Five

A/N: Comment & Vote

Pic: Luca? What do you guys think? Do

You have better ideas?!

Luca likes pink. Tanner smiled at the jubilant tone of the little were and obediently steers the cart to the preferred side of the store.

The sales woman bats an eye but one cold look from the ancient vampire has her sorting through the sale rack. Luca reaches to touch the silky fabric of some leggings and Tanner allows him to pull items into the cart on whim, occasionally resizing. By the time Luca grows antsy the cart is overflowing with items in various hues of pink, purple, white, and a couple items in neon blues and pastels greens. He took Luca through check out and wheeled the cart full of backs to his Beamer where he tried to cram it all in his trunk.

Perhaps an SUV would have been more useful? "Going to Daddy's house now?"

"Not quite pumpkin. I thought you wanted some toys?"

It was a distraction for Luca. Tanner still needed to stop and get his 'supplies', decor and bedding for his room, and then were food products because he'd be damned if his boy ate from a bag of processed shit! Plus, he realized the dry burn in his throat, he could use a drink. So a stop at a restaurant would do wonders.

He mentally scheduled it after the supplies stop. He couldn't bring Luca into a public place without a collar and muzzle. The clothing store had been far enough from the Capital to reduce Tanner's fear of getting caught but as he joined the heavy traffic in the city he didn't dare violate any were-related rules. Propaganda preaching the Emperor's promises, demon discrimination and were-regulations were plastered about. The younger vamps loved it. But Tanner had lived through the glee of being on top. He was past his childish need to triumph and fight.

He was ready to slow down.

He was ready for peace.

They went to the toy store next where Luca simply had a blast. Luca snatched a plush turtle off the shelf and it instantly went into his mouth where he happily chewed on it. Tanner had forgotten about the were's need to chew. Especially since he was really was only a pup still. He got a dozen other items he could chew on and stuffed wolf for him to sleep with. Luca begged for the 40'' plush panda that further dwarfed him and despite the ridiculous price tag, Tanner couldn't say no.

With everything crammed into the car, Tanner drove slowly to the next stop. He was afraid of how Luca would react to being fitted for a collar and a muzzle. Maybe a fun pink leash would take the edge off? He hadn't missed the suspicion in the cashier's eyes.

The building was bland and some of the Capital's men were loitering at the doors. Tanner almost swore but instead got Luca out and walked toward the shop. The men gave him a cold look, as if wanting to fine him for not having him pre-collared, leashes, and muzzled. Luca was oblivious to this and happily chirped a hello to the men. One looked away, the other cracked a smile.

He stepped inside the busy shop and Luca whispered in his ear, "Daddy Luca not like it here."

"I know sweetheart. I'll go as fast as I can."

He brought Luca out back where there was a small line waiting to be fitted. A yowling werelynx was hoisted onto the table as a tattooed vampire drew a tape measure around its neck, face, chest, and snout. He marked down the numbers and shoved them into the hands of the were's owner who took the lynx by the scruff and carried it furiously past Tanner. A woman with a syringe approaches Tanner. He knew the serum in it would force Luca to shift in his wolf form and leave him stuck in it from anywhere between one to four hours.

He knew it wasn't optional however and sucked on his teeth as his little boy flung his arms at his Daddy and begged him not to let her hurt him. "It's okay pumpkin," he cooed. "Once it's done you'll feel all better."

He wasn't sure if this was true. He hates putting his baby through this torture but it was required. The woman took one of his little arms and stuck the needle in with no tact. As she emptied in Luca began to cry. "Luca hurt." He choked out.

Tanner knew the pain came if he were resisted the transformation. Alarmed he rubbed his back. "Just Shift cupcake," Tanner murmured. "It'll make the hurt go away."

Weeping the transformation began to take place. He shrunk some, his bones reassembling, fur sprouting from his hair follicles. Then he was cradled a small tan puppy in his arms. Sad brown eyes looked up at him and a heart melting whimper greeted Tanner's ears.

Luca was simply precious as a pup.

His big ears flopped to and fro as he looked around wildly before nuzzling against his Daddy, seeking comfort. Tanner stroked his silky fur, cooing softly to Luca who yipped dejectedly. "Next," the man's voice was riddled with annoyance.

Regretting every moment Tanner stepped forward and carefully tried to lower Luca onto the table. The pup whimpered and scrabbled back to his Daddy's arms. The man let out a growl of frustration and Tanner hissed a clear warning: don't touch my baby. The man rolled his eyes and picked up the tape measure expectantly. Luca stared up at Tanner in shock and offense--his Daddy was supposed to keep him safe!

"It's alright pumpkin."

The man scoffed and Tanner ignored him continuing to whisper comforting pet names for his Little. The man surprised Tanner, making quick and relatively careful work of measuring Luca and marking down the numbers. He presented the scrap of paper and Tanner scooped up Luca and took the slip finding the woman.

"I need the serum to let him shift back."

"Normally we keep them in their animal form while muzzles, collars, and harnesses."

"I have his numbers. I can select on just fine." Tanner replied coldly.

The woman licked her pink stained lips. "It'll cost you extra."

"Fine."

She sighed--clearly it was a hassle to go and switch out serums. She excused herself to the back room while Tanner glanced around the shop. There wasn't anything fancy here--it was a jack of trades. Everything came in basic designs and color schemes. Prices were kept modest for the common buyer. That being said, everything was made of leather and metal for the most part.

While those materials were most durable and suitable for Beasts, Luca wasn't a Beast. He didn't require such strong restraints, nor did Tanner want him to have the look of some vicious animal. He simply wasn't one and Tanner wasn't going to treat him as such.

However leaving the store empty handed was practically begging for a ridiculous fine and possible impounding of the improperly secured were. Tanner couldn't let they happen.

So he grabbed a cheap leather collar, leash, and a metal grated muzzle. The harness wasn't a requirement in most public places unless the were exceeded sixty pounds or 27 kg. And Luca was definitely below the weight requirement.

The woman came back and jabbed Luca with a hostility that made Tanner ready to snap her fucking neck. The yelping puppy shifted into a weeping Little who stared at his Daddy with a lack of understanding. "Luca wanna go!"

"I know sweetheart." He gave her a lethal glare that she sniffed at and moved toward a new customer. "Daddy just needs to pay."

"Luca not want--"

"I know sweetheart. But Daddy has to buy it. We can pick out a nice pink, pretty collar together this afternoon!"

A hesitant smile graced his face. "Luca likes pink!"

"I know sweetheart."

QOTC: Is there anything you guys want to see in this story? Any criticism or critiques you want to give me?

Goal: 10 comments for next update :)