Melon had spent much of his childhood feeling like he would never regain control. He hadn't had any, to begin with. He couldn't control the way his father had left. Nor the fact that he had a mother who saw too much of his cowardly herbivore father in him and had attraction stemming from that.

He still felt disgusting when he woke from the nightmares sometimes.

She'd sent him spiraling down a path that he wouldn't go back on even if he could change the past. Her death had been him taking control back. He would never let another person take advantage of him so long as he lived.

But he couldn't control how ostracized he felt. Couldn't control his desire for approval, adoration. Hybrids were rare and frowned upon in the first place. So he had grown up a freak - a monster. An herbivore until you looked too closely and saw a mouth full of wickedly sharp teeth, and the leopard spots and tail that he'd inherited from his mother.

He'd turned to the Shishigumi in order to give himself the power and the respect that he deserved. He loved being able to see the fear in the eyes of his enemies and know that he would never be the one cowering in fear ever again. The life of the Shishigumi suited him just fine.

Melon didn't trust anyone. Not really. He didn't seek out personal relationships. He only sought physical ones to scratch the primal itch that lived inside him. And even then...He was in control. Always. If his partner overstepped? He'd killed men for less.

At the moment, you were his usual. It was routine, by now. He'd call you, or text you, if he didn't want people nearby to hear what orders he was giving you. He'd have you come to his room, and the rest was history.

This particular time, however, you'd triggered something in him. He was kissing you, the same way as he always did. Hands resting on your shoulders, simultaneously grounding him and warning you that you'd better stay still with his claws.

Then your hands found his hips and he froze. He shoved away from you, his breathing abruptly heavy. "Did I give you permission to touch?" He growled, suddenly vicious. His eyes were wild.