Sneaking Out Past Curfew

The hesitation from Venom spoke volumes, even when her words didn't. She didn't want to leave him yet. Were she not the keystone to the Ashen empire, Maverick might very well have been tempted to whisk her off for an extended vacation, just the two of them. But while half a day's absence might not have been noticed, the disappearance of an alpha for days at a time certainly would be. And as she hadn't asked him in yet for all of their time spent together, he could only assume that she wanted to keep things casual between them and protect her image and reputation, which he was fine with and was fair. Venom had significantly more to risk being seen with him than he did with her. Nobody cared about the scruffy vagabond with no name wandering about in the company of a lovely lady—but the Empress of Ashen being seen out and about with a stranger?! Well, that was tabloid news! No, Mav quietly accepted the reality for what it was and enjoyed what time he could steal from her, at least for as long as this lasted.

Fortunately, that day didn't seem to be today, as Venom grinned at his notion of a mountain hike and getting lost together while she leaned into his side, the dire wolf all too eager to press gently back into her and support her with his own bulk. She confirmed in a near whisper that he should come back for her for more adventures, to which the rogue chuckled and licked the top of Venom's crown gently. "It's a date then," he spoke in husky tones designed specifically to tease and tempt her. Venom surprised him a bit by pressing her head beneath his chin and her chest to his, drawing wide eyes and a happy smile from the man. He responded in kind, tilting his skull to brush his cheek across Venom's forehead in a tender nuzzle while one strong forelimb lifted to drape around her back, holding her close, as if letting her go would make her vanish from this world. He normally wouldn't be so bold in his outward affections for her this close to her pack lands, but he would also never deny her any of the affections and touches he gave her.

A sudden voice from behind them nearly made Maverick jump out of his skin, the massive wolf quick to straighten out his posture in an attempt to conceal the way he and Venom had just been snuggling in the faint evening light. Cool turquoise eyes snapped about to spot the brown-marked white wolf approaching them with smile on his face. His eyes met the other man's emerald gaze with carefully guarded trepidation. This was one of Venom's wolves, no doubt, but just how much had he seen? Who the hell was he even? Not wanting to risk possibly undermining Venom's reputation, Maverick just gave the new male a measured smile and impassive expression and replied, "He was just leaving." Shifting just enough to slide away from Venom—much to his disappointment—the speckled brute bowed his head to the Empress, acting as if he were just a loner in service to the monarch. "Have a good evening, Your Grace." As he turned to leave, Mav's expression softened for a fraction of a second while he glanced at Venom, slipping in a surreptitious wink before trotting off into the dark winter woods, bound for his camp.

- exit Maverick -

"Maverick"