Those preciously sweet years of freedom had changed something within the turbulent waters of Tetradore's soul. Without his vampiric mistress within his life, he had discovered so much more of the world that existed beyond her callous touch and relentless mind games. He had discovered what it meant to have friends, the bonds of family, loss, love, hope. Everything his life had been lacking, he had found out there. In their arms, that fight within the often defeated man had been renewed with a vengeance, pushing him onwards on the very brink of absurdity for the shred of a chance that he might find victory. He was hardly ignorant enough to think that tonight would end in some sort of miraculous success. The odds were never in his favor and yet, he was content to find satisfaction only in showing the vampiric woman that he was not the same this time. Things would not end the same this time. He would not concede for those few months or years of precarious peace when he was too tired to combat her. Tetradore didn't have that luxury anymore, not when his pack relied upon him. He had to go home tonight. They would notice his absence. He was oblivious to how his own emerald eyes so betrayed him at that moment, holding that anger, determination, and dread in one singular look. If only he had come more prepared.

It was that abrupt vice-like grip that caught him off guard. Her slender fingers clawed at his neck, crushing his larynx in the sheer strength of her fury. He could feel her within him, her very power toying at that fragile line between beast and man, so able to cut his very efforts short if she desired to pull that jaguar from his skin. Tetradore was altogether aware of the ebb and flow of that affinity, releasing him only to forcefully pluck at it all over again, leaving him just on the edge of that very transformation. It was wholly distracting, and yet, even that shift was not enough to pull his attention away from that silver collar his fingers so desperately grasped at. The very sting of the metal on his hands brought reality sharply into focus, even in spite of that breath that so quickly seemed to leave his lungs. He brought that collar around her neck, satisfied by the sizzling of her flesh that burned at her pristine skin. It was so rare, those moments in his life when any damage was truly afflicted upon the woman, that even this minuscule achievement prompted a triumphant surge of emotion within him, even with every gasp for air.

He hardly had the moveability he had hoped for, his plan forced to adapt to the vampire's grasp upon his neck as he tried to find something of use to finish that battle. He had hardly thought of the other threat within the room, the demure panther had easily been written off within his thoughts for her demure and skittish nature. The Alpha was entirely aware of Risque's grip tightening upon him, those gasps becoming all the more frantic as he knocked several items off of her desk, fully aware of that ever closing window of opportunity. His own grip weakened substantially, the lack of air quickly beginning to have an effect upon his body. He hardly saw her coming, slinking around the desk towards him, jaws parted with her eyes filled with conflict. Tetradore's emerald gaze was focused solely upon Risque herself, to the point that he hardly had even a moment's notice before those sharp canines pieced through flesh and muscle, digging deep into his forearm. He inhaled and yet, that shout of pain died on his lips in an almost wheezing sound. Tetradore was aware of the muscles she had torn, just as he was aware of how deep her teeth were within his arm as that blood poured forth from his wounds in a wave of crimson.

His fingers slowly began to lose their once steady grasp upon the woman, the lack of air, those teeth in his arm, all of it pushed his mortal body to the very limits of its capability to function. That familiar sensation of her power slammed into him in those moments, the sheer intensity of it was something he'd forgotten in that time he'd spent away from her. That command hissed within his thoughts, rattled around his brain as the feline released her hold upon him, leaving his arm free and capable of carrying out that command. Tetradore's hand trembled as he weakly reached out for that piece of metal around Risque's neck, fighting dimly against her power while also struggling to move from the sheer lack of oxygen afforded him. He could feel that rush of adrenaline in his veins at that moment as his breaths turned into little more then wheezes, his eyelashes fluttered at that threat of losing consciousness. It was the sudden release of her hand that caused him to fall forward ever so slightly, his body naturally gulping in that air as he coughed, one free hand gingerly rose to that mark left upon his neck, the skin already brushing from the crushing sensation of her hand. Tetradore was hardly given a moment to regain his composure, however, that very demand for freedom from Risque's silver bindings once again spurred his movements onwards.

The Alpha's hands reached up for the collar he'd secured but moments ago, the very touch of the silver sizzled against his fingers, prompting a soft hiss from his lips. The purr of his name in that soprano voice drew those emerald eyes upwards towards her, that gesture alone the only acknowledgment he gave her that he'd heard her. That saccharine sweet tone to her voice only served to prompt a scowl upon the were-King's lips and yet, he hardly afforded her an answer. Admittedly, now, it was for the pack that he fought for, even though it would be altogether easy to simply give over the reigns of Nightshade and submit himself to her. There was some innate part of him that had long since become habitual, that seed of rebellion planted so deeply within him that turning back had long ago become impossible. Even so, his gaze shifted downwards from those chilling blue eyes, just as his fingers undid the final latch, letting that chain clash against the wall as the collar fell back to where it had dangled moments ago. His chest still rose and fell in a labored fashion as she moved so abruptly against him, the warmth of her breath sent a shifter down his spine as she whispered in his ear.

Tetradore's head turned from her as she shifted around him, his body followed suit, giving that wall of chains his back. He could feel the caress of her fingers against his muscular physique and yet, Tetradore remained still even though he loathed her very touch. He was painfully aware of the scent of copper on his figure, the very depth of the feline's teeth in his arm caused his body to be slow to heal. Those trickles of blood moved down his arm, dripping from his fingertips. That inquiry upon her lips caused his eyebrows to raise, her fingers hardly stopping that trail upon his chest and yet, Tetradore took his time in answering. That death had, admittedly, been both terrifying and dreadfully....peaceful. It was the knowledge of the end was near, that he was free from all of this that had brought the man such a sense of calmth....only for it to be ripped from him when his ashes collected and he emerged like a phoenix from the remains. "I felt free from you." He informed her, his voice particularly deadpan as he glared at her, the man forever welcoming of his own death. In fact, he had come to expect for a great many years that his life would not live long and his end would inevitably come at her hands when she finally found herself bored of him. That day, however had yet to come. For now, he focused on letting his breath steady, the man simply watching the vampire before him with a ready weariness, assured his gaul did not come without repercussions.