The King's Pet

Chapter 3

. ..𓂃 ྐ❤︎ 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 'ཀ'

The steak was perfect-medium-rare, just how Bruce liked it. He sliced through the tender meat, savoring the moment before he'd lift it to his mouth. Across the table, Lucas sat there, watching Bruce with an intense gaze. It was a look that could incite fear in the hearts of many, but not Bruce's.

Lucas's hunger was palpable, not for the food before Bruce, but for the blood that coursed through Bruce's veins. Yet, his obedience kept Lucas rooted to the spot, waiting for Bruce to acknowledge his need.

Bruce chewed slowly, deliberately, as he watched Lucas from his peripheral vision.

How could I bring out the beast in him? How could I strip away the layers of conditioning and obedience?

Minutes stretched into an eternity as Bruce continued his meal, each bite a test of Lucas's restraint. Finally, Bruce set down his fork and knife, wiping his mouth with a linen napkin. He looked up, meeting Lucas's gaze with a calculated smile.

"You know, Lucas," Bruce drawled, his voice dripping with mockery, "if you were hungry, you could have just said something."

Lucas blinked, confusion flickering in his eyes. "I... I didn't want to disturb you, Master," he replied earnestly, not grasping the layers of meaning in his words. To him, Bruce was merely stating facts.

Bruce chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "Well, since you didn't speak up, I suppose you'll have to make do with the food my chefs have already prepared." With a single glance, Bruce called over his top chefs, knowing full well it wouldn't satisfy his vampiric hunger.

As the servants brought in the first course-a delicate consommé served in bone china bowls-Bruce watched Lucas closely.

He hesitated, his gaze shifting from Bruce to the plate and back again. "But, Master, this won't..."

"Eat it," Bruce commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

He watched as Lucas fumbled with the silverware, his delicate fingers struggling to grasp the spoon. Lucas's confusion was endearing, and Bruce suppressed a smirk. Lucas was like a lost lamb, unaware of the world beyond his immortal existence.

Pathetic, Bruce's inner voice sneered. He's nothing more than a pet.

Lucas glanced up at Bruce, his eyes wide with uncertainty. His lips moved in a silent question, and Bruce nodded, granting permission for him to proceed.

Lucas brought the spoon to his mouth, his expression shifting from curiosity to mild horror as the taste of mortality-the mingling flavors of herbs, spices, and flesh-was foreign to him.

His eyes widened further, and he covered his mouth with a trembling hand. The spoon fell back onto the bowl, forgotten. Lucas pushed his chair back, the legs scraping against the polished floor. Panic etched his features as he stumbled to his feet.

Bruce watched, unmoving, as Lucas bolted toward the exit. He took a sip of his wine as he watched Lucas's lithe form collide with the middle-aged maid who stood by the door, her kind eyes widening in surprise. Lucas's sudden departure caught her off guard, and she staggered backward, her arms flailing.

The tray clattered to the ground, and a gasp echoed through the room as one of the knives lodged itself into the maid's hand. She fell to the floor, clutching her injured hand, blood seeping through her fingers.

Bruce's gaze shifted to Lucas, who stood frozen, his face a canvas of shock and guilt. The sight of the blood seemed to paralyze him, his eyes wide and unblinking.

The scent hit Lucas like a wave, and he went rigid, the blood-if he had any-draining from his face. His eyes locked onto the wound. The bloody sight made Lucas's fangs press against the insides of his cheeks.

Unsurprisingly, Bruce saw the change almost immediately-the way Lucas's pupils thinned into vertical slits, the way his breath quickened. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and the beast within him was awakening.

Bruce's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. He had been waiting for this moment. He had been searching for a way to draw out Lucas's primal form, to see the true extent of his power. And now, he realized, the answer lay in blood and pain. The sight of the maid's injury had nearly broken Lucas's control, and Bruce knew that with the right provocation, he could unleash the vampire's full potential.

A plan was forming in his mind... He would push Lucas to his limits, using blood and pain to bring out the beast within. And when that moment came, Bruce would be ready to face whatever emerged...

∘₊✧─𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖒𝖔 𝕰𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖚𝖘─✧₊∘

Author's side note: If you've liked my story so far and want to continue reading, please don't forget to comment and vote! It's much appreciated! Thanks!  ദ്ദി ˵ •̀ᵥ_ᵥ- ˵

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