream did not flinch back. He was surprised, himself but… he just let him touch him. Sniff his hand. Felt the slightly wet touch of the nose.

“Does my scent please you?”, he asked, raising his hand and the snout followed. Which confirmed his assumption.

The wolf did not reply, just made a low, throaty sound Dream could not quite place.

“It does…”, he concluded, placing his hand on the head of the beast. Soft. The fur felt soft. He had assumed it being more bristly. So, he could not suppress the sudden urge, to stroke it. Slide his fingers through the fur. It felt… Pleasant.

Hob made this sound again. Louder. Not quite a purr, but Dream did associate it with a cat’s expression of contentment.

“You are soft…”, he told the wolf.

>Your hand is cold. Is that a vampire thing?<, Hob asked.

“My body temperature is usually lower than a human’s. When I have not recently fed, I tend to be perceived as cold. Does it bother you?”

The wolf shook his furry head. His fingers stroked through the fur. Further down, towards his neck, where the hair was longer, fluffier. And without giving it a thought, he started scratching his neck.

“You are… Soft…”

>Go on. Little to the right, yes?<, Hob replied, tilted his head to the side, so Dream could let his hand slide further down, as directed and then he felt a sudden gust of wind, he could not quite place. Did look up and saw Hob’s tail moving.

“You are waving your tail?”

>Shaddap. Right there! Hmm...>, the wolf told him, huffed.

“I… Should despise these actions…”, Dream mumbled, without interrupting, what he was doing.

>Do you?<

“Not at all…”, he told him and was interrupted by a loud howl.

>Burgess!<, Hob made and flinched away. His trouble clearly showing in his demeanour, all of a sudden. He looked at the vampire. He should return, he needed to return. What would the old man think? He had stayed away too long, already.

“I will escort you…”, Dream told him and he did not quite have the time to evaluate. To think things over. He just nodded, turned and started running. The sun had almost completely set. How long had they just stood there? Talked?

He rather felt than saw the presence right beside him, am otherworldly entity keeping up with his pace easily. Dream. Right beside him. This should be off putting, but well, it was not. What the actual fuck was wrong with him?

When he arrived at the entrance of the manor, Burgess and the others were all there. The sons already fully dressed.

The old man stared at him, displeased, but then is eyes flickered to the vampire and widened in surprise.

“I found this wof strolling in the woods by himself. You are free to become familiar with our land, but I must insist, you tell some of my servants, where you are going. It is easy to get lost here…”, the black-haired man told Burgess, standing right next to him.

“You found my man?”

“Indeed, quite a lucky coincidence. I am glad, you are united again. I will see you at dinner, soon, I suppose?”, the vampire told the old man.

And Burgess nodded, while Hob hurriedly turned, shifted back into the more beastly form. And took his place in the small pack. He had the feeling, Dream had saved his ass just now, because the old man was pretty much ignoring him, conversing only with the vampire.

They all entered the building – Hob now again on two feet – while the old man and Dream were talking about something. Hob had no idea, what, but it sounded a lot like irrelevant, distracting small talk.

The rest of the night passed in the blink of an eye. They ate, Dream spoke about having reached out to his sister and Burgess had wolfsplained to him. Had told him about his wealth, land and influence, how Randall was supposed to inherit it all and how he could make that sister a real queen. Dream had listened patiently. Had answered questions about the family Hob had not really understood, well, yes, okay, he had not paid attention. He had been watching that beautiful man-shaped being. The pale skin, every movement, every expression. Had wondered about his fangs, about his strength, about whether he would want to drink his blood again. Whether he would stroke his hair again. It had felt really nice.

His hand on his head, the scratching of his neck. Usually, he did not like stuff like that. Had not had this in a long while. But... Dream’s cool fingers had felt good.

He was not pacing,  definitely not. Not silently walking up and down, unsure, what to do. He could not just ask Delirium for advice. She would be gone for an undefined amount of time. Days, weeks, maybe even years. Nothing was unlikely. And... She would not have been able to give him an answer anyway. At least none someone with a regular brain was able to understand. One might call her advice cryptic, but actually it was just pure madness turned into mostly human speech. So, well, she would not have helped anyway.

Neither was Mathew of any help. Not that he would consult the mouthy butler, but... That usually never stopped him from speaking his mind. Dream was sure, latest tomorrow, the butler would give him a piece of his mind. Talk about the wolves. Or about him. About Dream himself. Because that was how things went.  But Dream was not sure, whether he wanted this. What he wanted to tell Mathew. He did not even know, what there would be, to tell.

He flinched, when the door he had been passing again and again for the past few minutes  opened all of a sudden. A bearded face looking at him directly. Blinking.

And Dream blinked back. Because blinking was a human thing to do. And he did not really know, what to say. Or what to do.

“Thought, it was you...”, the owner of the face mumbled and smirked at him, sniffed the air demonstratively. Opened the door further and made space, to let him step inside.

This was the cue for him to leave. To just turn on the heel and get away. But the scent. The memory of blood on his tongue...

So Dream stepped inside instead. “You are human right now...”, he noted.

“Can’t keep that scary shape all day. Too big to sleep in a bed comfortably. And I definitely won’t sleep on the floor, so Burgess has a good guard dog...”, Hob explained in disgust. “Can shift back fast enough, in case you pull something suspicious...”

“I see...”, the vampire made, looking at him. No, Dream was not just looking at him, when he was being honest. He was checking him out. Staring, quite obviously. Because aside from the loincloth, Hob was completely bare. And... Even hairier than he had expected.

Well, yes, wolf. He was somewhat aware, that body hair was not an uncommon feature. Just because  he himself had hardly ever grown some, did not mean, humans or werewolves would not have it. It was common, perfectly natural, he was just not… Used.

Hob’s chest and arms and legs were all covered by dark hair, not quite a pelt, not as furry as the wolf was, but it was definitely coating him.

“Like, what you see?”, the wolf smirked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“You are hairy...”, Dream informed him. Because that was, what was going on in his mind. He did not usually speak his mind like this, but there was no etiquette, non protocol to follow, or rather to hide behind.

“Well, yeah. I do need to shave, but haven’t had the time, yet...”, Hob replied, hand stroking through his well groomed beard.

“I was talking about your body hair...”

“Oh... I see. That’s a me-thing, I guess. Not all the wolves are like that, you know? In case, you wanted to know...”, he shrugged.

And Dream just stared. Yes, he had wanted to know. Had wanted quite a lot of things, ever since he had smelled this wolf’s blood just yesterday. Maybe ever since the club.  But he should not. This was inappropriate.

“I want...”, he started. Not quite sure, what he was trying to say. This was... Uncanny. He was not used to this kind of... Urge. Or that kind of talk. He was not good at talking with this wolf. Because this did not follow any etiquette. This had no... Purpose. None, he was aware of.

“You want?”, Hob asked.

“Can I drink your blood?”, he asked.  Distracted. By this very man, by everything.

“That’s straight forward...”, Hob smirked, apparently not displeased.

“Is that... Bad?”

“Not at all. Like that. You’ve been pretty straightforward in the club, as well. So? My blood it is?”, the hairy man wanted to know.

“Yes…”

“Hmm… What will I get out of it?”

“Are you suggesting an… Exchange?”, Dream asked, tilting his head. The thought of tasting Hob’s blood was again making his mouth water. The expectation!

“Something like that. I mean, I don’t mind feeding you, but it’s not exactly a thing benefitting me, so… Would you offer me something, I would enjoy, in return?”

“What would you enjoy?”

“Hmm… I enjoyed that, in the club pretty much, so maybe we could repeat that?”, Hob suggested with a cocky smile. “Of course, only if you want to. Wouldn’t force that on you!”

“You… Are not demanding a sexual favour in exchange for your blood?”, the vampire asked in wonder. Because he had pretty much expected a thing like that. That was something, someone would ask for. Like power, wealth, immortality. All profane things people, beings would desire. He had just not expected this to be… A suggestion, rather than a demand.

“Why would I demand that? I mean, I’d really like a repeat performance, but only if you’re comfortable with that… Though, I don’t really know, what else to ask for…”, Hob admitted with a shrug. Apparently thinking, considering.

“You would not ravish me, if you desired it?”, Dream wondered.

“Why would I? I mean, I like rough, too, can’t deny that, but where’s the fun, when the other’s not enjoying it?”, the wolf told him with a shrug. And this did not add up. Did not sound right. This one was supposed to be a beast. A primal creature and not… Considerate.

“You… Are strange…”, Dream told him, because… This was unexpected. In all his years, he had never met a being like that. Hob was not polite, well-mannered, following the current etiquette, no, but he actually seemed to… Care?

“Am I? I’m a probably more than six hundred year old wolf, wouldn’t consider myself anything else… That a problem?”

“No… Not at all, werewolf Hob Gadling…”, he mumbled. Hint of a smile on his face.

“Soooo? What do you say?”, the brunette asked then.

“I accept your conditions…”

“You do?”, Hob asked, face lightening up. In surprise and delight at the same time.

“Yes…”

“Can I kiss you? That okay?”

“I did not dislike kissing you…”, the vampire informed him, because it was true. He had not disliked it. Actually, he thought, the wolf was quite good at kissing. And maybe this time he would not need to hold back, make sure he would not accidentally draw blood while tasting his tongue. Because now Hob was aware, he possessed fangs.

“Great!”, said man smirked and wrapped one arm around his waist, pulled him in, against him, sealing his lips with his.

This was… Unexpected. Sudden. Though he had agreed to it. And… It was pleasant. He felt himself first tense, then relax against the almost naked body, give in to the pressure of soft lips on his. Yes. Pleasant. Very. He sighed. Not because he had to, no, breathing was more of an optional thing to do for a vampire, but because the air in his lungs needed to get out. Also, this led to his lips parting, inviting the wolf to proceed, to do more. And this was not unwelcome.

The man’s lips on his parted, just as well, tip of a tongue licking over his lower lip, asking for entrance. Not at all demanding, unlike his possessive gesture, the way he was still holding him.

Dream granted him entrance, opened his mouth, greeted his tongue with his own and all of a sudden, Hob’s reluctance melted, tongue pushing in, exploring his mouth eagerly, now. And it felt good. So very good, to be kissed like that. Now almost greedy. Strong hands pressing against his spine, his lower back, pushing him close. Tongue intertwining with his and then, he felt it, tasted it at the same time. Hob had found one of his now short, but still quite sharp fangs and pressed the side of his tongue against it, cutting the flesh open. Like a scalpel, the sharp tooth drew blood, sweet taste flooding his mouth immediately, forcing a muffled moan out of his throat. This. Was. Heavenly. So sweet and rich in flavour, delicious and warm and…

“Hmmm…”, he sighed, as the taste flooded his mouth. Not much, just a few drops, but it was enough, to make him shiver, hunger for more. How could a beast’s blood be this delicious? This was just not fair! This whole man was just… So out of the ordinary! Marvellous!

He started suckling at his tongue, trying to collect every last drop of the sweet blood, to savour it, to have it coat his mouth and throat. Yes, yes, this was it. So very good. More! More!

“Faaahhh…”, Hob replied, not quite able to voice his thoughts, with his tongue still occupied, but pressed his groin against his hip, starting to rut against his trousers, making him feel the hardness hidden in his loincloth, that rapidly grew harder, firmer, bigger. Yes, this Hob was well equipped. He had had a taste of this, had enjoyed it quite a lot and definitely would not mind, having him again, feeling him inside, pushing into him again and again. And he briefly wondered, if – when the whole body grew, when shifting his shape – this particular part of him would also gain size, would stretch him even wider, fill him to an yet unknown extend. Would it hurt? Would he feel this delicious pain? He… Would entertain this thought another time.

For now there was the taste, the blood, the erection pressing against him and the light-headedness accompanying this. So very good, he just stopped thinking at all, just felt, gave in to the things, Hob would do, while he was trying not to waste a drop of blood.

And then, as he felt his mind slipping, focus only on the blood, on Hob, there was a knock on the door. Which caused the wolf to flinch, to grab him firmly, while  his heartbeat increased. Shock. Surprise. Fear. He could taste it in his blood, before he pulled back. They stared at each other for a brief moment. Both equally troubled.

Chapter Text

“Fuck!”, Hob Gadling cursed.

“Open…”, Dream told him, voice barely a whisper. Inaudible for any human ear, but a sharp wolf was able to catch up, so Hob shifted, turned and walked towards the door, not because it was a conscious decision, but because he had been told to.

He opened the door, now again in his more wolfish shape and blinked at the intruder. Luckily the shift and interruption both had lead to his prick softening to an instant that he would not need to explain.

“Grrwr?”, he made in surprise as he looked down, at Alexander Burgess’ face.

“Hey…”, the boy – okay, probably young man – mumbled, blinking up, towards him. He looked… Troubled. “Can I…. Come in?”

“Grw…”, he made, not sure how to respond, but just as the boy tried to open the door wider, a tiny black shadow flew out of the door crack above them and was gone in an instant. So he did not resist, when Alexander opened the door further.

After he had recovered from the initial shock, he stepped aside, to let the young man in. After all, this was kind of his boss’ son.

“They are everywhere…”, the boy whispered, as he shut the door behind him.

“Ruuww?”, Hob made.

“Vampires. I, I need to talk, can you… Either way’s fine, but can you just shift, so we can actually speak?”

He nodded. Then went for the more human option. The young man definitely felt troubled, he could smell it, now that his mind was more clear. That he was focussing on the young wolf. And knew, the vampire was no longer here.

“You alright, boy?”, he asked, now more Hob-shaped and less wolf-shaped. Looking him up and down.

“You’re nice. I remember you…”

“You do?”, he asked, no idea, where this conversation was leading, but hey, this was not the first strange conversation he had had in the past hours.

“You came to the house, when I was younger. Helped me. You saw me crying and didn’t just kick me…”

“Err, no? Why would I?”, he wondered. Then came to the conclusion, that he had watched Burgess mistreat the boy at least thrice on the ride to the Endless manor alone. And realised that this must be quite normal to him. So, quite a silly question.

“I… Couldn’t fall asleep… I know, it sounds stupid but I had this dream and… They smell so strong. They might want to harm us. Father told me, what vampires are capable of and, and…”, the delicate boy told him, tears in his eyes.

“You had a nightmare?”, Hob asked, voice gentle. He had had these talks before. Had had a boy himself. Had helped him chase away his nightmares. Alexander Burgess reminded him of his boy, his Robin. More than just a little.

The boy nodded.

“Will you sit down with me?”, he asked, now definitely in a fatherly tone. Walked over to the bed and sat.

Alexander followed, sitting down next to him. He seemed small. Really, just a boy. Young. For a born werewolf definitely.

“So you dreamt about the vampires? Hurting you?”

The dark haired wolf nodded.

“And… You wanted to talk about it? With me? Why me?”

“Father would punish me for being weak and Randall is… He doesn’t like it, when I’m scared…”

“What about the other wolves? You surely must know them better than me. I’ve barely ever been near your home...”

“Guards. They’re guards. They protect father and my brother. They don’t... Care...”

“And I care?”, Hob smiled. Because, yes, obviously, he did. Had let him in and was talking to him. Gently. Despite what he had been into, just before the intrusion.

“You’re nice…”

“So? What happened? The nightmare….?”, he asked with a friendly smile.

And after taking a deep breath, the boy started speaking. Explained that he had overheard his father receiving a message in the morning – afternoon, actually –  that he was scared now, he might leave soon, leaving him here, alone with all the vampires and how scary he found them. All of them. That he was sure, he had smelled one of them close, but had been afraid, trying to hide under the blanket. And then, he had fallen into a light slumber, dreaming of the worst, of being chased by vampires, of getting caught, the fear of getting torn into pieces, of retting his blood sucked and the dream sounded so vivid, so real, Hob could fully understand the boy’s fear. Would have probably felt the same, less than a week ago. Before getting to know Dream. Did he know him? Well, certainly not. But… He was not afraid of him. The thrill he felt, when he was near by was definitely not that of panic or fear.

“I’m pathetic, aren’t I? I’ve always been afraid of the most stupid things. Back then, when I hurt myself, I actually got frightened by a crow and fell down the stairs…”, the boy mumbled, eyes wet. But he was making an afford, not to cry. Like he had been trained, not to. And Hob did not want to imagine that kind of training. He felt actual pity for the little boy, so similar to his little Robin, to his own…

“No, you’re not. We’re all scared sometimes, you see?”

“No. Father isn’t. Ever. And Randall, too. He’s never scared. And Lena and Magnus are, neither. They’re always strong, and you, too!”, Alexander said.

