Page 11 of Moonlit Choosing Ritual

Goddess, I really hated this girl. I threw the chain on the floor, grabbed her leash tightly, and didn’t move for a few moments, trying to wrench my hand away.

The door swung open and Aria walked in.

Chapter 6

Kimble

My owner was a psycho.

As he threw the chain away, he gave off vibes as if he was being considerate. Which was bullshit, because all I could think was that I’d dodged a bullet. I needed to think—and think carefully—if I wanted to escape this total bastard.

Just then the door opened, and the woman who accompanied him to his bedroom walked in wearing a robe.

Her mouth dropped open as she stared at us: with his hand wrapped around my waist and the other holding my leash.

A momentary flare of anger passed through her when her eyes went to where Talon had grabbed me. He immediately removed his hand.

“Aria,” he said, stepping back and releasing my leash. “What are you doing here?”

She walked to him while I rushed to the door and stood there, my limbs trembling and my thoughts in disarray. I wrapped my arms around myself for comfort.

Aria went to him and cupped his cheeks with her hands. She rose on her tiptoes and kissed him lazily. His eyes snapped toward me when she kissed him, and I found myself watching him. Breath caught like a stone in my throat.

Aria pulled away and curled her arms around his neck. “Alpha Talon, I missed you. Come back to bed.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. He looked at her. “I’ll be back soon. I needed to teach this mortal a lesson.”

Mortal? What was going on?

She turned to face me, her hand resting on his shoulder while her other hand pressed against his chest, clearly showingthat she owned him. “I know you don’t like humans, Alpha Talon. I’ll talk to her, okay?”

Humans? Okay. These guys were in some sort of cult. Shit.

“Look, I don’t know what cult you all belong to,” I said in a raspy voice. “If there’s a way to let me out, I’ll leave. And I won’t even report you to the police. I swear!”

Aria suppressed a laugh. Without turning her gaze to Talon, she said, “Kimble, we aren’t a cult. But—”

“You don’t have to explain!” Talon growled, cutting her off. Pointing at me, he hissed, “And you—you’re going to work as my personal servant from now on!”

Shock splashed through me. My eyes widened. “A servant? Serve you?”

“Yes. Starting from now.” He placed his hand on the small of Aria’s back and walked out of the room. “Mason!” he hollered.

The guy who brought me here came rushing in. “Yes, Alpha?”

“Take her to Shirley so she can put this girl in uniform. Make sure Shirley teaches her how to take care of all my belongings.”

“Yes, Alpha!”

Talon walked away with Aria, after shooting a glare at me as I watched them, stunned with fear and anger warring inside me. When they were out of earshot, I muttered, “That man is insane! Who the fuck has servants in this day and age?” I turned my eyes to Mason. “Do you guys belong to some sort of cult? I mean, would you put me on the dinner table after some ritual?”

Mason chuckled, shaking his head. “First, we aren’t a cult. Second, come with me to Shirley. She’s the housekeeper and would be happy to have some assistance. If the Alpha’s asked you to be his personal servant, you have to be. There’s no way out.”

I didn’t mind housework at all but—“Will he pay me?”

Mason jerked his head back in amusement. “You’re given shelter, and your food and clothes are free. What else do you want?”

“The heck! I’m not bonded labor.” I had to run fast to keep pace with him.

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