Page 25 of Prey for Me

“Next time you disrespect your alpha, I’ll—” Raphael begins.

“There willnotbe a next time!” Nakoa bellows, and the cave seems to tremble from the force. Everyone clams up, silent, too quiet. So much so that I imagine I hear water dripping from a stalagmite deep within the dark hole beyond the fire.

“Enough of this,” our pack alpha quips. “I command you to rest, omega. Leo, you will watch over her. Raphael, you’re with me. We have to search for medicine to stop the infection and figure out about the crash,” he says, nodding to my puffy hand.

Leo’s head snaps up like an obedient, oversized pup. I shake my head no, not wanting to rest. I want to get out of here so we can try to rescue my sister. I feel fine, given the circumstances. We shouldn’t wait.

But Nakoa’s tone is stern when he grits out, “You will rest first. That’s an order, Grace.”

Deciding it’s no use to put up a verbal fight, I use what strength I have left to scoot to the wall in defiance. Once I’m out of the furs, I do see my ankle is set in a splint. Or is it called a stabilizer when it’s made of black fabric with velcro versus wood? Who knows, and nobody here would care to tell me.

Nakoa sighs, but doesn’t press me to do anything else. I am resting against the wall, my body wired for a fight nonetheless. There’s always a loophole to a command. And at least I’m out of the apex of my heat.

“Protect her,” our alpha repeats to Leo.

Leo nods, and it’s only then that I realize his moss green gaze hasn’t left mine since he was ordered to watch over me. I shouldfeel creeped out, but treacherous, comforting sensations envelop me instead. Damn this rotten heat deceiving me!

Soon, I’m alone with a horny menace of an alpha without even the illusion of protection from him. It’s like Rapahel forgot he just kicked his ass–literally–for groping me before he left. I keep my back pressed to the wall, trembling because I’m too far from the fire. But I don’t care. I keep my eyes aimed at the exit. It’s nighttime, but there’s enough starlight to make out the shadow of a ledge. So we’re high up, not a good sign, but at least I’ll be prepared this time. If Leo gets any funny ideas, I’ll fight like hell. I’ll fight worse than a demon to make it back to my sister. I’ve given them my body, and taken the crushing weight of their orgasms back to back to back. I won’t let them crush my heart. I won’t let them claim my soul. I will–

The tension between us disappears in an instant when the fur hits my lap, replaced by my confusion as I look up with a perplexed expression. How fast is he that he crossed the cave without making a sound, in what feels like the blink of an eye?

“Thank you?” I whisper, dumbfounded by the strangely sweet gesture as Leo smiles down at me like someone who’s somewhat normal.

“Anything for you, princess,” he says, and my skin crawls from this nickname he’s bestowed on me as he sinks down to lay beside me.

I curl away, but he’s on my back in no time. But he doesn’t touch me, inappropriately at least. He holds me in a loose hug around my waist, trying to bring me to the ground. But I stay upright and still despite him tugging on my hip every so often.

“It’s what an alpha should do for their omega,” he says once I don’t respond for a long time.

“I’m not your omega,” I whisper and I don’t miss the way he clicks his fangs at that.

“Relax. Lay down. Rest like our alpha commanded you to,” he says, tone a little more brutal. Angry, even. But he doesn’t seem angry at me.

“Fuck you,” I say, wondering if I’ve lost my mind.

“Not tonight. Lay down,” he repeats and I snort.

“I saidno,” I snap.

I seem to have reached his breaking point with that last comeback. I yelp as he yanks me onto the furs. Not hard enough to do any more damage to my body, but hard enough that I don’t have time to react, only compile. Then, he wraps me in his arms, the furs between us, and it’s like I’m in a velvet cocoon. It’s surprisingly soft but just as warm as I expected.

“Sleep, princess,” he demands as I groan not in pain, but contentment.

“Does everyone have a humiliating nickname around here? If so, I vote to change mine.”

“Why?” he asks, innocently.

I want to say I’m not his princess. But his even breathing gives me pause after I don’t respond. Maybe the silent treatment will be my saving grace. A new plan starts churning as I lean back into his embrace. Slowly, I slip my good hand out, testing if he’s awake by touching his hip. Leo doesn’t move. I rub my hand downward, and sure enough, there’s a knife concealed in his pocket. I knew he wasn’t making daggers appear out of thin air. And he seems like the type to steady ready, so he doesn’t have to get ready.

With a triumpjhant grin, I clutch the hilt and pull it out slowly. That is, until Leo whispers in my ear.

“If you try to steal from Raphael or our alpha, just know they won’t be so understanding,” Leo says, snatching my hand away from his hip right when I thought he’s was passed out for good.

He pins it back on my side of the furs, lacing our fingers together as I fume.

“The only thing dangerous you should be playing with are our cocks. Now release my knife.” he adds, and I can’t stop myself from punching him in his side. He chuckles, but I do want to punch him in his face.

“Shut up. I get you already,” I say.

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