Page 19 of Marked By Feral Monsters
"Okay, I did, but only because you were being mean."
"I was."
"Right. Well, I don't feel bad then."
Eli snorts and walks off, to help actual customers. Braden snatches his empty cup and points the straight end of his curly straw at me. "I wasn't intentionally being mean. But I can see how it came across as mean."
"I'm not a coward."
"You are, but again, I'm not saying that to be mean. I'm just saying…"
"You're being cowardly," Keely interjects.
I let out a growl and turn away from the twins, storming off toward the employee break room. I could use a break right about now. The twins follow.
Braden continues, "Listen, Lily. When they were here the other night, I could have sworn…"
My step catches, but I keep walking, tilting my head back. "Sworn what?"
"I'm assuming by now you've figured out they were your clients in the lower deck. And when we stopped by to say hi that night, they were acting a little weird. They caught a scent… and even Nico was more fidgety than usual. And he wouldn't leave the table. Almost like… like he couldn't walk away. It's the only thing that makes sense."
My hand slaps against the door, swinging it open. Mara's talking to one of the girls who work the floor and eyes me, almostas if she were waiting for me. She exits her conversation and comes over to join us.
The twins look from me to Mara, who nods, as though she heard every word of Braden's little speech. "A werewolf knows their mate. I don't think it's a mistake. Especially given their actions."
"Umm…" I swallow, though my throat is dry. I search my memory for what I'd read regarding werewolves and their mates. The monster pamphlet, my bible. I've practically memorized it. Though the contents were specific to the club, it still gives some insight.
Occasionally, weres will visit the club with their mate. Do not approach either were, let them come to you. Weres are extremely possessive of their mates. They mate for life and find their partner through scent. They may enjoy club atmosphere, monster nightlife, with friends, but it is unlikely they will seek sexual services from employees once mated.
I resist the urge to duck out of the breakroom, because I know they'll all just follow. And leaving the room changes nothing. Instead, I internalize the growl and scrub my hands through my hair. "How is this even possible?"
Keely's lips trill, and she waves a hand in the air. "Possible, shmossible. You're asking the wrong questions."
"Remember why you started here? To get out of your comfort zone. Sayyesto the mess," Braden urges, gripping both my shoulders, shaking me gently.
"This isn't saying yes to the mess, or getting out of my comfort zone, Braden. This is way bigger than that."She is the center of my universe,Nico said.
"What are you worried about?"
I turn to Keely. Like telling off Danny, all the reasons and excuses bubble up, but they're stuck in a dam in my throat. All Ineed to do is release and let it all come out, but I can't. I hold on to all the reasons, flimsy or otherwise, with an iron grip.
This is insane. I'm just getting over Danny's betrayal. I don't even know these werewolves, let alone am ready to let them claim me as their mate.
But Braden's words cloud all those excuses… say yes to the mess, stop being a coward… I came here for change. And I took charge when I went to the lower deck. And I just happened to service five werewolves who claim I'm their fated mate. They didn't think I did a terrible job. At least, I don't think so. They didn't abandon me, anyway. They're here, waiting for me outside.
And I'm going to have to leave the building, eventually.
Keely pieces together my train of thoughts and says to Mara, "Maybe, with your approval, you could let the pack in and they could just say hello, get to know each other in one of the private rooms?"
Mara's eye twitches. She really doesn't want to let them back in. But my heart soars when she looks at me and softens. "Is that what you want?"
I open my mouth. Nothing comes out.
"What's the worst that could happen?" Keely prods.
That I meet five men who act like they want to worship me. Find out I'm kind of boring. A little meticulous. Organized. I like highlighters and memorizing random facts. And then they fuck some girl named Veronica.
"What's thebestthing that could happen?" Braden counters.
