"This is humiliating. I don't really have to keep this on all night, do I?" Holden stared at his reflection with a mix of disappointment and disgust.
It was a week later, and after a rigorous campaign by Holden to be included in the more 'dangerous' side of his new friends' lives, they agreed to take him along to a bar that was notorious in the supernatural community. "If you want to live a long life with all your extremities and organs, then yes, you absolutely do."
"It's a dog collar!"
"It's for your own good. You're the one that wanted to be included, so stop bitching. You're my 'pet' remember? This just reminds everyone that you're off limits."
Holden scoffed. "Right. I'm sure you get no pleasure at the idea of keeping me on a literal short leash all night, either."
"It's a perk," Corbin grinned. "And it's not a dog collar... trust me, buying one of those would have been significantly less embarrassing for me."
"Don't worry," Layla adjusted the clasp of Holden's leather collar as though she were straightening a tie. "Vic and the girls will make sure he behaves tonight," She wrapped one arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder in a comforting half hug.
"Hey! Hands!" Corbin scolded the other two when he noticed them embracing out of the corner of his eyes.
Layla rolled her eyes and pointedly patted Holden on his chest before leaving the room. "Have fun tonight."
"Thanks," Holden chuckled, his cheeks lightly blushing when Corbin's intense eyes met with his own. "What?"
"Hands off," He warned.
"Yes master," Holden flashed him a sardonic grin and headed into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of wine.
Corbin was hot on his heels. "I mean it."
"Want some?"
"Why are you drinking now? We're going to a bar."
"I need to get a little drunk before if you expect me to walk in public like your dog on a chain," He gulped the red wine quickly and poured himself a second glass.
Corbin grabbed the glass away when Holden had drank half of it down, and proceeded to finish it for him. "That's enough for you," There was a knock at the door and he went to answer it. "I'm not carrying your drunk ass around all night."
"What's this now?" Victor laughed as he entered the apartment.
"Holden's getting an early start on the night," Corbin sighed, and showed the empty wine glass in his hand.
"I would too if I had to be on your chain all night."
"Exactly!" Holden threw his hands up in the air dramatically.
"Shut up, Stray. Let's go," Corbin tugged sharply on the chain that went from the collar around his neck to the loop of the Holden's belt.
The three men arrived at the bar where Callista and Birgitta were already waiting for them. "Heads up, boys. Stella and Lorelei are here tonight," Birgitta warned as she greeted them with hugs.
"Where's Gordie?"
"He wasn't feeling well. Where's Layla?"
"She had plans with some friends from work," Holden wrapped his arms around Birgitta and lifted her off the ground in a bear hug.
"Sorry, Holden had a couple drinks before he got here," Corbin tapped the other man's arm to let him know to put her down.
"I would too if I had to wear a leash for you all night," Callista laughed and gave Victor a high-five without even needing to make eye contact.
YOU ARE READING
BANE
Paranormal(M/M & F/F themes) It's a cold winter night when Holden is approached by a strange girl, offering him a hot cup of coffee and a place to spend the night. Desperate to get off the street, if only for a night, Holden agrees. It soon becomes clear that...
