”I would rather be known in life as an honest sinner, than a lying hypocrite.”
”You’re a terrible liar,” he stated simply as he finally released her hand, his crimson gaze shooting over his shoulder to catch her expression. Her uncertainty just oozed from every pore. The yelp he heard made his head shoot to the side toward the part of the grounds his sister and her new butler just occupied, though they were still out of sight. His hands balled up into fists as he listened intently at any sounds of distress that would follow, but their conversation eased him, putting back his focus to the racing heart beside him.
”Perhaps this leads to rule number one…” he started while his fingers started a slow decent on his shirt, unbuttoned buttons left in their wake. ”Your well being is my best interest. You are my responsibility and reflect directly on me. It’s better if you do not question me. I know more than you think I do.” Arik’s gaze lifted from busy fingers to glance up at her, his hands roughly pulling his shirt free from his shoulders where he dropped it to the ground. The vampire couldn’t help the devilish smirk that played against his lips as he turned his back to her.
Not knowing it when you looked at him dressed, or from the front, but Arik had a large tattoo that covered his entire back. The process of getting the tattoo took long days and with someone he trusted fully. In order for it to work, he had starved himself for weeks so his body would heal at a slower rate and his skin would accept the ink. There were many trial runs in the beginning to figure out a way for it to work, but to him it was well worth it. His tattoo meant something to him, a promise that he would always remember where he came from and a promise to learn the lineage that blessed him with this ability.
Pulling at the button and zipper of his trousers, Arik dropped them to his ankles and kicked them to the side. He couldn’t help but to look over his shoulder wanting to see the blush that would cover her skin. That he had no doubt of, especially since he hadn't been wearing anything underneath his pants. Another moment and a swift movement, Arik fell to his hands and knees in the middle of a transformation. A sweat broke out over his body while his jaw tightened to the point where he feared his teeth would shatter. His breath came out in quick, powerful hisses as he refused to groan from the pain. Cracks and pops exploded through his joints as his body shifted its anatomy while fur sprouted over his skin. It was a painful process, but a long ten seconds later and there stood a full sized tiger in Arik’s place. Its fur was as white as Arik’s hair, his stripes dark and bold, leaving graceful lines along his body.
Slowly the beast turned. Claws outstretched as he took a step forward, retracting into massive paws as he settled. Sinewy muscles rippled over strong shoulders as he moved forward, a rumble reverberating through his chest as he sat back on his haunches in front of of Aeliya. For the first time in his life, Arik stretched his paws out further and laid his stomach in the grass where he lowered his head to her, his tail silently whisking behind him. Never did he submit to anyone, but he needed Aeliya to trust him.