Page 39 of The Female

I wonder if Silas would defend me if I could somehow make it back to him. Probably not. He’s stuck up for me a few times, but I doubt he’d argue with Aziel on this. Especially if my assumption that Gray snuck into Aziel’s dreams last night is true.

I was purchased for the sole purpose of feeding Gray, and at the end of the day, I know that’s most important to them.

There’s no time to react as Aziel releases my right shoulder and grabs my chin, his fingertips digging into my cheek as he forces me to look at him. I stare at his nose, unable to work up the courage to meet his eye.

“I expect you to have welcomed him into your bed by lunch. If the scent of your fucking”—Aziel pauses and leans forward to smell me again—“purityis still lingering, you’ll be spending a week in an incubi den until you’re begging us to take you back.”

Despite my attempts to contain them, large tears build in my eyes and spill down my cheeks. I clench my jaw shut as I nod. I knew better than to think these men were genuine in their promises not to hurt me.

I’m grateful at least one of them is letting their true colors show early. It’s better to learn now than be lulled into a false sense of security and crushed later.

Aziel scoffs as he steps back. He lets out a quiet sigh as he takes a moment to look me over. His eyebrows pull together and his mouth relaxes before all traces of softness vanish and he walks away.

I watch, frozen, as he turns and heads through the doorway leading to the dining room. The second he’s out of view, I slam my hands over my mouth to muffle my panting. My knees threaten to give out as the adrenaline drains from my body, leaving me exhausted.

His power lingers in the room, making me fear it’ll be stuck to my clothing. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was purposefully forcing it out around me, but I’m not familiar enough with him or his breed to know what it naturally feels like.

I shake my head in disbelief before letting out a dry laugh and wiping my cheeks. Crying isn’t going to get me anywhere. Leaning against the wall, I take a moment to collect myself and recite my father’s words. I am nobody’s property. They can scare and hurt me, but they can’t steal my self-respect.

They can’t take that from me.

I push off the wall. My knowledge of incubi dens is limited, but from what I do know, giving myself to Gray will be the lesser of two evils.

The dens are notorious for overfeeding and draining their females until they’re weak shells of their former selves. From the hushed whispers I’ve overheard throughout the years, they’re known to use up their women in mere days and are frequent customers of the auctions.

I’m unwilling to take the risk of being sent there.

My mouth goes dry as I hurry up the stairs and rush toward Gray’s bedroom. Pushing away all my fears, I force my mind to go blank as I come to a halt outside his bedroom door.

There’s a lot of clattering in there, loud bangs followed by the bathroom door slamming shut a few seconds later. Not wanting to put this off any longer, I knock.

The noises come to an abrupt stop, and I bite at the inside of my cheek as I wait for Gray to open up.

He does so quickly.

Gray leans against the doorway and smirks down at me. My face flushes as I take in his unclothed state, my pulse quickening as I unintentionally give him a quick onceover. Besides a pair of absurdly tight black underwear, his body is bare.

Knowing my job is to seduce him, I allow myself another moment to admire his frame. He looks how I imagined him to, with long limbs and strong muscles that make my thighs clench.

When he flexes, I force myself to look away and glance into the bedroom behind him. It’s at least twice the size of mine, covered in dark, muted colors and featuring a bed that could easily fit six people.

I assume that’s the exact purpose of it, and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he’s filled it to the brim on many occasions.

“Charlie.” He chuckles, stepping aside so I can enter. “Where’d you wander off to this morning?”

I purse my lips before forcing out an excuse.

“I wanted to look around before everybody got up. I didn’t think my absence would be noticed,” I say, opting to be truthful.

He’d probably be able to sense if I lied.

Gray hums, thankfully not appearing upset over my exploring.

“I’m surprised you’ve come to my room,” he continues. “I thought it would be the other way around.”

I shrug, remaining quiet. Should I tell him Aziel sent me here to sleep with him? He might stay true to his word and refuse to take me, and I don’t want to take that risk. Aziel is clearly in charge here, and as much as I’d like to believe Gray is genuine in his promises to keep me safe, I have no trust in the Wrath king.

Gray doesn’t seem to notice my sour mood as I approach him, his smile only growing as I tentatively place my hands on his waist. He stills, and I feel his lust slip out in response. I wonder if touch makes it harder for him to hold it in.

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