Tetradore had learned from a particularly young age just how that woman standing before him had so utterly ruined his life. Any ideas he might have had of growing up to become some meaningful use to society had all but left the young boy in the wake of stark reality of what his existence surely now held. He held no daydreams of falling in love or having a family. Any foolish hopes of a white picket fence and some corporate job had evaporated from the man a very long time ago. For so long, he simply continued to exist because, at the very least, it had been something to do. But now? Now he'd had a taste of freedom, of the world he could still have even if it was not the life his youthful idyllic self had once dreamed of. Now he'd found his childhood friend, he'd made connections, he lead a pack and all of them could come to harm because of their relationship with him. To be frank, martyrdom for their sake was altogether appealing for the man, if only that he might save them from her and the world he'd been condemned to for so long. It was a worthwhile sacrifice, at least, it would be if they could survive. His emerald eyes narrowed as he considered those fail safe's Risque was so keen to insist she had. Was it worth their lives to call that bluff? Did he want to risk it? His fingers drummed against the jeans of his thigh, considering this all the while her feminine voice called to him, informing him of how utterly pointless his efforts were.

He was decidedly used to her rather insistent attempts to assure him that escape was an impossibility, that this was the best he could ever hope to gain in this life - to be at her side as her willing toy. They were words he'd heard over and over again in some manner or another for what seemed the entirety of his life. By now, Tetradore had gotten particularly good at tuning out those efforts to undermine his intentions. It was that near sudden touch that drew Tetradore's gaze and, in turn, his thoughts away from that conundrum that would surely monopolize his mind in the nights to come. There was a gentleness to her touch, demanding as it was and yet, Tetradore knew far better than to believe that mock tenderness she displayed within that moment. His emerald eyes bore into those brighter blue ones, staring into the depths of that hell in a near unblinking fashion. He knew well what she was capable of. He knew what his life would consist of all over again. That hopelessness was near soul crushing and yet, somewhere deep within him was still a fire that refused to be quenched. He might be wrought with that reality but there had to be something he was capable of doing to save those few he truly loved. Something.

He hardly expected that the almost sweet touch she regarded him with would change so abruptly, though truly, it should not have surprised him in the slightest. She was the epitome of bittersweet. One moment she was cruel and tormenting and the next she was capable of almost seeming...loving. That is, if he didn't know better. That strike of her nail against his cheek brought blood to the surface, his flesh near flinched even if his own form remained entirely resolute. He could feel the warmth of his own blood trick down his cheek, that smell would surely taunt her, the man wholly aware of the way she eyed him in that moment - with want. A want he would not fulfil. He could tell well that question caught her off guard, that manicured eyebrow rose in a hint of surprise that he enjoyed producing with her. It was a petty victory and yet, to catch her unaware was one all the same. Those softly uttered words hardly prompted a reaction within him, the man simply looking down upon her in that same stoic manner, as if, for once, she was beneath him. It was a glimpse of that Alpha within him, of that force that had awoken in her absence. "I would not be so sure." He commented simply in response, his voice almost flat despite the power he knew well she held over him. He knew the control that she possessed and quite on cue, that affinity near slammed into him, his comment, it seem, would hardly go unpunished.

That domineering creature within him quite near roared to life in those moments, pushing back against that power that would see him kneel. For several long moments, he remained still, his knees almost locked in that clear display of rebellion as he fought so desperately against that power that crashed against him. He had grown in terms of his affinities since he was last within her grasp. Where he had once been but restricted to a singular ability had quite near multiplied. Escape was possible and yet, he hesitated to utilize that teleportation he had. After all, he knew as well as she did that if he should vanish from her, not only would she take out her wrath upon those he cared for most, but too that she wouldn't stop hunting for him. He could feel that resolve failing him, his body giving in inch by slow inch, betraying that Alpha will that refused to bow to anyone and yet, in the end, it was surely those near insurmountable years that existed between them that contributed to an ability he could surely not beat by willpower alone. His knees hit the ground and yet, even as those emerald eyes looked up at her, Tetradore remained defiant in the end, altogether informing her that while she may have his body, it was all she would ever have of him.

That near purr upon her lips only served to harden the man's features and yet, he remained near unmoving as she stepped closer towards him, insisting that, one day, he would be hers. His gaze hardly shifted from her features as her fingers entangled in his locks. Rather, the corner of his lips tilted downward in a clear frown and yet, that power that had brought him to his knees seemed strangely absent, all of a sudden. That tug was hardly gentle in any fashion and yet, Tetradore obeyed in, not particularly liking that present position he found himself in. He rose to his feet, his gaze near cold and hard as she directed him closer towards her. Those words were spoken with such saccharine sweetness within his ears and yet, even he was aware of the simple power that thrummed behind her voice, demanding his return but days from now. Tetradore had no words to offer her, no bite to prod her with in return. He knew he would be unable to fight that call, just as he knew well she too had every intention of taking from him as she damn near promised. Maybe he could poison himself or...something. That was an idea, he couldn't help but to wonder how her system might handle an overdose of illicit drugs. It was a somber thing to consider, really, the lengths at which he was willing to go for those few and far between jabs he was capable of making.

What he didn't expect, however, was that sudden brush of her tongue against his lips, his head jerked back at that small mock show of affection. That had always been a decidedly difficult point for him. Those tender moments in which she would kiss him, touch him, fuck him. He could withstand the torment and the torture but those were somehow....worse in every way. He knew well she would enjoy that effect she had on him in that final moment, the man internally berating himself for it even as he stepped back to turn from her. It was clear he had been dismissed, for tonight and yet, Tetradore was never one to push his luck when it came to finally being capable of leaving her presence. He had to tell Isolt. He had to ensure she was prepared. Maybe Damon would be capable of keeping her safe, of succeeding where he had most definitely failed her - of where he would always fail her. It was better this way. All of it was better this way. Isolt was safe with Damon. Nadya was safe with Frost and soon Raven and Tobias would be too have their relationship cemented together (it was an inevitability). And he? Well, as much as he hated to hear those words, he knew well the truth of them. He would always have Risque.