Page 15 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

“So this is the werewolf princess everyone has fussed over,” a shadow fae male said, looming over the back of my seat. Hissheet of long dark hair draped over my shoulder, and I bristled at the contact. Turning around in my seat at the dining room table, I glared at him. Then I blinked at the familiar ruby-red eyes I’d glimpsed at the summit.

That’s right…he’s Drake’s younger brother.

“Solarus,” Drake said from across the table. His voice was low in warning. Too calm. I glanced at him and flinched. His narrowed eyes glowed an unearthly violet, wisps of the color leaking out from the corners of his eyes like tongues of fire.

The male hovering above me, Solarus, unsheathed his black talons and hooked them into the chair's frame. He gave a wicked grin at his older brother. “Already protective of her, are we?”

Dark flame flared to life, pooling around Drake’s form and licking at the air. I scented the air. A sharp bite of dominance wafted into my nostrils…protectiveness. A delightful heat settled in my belly, and a tingling buzzed through my insides at Drake’s concern for me. At the same time, however, I couldn’t help the prickling irritation that needled my scalp. I didn’t need any male to fight my battles.

I turned my gaze back to Solarus. Letting my claws slice out, I said in a sweetened tone, “You have five seconds to remove your talons from my chair before I rip off your crown jewels.” I hovered my claws over his groin, my lips curling into a harsh grin.

Solarus’ deeply tanned skin turned sallow as his eyes dropped to how close my wicked claws lingered from his groin. He sprang away, cupping his groin and shooting me a dark scowl as he circled around the length of the wood table to Drake’s side. My inner wolf wagged her tail, quite pleased.

Drake’s shadow flames receded. If I didn’t know any better, I'd say he was amused. Our gazes connected across the table. He offered a subtle wink. My cheeks heated to scorching proportions. I dropped my gaze and quickly pushed the food around my plate with a fork.

It was an exotic dish I wasn’t familiar with. I detected grilled chicken, but the aromatic spices that danced on my tastebuds were unfamiliar but delectable—except for the heat of the spices that nipped.

“What is this dish?” I asked Drake.

“It's called Chicken Shapala,” he said, taking another bite. He paused mid-chew. “Is it not to your liking?”

“Oh, no, it's delicious!”

A slow, tiny smile curled his lip.

Footsteps sounded from the left. I turned to find a female shadow fae entering the dining room. She had long ebony hair that streamed behind her. Her curvaceous body moved like liquid silk as she approached. I blinked rapidly, taking in her black leather skirt that barely passed her bottom. Wicked black boots were rising to mid-thigh. A tight-fitting bodice completed her daring ensemble. Werewolves were known to be sensual in our clothing, but we didn’t quite go to the length of the shadow fae, apparently.

Her amber eyes slid to mine. She offered a slow grin, her eyes narrowing a fraction. I gave a hesitant smile in return.

She turned her attention to her brothers. She blinked at Solarus.

“Why the hell are you holding your cock?

Solarus shot her a withering glare, quickly tucking his hands into his tight navy blue pants’ pockets. “No reason,” he grumbled.

She quirked a brow at Drake.

“Ember threatened to slice off his crown jewels.”

“D-drake!” I spluttered, not wishing him to divulge such information.

She threw her head back, and laughter pealed from her throat. When she wrapped her arms around her stomach and doubled over, I found my own grin returning.

“It’s not that funny, dammit,” Solaris muttered. He folded his arms across his solid chest.

“I find it hilarious,” Drake said in a forced, monotoned voice. He glanced up at his siblings with a half-lidded expression.

Solarus snarled. “Of course you would, you bastard!”

Drake looked back at his plate, scooped a forkful, and said before taking a bite, “If you weren’t making such an ass of yourself all the time, I wouldn’t have found it amusing.” He took a bite. “That’s your own fault.”

“What did you just say!” Solarus exclaimed.

Laughter tore from Alaria’s throat.

I blinked slowly, my mind not comprehending what I was witnessing. The ribbing of siblings…it wasn’t unlike what I’d witnessed at pack outings amongst the werewolf youths. Even my brother Xanu and I had cracked a few hard ones on each other—all in good-natured fun, of course.

They’re acting so…so ordinary. I’d always imagined the shadow fae to be cold, callous, just like in battle.

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