“You really think, I’m not scared? Ever?”, Hob chuckled. Not laughing at him, definitely not.

“You’re one of the older wolves. There are hardly any older ones on the territory. And you’re on your own. So you have to be tough!”

“Being tough doesn’t mean, you can’t get scared. You see, fear is an instinct. It’s there to alert us to potential dangers. We don’t get this old, being oblivious to our surroundings. It’s fine to feel fear, just… It’s not about not being scared, but about controlling your body to give the best suited response for a situation, you see? Like…”, he explained, pausing to think. How should he explain. “The crow, you mentioned. You became aware of it. It might have been an enemy, attacking you. So reacting to it was not wrong. Or unnatural. Falling down the stairs is not a thing I’d recommend, though, but being aware of dangers is a good thing!”

“Is it? Then… I mean, What should I do? I’m scared all the time. Can’t just flinch or run, whenever I see one of them, can I? Or when I spot a bird…”

“That’s true. Hm…. You see, this is a diplomatic issue, here. I don’t think, they’d dare to harm the son of the pack leader. I’m not saying, you’re being unreasonable here, they ARE making everyone feel quite uncanny, but I think, you’re safe. Try putting rationality in your fear. What are you afraid of and how likely is it, to happen? When it’s a constant thing, maybe this helps?”, Hob suggested. He was not a psychiatrist, but this at least sounded… Reasonable. He had talked to students before, trying to help them with anxiety, with panic before exams, but this seemed different.

“I… okay? Dunno… I… Sounds reasonable…”, Alexander mumbled. “Will you… I mean, you won’t just leave, will you?”, he then added shyly.

“Hey, I’m here as a bodyguard or whatever. I don’t think, I’ll leave any time soon… Want me to protect you?”

“Father wouldn't like that. I mean, I’m supposed to be strong. You’re just here for impression and all, he would probably just kill them himself, when they attack, but… I’d feel better…”

“I see. Then, I’ll do my job. Impress the hell out of these bloodsuckers and make sure, they won’t bite you!”, Hob assured him with a grin. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell your dad, you asked me, to”, he added with a wink, as he saw the worry on the boy’s face.

“I… You are nice. What’s your name? Guess, you know mine already…”

“Robert. Robert Gadling, but feel free to use whichever nickname. I’ve known them all by now…”, he said, remembering that, yes. It was not unlikely, that the boy did not know his name. After all, the barely interacted before and he was not some kind of famous guy.

“Okay. Is Rob fine with you?”

“Yes, of course!”

“You can call me Alex then. I think, no one actually uses my formal title…”

”You’ve got a title?”, he asked, surprised, because, well, he had assumed as much, but he had not really thought, what it might be. Burgess was the alpha, of course, and Randall was the heir to the title. Which would make Alexander the second in line. He supposed. But it had been ages, since had had ever been part of a pack, so he was not too familiar with titles and dynamics, when he was being honest.

“Actually, yes. Father never plans to let me inherit, for obvious reasons, even if something was to happen to Randall, but following the protocol, I’m supposed to become the next alpha’s mate.... Making me something like my father’s omega, since mother had passed, giving birth to an omega like me... As long, as he doesn’t take a new mate...”

“That sounds... Not so good...”

“Father never wanted me to be an omega. Shouldn’t have been born like that. He’s trying to make me strong. At least like a common beta, but things are, as they are...”

“You... Err, you don’t have to... Fulfil the omega duties, to you?” Hob asked, carefully.

“No. Father wouldn’t, ever. I’m worth more, when I haven’t ever...”

“Oh, okay. I see... That’s though, hm?”

“Not like I can change anything...”, the boy mumbled, looking at him. “Thank you. For listening and stuff... I think, I’m a little better...”

“You sure?”

“Yes. You’re right. I’d be rational about it. As long, as I do, what I’m told, the vampires won’t kill me. I think. I mean, I’m just me, but father would demand blood for blood, if anything happens...”, Alexander Burgess, Alex, sighed.

“Want me to bring you over?”, Hob offered.

“Rather not... Wasn’t supposed to be here, anyway. Wouldn’t want you to get in trouble, if anyone sees you bringing me...”

“Sounds reasonable...”

“You must tell me...”, Dream said, stepping up next to the wolf. It was the next day, well, the next night, and Roderick Burgess had retreated to his room, to receive a messenger. Another one. Yesterday it had only been a letter, but now there had been a wolf, knocking at the door, now talking to the pack leader and his son. And the two guards.

The boy was in his own room and his wolf, Hob, had been positioned at the entrance to the hallway where their rooms were located. To keep vampires away. Well, this created an opportunity for Dream to chat with him.

Now out of sight, the brunette had turned completely, was now a big, brown wolf, a majestic creature, sniffing the air for anything suspicious. Well, right now, his head was tilted, gaze fixed on him. Questioning.

“I admit, I have been intruding on your privacy, yesterday...”, he continued explaining, now that they were alone finally.

Yes, he had done exactly this. Had first wanted to flee to his private rooms, stay in the shape of a moth, or get into bed and touch himself, thinking of what they had done, what they had almost done, but curiosity had gotten the better of him, so he had listened. Had wanted to know about that boy. About his relationship with Hob. Not that he was being jealous or anything, no, he had just wanted to know. Because he had not asked, if there was someone. If Hob had some sort of a... Partner?

He was not well-informed about werewolf relationships or pack dynamics. Had never really been interested in this. Had only recently studied a few customs, in order to get along with the other leaders. With Burgess. With this guy in particular, because the others had never been a problem at all. Never been particularly hostile. And now, he found himself wondering.

Hob was still only staring at him. Silently. Dream had lowered his guard, had made sure, his mind would be receptive to the wolf’s voice, in case he wanted to communicate with him in that way, but so far, Hob had been silent.

“I do understand, what an alpha is, but will you tell me, what the term ‘omega’ means? What it entails?”, he went on, finally coming to the point. To what he had been wondering about all night.

Hob just stared at him. Blinked. Remained silent for a while.

<You’ve been spying on me?>, he then finally asked.

“I... Wanted to know, what is going on in my house...”

<That’s why you had to make sure to know all about the boy’s nightmare?>

“Will you tell me, or will you not?”

<Well, that’s about pack dynamics. That’s a bit different from the general thing. You really want to know?>

“I do.”

<Okay? General interest or are you going to use that against the old man?>

“I... Want to know. I... Am not sure, whether I could use that information...”

<Well, whatever. Dunno, how you would... So, fine. The old man’s the alpha of the pack, including all the wolves this area. So all the wolves living here, kinda have to obey him...<. Hob started explaining. And Dream listen carefully to all the things the wolf told him. Things he already knew, things he had suspected and things completely new to him.

He had heard the term ‘alpha’ before, knew that this was how Burgess and the other leaders were addressed. But he had not been familiar with the term ‘omega’, referring to the leader’s primary mate, usually. It could also refer to all the fertile mates an alpha had taken and was some kind of position one grew into, though a wolf had to have the predisposition, to. Hob explained to him, that he was an alpha, but not a leader. So he did experience some of the alpha specific conditions – he did not specify which exactly – while a born omega did something similar. Alexander Burgess was an omega, a wolf considered weak, by others. Not a leader, but a…

Well, Hob did state, that it usually was the omegas holding a pack together, but that was hardly acknowledged among wolves. Most still wanted their pups to be only alphas, betas at best, but an omega was only considered valuable to marry off for political reasons.

Dream did understand this. There was a condition amongst vampires just as well, that made one appear more fragile, more emotional, leading to similar consequences, though it did not have a name. His youngest sister suffered from it, delicate and estranged from the real world. But well, it lead to her getting along with the fae better than anyone else, so he guessed, this omega thing must have advantages, as well.

“So, you are an alpha and the boy is an omega, is that correct? Dominant and submissive?”

>Yes. Randall’s an alpha, as well and the other guards are betas in the pack, as far as I’m aware...<

“I see… My sister, Death, the one your leader is wooing in his son’s name, though, is not an omega. She will not submit to anyone’s will… She is a strong one, going her own way...”

>For some it’s about submission, they enjoy to claim someone and overpower them. But it’s not always like this. Most alphas are dominant, but they can live in a fulfilling relationship with someone who’s not a submissive, obedient omega…< Hob winced, as if in pain, looked at him intensely, before he went on.

>I, I had a mate once, long ago. She was technically an omega, but tended more to the beta side, beside the heats, a headstrong one. Stubborn and strong. She put me in my place more than once. Definitely not your typical beta, leave alone omega. She was an alpha by heart. And just like this, not all alphas demand submission and not all omegas are willing to give it… Just… Some wolves have rather traditional views on that...<

“Judging from what I have learned about him, so far, I assume, he is rather traditional?”, Dream wanted to know. No, he already knew, he just wanted to confirm.

The wolf looked at him and nodded.

He was not sure, whether he was pleased with this. His sister had replied to his message, had announced to come back home to meet the wolves in two nights time, but had not been too happy with the proposal. Yet, gentle as she was, she had declared her willingness to at least meet and get to know the man shaped being. Probably to properly dump him, as she would have phrased it. And, well… When everyone was being polite, when the proper etiquette was followed, this was the best way to avoid conflict. To find another way to settle the smouldering dispute, without risking a diplomatic disaster. Or a war.

She was not an omega, whatever that exactly entailed. She was not fragile in body and mind, as Delirium was, she was… Well, she was strong and independent and would never just belong to someone, have someone rule over her. And… She would tell everyone exactly this. Though in a very friendly way. She was no one to leave broken hearts behind, like a certain someone, he knew.

Well, yes, he was talking about himself. Because, what his other sibling, namely Desire did, was not breaking hearts, it was feeding on them. They were not taking lovers, they were draining humans and not-humans alike. Feasting on their blood and lust and probably other bodily fluids, he did not want to think about in detail. He knew, they had a very unique style of dealing with proposals of any kind. Not as friendly and gentle, as Death would, but not as cruel as his third sister Despair probably would, if anyone would ever dare to seek her out.

As far as he was aware, no one had gotten close to Despair in along while, she was mostly living on her own, in her small cave full of mirrors and broken glass, hunting and preying on miserable victims who accidentally called upon her, to feed on their blood and misery. It had been at least two centuries – except for the last meeting, where her image in glass had been present – since he had last actually seen her, only her twin, Desire kept in touch.

She was just as unlikely to get a proposal, as his oldest brother, who was locking himself in his giant library, cultivating his solitude. He was blind, but was rumoured to see the past and the future, through all the ancient blood he had consumed so far. He was by far the wisest one of the seven of them, but rarely ever mentally present in the present, so utterly unfit to solve any diplomatic issues. He was also the only one who still was in contact with their parents, the first of their kind, probably, the oldest ones, who had retreated, turned their backs from the world, not only recently, but this did not help…

Destruction was gone. So Dream had no idea, whether his youngest brother had taken a lover, a companion, but he assumed, he was utterly unfit for political marriage, just as well. Just like Delirium, who was only rarely interested in anyone and had never been in that way, as far, as he was aware. And well… He did not want to be aware... And, well, he could not picture her in any form of relationship, though her condition did seem not too unsimilar to what Hob had called an omega…

>They are done with whatever, I can hear them...<, Hob interrupted his wandering thoughts, turning around, while shifting to his bigger form. The hairy, yet rather humanoid one. Furry, yet muscular and… Dangerous.

Something in him reacted to this form. Made him shiver in… In anticipation? Yes, definitely not fear, caution, preparation for a fight, but… The memory of last night, of the night in the club resurfacing in his mind. Blood. Hot, sweet, rich fluid in his mouth….

He was getting aroused by that view, he could hardly deny it. He really found himself wanting. Desiring. Had his thoughts of mates, of marriage carried his mind there? Or was just Hob’s almost naked, roughly human form enough to stir his blood? To make him wonder, what the firm muscles under the fur would feel like, what his skin and blood would taste like? How he would feel inside of him? Whether his penis was a rather human shaped one, like the one he had almost felt, just a thin layer of latex between them, or would it be more like that of an animal? Dream had no idea, how the erected penis of a wolf looked, had not really had any interest in this until now, but… He wondered. Maybe, he would look this up, later.

The opening of the door snapped him back to attention, Roderick Burgess stepping out of his room, with his guards and son and another man. The messenger he had been alerted of by his subjects, as soon as he had woken up with the last vanishing rays of sunshine.

It had been Gauld, one of the loyal humans, who had told him, since Mathew had still been asleep, still so young and sensitive to the sunlight. He himself just did not like the sun, it hurt his eyes and he preferred an umbrella or this pretty recent invention called sunscreen, but it was no actual danger to him. Just made him feel weak and tired, despite his age, not suited for a fight, but he was able to walk in daylight in general, he just hated it. Not only because it was not suitable for his kind…

“Dream of the Endless, nothing escapes you, I assume?”, Roderick Burgess exclaimed in a loud voice, as he recognised him.

“I am well aware of what is going on in my house, Roderick Burgess. So, may I ask, what you are plotting?”, Dream wanted to know, more or less relieved, that his had to refocus his thoughts on something else.

“I’m not really plotting anything. Just received a message from my residence. There seem to be some troubles with the dryards living on my property… I was just discussing, how to proceed with our negotiations still ongoing….”

Chapter Text

How to proceed, that meant, as Hob learned, a full night of locking in, inside  the vampire’s office, discussing matters and in the end, as the sun almost started rising, coming to the conclusion, that the old man and his alpha son would leave the manor with two guards. One would stay behind with Alexander Burgess, a sign of goodwill – rather a hostage in case something went wrong – ensuring their negotiations were still going on.

Dream’s sister, Death – the one Burgess wanted to have married to Randall – would be informed to directly travel to Fawney Rig, the manor the wolf resided in, together with her delegation and to ensure her safety, well, Alex would stay with Dream. Together with Hob. This, the boy had demanded, had picked his guard himself, after trying not to look too terrified.

He had not really been successful, had been reprimanded by his father, but in the end, Burgess had granted his wish, after all, Hob would not really be of any use in the manor, not familiar with the building and the grounds, after all. And since he was strong, old and most likely not easily bribed, he would be of good use here, this the old man had straight out told him. Not really polite or considerate with his own kind. But well, he would do this job, be able to protect the omega boy – not that he actually thought Alex was in actual danger – from whatever might happen to him.

The negotiations had lasted until dawn, so right after, the vampire had retired, probably to sleep during the day. The old man would leave around late afternoon, after resting for the day and then, then Hob would be alone with Alex for the time being.

And just like that, Hob went to sleep. Nothing much had happened today, yet he felt tired. And though he had found himself wanting, playing with the thought of a nightly visitor, of a continuation of what had happened the last night, his bed stayed empty. And he had only fading memories and his own hand to pay him company for the night. And tomorrow, tomorrow he would see...

When Dream woke up from his slumber, Roderick Burgess had already departed. And he could not help, but sigh in relief. He could sense the absence of the wolf and could barely hide a smile.

As he rose, Mathew handed him a letter from his older sister, transmitted via Lucienne’s courier, confirming the updated plans, telling him, she would arrive at the Burgess manor the next night, before dawn. Yes, he actually possessed a phone, even a smart one with internet access, though he rarely used it for this purpose, but he was aware, that those formalities deserved the formal approach. Actual messengers and letters, because no one would dare to find a backdoor, to secretly read or listen to exchanges that way.

On this, all the non-human beings somehow had agreed around the change of the new millennium. They kept in touch with each other through the more modern channels, but the official matters were done the old fashioned way, the safe way.  Because though humans hardly believed in the otherworldly any longer, they still were a threat to their existence.

They still had to fulfil the ancient pact, once formed, forced by the humans. They all would keep hidden from the eye of those mere mortals, would take only what they needed to not raise too much suspicion and thus, they were mostly safe from that ancient magic, the humans had once used to enforce that kind of contract with their kinds. The gems and the spells. Knowledge long lost to human kind, but he remembered. He had been there, when the peace had been formed, the contract sealed. So, he was well aware, that humans could be dangerous.

Some, if only just few, hunters still existed. The ones closest to the ancestors of these humans. They could be dangerous to their kind. And, well.... No one could actually break a pact, sealed by their kind. Otherwise the humans would have gone extinct ages ago or enslaved as a food supply. But they all were bound by the rules. And, well, so they kept hidden and did not want to expose their existence to any potential hacker or cyber criminal. Not above the average level of plausible deniability.

Luckily in the past few decades many more things had become plausible and deniable for their kind. For all the supernatural. These, who could not completely pass as humans just a century ago could now roam the streets, without catching too much attention, body modifications to thank, that humans inflicted on themselves. And the blood drinking and obedience was not that unheard of any more... Well, at least one of his siblings used that new human trend to lure in even more victims using dating apps and such...

