Page 84 of Let Us Prey
With a snarl that startles the bats in the eaves, I slam the bucket of beer to the floor and stalk out of Renard’s apartment. My rage doesn’t lessen until I’ve stomped down what feels like a hundred stairs, and even then it takes fully shifting and running through the woods of Apex for hours until I feel like myself again.
FORTY-SEVEN
Ain’t That a Kick in the Head
Sebastian
I’m surprisingly nervous as I park my Dick-ati outside the CHUM to pick Cherry up for our date. While I stand by my statement thatIwas the logical choice to handle taking things to the next level with Delores, it’s actually not a conversation I’ve ever had to deal with before. Sure, a ton of chicks—and a few dudes—havetriedto tie me down over the years, but I was always too wild a stallion to be tamed.
A stallion wolf. Yeah.
“Ooh! We’re taking the bike?” D excitedly squeals, skipping out the front door as I’m dismounting. I hadn’t bothered telling her about our mode of transportation, since I knew she’d either wear her usual leather and boots, or be dolled up in a dress that would look hot as hell riding up her thick thighs as she straddled my beast.
And by beast, I mean…
Because I’m the luckiest wolf there ever was, Delores is wearing a bit of both. She’s rocking her signature leather jacket over a black dress so short I’m already salivating. I swear, this girl is 99% legs, and I wonder if we have enough time before our dinner reservation for me to take her back upstairs before we hit the road.
“Am I… dressed okay?” she asks nervously, misinterpreting my hesitation. “I forgot to askwherewe’re even going… should I change?”
“Absolutely fucking not!” I leap over to where she’s fidgeting and sweep her into my arms. Everyone on campusknowsshe’s mine, so I have zero qualms about publicly licking my way into her mouth until she’s back to her giggly, confident self again. Guiding her toward my ride, I help her climb aboard, making sure she isn’t showingtoomuch leg for the undeserving masses. “First, we’re going to Il Lupo for dinner,” I smirk as she instinctively tenses. “Relax, Cherry. Just because a place is Romulus-owned doesn’t mean we like,executepeople in the middle of the restaurant.”
That’s what the back alley is for.
She nods, sweeping her pretty rainbow hair out of the way so I can secure her helmet. “And what aboutafterdinner?” she asks, trying to keep her tone casual, even as her cheeks flush an adorable pink.
As much as I love teasing her, tonight is all about making Delores comfortable, so I simply boop her nose and swing my leg over the seat. “TBD, but I have a few ideas to discuss over dinner.” I smile at her over my shoulder before wrapping her arms around my rock-hard abs. “Just hang on tight.”
Il Lupo has a line around the block, as usual, even though most of the wannabes waiting outside wouldn’t be able to get a reservation if their life depended on it. The food is to die for, but that’s not why everyone is trying to claw their way in. It’s the allure of the illicit that excites them, as if they’ll find a mumbling Predfather waiting inside, giving them just enough of a Howllywood thrill to feel like they encountered the criminal underbelly and lived to tell the tale.
Amateurs.
“Beta,” the doorman respectfully addresses me before lifting the velvet rope so we can enter. While Titus and his cronies on Bloodstone may no longer consider Cash next in line, the staff at Il Lupo—and its many side businesses—answer to Nonna Romulus, who has always been on Team Cassius, even thoughI’mher favorite.
Just sayin’.
We enter the ivy-covered brick building, and continue on through the stone archway inside, breezing past the hostess stand, because I don’t need to check in. The place looks the same as it no doubt did when it first opened in who the fuck knows when. Maroon-upholstered chairs surround white-clothed tables, terracotta-painted walls broken up by faux ivy and reproduction statues of famous Italian statues only Nico would know, and more ‘made wolves’ than most preds would willingly exist in the same room as. My gaze lingers on the mural stretching across the back wall, showing a rolling vineyard like the ones all over the countryside where Nonna lives, realizing it’s probably time we paid the old alpha a visit.
And then she could meet Delores.
“This place is so cool,” D loudly whispers as we’re seated at a display table still far enough away from the front to ensure privacy.
I’ve noticed at least four Romulus enforcers seated nearby who’ll offer their throats before anyone gets within 50-yards of us, so I relax and shoot her a dazzling smile. “I’m glad you like it. Only the best for my girl.”
Ourgirl.
Clearing my throat, I remember therealpurpose of this dinner, and I discreetly nod at the Maitre D' to bring me some liquid courage. He’s a fox shifter, which makes me wish Nico was here, asmyfox is way better with words than I am. He’d know exactly what to say, even though seeing Delores in this dress would probably send him spiraling into his sexy-as-fuck primal state—meaning we’d then have to cut dinner short and all go straight to the hotel.
Whydidn’tI ask Nico to come with me tonight?
Is it hot in here?
I swear, Cash tied my tie extra tight on purpose….
We need to get that asshole laid already.
“You’re thinking very loudly over there, Bash,” Delores stifles a smile as she daintily sips her wine. “Is there something on your mind?”
I take a deep breath. “Yeah, Cherry, there is. Um… so, the guys and I were talking and uh… well, I guess Aubrey met your mom and she’s kind of a crazy bitch… Ok, let me start over. So, Cash already declared you a Romulus, which is more symbolic than anything, because you need to like,seal the dealbefore you’re truly claimed by the alpha…alphas... "
