I'm not stalking you or anything

Venom's uncertain attempt at reassurance brought a chortle from the wily lone wolf. So there was a chance this Chimera guy could start something, even if he wasn't looking to steal the lovely Venom away from him tonight. Well, that would at least keep things interesting! Venom's remark about appreciating the show of masculinity didn't go unnoticed—nor did the way her gaze made a dramatic circuit over his build. He shot the alphess a crooked grin and winked. "Well, if that's what turns the lady on..." He chuckled again, filling a goblet with the sweet honeyed mead she selected and passing it over to her. "You're an alpha, your brother's an alpha... You Abraxases really are all bred for leadership, huh? Or is that the Klein part of you?" Maverick poured himself some dark liquor from a glass bottle that smelled very strong and slightly spiced, a rum perhaps, and lifted his cup to knock it gently against hers. "Cheers, to the new Venom Klein Abraxas!"

Lapping at the strong liquor in his cup while Venom did the same, Maverick began to survey the room briefly once more. He was always on the lookout for the ex-husband, just in case, but he was also trying to do his best to not spend the entire evening staring at Venom like some infatuated puppy. He knew she valued appearances, and though there would no doubt be chatter about who the strange man was with the Empress tonight, he didn't want to give the rumor mills more ammunition to work with by inflating that narrative. Besides, there'd be plenty of time to appreciate all of Venom later in private. Venom teased him, asking if he was getting a head start on his wager. Maverick gave an overly exaggerated gasp and clutched a dramatic paw to his chest, making a show of widening his eyes and looking as if Venom had just called his mother a bitch. "Your Grace! You wound me with such accusations! To think I would ever impugn your honor with such sleazy underhanded tricks!" The rakish grin on his lips betrayed his jesting, as if his theatrics didn't do that for him. They both knew what happened when the two of them got together with alcohol involved. And maaaaaybe he was just nudging them both in the right direction for a good time tonight. After all, he'd definitely impugned her honor voraciously, if that's what they were calling their impassioned lovemaking in his camp a couple weeks back.

After another quick glance around the room to make sure no one was paying attention to them and her brother's eyes had been distracted by something else, Maverick gave Venom a gentle nudge and motioned silently for her to follow him. He took the rim of his cup between his teeth, carrying it out of the great hall and away from the party, passing by a few wolves mingling and chatting in the corridors and foyer. He led Venom outside to the garden terraces, passing by a couple of wolves making out by the stairs and leading her down the cobblestone paths that wound through the gardens. The summer evening was warm and clear, the night air filled with the symphony of nocturnal insects while the stars glimmered in a vast sky overhead. Maverick led Venom through the gardens until he found a quiet, secluded spot in the far corner beneath the draping purple tendrils of a massive wisteria tree. The perfect place for them to hide out with their drinks, chat and relax without the lingering eyes of society scrutinizing them. Here, she could be the Venom she wanted to be.

"Ah, that's more like it!" Maverick said with a smile, moving to sit on the soft grasses beneath he wisteria's branches. He set his drink down and then pulled out a skin of the mead he'd managed to swipe from the feast table on their way out. They'd have plenty of Venom's favorite drink to share between them now. Once he was comfortable, Mav patted the grass beside him, inviting Venom over to join him. "Now we can talk and do whatever we want without worrying about your brother or anyone else." They could share total freedom once more.

"Maverick"