Page 118 of Pretty Little Prey
“I wanted to hurt them,” she admitted, shuddering on the bed. “I know the bloodlust is strong; I know my emotions are supposed to be heightened. But, I…I don’t know that I regret it. Predator shifters only seem to understand violence and power.” Luna blinked up at the dragon. “Someone needed to stand up for that prey.”
Daxton pursed his lips but replied softly, “There are many immortals who have grown too…stubborn in old ways. But we could lead them into a new era, Neeuck.”
“Daxton, they will never accept me.”
“You will be changed back to your old state,” he said confidently. “I promise. The witches are working on it now.”
“Daxton…” Luna breathed out a sad little exhale.
Though she had never thought herself in a rush to marry, it hurt her that he would only marry her after she was a light shifter again.It shouldn’t matter what I am, she thought. Bastille did not care “what” she was, only that she was safe and strong and immortal. The basilisk had changed her because he wantedmoreof her. Not because he wouldn’t accept her when she was a prey.
“Luna, I am going to bring in the vampire and fox shifter. I need you to remain calm.” Daxton rolled off the bed and walked over to the doors of the bedroom.
She sat up stiffly. “Wait, what?”
“The vampire can help you learn to control your bloodlust. Since it remains unclear when the witches will change you back, it would be wise for you to know about your hunger and how to sate it, safely.” Daxton’s large palm wrapped around the doorknob. “This will be good for you.”
“I don’t want to see them,” she said.They make me feel weak. Being mad at them was easy when she didn’t have to see them.
Daxton repeated, “This will be good for you.”
Male alpha predators sure seemed all too comfortable telling her what was best for her. Making choices on her behalf without listening to her opinion. It made her fangs sharpen in her mouth.
Daxton opened the door for Sly and Nikolai to slip inside. There was a slight animalistic whine just outside, in the hallway, before the door closed again.Kobe.
“Did he explain everything to you already, babe?” Sly asked, unbuttoning his shirt.
“Whoa, whoa.” She put her hands in the air, motioning for him to stop. “What’s happening here?”
Nikolai moved so quickly, he blurred from across the room until he appeared right in front of her, beside the bed.
Nikolai had never shown her much emotion. He was the ever serious and logical one of the group. The one who showed the least feeling. But the vampire cupped her face and said with sad, regretful eyes, “I am sorry I was not here for you, Luna. I sired you; the death is on my hands. Do not allow the guilt to eat at you, pretty girl.”
Luna blinked, her mouth agape, as she lost herself in the sincerity of Nikolai’s burning red eyes.
“I will keep the nightmares away for you,” he swore. “The way you do for me.”
She kept his nightmares away? How? She had heard that vampires were haunted by memories of those they killed. Would that happen to her?
Nikolai stroked a finger down her cheek and chin until he drew a line down the center of her throat. The surprising, tender touch left her breathless.
“I will show you how to control the bloodlust,” he told her. “How to drink without killing.”
“And guess who your practice dummy is?” Sly shot her a nervous grin from across the room. “Spoiler alert: it’s the yummiest one of the group.” Sly gestured to himself.
He finished unbuttoning the first three buttons of his dark dress shirt. He pulled open the flaps of fabric, revealing the smooth skin of his neck and chest. She could hardly stop from licking her lips.
In a feigned Southern accent, Sly added, “Aw, damn, darlin’. You licking those lips for little ole me?”
Luna knew how Sly used humor to deflect and to mask his discomfort toward something.He is nervous I will kill him, just like the other shifter. Her heart twinged.
“Hey, now, don’t look so sad,” Sly said, moving forward to comfort her. “Nikolai can confirm how tasty I am, remember?” he joked to lift her spirits.
He comforts me as he prepares to feed me. Possibly sacrificing himself in the process. A little more of her hardened heart softened toward Sly.
“I’m a rare delicacy nowadays, baby,” Sly continued when he noticed her stiff shoulders loosen as he spoke to her. “Fox shifters were hunted just like prey. Light shifters, dark shifters, they all wanted a piece of me. I may be one of the few left. But you understand how that feels, don’t you, Luna?”
Her heart tugged her forward. She stood from the bed and took a step closer to him. She pressed a hand over his heart. “Sly, how did you end up with the Dark Ones?” He was a light shifter after all.
