~~~

The tension in the room was thick between the master of the city and Micah. The leopard sat at the foot of the over-sized bed, on the chaise lounge Anita recently nagged the vampire into getting. Jean Claude stood a few feet in front of him, staring him in the eyes intently.

“Please, mon chat,” Jean Claude asked sincerely, “Anita will not decide in my favor- of this I am certain. If you would speak to her …” Micah was stunned to see the pleading in the vampire’s eyes.

It’s nothing compared to the facial expressions he lavishes on Anita, Micah thought. Still, Micah couldn’t deny that it was something. It was important to Jean Claude that Anita allow him to go with her on this latest excursion. Micah wanted to help, but he would make no promises.

“Of course, I don’t mind at all, but you know it might not make a difference, right?”

“If anyone knows how stubborn ma petit can be, it is I, Mon chat. Do not fret, I have enlisted your aid because she considers you a voice of reason. She values your opinion, friend; you stand a fair chance at influencing her. But you know this already,” Jean Claude’s voice rang with chords of energy that buzzed down Micah’s spine, vibrations reverberating in the cat’s most private parts. The Frenchman made a slight bow that was mostly a nod, giving Micah that seductive smile that made his midnight eyes sparkle. The leopard laughed.

“I would do anything for you, right now,” Micah joked, unable to control the blood rushing to his face.

“So you often say, but have yet to show, kitty.” Jean Claude was suddenly next to Micah on the chaise with one leg folded beneath him while he lounged across the foot of the bed. It was a calculated pose, for certain, but a beautiful one all the same.

Micah froze. The only thing to move was one eyebrow, which cocked like the barrel of a gun with a warning that was just as obvious. “You know I am always willing to feed any one of your hungers, Jean Claude,” Micah played it off, finding his breath and telling himself Jean Claude was nothing more than a helpless flirt.

“Non. Sometimes it is just as important that we feed the heart; it, too, hungers, mon ami,” Jean Claude’s fingers ghosted over Micah’s arm, disturbing the fine hairs before Micah jerked his arm away.

“I-I’ll talk to Anita, but don’t get your hopes up,” Micah warned, standing up and heading towards the door.

“I remain hopeless,” Jean Claude smiled as he ushered Micah off to do his bidding.

************************************************************************

On the eve of the trip, Anita still hadn’t changed her mind. The leopard king’s week had been spent waiting for opportunities to sell Anita on the idea of taking Jean Claude. Micah decided to make one last effort before calling the master of the city. After he told the vampire the bad news, he could focus on his own trip. Micah had made many good memories in New Orleans and was looking forward to being in the Big Easy again.

“You know, I’m surprised you’re not bringing your main squeeze to meet your family,” Micah said to Anita who was standing in front of the opened leather duffel, staring into it in confusion. He watched her from the head of the bed where he lounged on the pillows, considering what to pack for himself.

“There was a time when this was all I needed for a weekend trip,” Anita focused on the inside of her bag, studiously avoiding the subject of Jean Claude, but Micah didn’t let it go so easily.

“It’s his influence that’s got you wanting to take something besides jeans.”

“What’s wrong with just taking jeans?” Anita’s hand was on her hip and her voice was full of attitude.

Micah gave her a blank look, wondering if she was serious. She was, after all, taking more formal clothes; she must have gotten used to the necessity. “You’ll probably even wear something he bought you,” he egged her on.

“Did JC buy you something new, Anita,” Nathaniel asked as he walked in the room and flopped on the bed, obviously excited about the upcoming road trip. “What is it now? Why isn’t he going? Jason said they were sitting this trip out. Do you not want him to meet your family?” Nathaniel rambled on, looking in Anita’s bag, finally stopping when he felt Micah kick at his feet.

Anita stood motionless, mentally counting to ten.

“Are you okay?” Nathaniel wondered, reaching across the bed to grab her hand. He flattened his body to the bed and rolled his eyes upward in a show of submission.

“Yeah. I’m okay,” she finally said.

“Who’s coming, Anita,” Nathaniel asked, taking her word that the storm had passed.

“Us, of course, Damien, Richard said he would go if I wanted him to, and I was thinking about a couple other leopards.”

“Jean Claude wants to send another vampire. We’ll need more donors,” Micah said.

