The vampire lord was hitting on Adrian.
Openly, obviously, despite Adrian wearing Kieran's bonding mark on his throat. Lord Santiago apparently didn't care about bonds.
"You're wasted on Ashford," Santiago purred, moving too close. "An ancient vampire set in his ways. You need someone who can match your youth, your energy."
"I'm bonded," Adrian said flatly.
"Bonds can be broken."
That's when Kieran appeared, his eyes blazing crimson, fangs fully extended. "Say that again."
Santiago paled. "Lord Ashford. I was just—"
"Propositioning my bonded mate. Suggesting our bond could be broken." Kieran's voice was death itself. "That's punishable by execution in vampire law."
"I apologize—"
"Too late." Kieran grabbed Adrian's arm. "Come. We're leaving."
He practically dragged Adrian out of the gathering and into their car. The ride home was tense, Kieran's possessive fury radiating through the bond.
The moment they entered the penthouse, Kieran was on Adrian, kissing him brutally, claiming him completely.
"Mine," Kieran growled against his mouth. "You're mine. No one else can have you, touch you, even suggest breaking our bond."
"I know," Adrian gasped. "I'm yours."
"Say it again."
"I'm yours! Only yours, always yours!"
Kieran carried him to the bedroom, his vampire strength making Adrian weightless. He threw Adrian on the bed and stripped them both with supernatural speed.
"I'm going to mark you," Kieran said, his eyes still red. "Going to cover you in bites and bruises so everyone knows you're taken."
"Yes," Adrian begged. "Mark me. Claim me. Show everyone I belong to you."
Kieran did exactly that. His mouth traveled Adrian's body, biting hard enough to leave marks even on vampire skin. His hands gripped tight enough to bruise. When he finally entered Adrian, it was rough, possessive, claiming.
"Mine," Kieran repeated with each thrust. "My mate. My bonded. My eternal partner."
"Yours," Adrian agreed breathlessly. "Forever yours."
They came together explosively, Kieran's fangs buried deep in Adrian's throat, taking his blood while claiming his body. The possessive display left Adrian covered in marks, thoroughly claimed.
"Better?" Adrian asked afterward.
"Not yet."
Kieran took him three more times that night, each as possessive as the first. By morning, Adrian was covered in healing bite marks and completely satisfied.
Lord Santiago sent a formal apology the next day. He also requested transfer to a different territory—apparently facing Kieran's possessive fury once was enough.