Page 7 of Cursed Love

“And the funeral?” Hunter asks, his voice quiet but lethal.

Amel’s smile sharpens. “Not covered.”

I glance at Hunter, and he looks back at me, the same dark intent mirrored in his expression. We don’t need words to know what’s coming next. “Hunter,” I say, my voice dripping with anticipation, “what do you think? A quick lesson, or something more… creative?”

Hunter’s grin is all teeth. “I say we make it memorable.”

Amel steps out of our way, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the storm brewing between the two of us. “Don’t destroy anything too expensive,” he says, his voice laced with mock exasperation.

I laugh as I follow Hunter out of the room. Paula might have made it almost ten years here, but she just picked the wrong night to test what happens when you betray us.The Night of Scarletisn’t just for Omegas and Betas. Tonight, it’s for predators, too. And we’re just getting started.

Amel

They need an Omega so fucking bad. It’s been obvious for years, maybe even a few months after they presented on their 18thbirthday. I’ve been trying to be enough for them but an Alpha can only do so much and as much as I love them, I will not ever be taking their knots. Not unless I want them to split my ass open and leave me for dead. Although, as animalistic as they are, they might not exactly… leave.

I snort and shake off that awful fantasy as I make my way back to my office to grab my suit jacket. I’m not sure what will happen if I don’t find an Omega this year. We’re in desperate need ofsome sweetness but it’s also that aching hole in my heart to have someone to protect, to hold, and to cherish.

But every Omega I’ve ever found, takes one sniff of the scents lingering around me and shakes off my advance. No Omega in their right mind would choose a mated Alpha, let alone one mated to a Valla. And I have two. Not fully mated, though. Not yet. My Valla want to ensure that our Omega accepts all three of us, as a package deal. It’s the only reason I don’t bear their mark. They want our Omega’s blessing—if we ever find one.

So, I dress up for these scarlet nights, peruse the options, and pray that there’s someone who catches my eye. I told Moses I’m hopeful but I’m not. There’s no reason this year will be any different than the last several years.

My gaze snags on the mirror just at the edge of my office, a version of me I hardly recognize staring back at me. The suit is tailored to perfection, my Valla’s really only requirement in this cut-throat world of ours. It’s a nearly black hue with pinstripes the same bluish-gray as my eyes. A selling feature of sorts in stark contrast to my dark skin and manicured beard. Moses loves it. Hunter, not so much.

I smooth down the lapels, a faint whiff of cedarwood and an earthy spice meeting my nose. An Omega will catch both scents, along with mine to determine if I’m worthy enough to give my rose tonight. Knowing that I should probably save Paula at this point, I take one last gander around the office before locking up and heading downstairs. A smirk plays on my lips as the unsuspecting Beta waves at me as she exits another elevator.

There’s a sliver of fear playing in her eyes and I suspect she knows what’s about to happen. None of this is legal but where Valla are concerned, the police try to stay out of it. As long as we clean up our messes, don’t make a big fuss, and give back to the community, many law enforcement will look the other way.After all, Valla can’t help their instincts any more than an Omega can. That’s not entirely true but that’s what we’re going on.

Paula’s smile drops as she steps out into the parking lot, Hunter and Moses circling her car like damn predators. It’d be comical if blood wasn’t about to be shed and if my mates weren’t nearly a foot taller than the poor woman. She’s too close to run and if she tried, they would wholeheartedly take on the chase. Their beasts are way too close to the surface and weeks out from a rut, there’s no way this ends well.

I’m a little sick in the head for enjoying it, though. Stepping out into the cold, I stuff my hands into my pockets, gleefully watching as Paula starts sputtering an explanation and then yells for help, her tiny little voice echoing in the darkness. It won’t matter, though. I made sure that everyone had left, that no one would be around to witness this.

Moses and Hunter’s wolfish grins paired with the low growls are fucking terrifying. If werewolves were a thing, both of my mates would be one, the way they’re creeping toward her like a cat and mouse game. She screams louder as she twists toward me. “Amel, do something! Call them off!”

“Paula, they aren’t dogs. That’s not how this works. And maybe next time you decide to fuck around with things for your own gain, don’t do it for a company run by Valla.” Valla don’t give second chances and my mates are on the tamer spectrum. Well, they have more control until I tell them that they can let go without legal repercussions.

Hunter reaches Paula first, one of his hands dragging across her cheek. “There’s no help, Paula. You should’ve thought about that before screwing us over.” She tries to back away but his hand grips her throat, dragging her the few steps to her car. He slams her against the door, snarling in her face. “Just because we make a few extra dollars doing jobs for the rich and famousdoesn’t mean you get to give out our information. You think you can sell us out and walk away?”

“Please,” she stammers, her voice barely above a whisper now. “I didn’t mean—”

“Didn’t mean what?” Hunter cuts in, his voice a low growl as he leans in closer. “Didn’t mean to get caught?”

I should intervene, maybe even explain that Paula is no longer welcome here and to take her life with her. But this is more fun, watching my mates fully embody their beast. Especially because while Hunter is the quiet one at work, he’s also the most reactive. Moses, on the other hand, waits. He likes to watch. Observe.And then pounce.He’s at Paula’s side in the next second, the Beta sputtering for air, clawing at them both to let go.

They won’t. They see her actions as disrespect and disrespect must be dealt with. Until I say something. Moses pulls Paula forward before slamming her against the door again a few times, Hunter still gripping her throat. Just as her eyes roll into the back of her head, I step in. “Alright, fun’s over.” Two growls meet my ears but I wave it off. “Absolutely not. I told you that you can’t kill her and a knife wound in a parking lot is too obvious. I promise I’ll drag some poor sucker into the basement this weekend.”

That gets me a reaction as they let her crumple to the ground, the two of them stalking back over to me. A lesser man would be terrified of their predatory expressions. Me? I find it fucking hot to have two men who not only can rough me up a little bit but can manhandle me when the world gets a little too loud. I’m just shy of six feet and 260 lbs but they can throw me around a bedroom like a fucking feather.

Hunter is on me in seconds, gripping my jaw as he drags me into a tongue-licking kiss that I have no option but to submit to. “Always. Stealing. Our. Fun,” he murmurs against my lip before playfully biting it. I moan against him, the coppery taste of bloodfilling my mouth. “Ah, look, he’s wounded, Moses. Whatever will we do?”

A stupid grin plays on his lips, those blue eyes dancing behind his glasses. His cedarwood scent thickens and I just sigh, shaking my head. “No. Hunter, not here. If we start something here, there’s no doubt in my mind that one or both of you will go into rut. You’re both too pent-up. Go home. Take a shower and I’ll bring home an Omega, okay?”

“And if you don’t?”

“Then I’ll find someone to drag into the basement for the both of you to truly have your way with. Maybe I’ll do both.” I wiggle my brows, waiting for my mates to soften up before I call the police to report ‘an attack’. The sound of scuffling and heavy breathing, though, tells me I might not need to do anything as Paula’s car starts and then speeds off out of the parking lot. “Well, that’s settled.”

“Is it?” Moses muses.

“It is. I have surveillance on her for a while to make sure she won’t try anything. She always thought Hunter was sweet.” Sweet isn’t the word I’d use for him, especially not when one of our clients takes it a bit too far and ends up in the basement, one or both of my mates wailing on them for answers. None of it’s legal but again, the police tend to turn a blind eye to a couple of things.

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