But enough thinking about the passing of time and ancient rules, he had two wolves to keep an eye on. And one of them was of particular interest to him...

He had gotten up, when the boy, Alex, had knocked on his door. Had shifted and opened, just to look at the nervous young man. He had told him to come with him, to his surprise. Had not expected him to want to roam the manor. Had lead him to the garden outside, telling him, that he had seen someone from the window the past two days before breakfast, had talked to them and now, that his father was not watching and Hob was protecting him, he wanted to actually see the person.

The person, it turned out, was a human. More or less. A drudge, he supposed, a human serving the vampires. At least it would explain, why the young dark skinned man was working in the light of the setting sun.

Alex approached him shyly, asking Hob, to stay a few steps behind, staying on guard, while he introduced himself cautiously.

The young man smiled at him brightly. His name was Paul, Hob learned, as he tried not to listen, while at the same time keeping an eye on the young wolf.

Thus he learned – against his will of course – that Paul was actually already twenty-eight, though he looked barely of age, thanks to the vampire blood that he regularly received. It made him age slower. And would prevent illness and make injuries heal faster. He had fallen off a ladder more than once and had been all healed within days. He was still a human, though, but in case he actually died, he would become a vampire. Hob decided to look into this some time later, because the effects of vampire blood seemed really interesting. Or maybe he would just ask Dream about it. After all, he had told him about werewolf stuff. Nothing secret or sacred, just basic stuff, but maybe this was basic vampire stuff, he did not know.

Alex and Paul actually warmed up to one another surprisingly fast. After a few hesitant sentences, they actually got a conversation going, both relaxing visibly. Alex told the drudge about his own age and how he grew up spending much time outside, that he loved gardens and forests and even complimented the gardener’s work.

They were... Getting along. Almost a miracle, considering the fear the young wolf had emitted during their whole stay. Until just a few minutes ago.

Hob decided to step further back, still paying attention to the boys, but retreating into the shadow of a tree. Now he was about ten metres away, close enough to strike within milliseconds, should this Paul guy decide to try something but far enough, so that he did no longer understand every word, when he concentrated on their gestures instead. He could tone it out. Somehow. At least he could tell himself this, because he felt like intruding and he hated intruding. Especially when he felt something fragile bloom between the two of them.

“Observing the pup?”, a deep, dark voice rasped right behind him. And his body instantly decided to shiver, instead of flinching, recognising the voice, before his consciousness did.

Unable to speak, he just nodded. Did not want to growl, knowing, Dream would mostly likely not understand, anyway. And he did not want to alert Alex, who was deep in conversation with the gardener boy.

“They seem to get along. The boy seemed so scared the whole time, and suddenly he is relaxed...”

Again, Hob nodded. Considering to shift further – in one direction or another – to actually have a conversation himself. Because as much as wolves were able to communicate with sounds and gestures, an actual chat was on a different level. That was probably why Alex had demanded to talk in human form.

“The two of you are alone, now. Will this unsettle you, or do you think  you both will be able to relax, now that there are no political obligations?”, the vampire wanted to know, standing right behind him. He could feel him, almost feel him. His presence made his fur tickle, where he not quite touched him.

On a whim, he decided for the more human option. The one that allowed him to continue to almost feel the vampire behind him. Simply because they were almost the same size that way. And he would continue to stand on two legs, not on four. Making him significantly smaller, than Dream.

“Dunno, actually... I mean, that’s still a political thing, isn’t it?”, he shrugged, voice just a whisper. If Alex paid attention, he would probably notice him speaking, but the boy was still focused on the gardener. And Dream seemed to have pretty sensitive ears, himself, so he would hear.

“You are just my guests now, no negotiations to be had, no duties to perform. My only obligation is to keep you comfortable and your only obligation is to stay on the Endless property, until the matter is solved...”

“This still sounds suspiciously like a hostage situation to me...”, Hob voiced his thoughts.

“You are not wrong. It is my duty though, to keep you save, to ensure no harm will happen to my sister on Burgess’ property...”

“Will you harm him? The boy, I mean...”

“I see no reason. I do not think, it would endanger my sister, if I mistreated him, but I see no reason, to attempt such a thing. This household got clear instructions on how to treat you two. No one will dare to disobey me. It was a direct order...”

“Like from a pack leader? I mean, wasn’t allowed to refuse, when the old man ordered me here. Had to take two weeks off for this, though I’d rather torture my students, than being tortured in a vampire’s nest. No offence!”

“I... Do not feel offended. But I do not think, you understand. You could not refuse, because of obligations. My subjects can not refuse, because it was an order. I hardly ever give orders to them, but when I do, they have to obey...”

“Mind control?”, Hob assumed. Cheap vampire tricks. He knew, that those could easily charm and manipulate humans, but he had not been aware, that this extended to other vampires, as well.

“Not quite. In a way. It is a perk of being this old. My family’s blood runs through all the vampires in one way or another, so we can... Ensure, certain rules are kept. I despise doing it this way, but it guarantees your safety...”

“What did you tell them?”, he asked. Cursing his own curiosity. Because... Was he allowed to ask a thing like that? Was he overstepping?

“The precise wording of my order was...”, Dream told him, suddenly leaning closer, towards his ear, whispering into it, making him shiver. “I said ‘Do not harm them on the Endless ground. Keep them safe and treat them with respect. They are our guests’... Is this... To your satisfaction, Hob Gadling?”

“Yesss....”, Hob breathed out. The vampire most likely did not need to breathe, yet he felt every word on his skin. Felt him so close. And fuck, this whole situation had no right to rile him up that much. He was definitely not some horny animal! Did not expect his rut for the next two moon cycles, and yet he found himself anticipating, wanting, desiring.

“Good... Be my guest, then...”, Dream told him and he was so very, very close.

Hob gave in to his instincts, to his desire, something carnal, he had not felt for a very long time. He tilted his head to the side, exposed his neck to the beast, to the probably sharp teeth. To Dream still standing oh so  close. He did not particularly want to submit, alpha that he still was, but he did want to offer himself. His blood, his neck. Not in a devote gesture, but... He wanted! 

“Hmm-m...”, he made, definitely wanting to be his guest in every possible way.

“Good boy....”, Dream whispered into his ear, so very, very close to his neck. But he did not care, until...

“Shit!”, he then heard Alex exclaim. All of a sudden. Panic in his voice and his eyes snapped open – he had not even realised, he had closed them – fixating on the boy.

“Master?”, Paul asked, unsure, what to say. Bowed to the vampire.

“I see, you have conversed with our guest, Paul? Pleasant to see, you are getting along. We need to treat our guests well, so they feel welcome in this house...”, Dream said, voice calm, still standing right behind him, like it was the most normal, common thing to do.

 But for some reason Hob could not quite put his finger on, he knew, his, his whatever, well, he could tell, that Dream was nervous. Troubled.

“Indeed, Master Dream!”, the dark tanned one smiled then. Encouraged in his behaviour. Full respect, but without fear.

“Like your father most likely has told you already, Alexander Burgess, you are free to roam the house and the property in whichever form you choose. You are free to speak to my kind and my affiliates. They are informed about your presence and will not harm you...”, Dream told the young wolf.

“I, err, well, yes. Thank you?”, Alex replied. Trying his best to sound polite and not just scared.

“Wanna go for a run, before dinner, maybe, Alex? I think Dream’s got stuff to do or so?”, Hob finally managed to get out, trying a smile. This. This would probably help him focus. Think of things that were not Dream’s fangs on him and his hard cock buried inside the pale body. A run in the woods would do wonders. Especially with someone as fast, as him.

“You sure?”, the boy asked, still looking like he rather wanted to be literally anywhere else. Far away from the vampire. It was so very obvious now – that his blood seemed to come back from his lower regions, making him able to think properly again – that Alex was scared of Dream.

“Yes, I mean, that fine with you?”, Hob asked, turning around to the vampire. Aiming for normal. Like nothing was going on between them and people just usually stood this close for small talk.

“I do not mind. You may feel comfortable. I will join the two of you for dinner, later...”, Dream replied, meeting his eyes with a hungry look that definitely did not imply anything but the wish to consume food, thank you very much! Hob swallowed. Fuck, he wanted him.

“Great. Just great!”, he smiled, distracting himself from these thoughts.

“I will take my leave, then. Feel free to roam the property...”

“Yes. Thanks....”, Hob breathed. Well, he at least hoped, he was not too obvious.

Dream stroked through his hair and took a deep not quite necessary breath. Back in his private chambers, he decided to call Lucienne, to distract himself. Because this thing was starting to become shockingly similar to an obsession. Hob Gadling was. He felt drawn to him, as soon as he felt his presence, smelled him, saw him. Could not help but step closer, approach, enwrap him in conversation. Feel him. He wanted his blood – though it had not even been a week, since he fed on him and there was more than enough blood in the house. He wanted to feel his hair, his fur. Wanted to entangle his fingers in his long hair and pull him in. Into a kiss.

No. He needed to snap out of this! This was not healthy! And so very unsuitable for his kind! For him! He was Dream of the Endless, not just any vampire! A fledgling, giving in to carnal desires. He was old! So very old! He did not need to feed every day! Leave alone desire!

“Milord, is everything alright?”, his most trusted subject answered his call.

“I, yes. I think so. How are things proceeding in the office?”, he asked. Distraction! This was a very welcome distraction!

“Well, since we are not running on a tight schedule, submitting the finished manuscript for the next book is only due in four months. I received your illustrations for the special edition of the recent one by now, and I must say, especially the cover design is as magnificent, as always. The readers will be pleased by Oneiros’ works, matching D. Morpheus’ texts so perfectly. We can go with this combination for the upcoming one, too, if you like it. Or will you change, once again?”, his editor, publisher, personal assistant, financial manager –  and probably many other functions she was fulfilling – explained to him.

“I... Can not say, yet. I must admit, I hardly found the time to work on it, in the past few days...”

“Ah, I see. How, how did it go? All according to plan?”

“I have sent a message to you, containing the detailed description of the current predicament. I... Find myself in quite an unexpected situation...”

“I see. Have not gotten my mail for the day, yet. I will check, immediately. Do I need to worry, Milord?”

“Not at all... Take your time, Lucienne. I... Will see, if I can find the inspiration for the novel. I... Have a feeling...”, he told her, not yet sure, what kind of feeling that was.

He had always written or drawn. Thought of stories of all kinds. Made up tales to entertain the humans, children and adults alike. Had drawn and painted and crafted ever since. Had been a more or less successful author since the Victorian age –  actually had been several hundred authors – until the present day, all publishing in a well established publishing company. Not a big one, a famous one, rather a niche one, but this granted him a steady supply of money without putting much effort into earning it.

Lucienne was in charge of making things real. In turning his thoughts, his visions into books, printing and selling and distributing them. She was putting up with whatever he gave her, while just as well managing his humaning. He had never been good at this, had been glad, when he had found her, when she had been there, dealing with all the troubles he did not like bothering with.

She had been a vampire long before she had become his, but had always lived amongst humans. Had loved their knowledge and their books. He had saved her from the brink of dying, from her burning library back in Alexandria and had shared his blood with her, binding her to him. Making her his loyal subject. But well, even without this, she would have been loyal, he was sure. He trusted her.

“That is great, Milord! I am looking forward to reading whatever you will come up with”, he could hear Lucienne smile through the phone.

“I... Am looking forward to things, too...”

<You’re not afraid, are you?>, Alex asked, after they had run together for a long while. Had played catch, the boy – now a dark brown, almost black wolf, significantly smaller than Hob himself – relaxing with every kilometre they had run together.

<Afraid?>, Hob asked, running a few metres behind him, not because he was slower, but to watch the boy’s back.

<Of the vampire. This Lord Dream. You’ve been chatting with him. Doesn’t he scare you?>, Alex wanted to know.

<He doesn’t. Scare me, I mean. Guess he’s powerful, but... If he wanted to harm us, he would have, already, right? Don’t think, he’d give a fuck, if he really hated us...>

<Sounds reasonable... But he’s still so very scary! Vampires are... Urgh...>

<They are different...>, Hob agreed.

Then Alex stopped. Turned around and looked at him. Sniffed.

<You are curious...>, he then accused the lone wolf.

<I... Won’t deny that... I mean, we’re here. Why not find out about them?>, the brown wolf admitted, seeing no point in straight out lying to the young one.

<I, I think I’m a little curious, too... I mean... Paul’s not, I mean, I liked talking to him. He was not even scary... Just a little, at first. But I’ve seen him in the garden, before and he had picked us up the first day and all. And, well... You think, we can really get to know them?>, Alex admitted.

<Well, what could go wrong?>, Hob asked and shrugged, as much as his wolf form allowed. A very human gesture, strange, performed by a wolf. But the boy nodded.

<Will you... Stay human, for dinner? I mean, I think, you’re better company like that. Not that you aren’t , when you’re half shifted, but well, hard to talk like that...>

<Might be considered a little impolite, if I showed up almost naked, I guess?>

<Did you bring clothes?>

<I did. Not like your father told me, what’s about to happen. Was just dragged along. The briefing in the car was the only thing I got, besides the letter summoning me...>

<Then, dress. You are fast at shifting. If we are attacked, you’ll be able to protect me, won’t you?>, the young wolf told him. And then, they went back to the manor and Hob did, as he was told. Took his human shape and got dressed, while Alex waited for him in his room.

Then he picked up the boy and they made their way downstairs, into the dining room. Alexander still seemed nervous, trying hard not to fidget, but a little less scared. For now.  Hob almost suspected, he felt a little more comfortable around his human form, for whatever reason.

When they entered the dining room, his gaze immediately found Dream’s. They looked at each other, completely ignoring the food that was being placed on the table, smelling delicious.

Alex made a small sound of delight, upon the smell of the food, but Hob only barely noticed it, because he was stared at, like he was about to become the main course plus dessert, and not in an unpleasant way. He very much liked the idea to be devoured by that slender, pale vampire. To have him slice his skin open and drink his blood, while he was buried deep inside him and… Oh, fuck, he needed to get it together! No more wild vampire sex fantasies! He knew, this was a thing some humans liked to imagine, but he was a proud wolf! And he had a pup standing next to him! Still almost a child! He had to watch over him, protect him and not by keeping this very sexy vampire busy.

“Gentlemen, there you are! We’ve been waiting!”, the vampire standing right behind Dream, to his right side, greeted them. “Looking more human, today?”, he then added, addressing Hob directly.

“Well, it’s easier to keep young Master Burgess’ company like this. Won’t keep me from striking, though, in case, you tried something…”, the now human shaped wolf replied with a grin. Showing his teeth – not sharp fangs, but more or less human shaped ones – not in a threatening way, but to make his point clear.

“I wouldn’t dare, if you didn’t provide a reason”, the vampire replied.

“Wouldn’t ever dream of this…”

“Mathew? I asked you to remain polite towards our guests….”, Dream interrupted their conversation. “Eat…”, he then ordered, directed at him and the boy.

So both of them nodded and examined the food on the table. Mostly meat, for obvious reasons, but also several cooked and fried vegetables. Whoever had cooked for them in the past few days, definitely knew, what wolves liked. Today, though, the meal seemed less opulent, though smelling no less delicious.

“Alexander, do you wish to eat in further company? I can arrange for Paul to join us, if you wish so, he should still be up around this time…”, Dream informed them, as they filled their plates. “He does consume food…”

“I…. What?”, Alex asked, like he had been called out, blinked and stared at Dream.

“I want you to feel comfortable during your stay. If talking to someone, not quite as undead, as us vampires, provides you comfort, you are allowed to demand this”, the vampire explained. “Mathew, can you fetch Paul?”

“The gardener, boss?”

“That one….”

The standing vampire nodded, then left his master’s side, to do as he was told, not leaving the young wolf with much options.

“You… Didn’t have to…”, Alex mumbled, looking at his full, but still untouched plate. Like he did not quite dare to touch his food.

“I am certain, your father will do anything to ensure, my sister feels comfortable in his home, so it is my duty to provide the same for my guests”, the vampire told him. “I do not wish to intimidate, nor threaten you, since I am interested in actual peace with your pack…”

“Hmm, yes, okay. My father would probably declare war, if you did anything…”

“We do not want a thing like that. I will not give a reason for a declaration of this kind...”

And then, Mathew returned, nervous and insecure looking gardener in tow. And Alex’ eyes fell on him, immediately, conversation with the vampire apparently forgotten. Hob observed this and could barely hide a smile. Remembered, back then, when he still had been a pup....

