Page 11 of Let Us Prey
Orphaned on Bloodstone as a kit, I became a Romulus by association. The only reason I survived in that place was because Cash and Bash took me under their collective wing—each claiming me in their own way. Even with this inarguable endorsement, I still knew exactly where I stood in the food chain.
Smack dab at the bottom.
Cash is my alpha, and the true heir to the Romulus throne, despite the current verdict. He’s also an absolute brick house of muscle and masculine aggression—not the type you want to defy. Bash’s role as beta is to defend his older twin at all costs, no matter how bloody he has to get to do so, and I’ve seen him get very bloody. I’m a smaller predator, and even in my human form, I’m only half the size of the brothers, so all I can offer them is my absolute subservience to the pack.
Hierarchy aside, both wolves have always treated me as an adoptive brother, but in my early twenties, this familial relationship with Bash turned into something more. Everyone knows I unequivocally belong to my beta, even if it’s purely on a physical level.
Which is better than nothing.
Regaining control of my fox, I hastily retreat to my studio before I embarrass myself again. Quickly gathering my things, I creep down the hallway and out the emergency exit to the fire escape, uncaring that Henrietta is going to pitch a fit until maintenance resets the alarm.
I run home like my tail is on fire, beyond relieved the townhouse appears to be empty when I get there. If there’s anything worse than me hiding from a freshman girl, it would be for my alpha or beta catching me in the act.
“Oh, hey, Nico! Lookin’ for me?”
Godsdamnit!
Normally, the sight of Bash in gray sweatpants would put even the worst day in perspective, but with the unrelated desire emanating from my pores at the moment, I know I’m fucked.
As expected, my beta freezes as he registers my frantic state. “Why do you look like you’re running from the cops, dude?” His eyes narrow as he stalks toward me, nostrils flaring. “And why do you smell like you’re DTF?”
I immediately drop to my knees and lower my gaze. “I saw her again,” I croak. “She was in the Shird and my fox wanted her. I got out of there as fast as I could, but… I don’t know what’s causing this to happen or how to control it or… fuck, fuck,fuck!”
I trail off, on the verge of an actual panic attack. It’s not that I think Bash will be angry—he made it clear howintriguinghe found my sordid confession over the summer—but this does not bode well for my standing in this pack. I know my place and how precarious that place truly is. In the end, I’m notreallya Romulus, and if I lose them, if I lose Bash, I’ll have nothing.
I’llbenothing.
This is exactly why Delores Drew is bad news.
“Nico,” Bash sighs, sounding more exasperated than concerned by my fragile mental state. “I don’t know why you’re getting your panties so bunched over... "
The front door bangs open, knocking me aside as Cash barrels in, pulsing with rage. “That fucking little…Nico?Why the fuck were you kneeling behind the door?” My alpha sniffs the air before growling in annoyance. “Can you two idiots keep your weird sex games in the bedroom? I don’t want my entryway smelling like ass juice.”
It’s not like anyone comes over here, anyway.
“Oh, Nico’s not lusting afterme,”Bash chuckles, and when I dare to raise my gaze, I see he’s zeroing in on me with a growing lust of his own. “He spottedDelorestoday... "
“DeloresfuckingDrew!” Cash barks, his outburst silencing his brother—never an easy feat. “You know, Bash, for how much you ran your mouth this summer, it never occurred to you to mention what a godsdamnbratshe is?”
An angry growl fills the entryway, and it’s Cash’s turn to be shocked into silence. He glares daggers at his twin, only to have Bash shrug, shaking his head in confusion. Then the full weight of twin Romulus stares turn in my direction.
Oh, fuck me…
Cash slowly approaches. It’s not because he’s wary—it’s because he wants me to sweat. I shrink, trying to make myself as small as possible as whatever personal issue he came home with is erased by his all-consuming control. By the time he reaches me, my eyes are once again fixed on the floor, my entire body shaking in anticipation of what’s coming, some sick part of me actually hopes he can beat this out of me.
He rests a thick finger under my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “Are we good, Nico?” he calmly asks, but it’s a question where there’s only one right answer.
“Yes, alpha,” I rasp. “Forgive me, alpha.”
“Nico’s just riding the struggle bus right now because my hot little Cherry gives him a major pred boner,” Bashunhelpfully comes to my aid, but I hear a note of concern in his voice.
To my surprise, an almost sympathetic expression passes over Cash’s face before it’s replaced by cool benevolence once again. Releasing my chin, he turns to address Bash. “Well, if anyone knows about uncontrollable boners, it’s you,” he ribs, although his tone still has an undercurrent of authority. “So, help your boy get his shit under control before this random chick worms her way under our skin even more.” Then our alpha stomps upstairs, muttering something under his breath about red marker and permanent eraser duty.
Bash puffs out a breath, his entire posture relaxing. “Look, Nico, I already toldyou, I don’t care if Delores makes you pred out. In fact,” he smirks and strolls over, lifting my chin in a saucy imitation of his brother. “Iwanther to get under your skin. How else am I supposed to get youbothin bed at the same time?”
Fenrir, give me strength.
Accepting his outstretched hand, I rise and allow him to lead me into the kitchen. My stomach growls as I remember Istillhaven’t eaten today, but any hope I have of being fed dies as Bash takes a seat at the island and looks at me expectantly. Rolling my eyes good-naturedly, I set to work assembling three enormous sandwiches, wondering which one of us will get stuck bringing the biggest one upstairs to Cash.