“How about Jason? I’m sure he’d love to go,” Nathaniel put in a good word for his friend.

“Whatever. He’ll have to ask his master himself, though,” Anita warned.

“But it would sound so much better coming from you, Anita. Jean Claude hardly ever says no to you.” Nathaniel reasoned.

“He says no any time it serves his purpose and this is one of those times,” she said, cryptically.

“Oh no, he’ll be nice so you’ll invite him,” Nathaniel wiggled his eyebrows, leering in a classic Jason expression.

“Just stop it!” Anita demanded, throwing her clothes down on the bed and shouting. “Stop talking about him! He’s not going to meet Grandma Flores and the whole crazy family. It would be a disaster! Do you think I’m the only gifted one in my family? They’ll be casting spells and making gris-gris all weekend! The answer is no!”

“He’s a big boy, Anita. I doubt it will bother him.” Micah said calmly, unimpressed by her meltdown.

“It will bother me.” Anita walked into the bathroom, dismissing the whole conversation until she heard Micah’s response.

“How many years has he been your boyfriend, Anita? Has he met any of your family? Do you even mention them?” He wanted to say ‘you’re being selfish, Anita,’ but he learned early that total disclosure was not always the best policy with his girlfriend.

He said enough.

Anita backed out of the bathroom slowly, staring at Micah as she cleared the doorway. The words sounded vaguely familiar; like the same old complaints the vampire always had. She noted Micah’s look of casual disinterest and it all came together for her. “You can tell him that I don’t need either one of you complicating this reunion. I’m taking Nathaniel and Damien.”

Micah sat up. “You’ll be gone almost three days, Anita; you’ll need a better food source than Nathaniel.” Nathaniel looked hurt by his leader’s words, but Micah couldn’t worry about the leopard now, he was too busy trying to salvage his own spot in the group.

“Damien will suffice. Maybe I’ll ask Asher.” Anita walked out of the room, dismissing the whole situation with a sudden change of subject. “Who wants Chinese? Some of the guys are headed over here, so what should we call-in?” She walked out of the room, headed toward the kitchen to get the take-out numbers.

Micah sat in silence, wondering how everything went downhill so quickly. He looked at Nathaniel’s shocked face and knew the sub needed consoling. Micah knew he should have said, ‘that’s fine, Anita. Take who ever you want. I should stay here with the pard anyway.’ But he didn’t feel that way. He understood how Jean Claude was feeling because he felt the same way.

“Nathaniel, come here,” Micah said, holding out his hand. Nathaniel crawled up the bed on his hands and knees, stopping when he reached Micah’s side. “I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings.” Micah looked the younger were in the eye and gave him a gentle smile.

“Not really,’ Nathaniel lied. ‘Micah?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think you’ll try to get her to change her mind?” Nathaniel wondered, anxiously half cowering before his master.

“No, I’m an alpha; I won’t beg. Besides, someone needs to stay with the pard anyway, right?” Micah jumped off the bed after rubbing his hand down the side of Nathaniel’s face. “You coming,” Micah asked, looking back at Nathaniel from the doorway.

“I’m sorry, Micah,” Nathaniel whispered, noticing the sadness that his Nimir raj couldn’t hide.

“It’s all right, Nathaniel,” Micah smiled and walked out the door.

Micah was angry. He had stormed his way into Guilty Pleasures, ignoring the “excuse me, sir” and, “Mr. Callahan?” he got from Jean Claude’s minions. He marched to the back hallway on the other side of the bar, snarling as he passed the wolf, who was obviously a bear in a past life. Micah even slowed his step for a second and growled when he passed by, daring the wolf to try to stop him.

It worked. Al, Guilty Pleasure’s biggest bouncer, didn’t raise a hand to stop the leopard king from walking past him. He did, however, raise his voice.

“I’m sure your business is urgent, Leopard King, but the Master is busy right now.”

Micah was momentarily surprised, but didn’t let it show. Without a break in his stride, he swept down the hall and around the corner, almost bumping into Clay who leaned on the wall next to the door of Jean Claude’s office. Clay’s head was bowed and his unruly locks tousled down in a mass of silk, hanging towards the floor and obscuring his face.

