Bartleby had no idea what a patron was, but it seemed this prince wanted to be one for him. It did sound like a nice way to gain access into the castle though. That worked perfectly with the plans he and Verity were just starting to make. He would have to tell her of this fortunate turn of events.
Which did bring him to one of many questions. “I would be allowed to come and go as I please? When we are not talking, of course.” Bartleby would not be able to stand it if he were trapped in that castle. He really did not like to be confined anywhere.
Besides, as much as he was beginning to enjoy his role as a man, he was still very much a wolf in his heart. Bartleby needed to be able to change back to his natural form when the urge to howl got too strong to ignore. He still loved to run through the woods, feeling the fallen leaves under his paws and the wind in his fur. He needed to hunt and howl and be free.
And that was it. Above all else, he loved to hunt. Nothing defined a wolf more than his ability to feed himself and his pack. While he technically did not have a pack at the moment, he would like to help provide Verity with fresh meat for the kindness she showed him. He wondered if Robin had his own hunters or if he would have to teach them the proper way to bring down the prey.
“I would be honored to accept you as my patron.” He hoped that was the proper way to take Robin up on his offer. It was kind of the prince to say he would match his salary. Whatever that was. Maybe it was one of those vegetable dishes he had seen women eating. But that would be a very silly thing to offer a carnivore as an incentive.