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Returning to his chambers in the bright daylight was as far from comfortable, as it could get, but it was manageable. He was well fed and warm and still felt his hole ache deliciously. Remains of the encounter still inside of him. So he ignored the unpleasant prickle the sun caused on his skin and walked through the hallway, into his private, dark chambers. He had not wanted to leave, but could not have stayed, either.

Briefly considering a shower, but then... He wanted to conserve the memory for just a little longer, so he just went straight to bed. Would clean his body, when he woke. For now, he just enjoyed the feeling. The way his body sang for him, telling the tale of what had happened. Of Hob’s touch.

He had never known a knot before, had taken his time to understand, what this was, but... It had not been unpleasant. Had filled him for more than half an hour, before Hob’s cock had started to deflate, slipping out of him. A unique experience, indeed. He could not deny, he would not mind, investigating this further. Going into that matter, deeper. Still wondering about the other, more wolfish features of the man...

The following nights were rather uneventful. Hob watched Alexander, who was spending most of his time with Paul. After he had recovered from the initial shock of waking up alone and sticky, he had gotten used to things. To Dream acting just so very normal in public, and then slipping into his room at the verge of morning to steal secret kisses and feed just a little, just for the pleasure of it while giving in to the carnal desires.

This.... Had turned into a routine faster, than he would ever have guessed. Had started feeling natural, while the moon became fuller with every night. He found himself waiting for the vampire every time he retreated to his room, delighted, when he heard the hint of a knock, just to pull him inside and into a kiss. He had no idea yet, what this was about to become, what this probably already had become, but he did not want it to stop! He did not want to let go of the vampire, shoving away the thoughts of what might happen, once they would return to their respective lifes.

He would enjoy it, as long as it lasted, giving in to the black-haired’s demands. Because, he liked it. Liked to make him feel good, to let him drink his blood and in return draw pleasure from him. Pleasure both of them.

“I… Received a message form you father, Alexander…”, Dream said one day, as the four of them sat at the dining table, with a wave towards Mathew, who was standing behind him, like every day. The vampire nodded and produced a sealed letter from somewhere – probably out of thin air, if Hob had to guess. Handed it to the boy, who seemed a little confused at first, but then took it.

He had been less scared with every passing day, now behaving almost comfortable around Dream, though not without watching the other vampires suspiciously. This, he did not seem to be able to help, but since aside from Mathew barely any other vampire made an appearance so far, Alex was mostly relaxed.

Hob really did not know, why the boy was so relaxed around Dream, but he would not dare to question it, since after all he was the one profiting from it. It allowed him to casually chat with the old vampire, while watching the pup and Paul from afar.

“Okay?”, Alex made, as he took the letter and broke the seal. Opened it and unfolded the thick and probably very expensive paper. Started reading. While all the others decidedly minded their own business. Paul, right next to Alex, silently eating his meal, focussing on his plate, while Hob was looking at Dream, trying to figure out, whether there was something, he knew.

It took the boy a few minutes to read through the letter, reread it, then fold it with a sigh.

“Could be worse…”, he concluded, before continuing with his meal.

“Could it?”, Hob could not hold back his curiosity, after he did not make any further attempt to elaborate.

“Hm?”, Alex made, blinking at him. Needing a moment, but then he seemed to figure, what he had meant. “Oh yeah, sorry!”

“No problem, so?”

“My father writes to me that the Lady Death has safely arrived and spend most of her nights with Randall, so far. But since my brother needs to take care of some nasty dryads, he’ll be absent for some days during the full moon. So my father informs me, that I’ll need to stay here for another week, until the negotiations regarding the union between werewolves and vampires have been settled properly, or so…”, Alex just shrugged, obviously not minding the fact, that he would spend more or less time alone in a vampire’s den.

“Really?”, Paul asked, face lighting up, looking at him.

“I suppose…”

“Then I can see you during full moon?”, the gardener wanted to know, excited.

“It’s not that impressive. I’ll just be forced to turn and probably be a little more wolfish an such…”, Alex mumbled, blushing under the attention. And not for the first time, Hob was certain, there was something going on. But who was he to call the boy out? He had this thing going on with Dream, so he would definitely keep quiet!

“I’d still like to see…”, Paul told him, still smiling at him.

“Fine, fine… I’ll show you…”

“Thank you!”

They all fell silent for a while. Started eating again, cutlery clattering against the plates, until Hob all of a sudden tensed.

“Fuck!”, he exclaimed.

“Pardon?”, Dream replied, one eyebrow raised, looking at him. Glass of blood still untouched in front of him. He had not drunk for a while, had fed on him instead, so him refusing the conserved blood was a gesture of intimacy for the wolf. To see, that he preferred his taste over convenient blood.

“I need to call university! My workplace. Told them, I’d be gone for two weeks, but when we’ll stretch this out, I’ll need to tell them, it’ll be another few days. And, well… Do you have proper internet access? Can’t deny my students their grades much longer…. I guess, I have at least two dozens of unread documents in my mailbox…”, the wolf explained his sudden panic. He had to admit, he had almost forgotten. Had just briefly checked his e-mails with the almost nonexistant Wi-Fi connection here in this rural area, unable to download the files attached to the mails.

Also, he hated reading on the phone screen. Usually used his laptop – that he of course had not brought – or printed things out to sit down with the red pen, marking things manually, but well… He had not expected three weeks, at all. Had not thought, he would still be here around full moon. But this was only two more nights away and well… Now that he thought about it… This meant, he would probably spent his full moon with Dream.

“I can arrange things for you. You may use my computer, in case the wireless connection will not work. Just inform your workplace and we will find ways… Will you need anything to feel comfortable, Alexander Burgess?”, Dream told him with the hint of a smile, then turned his attention to the boy.

“Oh, err, dunno. I’m actually quite fine. I like the library and just walking… Father does not approve of the modern things much…”, Alex explained. Which would explain a lot. Hob had not seen him on his phone even once, since they had been in the car days ago, so very unlike his students or the even younger ones. But when the old man did not like it, this would explain it…

“Do you even have a phone?”, he asked, before he could hold himself back. Maybe the half-wolf-form did have some advantages. It had made him keep his mouth shut. And sometimes that was better, because he was a mouthy little bitch, from time to time, could just not help it.

“I, err… No… We do have a landline at Fawney Rig and since I hardly leave…”

“You… You don’t know about smartphones?”, Paul asked, staring at him in disbelief, voicing, what he was thinking.

“I know! Phones have changed a lot in the last thirty years!”, Alex replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Glaring at the gardener.

“They have. But… Okay, I’ll go, grab mine, then. I’ll just show you, easier, than explaining. Master?”, Paul told him, shaking his head. Not as disbelieving as his students would be, but we’ll, the young man was probably used to vampires and their lack of modern knowledge. Hob did not know, could only assume.

“Yes?”, Dream replied, having observed the conversation with interest.

“May I be excused?”

“You are.”

“Great! Come?”, Paul replied, switching back from formal to cheerful, grinning at Alex. He got up and stretched out his hand. “C’mon!”

The boy took his hand and pulled him up. Then, just dragged him away, out of the room. Alex did not protest. Or look back. He just went with Paul. And then, was gone.

Only when the door closed behind them, Hob realised, that he was alone with Dream now – and Mathew. Not sure, whether he should follow, he just looked at his vampire.

“So, the boy is about to learn about modern technology?”, the black-haired summed up, what had just happened.

“Obviously. I mean, didn’t think, he wouldn’t know. I’m the old fashioned kind, but even I have all the usual devices and gadgets… Owning a smartphone for more than ten years now, though I don’t use it every day!”, he explained, proudly.

“So, you are civilised, then?”, Dream chuckled. Without any menace in his voice. His expression looked rather fond.

“I am. Even curl up in my flat during the moon, instead of roaming the streets, hunting for rats!”, Hob replied with a smile.

“You would… Hunt rats?”

“Urgh, haven’t had to in more than a century. They’re gross. I rather prefer hunting squirrels…”, he shivered visibly. Made a face of disgust.

“I can not agree, more. There have been times in the past, where I had to resume to drinking from rats in order to fight the thirst… Most other animals are preferable, though…”

“Oh, hell, yes! When have you last hunted? Been ages for me, they don’t like wolves in Hyde park…”, Hob asked with a laugh.

“Must have been the last new moon in a rather crowded area… The hunt was quite successful, I must say…”, the vampire straight out smirked. Looking him in the eyes.

And Hob could not help the blush rapidly spreading across his cheeks, as he realised, what kind of hunt that had been. And that he had been the prey in this. “Oh…”, he just made, caught off guard, because… He had not expected this kind of comment from the vampire.

“Mathew, will you leave us alone? In case, Mr. Burgess demands his guard back, send him to my office... I believe, you needed access to the internet, Hob Gadling?”

“I, err, yes!”

“As you wish, boss! But I won’t go, stalking the boy! I really don’t wanna know THAT!”, Mathew replied, shuddering. Then he walked over to the door. “G’night boss, doggy”, he called out, then he was gone. And Hob was alone with his vampire.

“You mentioned, you teach....”, Dream said, after a while. Into the not yet unpleasant silence. But they had not found the time to talk much, he had to admit. Either the boy had been around and they had mostly just stood there or he had left Hob alone, trying to focus on his novel – not very successfully, he had to admit – or they had been otherwise occupied.

“I do. For now only a substitute, because one of the prof’s been absent for over a year for some medical treatment, but they’ll probably hire me, once it’s certain, they won’t come back… Not that I want the prof to stay sick or so, don’t get me wrong!”, the wolf explained, raising his hands in defence.

“Of course. What do you teach?”, he asked, because he could not really imagine that man in a university. He had been to universities only a few decades ago – very impressive libraries most of the time – and well, a wolf in front of a class? This might be amusing…

“History. Not classic history-history, I mean, but medieval literature and stuff. All the way from early text to the beginning of the industrial revolution. I have three classes this semester, one lecture and two reading classes. I’m talking too much, aren’t I? Sorry…”

“No. It is… Nice, to hear you talking about your passion…”, he told him with the hint of a smile. Grabbed his wine glass filled with blood he had not touched all evening and tilted it slightly to watch the red substance coating the glass. Well, actually just to have something to occupy himself with.

“Is it? Should hear me talk about Kit Marlowe then. Brilliant fellow. Had just learned reading back then and somehow came across his plays, watched them and then read them. All his stuff actually, absolute genius!”

“Then I assume, you are just as passionate about Shakespeare?”

“Hell no! That cocky bastard can kiss my ass! Absolute wanker! My students are forbidden from handing in assignment about that disgusting playwright!”

“You have quite a strong opinion on him… Is this personal?”, Dream assumed. He himself had met with said playwright back in the 16th century and they had had a few pleasant exchanges. He might even have inspired a few stories of his, so this was… Unexpected.

“More or less. Met that Shaxbird once. He didn’t seem very bright. Hardly had any talent at all, so when those plays became popular, I was quite sure, he must have stolen them. Or something. The sonnets, fine, that’s him, but the plays? They’re absolutely not his style, at all….”

“This… Is interesting…”, Dream found, still playing with the glass.

“You think? Well… Dunno, it’s just when you’ve been there, you tend to see things differently. You, too… Right? You’ve seen things, too?”, the wolf asked, hopefully glancing over to him.

“Occasionally… I have not surrounded myself with humans constantly. They pass fast and I am not fond of creating vampires just to fill a gap…”

“Well, yes, true… Wouldn’t also. I’d never turn a human into a wolf just for that. I mean, those, who were born human won’t last that long anyway. Mostly not even two centuries. They grow old and die, like other humans, just slower….”

“Like our human servants…”

“The drudges?”

“Yes. We feed them with our blood and drink from them in exchange. It elongates their life, but does not grant them true immortality… If we do not decide to turn them completely when they are on the brink of dying, the process is very… Painful, though.  They mostly die or lose their mind. This is why I do not engage in those practices. I want no human to die, become a ghule or another vampire by my hand… I have done my fair share of cruelties in my younger years…”, he explained, because he wanted to. Wanted Hob to understand his kind, just like he wanted to learn about the wolves, catalogued and filed away every information the wolf had given him so far.

“I see… Same here, I think. I’ve turned people back then, but… Wouldn’t nowadays. It would feel like losing an actual member of my pack, not just some human acquaintance…”, Hob shrugged.

“You have lost your pack before?”, he assumed. Because that was the only logic conclusion. Hob was a loner, he had told him that, but he supposed, he had not always been. Things never came out of nowhere. Not in that long of a time. Hob must be older than four centuries, when he had met Marlowe. Just a fragment of his own age, but… Not quite human. Someone who understood eternity. Time. Better than any regular mortal.

“I… Have….”, Hob mumbled, biting his lower lip, gaze lowered. He sighed, then grabbed a glass of actual wine and downed it with one go. “Fuck! I need a real drink…”

“Will you come to my office, then? I might have a whiskey suiting your taste, and if you are willing, you could…”, Dream suggested. Because he was no stranger to feelings. Emotions. He was rather one to observe them happen in others or to write about them. Express them in paintings and statues. But he knew, he had hit a nerve with his question. And a drink seemed appropriate treatment, according to human etiquette.

“Great idea! Lead the way!”

So, he did. By now he had kept his visitors away from his private rooms, but he really enjoyed Hob’s company, so he wanted to elongate their time together. And make him feel comfortable, so he would eventually share his story.

“This is, where you live?”, Hob asked, walking behind him.

“Where I reside, when I am in this house. I rarely do, but we all have our private chambers and offices here.”

“You all? You’ve more siblings, right? I’m not very familiar with vampire history, sorry....”

“No need to apologise, Hob Gadling. Neither am I familiar with your history and traditions...”, he told him, leading him into his office not very impressive at all. Just a room with a big book shelf filled with most of his own works and illustrations, a massive wooden desk with a PC on it and a pile of paper with a pen on top. Some drafts, scrabbling and a few fast and messy drawings. Nothing impressive. “But you are free to teach me. I will tell you about my family in return. Please, use the PC freely as a guest...”, he added, pointing at the desk.

And as Hob nodded and followed his gesture, Dream moved over to the old – less than three hundred years actually – cabinet , where he kept spirits to entertain guests. He did not drink himself, because it neither had an effect on him, nor did it taste like anything but ashes... from a drunk victim instead.... Yes, this was a desirable experience... Maybe Hob would let him do this one time? Drinking from him, while he was completely inebriated, probably while he was riding him in bed... Hmm, yes, he would like that...

“Thinking quite loudly, duck...”, Hob smiled, while he waited for the computer to be ready. Obviously he had observed him just standing there, bottle of whiskey in hand, staring into nowhere in particular.  And he had the decency to blush.

“You are not able to read my thoughts!”, he told the wolf. Because he was certain, he could not. As a vampire he did have the power to plant thoughts inside other minds and if he wanted, he could use the same technique, Hob used in his wolf shape, but he never let anyone into his head, his mind. So the wolf could not have heard him! Could not know!

“No. But you just looked, like you were thinking of something naughty. Guess I hit the bull’s eye?”, Hob laughed, looking at him. He was amused. And not wrong.

“I... Found myself thinking of getting inebriated...”, he admitted, placing the bottle on the desk, in front of the wolf.

“Will you drink with me?”

“This will not work. I can consume food and beverages, but they will not have an effect and... Taste quite displeasing...”

“Then?”

“There is one way I am aware of to cause a state like that. At least for a short period of time...”

“Hm. Don’t tell me, you want to get me drunk and then feed on my blood mixed with alcohol?”, Hob guessed. Well, he was smart. Educated. He was a professor at university. Still, he had not expected him to just guess that good.

“That... Was my thought. You are smart, Hob Gadling...”

“Hmm, love you praising me, but sorry to disappoint you...”

“Disappoint?”

“I’m a wolf. A beast. My body’s made to fight all kinds of toxic substances. I need a lot to even get tipsy. Would be a waste of this very expensive booze...”

“I... Understand...”, Dream hummed. Nodded. This sounded interesting. With the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, he got the wolf a glass. Said wolf was apparently logging into his mail account, scrolling through what seemed to be a lot of mails.

“Fuck, I’ll never again demand them to read through the stuff alone and hand in essays instead of appearing for class... I’ll probably be occupied the next few days, if I really want to read all of it... Can I print the stuff?”

“You can. The printer is connected...”

“Great. I really need a drink. Sixty essays. Sometimes teaching’s just shite...”

“Help yourself... I assume, you will be occupied in the foreseeable future?”