He didn’t look up, so Micah didn’t feel the need to apologize. He did hesitate though as he raised his hand, pausing to spare a glance at Clay. The young wolf’s arms were crossed and rigid, his hands fisted and his nose sniffling. He smelled of tears. That Micah hadn’t noticed at first made him realize just how angry he was. He needed to calm down. He dropped his hand, but still faced the door. Al just stood there with his mouth open, about to say something. Clay cut him off.

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” he said darkly, his gray eyes rimmed red with sorrow. He wore worn jeans that were strategically frayed and ripped. The hem drowned black Air Force Ones and a black button down with silver pinstripes.

“You’re not me,” Micah said neutrally. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, but Graham’s a liar and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Something about the helpless tone of Clay’s voice brought out the caretaker in Micah.

“What’s wrong? Maybe I can help.”

“Forget it- no one can help. It’s not that big of a deal, anyway; I’m just upset.”

Micah saw the last part for the lie it was, and wondered what was going on behind the sound proof door. He needed to see Jean Claude now. He didn’t care about whatever work place drama he landed in the middle of and he didn’t have time to cajole the wolf into dishing the gossip if he did care. It wasn’t until Micah opened the door and was momentarily frozen in shock by the scene before him that he realized; he hadn’t even had time for his intended courtesy knock.

***********************************************************************

Graham and Meng Die stood beside each other, but at arms length apart. Jean Claude watched both intently from his leather throne.

“Well, Meng, is it true?” Jean Claude sat up straight, his spine angrily erect.

“I assure you, Master, the dog lies,” Meng Die sneered at Graham who stood next to her, baring a hint of fang in an obvious threat.

Jean Claude seized the opportunity to assert his authority. In a blur, he stood before Meng Die, leaning forward as if to whisper like a lover into her ear. When he spoke, his voice could be heard clearly by Graham.

“If you harm him, I will make you wish you never begged for entrance to my domain. He is my wolf. To harm him is to harm me.” Jean Claude moved back to look Meng Die in the eyes. “Is this clear?”

“Yes, Master,” Meng Die said, showing she knew her place.

“Furthermore, if I find these allegations of narcotic distribution to be true, the consequences will be dire.” Jean Claude paused, fixing his eyes on Graham. In a second he was in Graham’s face. “Don’t think I have forgotten about you. If you are lying, mon lupe, I will make you wish you had never met me.”

Graham shuddered. Coming from almost anyone else, that threat would have brought on tears of laughter. But something in Jean Claude’s cool tone and his piercing eyes of blue darkness had Graham scared shitless. “Yes, Master,” he exhaled, not even feeling disloyal to Richard like he usually did when calling the vampire “Master”.

Jean Claude stepped back, relaxing a bit as he sat on his desk. He considered Meng Die, then Graham. He hated feeling like Solomon, deciding over his subjects’ issues like some great sage. He hated even more having to remind Meng Die that he was master- that she had pledged her allegiance. But it worked. Now, he had to do the only logical thing left to do.

“To make this right, you must swear yourself to me again. It will draw you closer to me and you will be less able to practice deceptions.”

“You think I am lying,” the pale woman whispered in disbelief, truly surprised. “You trust this child’s word over mine, Jean Claude?” She gasped in a voice filled with wonder, dropping the formalities in a rare show of emotion.

Even Graham noticed the change in the air, mostly because Meng Die sounded like there were tears in her throat and Jean Claude’s face betrayed a hint of concern. He reached for Meng Die’s hand, pulling her to him until she stood between his legs, stiff and angry, but compliant.

“It is not that I believe you are lying, sweetling; it is just that I need to know you more intimately. I am Master now and I must be as careful and as wise as the great Lohan Nagasena,” Jean Claude whispered the last part like a private message just for her.

Meng Die smiled at the mention of her ancestor, a great Buddhist Monk. “I will do whatever my master requires,” Meng Die said, resigning herself to a closer bond.

“Come, wolf,” Jean Claude held his hand out to Graham but looked at Meng Die. “He will give you his blood and you will take it to make an offering to me.” Jean Claude held Graham to his right. “Drink of him and pledge yourself to me.”

