Page 134 of Let Us Prey
What the hell?
Suspicion floods my veins at her words. Lucille doesn’t give compliments unless she wants something. Any praise from my mother costs way more than I’m willing to pay, so I brace myself for what’s coming. “I appreciate your kind words, mother. I rarely earn your praise. I am pleased that I represented our family well.”
Her laugh is airy; she’s transformed into her delightful socialite persona. “Oh. Dolores, don’t be so dramatic. I only wish for you to secure a husband who can provide for you in the manner to which you were raised. Our family name is respected, as you know. I want to protect it so you can wield its power in the future.”
Well this is new.
Her personality transplant makes me extremely skeptical. The real Lucille has to be laying in wait under the surface somewhere. I don’t believe this pile of tripe for a second, especially as she’s made it unquestionably clear in the past eight months that she didn’t want the family name associated with me at all—that I will never take her place on the Council, as her heir. Whatever she’s fishing for must be very important for her to make this much effort.
Of course, I’m not concerned about her finding me a ‘marriage match.’ I’ve found three ‘fated mates,’ and possibly two more, but she doesn’t need to know that.
An ache pulses where my fox’s bite has healed, and I rub my neck absently. I want themallto mark me, but I know they have to work out their issues before that can be a reality. This hope for a future with all of them is rooted deep in my heart, and the seed blossoms a little more each day.
Not to mention, it’d be nice to get some saucy alone time with the other two alphas. Naked time seems to help the others be less snarly.
It occurs to me I’ve been ignoring Lucille as she droned on, and I blink in surprise. I never used to tune her out so easily. I was too scared she’d say something important, and I’d be punished for missing it. Shaking my head in amazement, I refocus on her voice, trying to pick up the thread of her conversation.
“...my sources tell me they saw you in the company of several professors outside of class hours. Paired with news that you were ‘claimed’ by a Romulus, it sounds like I should prepare for wedding bells?”
Wedding bells? Hera, what are her spies telling her and how much do they know?
During her last call, Lucille fished for information about what kind of shifters lived at Apex and how close I was to certain ones—namely Renard and Aubrey, for some reason. She’s never specifically asked about my dating life, except to tell me she’ll basically have to sell me off. There’s something going on here and I don’t know what it is, but I have to be very careful how I approach her.
Lucille is many things, but stupid is not one of them—and she didn’t raise a fool, either.
“I don’t feel comfortable discussing my love life yet—everything is so new. I have made no commitments that would require a white dress, so don’t worry. After everything with Todd, I’m not ready to be serious with any one person.”
“Delores, don’t make this so antagonistic! I’m your mother, and I want you to be happy,” Lucille says, her voice dripping with saccharin sweetness.
Okay, what in the actual fuck is going on?
Lucille never speaks to me like this. She didn’t even speak to me like this is a baby—or so I’ve been told by Mattie. In fact, I’ve never heard my mother speak to me in anything but acerbic tones with condescending looks that translates over the phone.
What is her game?
“I am happy, and even though we haven’t defined our relationships the way you’d prefer, I have met men who treat me well. I’ve been on a few casual dates so far this semester. There’s nothing else to tell, Lucille.”
“Hmm” is all the answer I get.
I’m sure she wants the specifics, but until I know what her agenda is, I’m not giving up any details—even if only to lead her astray. She’s a crafty old leopard, and can’t be trusted. Information is currency to Lucille, and I’ve watched her use it to her advantage my entire life.
“Why did you call, Lucille? My grades are exemplary and we’re coming up on final exams soon. I’m sure the Administration staff report back to you, so there’s no need to follow up with me directly unless you’re unsatisfied.”
“Delores Diamond Drew, I am in no mood for your sass today!”
That sounds more like the Lucille I know and tolerate.
“All I want to know, daughter, is if you arehappyand if you’re spending time with people who are equivalent to your stature. I don’t want to hear that you’re dating another mangy hyena who will shame our family in the public arena.”
Ah, there it is.
She’s worried I’m dating someone who is beneath my station, even though it’s perilous and by name only, at best. All of my men would fit her criteria and then some, but for their exile—which doesn’t matter to me in the slightest. “I hate indulging your elitism, mother, but my dates aren’t from the wrong side of the tracks... I know that’s probably surprising given my… what do you call it…disability?”
The sparkling laugh echoing over the line again tells me she switched back to the loving mother personality that I know she isn’t. “Delores, this is why we fight. You don’t know how to take my sense of humor.”
Uh huh.
“You realize Apex has more pressing issues than my sex life, right?” I reply, unable to keep the disgust from my tone. “There have been a ton of missing students since the beginning of the semester and a dead bodydropped from the raftersin the middle of my rehearsal last night. As a Council member, I’d think you’d care far more about dead kids than who I’m having dinner with.”
