Page 128 of Mark & Don't Tell

Linc shifts in his seat, something dark flashing in his gaze. “A hunt?”

Vic tilts his head to the side and studies me. “What do you think, little doe? Do you want your alphas to chase you? To capture and ravage you? To mark you?”

A thrill rolls down my spine. “Yes.”

Two hours later, my body is thrumming with excitement as Vic parks in the driveway of a small home that butts up against the natural woodlands surrounding a golf course. There’s a blue sedan parked next to us, but none of the lights are on inside the house. Vic and Linc are in the front seat, both lost in thought as the heavy bass-filled song comes to an end. Kai waits patiently in his seat next to me.

“Um. Not to be annoying, but this is not After Dark.” I thought they were going to chase me? After dinner, I even ran up to change into something appropriate for the sex club. Now I feel a little weird in the sheer slip dress and lacy underwear.

“Technically, this is,” Kai says. But that’s all he gives me.

Frowning, I study the neighborhood again. It’s as suburban as suburban gets. Streetlights. Quiet. There are even a few bikes in the front yard of the house next to us. The home we’re parked at is unassuming. There are even perfectly manicured hedges, for fuck’s sake. How is this part of the sex club?

A couple emerges from the front door. The woman is wearing all black and almost blends in with the night. If there were no streetlights, it would be hard to make out her form. The man beside her is wearing a dreamy look. He passes by the truck to get in the passenger side of the sedan, and I’m not sure he notices us. The woman does, though, her gaze lifting to the truck. She nods at Vic before sliding into her car and pulling out of the driveway.

A notification dings on the truck’s console. A single message sent to Vic’s phone from an unknown number that reads: The playground is now ready for you.

Before I can ask any questions, Vic and Linc slip out of the truck. Both have been uncannily quiet. I look to Kai for guidance.

“They’re getting into the right mindset for the hunt. Do you remember your safe word?”

I nod. “Stop.”

He smiles. “Easy enough. Let’s go inside.” Kai climbs out of the truck, and I follow suit, waiting for him to meet me by the sidewalk. The knee-length jacket isn’t practical for a summer night, but it’s necessary. I don’t think the Stepford Wives would appreciate me flashing my ass around their picture-perfect neighborhood. Kai grabs my hand and draws me toward Vic and Linc at the front door.

Vic taps in a code to unlock the door, and the mechanism flashes green, the whir of the lock engaging. No one speaks until we’re inside. There’s a dim lamp illuminating what used to be a living room. The space has been converted to a welcome area, walled off from the remainder of the home with a singular door providing access to the rest. An employee greets us and checks us in, following the same process as the club itself, going over kinks and ensuring consent forms are on file for each of us, before walking over to open the door.

Linc places his palm on my low back and guides me toward them.

“You’re booked for two hours, that includes playground and aftercare room time.” The employee nods at me as I pass through to the next space. “Our lot extends to the vacant house next door and into the trees beyond both homes. Pay attention to the red posts that line either side. If you find yourself going beyond those, you’re no longer on After Dark property.”

“Thank you,” Kai tells the employee.

They nod and shut the door, locking us in the open-concept kitchen, dining room, and second living room. A hallway extends beyond that, leading to bedrooms and bathrooms. The far wall is lined with sliding glass doors. The night is still light enough to make out the eight-foot-tall fence running along both sides of the main yard, but instead of connecting in the middle, the back part of the yard gives way to the thicket of trees beyond.

Kai remains at my back, but Vic and Linc come to stand in front of me. They stare at me like they’re starving, like I’m prey they’re ready to hunt and devour.

“What’s your safe word?” Linc asks.

“Stop.”

He nods. “You’ll go into the yard first, with a two-minute head start.” Eyes darkening and lips tipping into a wolfish smile, he continues, “And then Vic and I will hunt you.”

My stomach flutters. “What about you, Kai?”

“You’ll come to me when they’re done with you.” Kai’s fingers brush over my shoulders as he grabs the collar of my jacket. “May I?”

Nodding, I undo the tie, and he glides the material down my arms. The sheer slip leaves nothing to the imagination.

Vic’s and Linc’s gazes trail down my body, eyes flashing in approval. Kai purrs, placing my jacket over the back of the kitchen chair before returning, pressing his chest against my back. His hand splays across my stomach, and his lips brush over my ear, making me shiver.

“Look at how they watch you, baby,” he murmurs, kissing my shoulder. “Look at how much they want you.” Kai pulls my body flush against his, allowing me to feel his arousal as my eyes stray down to the erections tenting Vic’s and Linc’s pants. “This beautiful omega is all ours. By the end of the night, she’ll wear our marks.”

My heart squeezes. There’s nothing I want more.

Linc swallows and turns away, opening the sliding glass door and arching an eyebrow at Kai.

Vic steps toward me, staring down at me with the same hunger as when we first met. “Ready to run, little doe?”

---