Graham’s nervousness was obvious, but nobody thought enough of it to comment. Meng Die grabbed Graham high on his arm, her long nails scratching at his armpit. She pulled him to her chest, hissing at the frightened wolf. She didn’t follow the rules of etiquette, allowing the donor to choose the spot the sacrifice would come from. The pale beauty brutally head butted Graham’s chin and slipped her mouth against his throat, sinking her fangs into veins just below his carotid artery.

Her hands rubbed Graham’s chest, feeling his heartbeat. She pinched at his nipples until the wolf’s eyelids drooped in growing lust. He almost forgot the pain of the sucking mouth at his throat.

She pulled and pulled, each time making Graham’s heavy-lidded eyes twitch in pain, but he remained speechless. The only sounds were the quiet groans the wolf made as he felt himself becoming light headed.

“Enough, Meng,” Jean Claude sent a jolt of power across the invisible, metaphysical strands attaching him to the members of his kiss. The power fried her circuits, shocking Meng out of her lustful feeding. Meng stared at Jean Claude, her pupils dilated and wild and her mouth dripping sweet-scented blood. Jean Claude inhaled, detecting a pungent odor within the heady elixir.

“Repeat after me,” he instructed. “With that which sustains me,”

“With that which sustains me”

“I bind myself to you”

“I bind my self to you,” she repeated patiently.

“And pledge myself to your leadership for now and ever”

“And pledge myself to your leadership for now and ever,” she fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“Until you grant me leave from your lands,” he finished.

“Until you grant me leave from your lands.”

When Meng Die finished speaking, Jean Claude quickly pecked her lips, trying to avoid contact with the strange smelling blood. His plans were foiled by Meng Die’s intentions. She wrapped her arms around Jean Claude’s neck, looking up into his eyes as she brought her mouth to this. Jean Claude was stiff and resistant until he tasted the tangy sweet blood and felt it burn like fire as it rippled through his veins. Jean Claude felt the ardeur stir and flare, causing him to push Meng Die away from him as he fought for control.

Just then, the door swung open, revealing a thoroughly pissed off Leopard King.

“Micah,” Jean Claude greeted neutrally, giving the man a bloody smile and crazed eyes.

“Maybe I’ll wait out here while you clean up,” Micah thought aloud, feeling like he interrupted a very private scene.

Graham trembled on his knees, having collapsed from the rush of the ardeur. It affected him greatly in his weakened state.

“Leave us,” Jean Claude said to Meng Die, motioning with his eyes to the weakened wolf on the floor. Without a word, the pale woman wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before bending over Graham. Somehow, she quickly threw the wolf’s big frame over her shoulder and walked out of Jean Claude’s office, taking the door from Micah’s hand and closing it behind herself.

“What brings you here, mon minet,” Jean Claude asked. When Micah looked up, Jean Claude’s face was clean, but his eyes were still wild.

“You’ve probably figured out by now that she didn’t change her mind,” Micah said.

“I assumed as much, but tell me, my friend, why have you not left yet? Ma petite said her farewells an hour ago.” The obvious answer dawned on Jean Claude as the words left his mouth. “Why have you stayed behind?”

“She figured out that I was helping you and she said that she didn’t want either of us there.” Micah unloaded, finally realizing that this was what he came to do. He didn’t want to fight. He was distraught.

“I see. It is my fault. I am sorry, friend. But why not tell me sooner? I would have spoken to our temperamental beauty,” Jean Claude smiled, holding out his hand in a gesture for Micah to have a seat. Micah grabbed the hand and in that moment the lust flared, engulfing both men so that Micah ended up between Jean Claude’s legs, eating at the vampire’s mouth like he wanted to devour him.

Jean Claude’s hands roamed Micah’s back, searching for his lost control. He moved his head back but Micah followed, keeping his face smashed against Jean Claude’s. It wasn’t until the taller man grabbed the leopard’s head that he was able to think straight. He stared at Micah’s handsome features that had grown more refined since they first met. His once crooked nose was almost perfectly straight and his sleek muscled body looked sexier than ever. Micah had always been a willing donor, but this was the first time Jean Claude could recall that the leopard was eager.

Micah took hold of the hem of his t-shirt, pulling it over his head as he stared down the resistance in Jean Claude’s eyes. He stood there, bare chested and breath shortened by excitement as he watched the vampire’s wall of obstinacy crumble.