“Not now. I’ll get into this tomorrow. Just print that shit and then I’m all yours, till Alex remembers my existence...”, Hob explained with a sigh, starting to print a lot of papers. Then he poured himself a glass.

“So... I can ask about you, more?”, the vampire asked, sitting down on his desk. Because that way he was close to the wolf. Could watch him directly. And while he very much wanted to occupy himself with drinking this delicious blood and maybe something more, he wanted to go back to the thing that had caught his attention before.

“Anythig. I just might not answer, though...”, Hob told him, taking a sip. Eyebrows raising as he tasted the beverage. Then he grabbed the bottle to check the label. “Pretty good. ‘n expensive...”

“Keeps standing around. Help yourself...”, Dream told him and waited, until he had taken another sip, before he breached the topic again. “You... Had a pack, once?”

Hob stiffened. Grip around the glass tightening. But... He did not get angry, did he? He was just silent, for a while. Tense. while the printer printed to its heart’s content. Obviously without possessing a heart.

Dream just waited. Maybe this was a ‘no answer’ question?

“I...”, the wolf made after a while.. swallowed audibly, gaze lowered. Focussing on the amber liquid in the glass. “I was part of my parents’ pack, when I was a pup, of course. But they were killed, just like my siblings. Wanted to stay by myself after that. Did for a while.. mostly amongst humans. Moved a lot every two or three decades. Had contact with other wolves. Hunted together in the old days, but never... Well, then I met a woman. She had been turned by one of our kind. Happens more often, than you might think. Had happened a lot back then. The young ones just don’t know, how to control themselves... Well, however... Told you, I was an alpha, right? She was technically an omega. With heats and all. Though she never behaved like your typical omega... She was strong. Bit bossy. Well, I didn’t mind.... Anyway, we had a family, beautiful boy. And then she got pregnant again. And... Well, death in child birth was a thing back then. Pup had died and taken her with her. After, I only had Robin. I mean, I knew, she was a former human, that it wouldn’t be forever, but... Was unexpected...”, Hob told him. Quietly.

He was sad, this Dream could see. Understand. He had lost often enough to know the feeling. But he did not dare to interrupt. So he just silently placed his hand on top of Hob’s. Waited.

“After, I was... Done with humans. With a lot of things.. Just wanted to be gone. To leave, not see all the happy people. Couples. But there was Robin, so I stuck around. But then, when he was barely fifty and still so very young,  he had gotten into some stupid fight with some humans and... Well, he did not survive it and I left, for good, I thought. Lived in the woods for quite a while, never once in human shape during that time and... That had hurt. So, yeah, no new pack for me. Lived in Burgess’ territory most of the time, so I could stay on my own. Just did him some favours. Helped newly turned ones to find his pack and get what they need, but... Well, just me, in the end...”

“You are... Lonely?”, Dream assumed in a very quiet voice. Like he was trying not to scare away a small animal. Which he usually never did, because he could just control them, so that they would come to him, when he wanted to drink from them. So he was not very practised, at all, unsure, what to do.

“Kinda... I mean, not anymore. Got friends. And the students don’t hate me. I love taking care of them and teaching them and giving advice and such, so... Hm... But well… They’re human....”, Hob finally sighed. Definitely unsure, what he wanted to say, at all.

“I... Think I can relate...”, Dream told him, catching his gaze, as he looked up hesitantly.

“You’re one of the oldest vampires. Guess, you’ve seen shit, too?”, Hob huffed sadly.

“My fair share…”, he sighed. “I will tell you, if you want that…”

“Not tonight. But If you’re willing top share, I’m gonna listen. Wanna know about you…”, the wolf told him, looking up, into his eyes. And Dream could not help it. He just leaned forward and  kissed him. Gently. Because… he had just had to, now that they were so close, anyway.

Hob was sweet. So damn sweet, it was almost unbearable. This feral beast was so tender and soft and caring. Did not just take, what he wanted, but waited for Dream to be willing. Did not ask straight out, for what he must want to know. No, he gave him time, after he shared his own apparently painful story.

This night, Dream did not drink from his neck. They just spent the time until Mathew interrupted them exchanging kisses, the vampire only just tasting the small drops of blood leaking from Hob’s tongue. He had willingly cut it for him, again. But it was enough for now. This thing that should never have started in the first place was becoming something deep. Something meaningful. Something… Dream could not quite name it, but then, he did not really want to think about it too much. Because when he thought about it, it would be fact. A real thing between a werewolf and a vampire. Like this, it was just… A fling. Something superficial.

Chapter Text

“Tomorrow night, the moon will be full…”, Alex mumbled, looking at the setting sun. They were eating their breakfast together on the terrace of the manor, while Hob was grading papers. Paul had told him about this spot, about the beautiful sunset they could witness from here, overlooking the gardens and the trees in the distance.

But the gardener was absent for now. As far as Hob knew, he was still asleep. Alex had told him, that they had chatted all night until the dark skinned man had almost fallen asleep against his shoulder. And well… He had the rising suspicion, that the man might be exhausted from engaging with a wolf, but he would not judge or try to find out what exactly was going on between wolf and not-quite-human, without explicit consent from Alex.

“I’ll ask Dream, whether they can prepare some more wolf-fitting meals. Or maybe we can go hunting in the woods. I’ve spotted deer before. Don’t think, they’ll mind…”, Hob suggested. Because during full moon they would not be able to return to completely human shape during the nights and would be pretty exhausted during the days.

He had always hated his lectures, work days in general, on full moon days, in the past two years and before, had tried his best to stay away from  people while tired. Sleeping away most of the days. Well, that was pretty much, what they currently did.

He was not too eager to return to his regular sleeping schedule after those weeks with the vampires, following his more natural habits. Human society surely did not fit the natural rhythms of wolves. Not in modern society, at least, back then, in the old days, things were easier. Especially when one was pretending to be a hunter or similar occupations that did not require to rise with the sun.

“Great idea!”, Alex grinned, chewing on his beans. Looked at him. “You’re close with him, right?”, he then guessed.

“Well… We get along…”, he admitted. Because he could hardly deny it.

“You sure talk a lot, when I’m with Paul…”

“Yes….?”

“So… Are you… I mean… Do you ever consider…?”, Alex asked, still holding his fork, staring down at his meal, blushing fiercely.

“Yes?”, Hob wanted to know, not exactly knowing, where this was going. He was mentally preparing himself for the birds and bees talk, not sure what Burgess had taught his son. Was not the first time he had had this. Sometimes even his students come to his office, asking for advice. Not really actual dating advice, but sometimes situations had just ended up like that.

“Well… Seems, like you… Get along…”

“Like I said…”

“Could you… Imagine being like… I mean, being really close?”

“Are you asking me, whether I want to fuck him?”, Hob asked directly. Not sure, whether he wanted to be honest, but the boy was… Well, he seemed quite shy about it.

Alex blushed even further, fork clattering onto the plate. He did not answer, just pressed his lips together.

“Would you do it with Paul?”, Hob redirected the question.

“I… Well…”, Alex made, definitely barely able to form words.

“Shall we put our cards on the table, then, or shall we leave it be?”

There war silence for a while. But then, when he did not actually expect any form of answer, he got surprised.

“I, I might have… I kissed him…”, the boy blurted out. Shrinking together, like he had just admitted a major crime.

“Oh, really? And? Did you like it?”, Hob wanted to know with a grin. Encouragingly.

Alex just nodded, still staring down, at his beans. But they did not seem to react to his attempts to become one with them.

“Have you ever… I mean… You’re not a virgin, are you?”

“I… Am an omega…”

“Which could mean either…”

“Omegas are not supposed to be… Promiscuitive…”, Alex mumbled.

“Oh… Well, have you at least kissed before?”

“Once… Got  sacked for a year… Would not recommend trying that when my father might get to know this…”

“Guess, you don’t think, I’d tell the old man…”

“I’d be screwed. But you won’t. You’re friendly with the vampire…”

“You’re right. I won’t. So, you’re still trusting me…?”

“You are nice, Rob. I, I think, I can tell you all the stuff…”

“All the stuff?”

“Well… Yeah, I… I was thinking of… You’ve done it with men, haven’t you?”, Alex muttered, still not looking at him. Still beet red.

“So it really is the birds and the bees?”

“What?!”, the boy made, looking up for the first time. Confused and flustered.

“The birds and the bees”, Hob repeated. But this did not seem to ring a bell.

Alex just stared at him.

“The Talk. About things. Sex. Guess you never had that?”,  Hob sighed and shook his head, as he still saw the lack of understanding on Alex’ face.

“I... Know how pups are made. And that I, as a male omega, will not have any, but just have to please my alpha, once he is chosen for me. And the alpha then will have pups with betas or other omegas in the pack and stuff...”, the boy explained.

“Yes, yes. That’s pack dynamics stuff. But I mean the actual sex part. Has anyone ever explained that to you?”, he wanted to know shoving away how cruel that sounded. He really despised those pack dynamics...

“I... Was allowed a TV in my room...”

“So I guess, you’ve seen those soft porn movies they were airing few years ago? Any gay stuff?”, Hob asked, going for constructive, seeing what he was working with, here. Because, what else could he do?

“Girls doing... Stuff. But... I mean, I have an idea how to use my mouth, as long as I don’t have the wolf’s teeth!”

“Okay, that’s a start. So you know the theory of blowjobs. Good. Guess, you also know how to touch a dick?”

“I... Yes..”, the boy nodded. Well, yes, no, man. He was definitely older than a century, so definitely a man. Hell, even his small Robin had had his tumbles with his barely fifty years of age back then! Before he... Well, before he could not, any longer.

“Good. Guess, you haven’t touched any, but your own?”, Hob guessed further.

“I, err, I might....”, Alex mumbled, now even redder than before. And his face was telling it all. Making it oh so easy for Hob to guess.

“You like Paul’s company quite a lot, hm? Have you two maybe gotten further, than kissing?”

“Something like... Mean, haven’t really touched much, before I... ‘ve just come in my pants and he’d done it himself, after, because I was a little out. Couldn’t do much, but just watch and... Doesn’t count, I guess?”, Alex mumbled, barely louder than a whisper. But Hob understood. Nodded.

“Oh, I think that very much counts. Felt good, right?”, he smiled encouragingly.

And Alex nodded.

“So, you wanna work on the finesse a little, or a lot, hm?”, Hob winked, smile turning his face as friendly as possible. He did really want to help the boy and not be a threat.

“I... I’ll be a wolf tomorrow night. At least partly. And he said, he’s curious about it. I’ve never, I mean... I have no idea about the human stuff and I don’t think, he’s compatible with the wolf thingy... Is he?”

Oh, that sounded interesting, kinky, but who was he, to shame anyone?

“Technically, no. Not suited for this, but still not impossible you see? There are people out there, who are into all kinds of things. Maybe he’s just fascinated in general. But maybe he wants to actually fuck you in wolf shape? I can’t tell. But you could ask. Can be worked out, you see? You just need to properly communicate it. Maybe he’ll show you, what he wants and when you want it too – and only then – the two of you could have some fun together!”

“Only then?”, Alex asked, insecure.

“Ever heard of consent, pup?”

“Things are easier, when I don’t struggle....”

“No. Nonononono! This is the most wrong thing, I’ve ever heard. I mean, yes, it DOES hurt less, but you don’t want things to hurt at all. Or feel uncomfortable. You should actually want things. Both of you. And if you want the same things, then that’s great. You can find compromises to a certain extent, but when it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it!”, Hob lectured. Because this was a very important lesson. And he really needed the boy to understand! He did not have to learn the hard way! Fuck, what had Burgess taught the child? Obviously nothing at all! And all the wrong things! This was awful!

“Oh, I, I see...”, Alex mumbled, a little intimidated by Hob’s passionate speech.

“That’s really important, Alex. You never need to do anything that you don’t want. It’s always okay, to say ‘stop’, when you’re unsure. And even if you agreed and something changes, it’s fine to just say so. Do you understand that?”, Hob asked, looking him in the eyes.

“I, I think so?”

“I hope. Because that’s really important. We might be wolves, but we’re not wild animals. You can do all kinds of rough shit, if you like that, but you need to make sure, everyone involved is fine. So? You got questions? You can ask anything. I’ll answer honestly and try to explain as good, as I can. No need to be shy!”, he directed the serious topic to a little lighter aspect in which Alex could participate more actively.

“Yes. Okay. I... I don’t know anything at all. I mean, I figured, where the dick goes, but... Does it just work like that?”, the boy dared to ask, after he had organised his thoughts. At least  he interpreted the pause as such.

“Nah, not at all. It doesn’t just go in. Even with women, you often need to slick things up. When you do anal, you definitely need lube or oil or anything. And with most people, you just can’t put that dick inside without proper preparation. Or... Wait. Let’s start from there... Do you see yourself rather at the giving or the receiving end?”, he wanted to confirm.

“I’m an omega...”

“And I’m an alpha. Doesn’t keep me from taking a dick every now and then...”, he shrugged. “So, what do you want?”

“I... I never questioned that, actually...”

“I see. So, receiving?”, he guessed.

“I think, yes....”, the tomato, aka Alex Burgess, confirmed.

“Good, then I’d really recommend trying to do some stretching yourself. Not that I think, Paul’s not competent, but just so you know, what you’re expecting. Maybe you don’t like it, at all. It’s not for everyone. Some human couples never do it like that and are happy together. But if you like it and want to do it with Paul, then lube up properly and enjoy yourselves....”, Hob explained with another shrug.

“I see... Does it... Hurt?”

“When you do it properly, just a little. At the beginning. Then it gets really good. There’s this spot inside, that makes you feel very good...”, he winked. Yes, he could educate the boy about the prostate and all the medical stuff he had learned about it, so far, but that would not help the matter. It felt good and that was, what Alex needed to know.

“And... You’ve done that? Both ways?”, the young wolf asked.

“Yes. Though I have a slight preference...”

“May I.... Ah, forget it...”

“You wanna know? It’s not a secret. I’m comfortable with topping. Like fucking others, but every now and then, it’s just nice to let go. Not that easy, though. For me, it’s a trust thing...”

“I... I trust Paul, though he’s almost a vampire and such... I mean... Not a wolf, definitely! And not a human, either...”, Alex admitted, as if that was a bad thing. Well, okay, it probably was, when raised by that old man...

“Good. Very good! Don’t worry, that’s between you and me”, Hob assured him with another bright smile. And before Alex, could reply, they both heard footsteps approaching. And then, Paul joined them with a yawn. The boy wordlessly shoved the remains of his breakfast over to him and pulled a chair back, so he could sit next to him. Only just a little bit flustered. Hob hoped, the it little talk had helped him.

“You are good at talking to young ones...”, Dream shared his observation after they had had dinner all together. His gardener and the wolf boy had excused themselves and thus, left the two of them alone. He had dismissed Mathew for the day, not in need of a shadow, following him around tonight. 

“So, did you happen to eavesdrop on my conversation with Alex?”, the werewolf wanted to know, not seeming offended.

They had retreated to Dream’s office, so that said wolf could continue to grade his students’ papers, filling in grades on the PC. He had insisted, after the brunette had mentioned that he had called work and told them about the situation, a family emergency that was keeping him away from the university for another week.

“I prefer to be informed on everything that happens in my house...”

“You said, this isn’t technically your house. You’re not living here!”, Hob called him out, gaze focussed on the stack of papers in front of him, playing with the pen, instead of actually reading. Dream could tell, because his eyes were not moving over the lines of text.

“This is true. But I am currently residing here, so I want to be aware of my surroundings...”

“Fair. So? Did you like, what you heard?”

“I... Found myself fascinated by your little speech. You really are good with the young...”

“I’m teaching. What do you think? Can’t be a good prof, if I can’t give actual advice...”

“This… Sounds reasonable…”

“So… You approve of Alex and Paul?”, Hob asked, still looking at the sheet in front of him, but now actually marking something with his pen.

“Paul is a servant of this house, not my property. I might be able to give orders, but I do not wish to restrain him from fulfilling his wants and needs…”

“So you don’t mind?”

“Even I can see, they get along. Mathew suspected, they already had consummated their… Relationship days ago…”

“He’s your typical butler, isn’t he? Quiet and knowing it all?”, Hob huffed, obviously amused.

“Quiet?”, Dream repeated, just as amused, because he had known that vampire for quite some time now. “He is hardly capable of keeping his mouth shut. But he is responsible. I have him watch this house, most of the time, when he is not helping my assistant”, he then explained, out of a whim. Because… He wanted to share. As Hob had shared about his life.

