Page 25 of Terror

I approach the counter and slap the Chef Hordesman on the ass. And what a fine ass it is. Rock-hard globes. I just want to bend and take a bite. “You’re supposed to read the instructions before mixing the ingredients,” I say.

A corner of his mouth lifts. “Sotay read them to me. But he’s illiterate.”

“Correction,” Sotay says. “You’re deaf. Or fucked and not paying attention.”

Heat spreads over my cheeks. “I’ll make a new batch.”

Arkin shuts off the gas and drops the spatula. To my mortification, he lifts my chin, trapping me in the depths of his black eyes. “Good morning, Omega,” he purrs.

It’s as if he saidtake off your clothes, Omega, and come spin on my knot. My channel wets, and only then I remember I forgot to put on underwear.

Arkin’s nostrils flare, and he glances at Sotay, who keeps watching his plate. He barely acknowledged me.

“I’m not blind,” Sotay says.

Arkin grunts and sits next to his buddy, then slaps him on the back. “We’ll chat over pancakes.”

That’s a cue for me to make something edible. Pancakes and eggs are about the only things I can cook without fear of burning down the kitchen. I mix the batter and turn up the gas while the Hordesmen chat.

“News?” Arkin asks.

When nothing comes back from Sotay, I pour the batter into the pan and turn around. Arkin watches me; Sotay does not.

“News?” Arkin barks again.

Sotay taps his claws on the counter. “You’ve not bonded her yet.”

Arkin’s jaw works.

I turn away and flip the pancake. Arkin mentioned bonding last night. I’m not familiar with this term except for the general implication of what bonding an Alpha would mean. Pancake done, I put it on a plate and grab maple syrup, then set it in front of them. Their silent standoff makes me uneasy, but I’m not gonna try to break the ice. Just gonna make pancakes.

“You know I’m right,” Sotay says.

“I know.”

“Are you compromised?”

“Do not question my position.”

I serve up another plate. Sotay eats the first pancake and moans, so I’m guessing he likes it.

“If you use maple syrup, it’s sweeter.” I smile.

He looks at me for the first time.

“Eyes on the plate!” Arkin barks.

I jump away. “Jesus. Take it easy. It’s early.”

Sotay laughs but looks down anyway. “I am so right. The rightness ofminenessis coming out of your ears. You’re done, Arkin. Better turn over the Betaren hunt to me.”

“Not a chance.”

“Shit’s gonna go down big-time, and you have an Omega you want to breed.”

“I’m aware of it, and I will handle it.”

“You cannot, and even if you could, the king’s rules state—”

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