Jean Claude grabbed Micah’s ass, pulling him forward and kissing him like he wanted to crawl inside the leopard’s mouth. He was amazed at how pliant Micah was, practically offering himself in ways he never had before. Still, Jean Claude was cautious by nature and refused to take advantage of Micah even though he knew the cat would not complain.

Instead, Jean Claude vowed not to take Micah’s pants off as he swung around, placing Micah on the desk and yanking his knees apart. Micah breathed heavily as the vampire rubbed at his stiffness.

“Harder,” was Micah immediate demand as he ground his hips into the gentle but firm touch.

“Please,” Micah pleaded, working at his fly to free himself.

“Hush,” Jean Claude admonished, smacking away Micah’s fingers and going down on his knees. He wondered if the leopard knew how privileged he was to have the Master of the city on his knees.

Micah moaned as his zipper slowly clicked down, but he made no more demands. He waited patiently until he felt Jean Claude’s cool fingers around his hardness.

“Yesss,” Micah hissed, following it up with a startled yowl as the cold palm ghosted over the head of his cock.

“Now, mon minet, give me your release,” Jean Claude began pumping Micah’s stiff rod relentlessly with powerful strokes.

Micah could do nothing but lean back against his hands on the desk, biting his lip as every twisted stroke brought a moan from his throat. It didn’t take long before the pitch of each moan began to elevate and Micah’s thrusting became more frantic.

“Let go, mon chat. Feed me,” Jean Claude commanded just before covering the head of Micah’s organ with his mouth. He drove it into his throat, wresting a scream from Micah at the sudden sensation of the wet heat. The vampire worked diligently, awaiting the moment of Micah’s release when the ardeur would feast.

Jean Claude’s head bobbed furiously, moving fast enough to scare any sane man who valued his most private assets. But Micah wasn’t sane, or, at least he didn’t seem to be. He seemed lust crazed and resigned to his possession. The powerful suction brought Micah quickly erupting down Jean Claude’s throat.

The vampire held Micah in his mouth, gently sucking him clean before letting him fall against the rough denim. Micah winced, whimpering a bit as the sensitive head made contact with the harsh fabric.

“I’m sorry, Jean Claude apologized, pulling Micah pants down his thighs until they were below the smaller man’s knees. Micah drew his knees apart and stared into the vampire’s face with lust in his eyes.

“More,” Micah said, offering his ass to Jean Claude.

The Frenchman had to remind himself to not take advantage of the situation. Micah was obviously not himself and if Anita found out …he didn’t even want to consider that possibility.

“Please, I need … something,” Micah pleaded, sounding more urgent each second.

“Again?” Jean Claude smiled, vowing to control himself.

He pushed Micah back on the desk, hoisting his legs up in the air until he had a perfect view of the leopard’s tan, muscled butt. He parted the cheeks to find the puckered hole, flicking at it with his fingers while he played with Micah’s balls.

“Is this what you want? Do you want me to touch you in here?” Jean Claude needed to hear Micah say he wanted this.

“Oh yes, I need to feel you now,” Micah begged.

Jean Claude forced his fingers into Micah’s mouth, making him suck on them until they were coated with saliva. Micah nursed on the cool digits, licking between them with his eager tongue. Jean Claude pulled them away, bringing them back to the tight hole and sliding one, then two into Micah’s ass until they hit that spot that made the cat shudder. Jean Claude fucked Micah with long fingers, eventually Jean Claude jabbed at his prostate, rubbing over the bud until the cat screamed his release once more, splattering all over his own abdomen.

Jean Claude slid his hand out of the wereleopard, widening them as he reached the reddened opening. The vampire held Micah’s cheeks wide apart, looking at the well used gash. It looked puffy and tender and Micah moaned when Jean Claude pinched at it.

“I’m sorry, mon chat, I will make it better,’ Jean Claude said before licking at the swollen rim. He wiggled his wet tongue just inside the whole, giving Micah a shallow fuck that had the kitty moaning like a slut in no time. He lapped at the hole, slowly moving up to the sac and cock, ending at the cum covered belly. He cleaned Micah up and settled on the desk, looking down at the finally sated leopard king.

“Maybe we can comfort each other while Anita is away,” Jean Claude suggested, brushing the hair out of Micah’s eyes.

The sleepy kitty just smiled, thinking that sounded like a plan to him.

~~~~