“Your assistant… What do you do?”, the wolf asked, looking up. “Sorry, I just realised, I never asked…”

“I… Prefer to lead a rather private life. I am not used to sharing such information”, Dream told him, realising, while talking, that he did not mind. Not at all. How strange…

“Oh, well, yeah, didn’t even want to give a name. Sorry…”, the brunette said, immediately getting defensive.

“It is… Acceptable, to ask. I will tell you some things…”

“Great!”, the wolf smiled at him, as soon as he had finished his sentence. Bright, as the sun, but  in a positive way. Maybe the moon. Yes, the light of the moon was a better comparison. Did not feel as unpleasant on his skin.

“I am… An author. I have been writing stories, as long as I remember, and my assistant is publishing my works since… Since it had been ‘a thing’, as she calls it…”, he explained, belatedly, gesturing to the large bookshelf that held his own works. At least most of the ones he had bothered to keep copies of. Some had been lost over time.

“You write?”, Hob asked, all exited and got up. Walked over to the shelf and gleamed at the backs of the books. “All yours?”

“Yes…”

“I know some! Always thought, the authors were quite alike… So that’s all you? Amazing! You paint and write and… You’re amazing!”

“You flatter me…”

“I’m all serious here! I loved ‘Garden of thorns’ back in the twenties! And ‘Metamorphoses of dreams’ saved me from some serious boredom in the eighties! And, and… Is that really ‘Fireflies’? I just recommended it to one of my students for his thesis! You are… Fuck, I can’t believe, I’m meeting my favourite authors. Author!”, Hob grinned, all exited, eyes wide. And… he looked beautiful. Like a child in a toy store, just… More sexy. Much more sexy.

Especially, as he turned back to him and wrapped his large, hairy arms around him, pulled him into a hug. Pressed him against his chest. Nose rubbing against his hair, sniffing him.

“You’re amazing!”, he repeated. Buried his nose in his hair. And Dream felt… Well, a human’s bones would probably be in danger of crushing under the pressure, but he was not human at all, so he just felt held and… He would not mind this kind of close contact with less clothing. It made him… Hob’s neck was close, he could smell his blood. He just needed to turn his head, tilt it, open his mouth and sink his teeth in. He had not feasted on him tonight. Had grown used to tasting him, to the unique flavour of his blood.

He felt himself shiver, growing hard in his trousers. Against Hob’s firm body. Hunger raising inside him. His thoughts were wandering without his consent, but he did not mind. Quite the opposite. Made a small sound, a mixture of surprise and mild discomfort caused by the sudden tightness of his trousers.

“Oh, sorry, I… Too much?”, Hob asked, letting go immediately, stepping back, like he had burnt himself.

“No… Not at all…”, Dream sighed. All of a sudden free. Which was not at all, what he wanted. And moved forwards, back against the currently  man-shaped wolf. Pressed his lips against his and hummed, as he opened up after a moment of shock. Let his tongue slide inside the hot, wet mouth to taste him, to feel his warmth. Because that was, what he wanted. More of that warmth, that firm body, the arms now again wrapping around him, holding him!

“Fuck, Dream…”, Hob moaned into the kiss and pushed his tongue back with his own, into his mouth, taking control of the kiss in the most delicious way, made him sigh. And as the sweetest thing, the rich aroma of his blood flooded his mouth, Dream could not help, but went completely limb in his arms. Only pressing closer, suckling at his tongue.

<Delicious...>, he commented, because his mouth was very occupied right now and he definitely did not want to let go, right now.

Immediately he felt Hob’s body tense in surprise, but neither did the man pull back, nor shove him away. He was wondering. What was surprising him?

“You...”, the brunette tried to phrase, but could not quite use his tongue. And Dream wanted to keep it, taste the sweet blood, enjoy himself just a little bit more.

<You taste so very good... I do not wish to let go, yet... But if you are amenable, you can enjoy yourself...>, Dream expressed his wishes, still do very occupied with his tongue, with the teeny tiny drops of blood. The delicious flavour, the arousal flaring in his guts, at the taste. Well, it had aroused him before, but he almost suspected a pavlovian response on his side, by now. To the blood. And probably to Hob’s proximity in general. Because he very much desired him. Wanted him. Not only the sweet blood, but the whole man. And his prick inside of him.

“You co-hrollin my mind?”, Hob wanted to know, not pulling back the tongue. Not letting go of him, still embracing him tight. But he seemed… Put off.

<Your mind?...>, he asked, but then it dawned on him. <Ah, I see now. I have been using my silent voice. Pardon my intrusion!>

“’ss fine…”, Hob tried to phrase, but could not, so Dream reluctantly let go, in order to allow him to speak properly. Swallowed the last delicious drops of blood, taste still lingering on his tongue.

“Delicious…”, he whispered, now again using his voice. He really had not noticed, was so occupied with the taste and the proximity. Was actually still quite busy with enjoying the arousing touch…

“Fuck, didn’t know, you could literally get into my head…”, Hob gasped, a little out of breath, but then licked his lips, pulled back a little, so he could actually look at his face. And fuck, the wolf’s face was beautiful.

“I did not plan to…”

“It’s fine. Just surprised, since… I can only do that as a wolf…”

“I am capable of doing it, I just… Refrain from using the ability, when I can use my mouth without any disadvantage…. You do not let people know what you are able to do. It will make them able to guess your strength and spot your weakness…”, Dream explained, letting his nails scratch over Hob’s back. Not to harm, just because he wanted to pet him.

“Hmmm...”, the wolf hummed at the attention. “So you don’t want me to know your strength?”

“Oh, I would not mind, letting you know… It is a habit of mine…”, he explained his furry lover and then, with a smirked added “Would you like to get to know, what I am capable of?”

“Fuck, Dream….”, Hob replied in a low voice, almost a growl. “Yes, definitely, I… Fuck…”

That was a good sign, Dream found. A very good sign. He wanted that wolf. Desired him. And he would not mind, using a bit of force, if he wanted him to. After all, he had heard interesting things earlier that day…

“Then, let me show you my private rooms… I suppose, you have not yet explored them…”

Chapter Text

The room still smelled like Dream. Like sex. Like their scents intermingling. He breathed in and out slowly, barely able to hide a satisfied grin. He had no idea, what Alex was doing and could not care less, sure the other wolf was safe with Paul. He himself had been quite busy in the past few hours, getting to know his vampire better. Learning how strong he was and that he was not only a passionate, greedy bottom, but a skill full, trustworthy top, just as well. And maybe, just maybe Hob had a little problem. He was beginning to see that now. He was… Maybe he had fallen, just a little. Well, whom was he kidding? He had fallen hard and fast, like he always did. Like he had not in centuries. For good reasons.

But… This thing was starting to get addictive. The sex, the proximity, even the talks they had – hell, Dream was pretty much all of his favourite authors! – and the blood drinking, just as well… The strange feeling of Dream’s teeth piercing his skin, the spinning sensation of him sucking at the wound. He never had an orgasm this intense in his long life, only maybe comparable to an especially fulfilling rut with a mate, and now he… He had this every night. This was getting dangerous. So very dangerous.

He was a little afraid of tomorrow. Of the full moon. Of him experiencing things even more intense, him being even more wolfish, more animalistic… If, if Dream even wanted, that meant. He did not know. Had not talked with him about that matter. In detail. About him being a wolf, unable to shift back into fully human form.

“Will you… Want to run, tomorrow?”, the vampire asked, as he rested his head against Hob’s shoulder. Fingers stroking over his chest, through his dark chest hair. Dream seemed to like his hair. A lot.

“Hm?”, he made.

“When you are a wolf. Would you like to run? The property is large and you enjoyed it before…”, the black-haired mumbled.

“I… Have not run during full moon for a while…”, he admitted, realising that yes, he very much wanted to run. Stretch his limbs properly, just exhaust himself. He did not need to, was very comfortable with just curling into a ball of fur on his living room sofa and wait it out. But… His instincts did like the idea…

“I… Would like to accompany you, if….”

“Yes! Please! Oh, yes, come with me!”, he interrupted him, all of a sudden very excited. He was certain, if he were in his more wolfish shape, his tail would be wiggling.

“Good. And then…”, the vampire smiled, drawing circles on his chest with his index fingers, observing, what he was doing.

“Then?”, he asked his lover. Swallowed. Yes, Dream was technically his lover. At least at the moment. In their current predicament. And he liked the thought. Had that just been Dream acting suggestively?

“Then I would like to get to know the more primal side of you…”

“Fuuuck…”, he growled, as he understood the meaning of those sweet words. Of what Dream was implying. “You sure, you want that….?”, he still wanted to confirm, because his spent dick twitched in response. Very interested, despite the exhausting activities from before.

“I want to feel that wolf... I... Have fantasised about your prick in that half shifted form for a while… And… I am interested in trying new things…”

“So you wanna fuck me in my half shifted form?”, he breathed out. Fuck ,had not expected it to sound that hot, to make his brain race like that. “You wanna ride my dick, when it’s as thick as your forearm and I’m probably unable to hold back? You sure, you can take that?”

“I can. I would want that quite badly…”, Dream told him, breathing in and out. Hob was aware by now, that he hardly did that, that he did not need to. Which made this even more... Arousing.

“I… Wouldn’t mind. But I’m not sure, if you can drink my blood properly, when we… I mean, the proportions’ll  be a bit different”

“Then I will not! I do not have to feed every night...”

“Fuck, Dream! Don’t just say stuff like that!”, he groaned out loud. His dick was definitely taking interest in their conversation, again. Which was dangerous. Because he had no idea, how much blood was left in his body and whether he would just faint, forcing Dream to ride him, while he would not be able to do anything at all... Not good, definitely not good. He should really not fantasise about this!

“You... Have lost a considerable amount of blood...”, Dream told him, hand still combing through his thick chest hair. But now raising his head, looking at him directly.

“I have... Not regretting a minute, though!”, Hob assured him with a grin. But he was probably a little pale, now that he was calming, high of his orgasm slowly fading.

“I will not feel hungry tomorrow... I just want your prick inside of me, after a long run... Maybe we will play catch? I have not done that in a long while...”, the vampire suggested.

“Fuck, Dream, you’re way too hot...”, he sighed and moved his head, towards him, to kiss him. Because he liked kissing the vampire. The now warm vampire. His blood was coursing through his vanes now, making him feel almost human. Almost.

Dream understood his attempt, leaned in and sealed his lips with his. A tame, slow kiss. Because Hob might be a little bit nauseous right now. Nothing a good day’s sleep would not cure, but for now, he was tired. Drained. In every possible way. Had been properly fucked, still felt his hole aching just a bit. It had bee n so long and he had been greedy. Had let him enter him without much preparation at all. And he loved it. All of it. The whole package.

He rose early that evening. The sun was still up, he could feel it, though the blinds were closed. Yet, he felt restless. Not in a bad way. It was rather… Anticipation. In a few hours the moon would rise and Hob Gadling would shift. Would become more wolf, than man. Would run with him. Would…

He got dressed. Put on his light, black coat, as always going for the dark clothing. Then he walked over, into his office. Turned on his computer and opened the document he should be currently working on. The outlay of his new novel. The character designs. Ignoring the fact that the man whom he had described thoroughly on fife pages, resembled a certain wolf a little too much. Maybe this would not only be a fantastic novel, but one of these recently more popular erotic novels, after all… It was a popular trope and he was… Interested. At least a little. Not too certain, yet. But he saw the story unfolding in his mind, right in front of him, yet did not dare to just start. Had not found a good starting point, yet. Would not want to begin this in a loud, smelly night club in London, no idea, where all of this would lead. If… If there even was a story to be told. Maybe, there was nothing to tell, at all. Nothing to pursue.

Yet, he felt the itch in his fingers, the urge to write, to engrave the words into stone – well, to type them into the keyboard and manifest them on the screen, but that was just a minor change of device, so neglectable.

He concentrated on what he wanted to say, made a few more notes, but… Did not start, yet. And then, as he felt the sun setting, he gave up. Prepared himself properly for what was about to happen this night, because he was impatient, could barely stop himself from fidgeting, as the time passed way too slowly. Then he left his private chambers to meet with the wolves. With Hob Gadling. Ignoring his current condition, because he needed patience.

The human, Paul, had already joined them, sitting beside the Burgess boy, on the terrace, leftovers of their breakfast still on the table. Dream could not completely hide a small smile, seeing his wolf laugh out loud at something the boy said. So cheerful and honest. Beautiful.

Hob turned his head, spotted him, caught him sill smiling, as he was grinning widely himself and waved at him.

“You are… Enjoying yourselves…?”, Dream greeted them, stepping closer.

“As long as I still have lips, I might as well use them. Doesn’t that hurt?”, his wolf asked, now that he was standing outside, last rays of the setting sun falling on him.

“Hm? That? Oh, it itches. But I am fine… I… Wanted to see you in human shape, before…”, the vampire told him, looking at the back of his hand, that was almost glowing golden in the sun. moved his fingers curiously. No, he did not particularly like the feeling, but it did not hurt much. Just inconvenient.

“Great! Love that! Alex, mind, if I, err, take a walk with Dream?”, Hob grinned, then turned towards the boy. Being as obvious, as one could be. So very far from subtle. But Alex did not seem to mind. Just returned the smile and nodded.

“I think, I’m fine in Paul’s company…”, he mumbled.

“We’ll probably roam the fields a bit? Of course, we won’t leave the property, Milord!”, Paul added with an eager nod.

“You are free to explore, Paul. But I may remind you, that your stamina is still mostly that of a mere human…”

“I know, Milord!”

“So, wanna go for a walk? Sorry, I’m a little giddy and all. Can feel the moon already!”, Hob grinned widely. And Dream nodded.

At first they walked. Talked. And kissed between the trees of the forest, then the sun was completely gone and Hob lost his ability to form coherent sentences. Luckily they had discussed their plans so far, so they were on the same page. Of course he could just communicate in his mind, but the moon usually got him all excited, so he had a bit of trouble keeping up basic human traits.

After he had shifted, Dream increased his speed, so they could run together. Literally run.  The vampire was just as fast as him, probably even faster, if he wanted to. But right now, he wanted to run with him, not outrun him.

After about an hour, Hob decided to hunt. Because he was getting hungry and Dream had allowed it. After chasing a few rabbits without actually trying to hunt them down, he sniffed the air, finding the scent of a doe. A lone one, away from its herd. And he growled. Searched for the vampire with his eyes.

>You found your prey?<, the black-haired asked inside his mind, currently crouching on a branch right above his head.

The wolf nodded. He was clearer now. Technically able to reply, but it was not necessary. They understood each other without.

Hob approached his prey soundlessly. Dream following. He could see it in the dark, standing close by a tree on a clearing. Sniffed the air to confirm, the young doe was really alone. And then he attacked. Killed fast and efficiently. Feasted on the flesh, while the vampire watched him.

>Beautiful...<, he heard him whisper in his mind, as he let his instincts take over. Covered in the doe’s blood, as he feasted on it. Had not, for so long. Had not hunted, eaten fresh meat in years! So the rich taste flooded his mouth, his mind. So delicious! So full of flavour!

There was absolutely nothing wrong with meat fresh from the butcher, but this was entirely different. This was the real thing! Probably like fresh blood for Dream. He had mentioned, it tasted best right from the source and now, Hob understood.

When he was done, his vampire glared at him, licking his lips. Obviously hungry. But withstood the urge and instead lead him to a small creek, where he could just jump into, cleaning his fur.

>How are you feeling, now?<, Dream asked, as he shook, to get the water out of his thick, brown coat.

>Better. Haven’t done that in ages… I actually missed it. I mean, you don’t just walk the park in wolf shape, hunting squirrels. That worked a century ago, but not today...<, he admitted, stretching his muscles, then shook his head again.

>That was… Endearing. Watching you… I do not have words, to describe it...<, Dream told him, biting his lower lip.

>Aren’t you an author? Quite unexpected, to see you lacking words… So? It was hot, I guess?>, Hob assumed, baring his teeth. Sniffing the air. Now, that there was no more heavy smell of blood on him, he could focus on the vampire’s unique scent. Smell what he would undeniably describe as arousal.

>Hot… Sounds so primitive...<

>It’s carnal desires. Of course it’s not eloquent. Or would you like me to phrase it more beautifully? Like...<, Hob made, taking a few steps towards him, still wet. Slowly, cautiously, like he was circling his prey, holding eye contact.

>Like?<, Dream asked, not moving. Just standing still.

