Page 24 of Devil May Hunt
Kelevra Diar was the real one in charge here. If he ordered the Active to join them doing laps, Banks would have to do it without argument. The thing was, Kelevra wouldn’t hesitate to do it either. He wouldn’t even need a reason.
Growing up, Brennon had watched the prince from the sidelines, noticing how ambivalent Kelevra could be about his cruelty. He’d been smart enough not to get involved, even if the reason at the beginning had been mostly to spite his parents. It was hard seeing the way Kelevra treated Rin though, not onlybecause it was different than how he treated anyone else, but because it forced Brennon to admit he was wrong about him.
Kelevra Diar was an arrogant prick.
But he loved Rin. Was good to him.
Better than Brennon would have been capable of being.
Their relationship compelled him to acknowledge his crush had stemmed from an unwillingness to give up his friendship. He’d wanted Rin’s affection because he hadn’t wanted change. If his friend had reciprocated, Brennon would have lost him, because he couldn’t give him the same care and attention that Kelevra could. He just wasn’t programmed that way.
Until that night with Gunho, Brennon hadn’t considered bottoming for anyone. He was used to being in control and having his own way. But that night…He’d been so drunk, and the alpha had been sexy and pushy and persistent and…He didn’t regret it.
Well, hedid, but not because of the sex. Honestly, he may have even been open to sleeping with Gunho again if the alpha hadn’t gotten crazy possessive out of nowhere, talking about pheromones and scents and whatnot.
It was dressed up clinically, but when the fancy words were stripped away, it all sounded way too romantic for Brennon’s tastes.
He’d never been attracted to anyone else’s scent but Brennon’s? What the hell. Did the alpha think that made them soulmates or some shit?
No. No matter how good the sex had been, or how badly Brennon wanted to sit on that cock, there was no—
He stumbled and almost crashed into a cadet in front of him, coming to a halt in the middle of the path. Someone bumped into him from behind, but he hardly noticed, toocaught up in the direction his thoughts had taken without his permission.
Hewantedto what now?!
“Brennon.” A hand reached out for him and he slapped it away without thinking, only realizing what he’d done when a hush fell over the entire gym.
A rush of anxiety swept over him as he lifted his gaze, wincing when he found Gunho standing less than two feet away.
He’d just hit an Imperial.
In public.
Brennon could feel the weight of the room on his shoulders, and he did what the situation demanded and dropped to one knee in a swift motion, bowing his head. “Apologies, Imperial. I didn’t mean it. Please forgive me.”
Pissing off his parents by disregarding their plans for him was one thing, tarnishing the Cree name because he’d been a foolish, distracted brat was another. Even if this wasn’t Gunho’s planet, and even if Rin was able to convince Kelevra to come to Brennon’s defense, there were too many witnesses for him to get off completely unscathed.
Reputation was everything. The alpha would need to save face.
Two fingers pressed beneath his chin, lifting his head until his eyes met with golden ones. The breath almost caught in his lungs, but he managed to conceal his reaction to that intense stare at the last second, keeping his composure so as not to embarrass himself or the Cree line more than he already had.
“It’s been a few days, cadet,” Gunho said cryptically. “Do you know what you’ve done wrong?”
He frowned but replied, “I shouldn’t have slapped you. I apologize, Imperial.”
“You’ll need to be punished for your insolence.”
“I’ll accept whatever punishment you see fit.” It was easy to slip into the role of dutiful subject. The calm, easy-going Royal Brennon Cree was an identity he was familiar with enough that it came as second nature, even in the presence of Gunho.
Brennon only ever did enough to be petty toward his parents, not screw up his own reputation. He’d chosen the Academy over Vail, knowing he could integrate into the family business whenever he pleased. Despite his claims, he’d always planned on eventually taking over Cree Cosmetics.
He’d avoided Kelevra Diar growing up, refusing to become his friend and garner favor because it pissed his parents off, but also because he’d known from early on he was no match for someone with that kind of power.
The type of person who could order an entire room into silence with just a glance.
Like the person still holding him prisoner with two fingers and golden eyes.
Aside from disregarding mommy and daddy, he’d always kept up appearances as the dignified Royal. Had ensured his grades remained steady, even if they weren’t brilliant. Was friendly and kind to everyone he encountered, though in a passing, carefree way. He networked but didn’t form strong attachments, kept a polite distance from the higher-ups.
