Page 136 of Her Males

Aziel grabs a cup of water belonging to the shifter next to us and holds it out for me to take. I blush, glancing at the man who’s had his beverage stolen, but he doesn’t seem to care. He’s one of the ones who like me.

My hand shakes as I accept the cup and take a sip, hydrating my throat.

“We’ve compiled a list of the facilities and the number of females we helped. There’s also an itemized list of costs and a detailed outline of the process used,” I say, pointing to the papers I handed out earlier. “Everything should be in the papers you’ve got in your hands.”

Aziel runs his fingers up and down my thighs, the touch comforting. He sniffs the back of my neck, too, but I pretend I don’t notice as I fold my hands together on the table.

“Why should we believe a word you say?” a shifter at the far end of the table asks. “That question is directed at Aziel,” he’s quick to clarify when the man behind me lets out a low, threatening hum.

I grab Aziel’s wrists, squeezing my nails into them as he sucks in a slow, deep breath. He’s doing one of his breathing exercises.

“I’m not asking you to trust Aziel. I’m asking you to trust me,” I answer for him. “We’ve spent much time together these past few weeks, and you know I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t believe in Aziel.”

My words are met with silence, which I don’t think is a good sign.

Aziel chimes in. “We’re not asking you to commit to anything today. I can arrange for my men to come in a few days and bring you to Wrath to look at the facilities yourself.”

The shifters murmur quietly amongst themselves, flipping through the report before coming back with detailed questions only Aziel can answer. I’m grateful for how much knowledge Aziel has on this, and I have a feeling he did some refreshing before coming.

He’s so busy, and I like that he took time out of his day to read over the reports and familiarize himself with them. It looks good for us when he has all the information ready.

After much debate, the shifters agree to give the facility a visit. Some are hesitant, but at least they’re giving us a chance.

It’s all we can ask for.

The bond between Aziel and me hums at my excitement, radiating through me and into him. He responds with pride, and I have to hold my chest at the intensity of it. I’m still not used to the feeling of the bond, its presence weird and foreign.

“You did well today,” Chev says as the shifters filter out of the cave.

He steps away from his position by the entrance, slowly approaching until he’s close enough to knock his knuckles against my temple. The touch makes me grin, happy with the action I’ve learned to associate with him.

Chev hesitates as he stares at Aziel, his fist hovering in the air, before he does the same to the Wrath. Aziel grunts and moves away, but Chev doesn’t seem to mind the less-than-friendly reaction.

“How would you two feel about us building a portal in my cabin?” I blurt out. “That way, we can meet without needing Aziel to transport me back and forth.”

Kato and Chev lock eyes before Kato gestures for Chev to answer.

“Let me think about it,” Chev says, sounding hesitant.

I nod, happy with that. It’s not a no.

“Kato will not be welcome to use it,” Aziel interjects.

Kato frowns, looking mildly offended.

Aziel doesn’t seem to care as he picks me up and carries me out of the cave. I overhear Kato brag to Chev that Aziel’s warming up to him as we leave, and I roll my eyes at the plotting of the two men as Aziel brings me to my traps.

They’re empty, and we find some fresh nuts and place them inside.

“Silas is stressed about his books,” Aziel says after a long moment of silence. “He doesn’t like the disarray, and he’s frantic about how long it’s taking him to put them back. Gray’s angry because he feels you’re trying harder with Silas than you are with him, but more than that, he’s upset you haven’t been lusting over him. It’s a product of our bond, and he knows that, but it still hurts his feelings. I’d recommend starting there with them.”

I freeze, my fingers on the latch of my trap, before I spin and throw myself at Aziel.

30

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SILAS

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