>Like telling you, the view made you stand still, awestruck. Unable to believe the power and elegance in my movements, the sheer force behind my attack. You loved to watch me hunt and kill, it got you aroused, didn’t it? I can see you react, I can smell your lust, my darling vampire. It got you all hot and wanting, right?<, he whispered into the vampire’s mind. Sniffing the air, smelling his arousal.

>It was… Indeed charming, watching you hunt...<, the black-haired replied, tip of his tongue sliding across his lower lip.

>So? Will you let me...<, the wolf asked, lowering his upper body, as if getting ready to jump, to slay his prey. >Hunt you?<

>Try me...<, was the vampire’s reply, and a sweet smile hushed over his features. Then, Hob attacked. And Dream fled. Now they were playing a new game. A different kind of hunt. One with a prey that was very much capable of defending himself. But still chose to be chased. To be hunted down by the big bad wolf.

And after a while, after chasing and being chased, finally Hob managed to bring the vampire under him. Maybe because Dream let him. But that was a minor detail. So, in the end, he was pressing him down, onto the forest floor growling in a low voice, showing his sharp teeth.

“You caught me, wolf…”, Dream told him, not able, to hide a smile, hide the gleam in his eyes, the lust.

>And now I’ll devour my prey...<, Hob told him, opening his mouth. In this form he could not lick his lips, like he would do, as a human, but he did not need to. Dream’s eyes focussed on his tongue and fangs and that was enough.

And then the vampire went lax under him. Exposed his neck, and Hob lowered his snout. Sniffed his neck, then bared his teeth, once again. Opened his mouth wide and pressed them against the pale, cold skin. With only one bite, he could rip him apart. Could tear open his neck, decapitate him without any effort. He had won this game. Their little hunt. And Dream was submitting to him. Baring his throat. And this was doing a lot for him.

“Do me....”, the vampire whispered, licked his lips.

And Hob felt his body react to the words immediately. The adrenaline from the hunt, the feeling of the body under him, the thrill of having overpowered his prey, all together with these words made him shiver. Made his dick swell, as if on command. Extend. Leave its sheath. Rub against the fabric of Dream’s clothes.

>Fuck...<, he swore and growled in a low voice.

“Yesss…”, the vampire agreed, started moving under him, rubbing against him, against his now fully erect prick.

>Are you really sure, you want that?<, he asked, fighting his instincts through all the adrenaline, the rush of the hunt.

“You are much to coherent, still, Hob Gadling. I told you before, I want the beast. I want to feel you inside me, without holding back…”

>Dream, fuck! You’re driving me mad… I don’t wanna hurt you, you see?<, the wolf replied, pulling back, looking at him. Now very serious. Because… He was big. And he knew it. Dream could not want him to completely let go!

“You will not hurt me, wolf. I want you to overpower me. Show me your full strength and fuck me!”, Dream demanded with a grin. And then, he started fighting again. Reared with all his strength, to push the wolf off him, to bring the beast under him.

And all of a sudden, Hob was lying on his back on the forest floor, dumbfounded and still aroused, vampire on top of him, showing his fangs.

“Show me your strength, I can handle you…”, he grinned.

Hob was not used to such a fragile body exposing that much strength, but soon caught up. Or rather, his instincts did, because the wolf did not like, lying on the ground, being held down, restrained. So he started struggling.  But soon noticed, that his fully transformed form was not suited for that kind of fight, for manhandling something, someone with thumbs. With a human-like shape. So he transformed. Shifted. And felt his strength growing with his body. This shape becoming larger, vaguely more human. Until he was able to struggle free, to literally turn the tables again, to bring the vampire under him. To hold him down, now significantly bigger, stronger and more… More primal.

He growled, now unable to speak, to communicate.

“Just like that… Come on, wolf, use your claws. I do not feel too attached to these clothes…”, Dream whispered. Encouraged him. Still moving, still struggling. Behaving like prey, triggering his instincts.

“Graw!”, Hob made opening his mouth, exposing his teeth once again. Sniffing. And finding the vampire’s unique scent appealing. His neck, his throat he was exposing once again. And then he bit down. To hold, to fixate, not to kill, and Dream went lax under him, moaning, giving in to the strength, to being overpowered.

And he leaned onto him further, holding him in place, as he did, what he had been told, as he used his claws to tear the clothes apart, to strip him naked, expose his pale skin, the cold, undead body, intensify the smell. And his arousal flared up again. Stronger than before.

“Wolf….”, Dream hissed, now that he was completely exposed, eyes gleaming with lust. “Take me….”, he added, spreading his legs apart, as wide as he could with several hundreds of kilogram of wolf on top of him.

“Grrr”, said wolf replied, using his paws to press his upper body down, further, while allowing him to open his legs, kneeling between them, forcing them apart. His fangs started piercing the cold, smooth skin of the neck. So the scent of the vampire’s blood tickled his snout made his hard dick twitch against the vampire’s belly, already dripping wet, leaking precum.

“Hob Gadling, I want you!”, the vampire told him, rocking his hips, his own erection rubbing against the wolf’s. >Enter me!<, he demanded inside his head.

And then the wolf lost it. The beast took over.  Not because of the voice in his head ordering him, but because he felt the urge, the need, the desire. He wanted to! Had to! His cock was twitching, leaking. This actually was a feature he quite appreciated, in this form even more than in his human shape. Because wolves knew no lubricant, no oil, no salve, so his penis would become all slick and ready on its own.

Were he more rational at this point, more himself, he would have opened Dream up. Would have used his tongue to slick him, to open him, to prepare him for his hardness – size definitely not neglectable, as it probably had the length and width of the vampire’s forearm – but he was not quite himself, he was a wolf, a beast, a predator. And his prey was lying under him so willingly, so eagerly, so…

“Gwrrr?!”, he made, as his tip started pressing against his prey, his lover’s entrance and… Dream opened up for him with barely any resistance. Took the first few centimetres wrapping around him, surrounding him, all tight and slick and… Ready?

“You think…. I was not… Prepared?”, the black-haired panted, as he let go of his neck to look at his face, confused. Well, he was confused. Aroused, but confused. Dream was only aroused. A sly grin playing around his lips.

And, well… Hob was but a man. A wolf, currently. So he just growled in his low voice and slid in further, pretty much speared the vampire on his long, hard cock. He had not expected that! What had that human-shaped entity done? How was it so easy to just enter him? Well, not like he was complaining! He was enjoying it, was almost overwhelmed by how tight the vampire was, but… But… This was not how it was supposed to be! Even if they had talked this through, before. If Dream had had the time to, to… How had he prepared himself for THAT?!

“All the way! Hob Gadling, fill me up!”, the vampire moaned, demanded, as he trembled under him, as he opened up further, took him. Just… Just took him in!

And Hob did it. As deep, as he could. Until… until he was finally fully settled, was inside him, so very, very deep. Slick shaft completely surrounded by the walls of Dream’s insides. Not hot, not warm, as another wolf would be, as…. When had he last mated in this shape? In any other shape, than his human one? He could not quite remember. Must have been centuries. And his wolf brain seemed to have missed it quite a lot. And now, that it could, that his furry body was allowed to, he could not hold back.

Somehow – he had no idea, how – Dream had gotten his arms free and was wrapping them around him, sharp claw-like nails digging into the skin under his brown fur and, and he could not. He could not hold back. How could he ever? So he just started moving. Started fucking into him, started taking and taking and filling and filling and drowning into the feeling, ears filled with the pleased moan, with the small screams of the vampire, dull pain of the nails digging into his back, drawing blood, the scent of it, of Dream’s desire, of his blood, of, of… Of them having sex.

“Yes, Hob!”, Dream exclaimed, trying to lift his head, fangs fully emerged, ready to bite. And Hob leaned down, as he continued moving, tried to give him access to his neck, to his throat, to have him bite, feed, drink, like the other nights, but through the fur, he could not quite get a hold. Could only tear the skin, make him bleed into his fur and have him lick and suck the red liquid, the blood. It was a mess. They were a mess. All wild and primal and dirty and, and… And so very hot. So intense. It was perfect! Just perfect! Never ever had Hob done it like that! Not with another wolf, not with a human, not with… Had he ever consciously had another non-human entity? He did not quite remember. Probably not…

“Grrrrrawrr!”, he howled, feeling his climax approach rapidly, pushing into him harder, deeper, fur of his belly rubbing against Dream’s erection. By now all sticky from his own precum. Providing barely enough friction for him to…

“Oh, Faaaahhhh…”, Dream exclaimed, as he tried to scratch him, bite him, rub his glans against him and then, came. Climaxed. Spent between them. Coated his fur with his seed and suddenly he was so tight, so very, very….

“Grawuuuu!”, Hob made, as he peaked. Spasmed and released inside the tight channel. Felt his dick twitch his… Oh, fuck, he had completely forgotten about this! About his knot! He was sue, he had told Dream about this but… But this was large. He was swelling, knot filling with blood, keeping his penis inside, locked, to prevent his sperm from leaking.  And… He was at the same time satisfied and horrified, because… Fuck, he was stretching him apart even further. Would he tear him apart? Would he hurt him?

“Oh, holy… Hnnnn…”, Dream sighed, lazily licking over the bloody fur. Body relaxing.

This... Did not sound too bad, right? Right? Hob made a small sound, that vaguely resembled a whimper, still mostly lying on top of Dream, paws on the forest floor.

“Hmmm... Delicious....”, the vampire mumbled with a smile. “Stay like this, wolf....”

Chapter Text

“Sorry, sorry, I’m really sorry!”, Hob apologised for the fifth time, since he had been able to shift back into human form. He was kneeling on the floor – not the forest floor, but the floor of Dream’s private room – all naked. He had lost consciousness at some point during the night and had woken up here, still in his half turned shape.

Meaning, the vampire must have dragged him here.

“While I do have feelings concerning you kneeling in front of me, I do not demand any form of apology...”, Dream told him. Sitting on his mattress. Just as naked, as him, but unlike him, freshly showered.

“I forgot about the knot. I, have I even told you? At one point, I mean? Fuck, I shouldn’t have!”, Hob apologised again. Still kneeling. Still guilty. The sky outside was already pale, sun not yet rising, but the effect of the moonlight had faded. Had given him back his human form.

“This was, what I wished for, Hob Gadling. In fact, I am very satisfied at the moment....”, Dream told him, licking his lips. Smirking. Right out smirking!

“But I, I... Oh fuck, I... Wait, so... You’re not... You okay?”

“I am very okay, Hob Gadling. As I told you before, my body is durable. The marks you left will heal, while I rest. Just like the marks I left on you during our past encounters...”

“I... I pretty much tore your ass apart!”

“And I loved it, Hob Gadling. I have never felt that full, in my entire life....”, Dream admitted, still smirking.

“Size queen...”, Hob could not stop himself from huffing, before he literally pressed his hands against his mouth, shocked by what he had said.

“Maybe...”, the vampire replied. Smug. That goddamn vampire absolutely did agree! Hob was... What was he feeling at the moment? What was this doing to him? He was... Confused. “If you are still feeling guilty, you are welcome to let me feed on you...”, Dream added, in the same tone.

And he just nodded. “Yes... ’course. Feel free...”

“I do... But at first, you will need a shower. You reek...”

“Are you kidding?!”

“Not at all...”

Hob stared at him. In disbelief. And then... He took a shower, before he crawled into the vampire’s bed, to be fed on. To have him drink his blood. And... Spent the whole day with him. Sleeping. Because he was exhausted. Because this whole night had been... An experience so different from anything he had had before. Even Ellie had been entirely different. 

When he woke, the sun was still up, but despite their activities, he felt rested. All healed, but still pleasantly stretched. Hob had really done a thorough job. The wolf was lying next to him. Snoring. Still fast asleep. Well, he had mentioned, that he always was tired during the days of the full moon. And that he hated going to work on these days. So it probably was a lucky coincidence, that he was stuck here, without his teaching duties. At least for once.

But... They would not be able to continue this forever. Soon he would hear from Death. Would find out, how the negotiations went, whether she would be interested in that Randal Burgess. He was certain, she was not, but they would try. And then, after things would not work out, would look for an alternative. A way to set peace. And if not... Well, they would part without an actual agreement. He just hoped, the situation would not worsen. But... His sister was gentle in her cruelty. She would be able to bring her feeling across. Without starting a war.

“Huh?”, a very sleepy voice made, as he rose from the bed.

“You still have more than two hours, before sunset. Rest, Hob Gadling”, he informed its owner. Standing in the darkened room all naked. But he was not cold. This was a human thing to feel.

“I’m up. Wide awaaaaaaaahh”, the wolf mumbled interrupted by a yawn, but he sat up, blinked.

“You said, you are tired during the days....”

“I slept for.... A while....”, was his reply, looking at the closed blinds to guess the time. Calculate. “I’m fit and eager. Just....” As if on command, his stomach growled. He had grown used to a lazy human lifestyle with three meals a day. Earlier, he had barely eaten once a day. But human kind had it quite good these days. They were hardly struggling. Individuals, of course. Things were not all roses, of course, he was not delusional! But in general. There had never been so many humans properly fed, healthy and having shelter. Oh, his thoughts were drifting again...

“You need food. I had Mathew make sure, a proper meal was brought to this door. Stay!”, Dream told him, ordered him. Then walked to the door, still naked, opened it and picked up a tray. Now that Hob was seeing it, he could smell it, apparently. Since he reacted immediately.

“Croissants?”, he asked.

“Indeed. Eat. I heard, you will need the calories tonight...”, the vampire told him with a smile. Because he felt like it. Was pretty sure, he had not smiled this much in centuries.

“Oh, yes, yeah, I....”, the wolf mumbled. Blushed.

“I fully intend to have intercourse with you again, tonight...”

“I... You sure? Aren’t you still sore or so?”

“The marks I left on you. They healed. Just like your teeth marks on my neck. The same happened to every other part of my body, helped by your blood. I am completely well....”, he explained and placed the tray on the bed.

“Yes, okay, fine. So... You sure, you want that again? I mean... Wolf and all?”

“I definitely do not mind. It was quite enjoyable...”

“You are... Fuck, Dream, can’t you be a little less, less, argh, less perfect or so?”, Hob grumbled, as he inhaled the breakfast.

“I am a vampire, I exist, to be perfect...”

“Arrogant....”

“Confident...”

“Whatever... So you really want me to fuck you in that shape? With that giant dick? And my knot? Just let me get this straight, yes?”

“Yes. This is, what I want...”

“You drive me mad. Completely mad... You know, I’ll eventually loose my mind because of you, bloodsucker!”, the wolf sighed, shaking his head, after downing a glass of orange juice.

“This would be a pity, since I do not solely appreciate your penis, but your brains, as well...”

“You’ll fuck my brains out, if you keep this up...”

“My blood has healing abilities, I would fix this...,”

“Argh, fuck! Dream! Don’t say things like that, or...”

“Or?”, Dream asked. Wanted to know. Even tilted his head, still naked. Standing next to the bed. All comfortable.

“Or I might wanna keep you. I know, I know! I’m no idiot! It lasts as long, as it lasts, but can’t keep myself from imagining. Just, just ignore, I said that. Was stupid...”, Hob explained. And tried to take it back immediately.

“It... Was not stupid. I... We will see. At first, I will need to find out, what progress there is on the Burgess property, then... I will solve this and return to London. To my regular life... And so will you...”

Hob was in his human shape, but still, he looked like a kicked puppy. If he were a bit more wolf at the moment, his ears would probably be hanging down. For a moment. Then a bright smile flashed over his face. Not honest, but it still lit up the room.

“Yes. Right. I’ll also go back. Teach. My boss is probably gonna kill me, if I stay away, too long. The students miss me, too and... I am missing that, as well....”

“You complained about your rhythm not matching that of human society...”

“I know. I hate getting up early! But I somehow managed to get out of teaching classes in first period. So it’s usually not that early. Works most of the time. It’s just the moon and that short phase every few months or so....”, the wolf shrugged.

And Dream’s eyebrows went up. “Short phase?”, he asked.

“Ah, well, nothing important....”

“You... Do not want to tell?”

“Rather not. It’s a bit embarrassing....”, the wolf admitted.

“Fine. So... I will prepare myself for tonight and then put on some clothes... I assume, you would like to hunt again?”, Dream smoothly let the topic slide. Not wanting to make his wolf feel uncomfortable. He was not obligated to know. When Hob did not feel like telling him, he could not just make him.

“You, what?!”, the brunette exclaimed, staring at him.

“I meant, what I said. I... Would not mind repeating the experience...”, the vampire smiled. “Do you want to watch my preparations?”, he added.

“You’re the death of me....”, Hob sighed. But could not really hide his interest.

“I hope, I am not... Would be waste...”

