Old habits die hard

Asla's initial response brought his hackles to raise, though she did not continue her sentence far enough to bring the possessive fury to head. Not a fan of Hanako? Why? Az couldn't understand, too smitten with his friend to consider that others may not like her. With the new information he frowned, wondering whether his family's opinion of his eventual woman would matter or not. He had little time to think on it before she was on Venom, her expression serious as she explained what her position could mean for him.

"I don't know how 'equal' I want it, Asla." He admitted softly, casting her a glance. "Venom will one day be Empress, her and the others of her litter believe themselves to be Gods. The Empire is built upon the Klein name. How am I to know whether or not my word will even matter against hers? I don't want to be a figurehead, enforcing her word without say myself." His teeth gritted once more, hating the scenario he'd imagined and hating further that he considered Venom capable of twisting him unfairly. Az paused, collecting the will to share with her all that was bothering him. Asla was his sister, he could always trust her. "And.. I don't know how willing I'd be to bend my rules in compromise either, should we be true equals in power." The idea of sharing the throne with a potential mate was almost as bad as being secondary to her.

She leaned against him and he blew out a relaxed exhale, placing his arm around her as they did when they were both kids back when they bonded over blood. "Hanako may offer me less, but she allows me more freedom too. Freedom to take the Armada as far as I can, to not bend to the word of anyone. Did you know some packs they don't give their mate alpha status beside them? Not like father did for mother. Hana could be mine and nothing would need to change. I could be happy without losing anything." Except Venom. Except the title of Emperor and whatever benefits that may or may not bring to him over the Armada's crown.