Page 36 of Feral Possession

Apparently, Dove wasn’t the only one susceptible to the man’s charms. To Dove’s bemusement, Celeste turned a beautiful shade of flamingo-pink, batting her lashes at their host. “Thank you so much for having us. It’s an honor to be here.”

“Xavier.” Marcus stepped forward.

“Lord Steele,” the jovial man declared, thrusting his palm out.

Marcus shook his hand with far less enthusiasm.

Xavier glanced around Marcus’s shoulders to the stoic bodyguard, who lingered a few feet away. “And the ever-present Bishop.” He grinned at Marcus. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think to see a super heavyweight champ, much less a lord of the Realm on my shores. How many invitations have I sent you over the years, twenty, thirty?”

“Apologies, but I am a busy man with little time for leisure.”

“All work and no play is bad for the soul. One must always make time for leisure, indulgence, and fulfilling one’s desires.” He shot a suggestive grin to Dove and Celeste, wiggling his thick eyebrows.

Dove giggled, smacking her hand over her mouth. This guy was a riot. Marcus was nuts to have passed up his invitations all these years.

“Not to worry, though, my friend, I have the perfect solution,” Xavier said to Marcus. “For you, I’ve selected only the finest accommodations. Cleo,” he bellowed over his shoulder, and the woman scurried over.

Keeping with the Grecian theme, Cleo was dressed in a tunic-style dress. Embroidery highlighted her ample cleavage, and a golden rope cinched her waist. Sleek black hair hung in a shiny curtain down her back.

“Cleo will escort you to your rooms. I’ve taken the liberty of scheduling a full day of spa treatments for your party. Also, I insist you and your lovely companion join me for dinner this evening. I’ve invited a few guests to accompany us. People whose company I’m certain you will find interesting. In the meantime, please make yourself at home and let my staff know if there is anything else you need.”

“Understood,” Marcus said, his tone strangely clipped.

“This way, please.” Cleo led the way to their rooms, her movements graceful.

Dove and the others trailed behind her. As they left Xavier, another wisp of his cologne hit Dove’s nostrils, and she filled her lungs with his delightful scent. Her lady bits warmed, and she exhaled a soft moan.

“Smell something you like?” Marcus said, his voice a low, teasing murmur in her ear.

Dove fanned her heated cheeks. “Just taking in the fresh ocean breeze.”

“Um-hum,” he hummed in a mocking tone.

She frowned. What was that about? Did he know something she didn’t? Before she could ask, they entered the breezeway. Great pillars with stone arches lined the corridor, the walls open to the elements. Outside was an artfully landscaped courtyard full of tropical flowers. “Oh my goodness. I already love this place and we haven’t even seen the rooms yet.”

After two more corridors, Cleo led them to a pair of heavy white doors, their ornate molding highlighted with gold. She opened both sides with a flourish and entered the room. “Your suite, Lord Steele. Accommodations for your staff are farther down the hallway.”

Before Dove could follow, Marcus snared her arm, holding her back. Bishop walked past them, did a quick sweep of the space, and nodded to Marcus. Celeste and Dove hustled inside, Dove nearly skipping, she was so excited.

She spun in a circle, taking in what seemed to be more of a private villa than a suite. Here too, the decor was Atlantean in nature. “Would you look at this place?” In the lounge area were two curved sofas overflowing with pillows in shades of turquoise and cerulean. Along one wall was a fully stocked bar with cobalt drinkware. Beside that was a pedestal-style table with four chairs.

Celeste walked to a pair of large balcony doors. She peered out and whistled through her teeth. “Have you seen this view? I mean, I once owned a shower curtain that looked just like this. Ocean in the background, sandy beach, palm trees blowing in the breeze.”

“As per your request, there are two separate bedrooms,” Cleo said, sliding a sympathetic glance at Dove before sidling next to Marcus. She scanned his hooded form, a heated look in her eyes. “If there is anything you need, please let me or a member of our staff know. Here at Adara Island, it’s our mission to fulfill our guests’ every desire.”

Dove glared at the brazen woman, fists clenching. How dare she make assumptions about her and Marcus? Not that there was anything intimate between Dove and her benefactor, but Cleo had no right to dismiss her so easily.

“That is all, for now,” Marcus responded, stepping back, sinking deeper into the shadows of his cowl.

Dove’s tension eased at his curt dismissal. Ha! Take that, Cleo.

The woman’s sultry expression darkened with disappointment. “Very well. Enjoy your stay.” With that, she slipped out, closing the doors behind her.

Bishop and Marcus set about exploring the space. The werewolf grabbed the door to one of the bedrooms and yanked on it, testing the hinges. Seeming appeased, next he jimmied the doorframe. “Construction is sturdy enough. Only two ways in or out. Windows could be a problem, though.”

“Bishop. Take care of that infernal sunlight,” Marcus ordered.

“On it.” Bishop fiddled with a switch on the wall. Motors whirled and honeycomb blinds slid between the windowpanes. Dove sighed, watching the cheerful light dull to a lifeless shade of tan.

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