Page 39 of Dante's Circle Reborn

She knelt in front of Jonah so her snakes could look at the jaguar in front of them, and she swore she could feel them purr right along with the big cat.

It was so odd, so different. Gorgons and Medusas were usually stuck in their own realm, not able to mix amongst the humans, other than when she was younger, and her parents let her go to school in the human realm for college.

It had been a mistake, she had killed Alex, but she had learned so much, too. And now, she was learning even more.

She let her hand slide over his body again, but then he tensed, a little growl sliding from his throat.

He was in front of her in an instant, and she whirled towards the front door. A man didn’t walk in. Instead, a majestic lion prowled through, its mane thick and wonderful. He stalked proudly into the room, two guards having opened the door for him.

She knew who this was without even having to ask.

This was Malik. Alpha, king.

And Jonah’s best friend and boss.

“Wow,” she whispered. Jonah narrowed his eyes at her before turning back to Malik.

Jonah let out a rumble, and then Malik did the same, except Malik’s seemed to shake the whole house.

Jonah once again narrowed his eyes at her as if he knew what she was thinking, and then he padded behind the couch again. She saw him stride to the back of the house, clothes tucked neatly into his mouth. One of the other lions followed with Jonah’s prosthesis.

She looked back at Malik, who she had a feeling was laughing at her. One of the guards slid clothes into his mouth, and Malik padded off right behind Jonah.

Well, this was an interesting way to spend the evening.

The guys came out together, both tugging their shirts over their heads as they walked in, jeans undone, bare feet slapping on the hardwood.

She had known that Malik was gorgeous, but damn, seeing him standing next to Jonah?

It was a feast for the eyes.

And she was suddenly very hungry.

Jonah’s brows rose, as Malik’s eyes filled with laughter. She wanted to bury her face in her hands. Instead, she double-checked that her glamour had been put back into place as soon as the door opened.

She didn’t want to turn anyone to stone, especially not people Jonah loved. Particularly not the king.

“Poppy, this is Malik, my Alpha.”

“And friend,” Malik said. “I would reach out to shake your hand, but in the throes of the mating urge, Jonah would probably bite my arm off.”

Really? She shouldn’t feel delighted at that. “Hi, I’m Poppy.”

“It’s good to finally meet you.”

“Did you get to the house?” Jonah asked, coming to Poppy’s side.

He slid his arm around her, almost a claim, but more likely just because he wanted to touch. And she didn’t mind.

“We were at the house. The whole thing’s lost, Jonah.”

Jonah let out a growl, and Poppy reached around to pat his chest with her hand. “I’m sorry.”

“You do not get to apologize for them again,” Jonah growled. “The place wasn’t my home, and I’ll rebuild or find something else. My home’s in the lion realm.”

She didn’t have a home, so she understood not having connections, but she still blamed herself.

“I need to go back to my mate and child, but I’m going to leave some of the lions to guard and protect you and Poppy.”

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