Two more nights passed in the blink of an eye. And only as he opened his eyes in the evening after the moon had lost its power, he realized, that he had not seen Alex in three days. Alex, the boy, he had been supposed to look after! He sat up immediately. And felt the remains of sore muscles. Of... Oh, yes. He remembered the running, the hunting, the chasing, the... Being chased.

The last night, they had spent differently, had again switched. So it had been Dream penetrating him in his wolf form. Which... He had enjoyed way more than he would admit, because he did not want to go down that road. Had had his fair share of experiences in his years, but had not so far been mounted by a vampire, while in his fully turned shape.

“You... Are up...”, the vampire – this vampire – noted, still lying in bed, next to him. In his bed, where they had spent the last days.

“Yeah. But it’s still bright outside. You can sleep some more, just... I think, I’ll need to check on Alex. Totally forgot about the pup, to he honest...”, he admitted, a bit embarrassed.

“Oh, Yes. He should be fine. Otherwise Mathew would have notified me….”

“That butler sure knows it all…”, Hob muttered, but managed to disentangle from the blanket, to stretch his limbs.

“He does… He tends to be well informed, whether or not I demand it… Quite a nosy servant…”

“Bet so…. So? Will we all eat together, later?”

“I  assumed as much…. I guess, you will return to your room, now?”, the vampire asked, blinking at him. Eyeing him with obvious interest.

“I think, I’ll need to get dressed. Haven’t seen my clothes in days, to be honest, so…”, Hob admitted with a smile, scratching his head.

“You can borrow something. To walk over in more than just a pair of stained, torn underwear…”

“Great idea!”

And this, he actually did. Borrowed some trousers and a shirt from the vampire, then sneaked back into his own room, that he also had not quite seen in days. There he took another shower and got dressed in his own clothes. And then he knocked at Alex’ door. Because he had not seen him for a while and wanted to check on him.

To his surprise – well, no actually he should not be surprised – it was Paul opening. Looking at him, blushing slightly.

“He’s still asleep…”, the young man explained.

“Ah, I see. Can I still take a look? I’m here to look after him, after all…?”

“Of course!”, he immediately made and stepped back to let the wolf in.

Alex was indeed still lying in his bed. Fast asleep. Even snoring quietly. All peaceful. But…

“Hey, little one, open your eyes…”, he whispered gently, sitting down on the mattress. “Alex~ time to rise and shine…”

“Five more minutes, Paul…”, was the sleepy reply.

“It’s not Paul. C’mon, wake up, pup”, he chuckled.

And as the information that this was not Paul had reached his consciousness, Alex actually flinched and sat up in one movement, eyes opened in shock.

“Hey, hey, slow. Everything’s alright, boy. Just need you to tell me, you’re okay. Hm? How’re you feeling?”, he soothed him.

“Oh, I… Oh…”, a confused Alex made, but relaxed visibly upon noticing it was him. Not a threat, just good old Hob Gadling.

“So? Had fun?”

“I… I feel good, I think… Just tired…”, the boy admitted, rubbing over his neck. And Hob followed the movement of his hand. And his eyebrows shot up. He blinked in confusion.

“Erm, is that…. Is that really…?”, he stammered, pointing at the something on his neck. The… the mark looking quite a lot like human teeth marks. Just… Healed. Into a fresh scar. He blinked. But the thing did not change. Still looked like…

“Huh?”, Alex made, tilting his head. While placing his hand on the mark. Obviously not understanding, what Hob was trying to tell him.

“Paul? Did you… By any chance… Bite the boy?”, the wolf asked, without moving an inch, still looking at the boy.

“Err, yes? I mean, I’m not a vampire and things were getting… Did I do something wrong?”, the drudge made somewhere between attentive and insecure.

“Nah, no. You didn’t do a thing wrong. You both did absolutely great, just… How the fuck do you expect me to explain that to your father, Alex?”, Hob sighed. Taking a deep breath. Because he had expected a lot – including catching them in the act – but he had not expected THIS. Had not even remotely considered it possible, because… Because… No! This just did not happen! Paul was a human! Not even a wolf! Not even a creature, just… Your everyday human who occasionally drank vampire blood…

“Explain? But… You said, you’d keep it a secret, if we… if…”, Alex exclaimed, in shock. Panicking.

“Yes, no! You see, I was talking about sex! Having some fun or so! Alex, you have… Do you even realize, what happened?!”, Hob replied, forcing himself not to shout at the poor confused boy. Well, he was trying to stay calm here!

“I, I…. What’s…. Rob?”, the boy made, now shaking. Tears welling in his eyes.

“No, stop, don’t cry, okay? It’s okay. We’ll… We’ll manage… Somehow…”

“Erm…. May I… What’s wrong?”, Paul dared to ask, still standing somewhere behind him.

And Hob was feeling like fainting. If he were a fair maiden, he certainly would. Because this was a situation, he definitely did not want to deal with. But… Since he was the adult here – more or less – he would have to, right?

“You… You bit the boy’s neck. And, well… The mark didn’t just disappear… You see?”, he then tried to explain. Because, how was Paul supposed to know? He was pretty much a human! And even Dream, a god damn old vampire had no idea about werewolf pack dynamics! Calm. He needed to get it together. This would help no one, when he snapped. They would figure this… Somehow….

“Ah, yes, I mean… Just happened. After we figured, that him biting me had no effect, that just… Sorry?”, Paul said, now coming into view. Walking around the bed, until he was standing next to Alex, who looked like a kicked puppy. Well, Paul did not look much better, himself. No idea, what they had done.

“Ah… Great… So he bit you, too?”, Hob sighed. Looking at Paul. Now suddenly feeling very, very old. “Show me?”

And the drudge did. Tilted his neck, showing a fresh – but well healed – scar.

“And… You really don’t feel wolfish at all?”

“No, not at all. Alex was really scared, when he was human again in the morning, but the wound just healed. Really fast. And Mathew said, the vampire blood would prevent transformation, since they can’t be turned… So…. Err… What did we do?”, Paul explained, very aware that something was wrong. Very wrong.

“I need a drink… I definitely need a fucking drink…”, Hob sighed, slowly shaking his head.

“We, what?!”, Alexander Burgess exclaimed, as they sat at the dinner table. Food served, but so far none of them had dared to take at least one bite.

Hob Gadling looked, like he had seen a ghost. Like he had aged several centuries within the hour he had not seen him. So this was, what it meant, when stories in books spoke about this effect. It would have been fascinating, if it was not deeply troubling him. Because Dream did not like seeing the wolf like that.

“Like I said, you both marked each other… That’s a pretty serious thing, you see?”, the wolf told them, forehead in wrinkles.

“I… I don’t understand, Sir?”, Paul admitted, looking just as confused, as Dream felt.

“Me neither, boy…”, Hob sighed, shaking his head. “This is not a thing that’s supposed to happen. I mean, it’s a thing only for wolves. If we tried biting a human in that way, they would most likely either just die or turn in to a wolf. But… Neither happened and you… Your blunt human teeth have actually created a mating bite… That’s impossible…”

“An actual…. My father is gonna kill me… He’s, he will…”, Alex whispered, apparently starting to grasp the gravity of the situation.

“We’re fucked…”, Hob could not disagree.

“Could someone enlighten me, what exactly this bite mark means?”, the vampire demanded, after observing the whole situation. And not quite understanding the issue. Because leaving bite marks was a thing vampires quite regularly did, when they did not care about not leaving evidence. It had no meaning or such. And also… he had bitten Hob quite often, had been bitten by the wolf, so... Why was this an  issue? What was he missing?

“Something very bad. In this case, at least… Fuck, boy! I wanted you to have some fun, not cause a war!”, Hob explained, without explaining anything at all.

“It’s hardly my fault! You could have told me!”, Alex defended himself. Torn between panic, denial, disbelief and probably a dozen other emotions.

“Care to elaborate?”, Dream asked. One eyebrow raised.

“That boy’s Burgess’ omega son. Means, he’s quite valuable for strategical marriage – which is absolute bullshit and I don’t support that, but doesn’t change a thing now – and such, but now he’s pretty much married already. By werewolves’ law. He has a mating bite and Paul, too. So… Well… That’s a pretty binding thing, you see?”

“So... They married?”, the vampire wanted to confirm.

“Worse. A regular marriage can just be divorced or annulled, in case there was something wrong, but this one’s the most binding thing that can happen... Just usually... It’s only a wolf thing. A companionship till death do us part... “

“I... He’ll kill me. He’ll kill Paul, fuck, Rob, will he kill Paul?!”, Alex exclaimed, breathing a bit too fast. Definitely on the brink of a panic attack, if he was judging correctly.

“We’ll sort this out, okay? Somehow. I have no idea how, yet, but somehow we’ll do it, just.... Let me think, okay? We’re screwed, but somehow... Argh!”, Hob Gadling tried to calm him. But it did not quite work. He was agitated himself.

It was Paul who stood up, stepped behind his... Mate?... And wrapped his arms around him. “Somehow. We’ll figure things out....”, he mumbled into his ear, holding him. It was the most physical they had gotten around others, so far.

“I... Assume, a bond between werewolves and vampires was the original goal of this, was it not?”, Dream asked, looking at Hob.

“Well, I think so. But the old man wanted Randal to marry your sister. And I guess, Paul’s not technically a vampire?”

“He is not. Currently he is mostly human and... I have not heard from my sister in a few days. I actually do not assume, the full moon experience went well... As far as I know her...”

“Okay?”

“She... Is a quite gentle creature. Even in killing, she finds something soft. She would not take a life without necessity and does not enjoy it. She usually feeds on those, who are already close to deceasing. I assume, these wolves do not share her view...”

“Hell no! Burgess is a cruel old man! He loves torturing his prey. And those, he doesn’t like! I don’t know about Randall, but I don’t think, he’s much different...”, Hob  explained.

“My brother is much like our father. A real alpha. He’s very proud of him...”, Alex added, leaning against Paul’s chest.

“Well... Fuck, I really am not looking forward to that talk...”, the brunette sighed, shaking his head.

“Will he kill Paul?”, the boy asked after a long pause.

“Well, I hope, not. Maybe we can explain? I mean, we’ll need to wait, to hear from them, anyway. Maybe we can go back to Fawney Rig and just sit down and talk it out? Leave Paul here for now and... Maybe we can sell him, that that’s exactly what he wanted? That maybe Paul will be a vampire some day and the bond will be very strong and all?”, Hob tried. Eyes searching Dream’s.

“It is possible. Not any vampire can turn him, but there are many older ones frequently visiting. Maybe even my youngest sister would be willing to turn him? She was quite fond of him, last time we talked about it...”, the vampire told him. Honestly. Because it was definitely a possibility. But he would not be the one to turn him. He would not turn anyone. Not after Mathew. And Mathew was too young to safely survive this without taking actual damage from the process. Because this needed a lot of blood. Or the newly turned one would suffer. Which was one of the reasons, why  so many of the fledglings had some kind of... Issues. Even when they skipped the ghoul stage, did not become brainless monsters – a thing he did not wish for Paul to happen.  There had been times, long ago, when the young ones were actually forbidden from creating new vampires...

Well, they would need to see. They would figure that out. Hob had said so. So they would. Because he wanted to. Otherwise Hob would be in trouble. And this, he did not want. Like this, he would have no chance to ever see the wolf again. And he definitely wanted that!

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Almost two weeks had passed and he was back in London. Back to teaching classes. He had barely managed to grade all the essays on time, had only had a weekend for this, after the events, but somehow it had worked out.

He was tired. So very tired, but he was back. Settling in, into his small apartment above the pub. Cosy and stuffed with all kinds of tools and toys and trinkets, but… Empty. Well, he was living there on his own. He was a lone wolf. Had always been. Hardly knew anything else.

Right now, he was not at home, he was just imagining his living room, lying on the sofa, all curled in, a furry ball, while he was actually listening to a presentation three of his students held. They had asked for a different task, because they were not too good with essays and he had given them this instead. So, he had the time to daydream, while scribbling some notes, looking like he was actually paying attention.

Things had changed so abruptly after Roderick Burgess  had agreed to the contract Dream had set up. Had signed it, together with Alex and Paul, as soon as he had come to. Then he had left, still grumpy, but out of options. Had left his boy with the vampires, unwilling to take him and his mate home, so Alex had just stayed behind.  Was still staying in the mansion, with Paul, who was still adjusting to being a vampire. As far, as he was aware, Mathew was teaching him since… Well, Dream was no longer staying on the property. Had left, right after things had settled. Just vanished. Without a word.

Hob had briefly met two of his sisters in the trouble of sorting things out – Delirium telling him, her brother was, who he was, always a bit strange; Death assuring him, he had done nothing wrong, without any real reason to – but… Well, the vampire had been gone within the blink of the eye and he had returned to his normal everyday life. Had been forced to. Had contacted Jo to confirm, he was still alive and fine and now… Well, now things were back to normal. Like… Like all of this had never happened.

“And that’s why ballades are nowadays completely underappreciated in literature..”, one of the students concluded and everyone was applauding politely.

The group answered a few questions and Hob took some more notes, tried to remember, what he had actually heard in the past forty minutes and nodded every now and then.

And then, the lesson was over. Classes were over for the day. He talked to a few students, then went to his office, to get rid of some materials and somehow ended up reading through one of the books he had left on his desk – author now too familiar. He was distracted. Could not deny it. Had been, since he had returned.

It had been horrible to readjust his sleeping schedule, by the way. He still had not quite managed, because... Though things were back to normal, nothing was like before.

He was no longer welcome on the Burgess property, after ‘the stunt he had pulled’ and he could hardly let go of all the memories he had made, so… He felt different.

Everything felt different, as he stepped out of the building. Looked up. The sky was grey, heavy rain-clouds shielding the probably already setting sun. It was raining. Not pouring, but there was a steady drizzle coating his face. He should have brought an umbrella. Now he would feel like a wet dog, when he arrived home.

The idea made him shake. Dry his currently non-existent fur. And then, all of a sudden, the rain stopped. At least above his head. A black umbrella shielded him from the fine drizzle and he turned. Smiled. Because there was nothing much, he could do.

“There you are…”, he sighed in relief.

“Here I am…”, was the reply. A shy smile playing around corners of pale lips.

“You’ve taken your time…”, he mumbled, as he started walking. Being followed.

“I… Had to sort things out… The book...”

“Did you?”

“Not at all… I did not manage to write one single paragraph in the past week…”

“Oh…”

“But I took care of the formalities, regarding the contract…”

“You did?”

“Lucienne did…”

“I see…”

“I… Do you have plans for the evening?”

“I was hoping to enjoy a peaceful weekend…”

“Oh, then I will…”

“Nah, don’t you dare!”, Hob interrupted his companion, grabbing the hand that was holding the umbrella. Holding it by the wrist. “Stay! I mean? please?”, he corrected himself, now with a pleading look in his eyes. Cautiously, hopefully gazing over, to the owner of the umbrella, the hand.

“I do not have any further plans concerning the weekend…”

“Great! Then… Err… Yours or mine?”, Hob asked, trying to hide a cheerful grin. Because his emotions were a bit… He was on his very own personal emotional roller-coaster ride here, thank you very much! And all this on a very regular Friday afternoon!

“What makes you feel... Comfortable...”

“Then I’d love to invite you over to mine! Though, it’s a mess. Do you mind? I can clean, if you like? Or, or...“

“I do not mind, Hob Gadling. I would like to get to know your personal space. Your.... Lair?”, Dream told him. Hint of a smile playing around his lips

“Yes, yes! Of course! I’ll show you! Whatever you want!”, Hob nodded, eagerly. And he was very certain, were he a bit more wolf  at the moment, he would be wagging his tail. And he was not ashamed. He was just so very, very extremely and extraordinarily happy to see him again.

“Whatever I want?”, the vampire smiled at him. Haughtily.

“Yes!”

“Then be a good boy for me?”

And Hob was very certain, he WAS wagging his tail right now. Or maybe another extremity. Who would have thought this? That he would ever... That a vampire would... Oh, fuck! He was over the moon. He was completely gone! And all because of a stupid night out. A one time thing in a club. When he had been unable to use his wolf senses properly! An accident , an incident! An unexpected bite. And then, Destiny had happened and he was here with Dream. He was pretty much at Dream’s feet, if he wanted him to!

“Very good... I can not wait to make up for what I missed....”

“Huh?”, Hob made. Caught off guard.

“I am... Quite hungry, Hob Gadling...”, the vampire whispered. And he had no doubts, that he was not only talking about drinking his blood.

So... Hob just blushed. And lead the way.