But envy...
This was the first time he had felt the wicked prick of envy.
He hated how easily Mark interacted with Frankie, and he despised his confidence in how he touched
him and smiled at him. He hated even more how Frankie responded, grinning brightly and resting his
hand on Mark’s shoulder.
Snod could feel ripples of happiness and longing in their bond, and he knew these were Frankie’s
feelings for Mark. They weren’t as strong as the lusty desire that he knew Frankie felt for him, but that
brought him no comfort. This was worse because these emotions seemed so much more genuine.
Frankie truly did care for Mark, very deeply.
Snod knew he had no right to be jealous. He had no claim on Frankie, and they hadn’t agreed to any
sort of exclusive relationship. Their intense sex life was the result of their blood bond, and it was
simply that: sex.
Frankie’s promise to explore something more once the effects of the blood had worn off held little
promise when he was looking at Mark the way he was now.
Furthermore, Snod knew in one month’s time he planned to return to the Order and devote himself to
his old life. There was no reason to be envious because he wasn’t planning on keeping Frankie. This
life was not meant to be.
Even so, he found himself gritting his teeth and imagining breaking each one of Mark’s fingers every
time he touched Frankie.
“Calm down,” Lorenzo soothed, breaking into his angry thoughts. “I can hear your damn ears steaming
from here.”
“He has no right,” Snod huffed, downing his drink in one giant gulp.
“Are you and Frankie, uh, dating?” Lorenzo asked, smiling shyly.
“No,” Snod replied flatly.
“Okay. Right. But you two are sleeping together?” Lorenzo clarified.
“Yes, I have carnal knowledge of his body.”
“Got it,” Lorenzo said with a few slow blinks. “Okay, so, Obe, let me ask you... Is it okay if I call you
‘Obe’?”
“No,” Snod growled.
“Fine!” Lorenzo groaned exasperatedly. “What do I call you?”
