Page 100 of The Female

I’m not stupid, and I’m fully aware that another woman on Aziel’s lap doesn’t look good for me. He’s the only thing standing in the way of Asmod, and without Aziel’s claim, I doubt the Lust king will wait long to swoop in and steal me away.

Aziel seems eerily calm as he watches me look for answers.

“I didn’t realize you were back,” I say to Aziel.

“I just returned tonight,” he responds, gesturing to the woman in his lap. “This is Shay.”

I nod, trying to hide my growing annoyance.

“We’ve met,” I say between clenched teeth. “Or have you forgotten, Aziel, when she tried to kill me?”

There’s silence on Aziel’s end, and the muscle in his jaw twitches as he looks me head to toe. I cross my arms over my chest to hide my exposed body, unappreciative of his wandering eyes. Gray insists on buying me practically sheer pajamas, and up until now, I loved them.

Shay turns and shoots Aziel a frosty glare before readjusting herself on his lap. I refuse to look in her direction, not wanting to provoke her into attacking me again.

Aziel sucks in a deep breath before shaking his head and straightening his smile.

“Yes, well, that was just a misunderstanding. We’ve decided to take her as our bonded female,” he explains, speaking slowly as if addressing a child.

My mind goes blank. Gray was tucking me into bed and whispering sweet assurances into my ear just a few hours ago. I doubt he’s planning on bonding with another woman.

“We haven’t decided on anything,” Gray says. “I don’t fucking want her.”

I didn’t even know Aziel was back, let alone with some female he intends to bond with. I hope my facial expressions and body posture don’t show my disappointment. It was stupid to have hoped they’d genuinely consider me. If Silas’s painful and humiliating rejection earlier wasn’t enough of a sign it’ll never happen, then this sure is.

I shouldn’t have let Gray get into my head with his whispered compliments and promises.

Silas clears his throat, drawing my attention. He looks stressed as he wipes away another trail of blood leaking from his nose, the slight tremor in his arm shocking.

He and Aziel must have gotten into a fight.

It’d make sense, considering they’re both covered in blood. I didn’t take Silas as the type of person to resort to physical blows, assuming that was more of a Gray and Aziel thing, but I clearly don’t know these men as well as I thought I did.

Silas steps forward and scans Shay’s form, his eyes trailing down her body. I refuse to be hurt by it, and I purse my lips as I watch him adjust and do the same to Aziel.

“You’re embarrassing yourself,” Silas says.

Aziel frowns, his full lips tugging down at the corners before he shrugs and the negative emotion vanishes. “I most definitely am not. I saw Shay in the pits a few days ago and just knew she was the one for us. She was all alone,” he coos.

I resist the urge to vomit at the sickly sweet voice he uses.

Shay runs her hand down Aziel’s arm. “I went there to apologize, but I got lost. Aziel saved my life, and we found a connection as he taught me how to fight and protect myself in the pits.”

Gray practically growls as he rests his chin on my head and holds me tighter. Even Silas takes a step toward me in response to Shay’s words. I’m surprised by the reaction, but I don’t question it.

I’ll take all the support I can get.

Aziel hardly seems to notice or care. “Shay’s the perfect female for us. She’s strong, intelligent, and high-bred. I’m willing to wait for you two to come to your senses, but let it be known wewillbe bonding with her.”

Gray scoffs, and Silas shakes his head.

“We don’t want her,” Silas argues. Gray’s quick to agree.

Shay seems to take offense as she straightens her spine and shoots them a dirty glare. “That’s not what you said when you were taking turns fucking me all those years ago,” she snaps.

I bristle in Gray’s arms but do my best to keep my face flat and void of strong emotions. Acting like the unhinged woman Aziel so clearly thinks I am isn’t going to get me anywhere. I still need his protection.

Although I doubt it’ll take long for word to spread that I’m fair game now that Shay’s here. I’m sure she’ll be running to give Asmod the good news the moment she’s alone.

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