“His future mate, whoever that proves to be, would also be considered a member of the pride,” Arslan mentioned, almost casually, as he leaned back a little more comfortably in his chair.
“And, therefore, also considered answerable to you?”Ellery asked, raising an eyebrow at the idea.
Arslan seemed to think about that for a long time.He wanted to blurt out a simple yes.Ellery could see the tension building in the lion’s muscles as he fought against the urge.“In certain respects,” Arslan eventually said.
“Namely?”Ellery said, in much the same taught tone of voice.
“Lions are traditionally considered responsible for their mates—for making sure they treat them with respect and kindness.To make sure that they don’t hurt a weaker man, either by accident or design.”
“I think it’s safe to say that’s not something you have to concern yourself with in Kefir’s case,” Ellery bit out.
“Kefir will be held to the same standards as any other lion,” Arslan said firmly.He’d steepled his fingers in front of him when he put his book down.The fingertips turned white as they pressed together.“Although, I acknowledge there may be less need for him to be reminded of such concerns than there has been with other members of the pride.”
Ellery nodded for him to continue.
“The difference, perhaps, would be that his mate is the one who could so easily hurt him.He may not be the weaker man, but perhaps he’s the man with the more yielding spirit.He’s a gentle soul.”Arslan’s voice turned more serious than ever.“The pride will not allow him to be harmed.”
“I’d be held to the same standard as a lion?”Ellery asked.The idea held a curious appeal.If the lions were the doms, and he had no interest in being treated like a human sub, then… A light seemed to be switched on at the end of the tunnel.
“I’ve found there are humans who can achieve such standards in various ways,” Arslan said.
And he sounded so bloody shocked at the revelation.Ellery found his hand tightening into a fist at his side as he reminded himself how upset Kefir would be if his master throttled his leader.It was just possible the light in the tunnel belonged to an oncoming train.
“I’ve no objection to Kefir’s pride wishing to see him safe and happy with his mate,” he snapped, with increasingly forced politeness.
“The pride would see no need to interfere in whatever understanding he reached with his mate, unless we thought one of you was in danger.”
“Reasonable,” Ellery allowed.
Arslan nodded, he seemed more than a little smug right then, as if a difficult and complicated procedure had been undertaken successfully, and that victory was all down to him.
“You realise, of course, that his mate would expect to have a similar scope, when it came to his protection.”
Arslan blinked.
“You’re the leader of this pride.I’ve no interest in challenging that.”Ellery pitched the tone of his announcement carefully.It wouldn’t do to let the guy think he was incapable, far better to inform him that he was merely uninterested.
Arslan rose, apparently no longer content to sit while another man stood tall in his presence.
The very suggestion that he could present a challenge was obviously enough to set Arslan on edge.When Ellery wanted nothing more than to let his own hackles rise in response and have out with him, he forced himself to be practical.
“You said that, in feline tradition, a lion looks after his mate.In my tradition, it’s a dom’s duty to look after his sub.I’ll respect your ways, providing the courtesy is returned.”
“Meaning?”Arslan snapped.
“The pride’s yours to control.Do your job, and I won’t have to step in and set any of your brats in their place.”
Arslan paused then, not so much a hesitation as a slight rethinking of his current perception of the world.“You heard about Luther and Blaine’s…foolishness?”
“Kefir told me,” Ellery said.“Immediately.”
Arslan remained silent as he fitted that into his mental map of the situation, too.“You have no need to be afraid of—”
“I will not have Kefir upset by their stupidity,” Ellery cut in, no longer making any attempt to rein in his anger.“If you don’t take your pride properly in hand, I will.”
He saw the light slowly dawn in Arslan’s eyes.Any idea that Ellery was worried about himself seemed to fade away.What replaced them looked suspiciously like a seedling of respect.
Kefir had been upset.He’d taken his concerns to his master, and they’d been dealt with.Anyone who upset the little lion in the future would be dealt with, too.
