Page 94 of Her Feral Beasts

The corner of his mouth lifts. His hazel eyes glitter. “This asshole has a name.” He strokes my cheek with his knuckles, his lips parting slightly as if he’s mesmerised. But my skin screams where he touches it, and I can’t tell if it’s a noise of pain or pleasure.

I stare at him, refusing to say it and his eyes focus again. He places the same hand around my throat. “If you think your life is bad now, Lia, it’s nothing compared to what I could do to you.” I know he’s telling the truth.

Fate is demanding that all my choices be taken away from me and I wonder how I’ve angered the gods to end up in this miserable position. Between clenched teeth, I bite out, “Ihateyou.”

“This could have gone another way, butyouchose this.” He presses his lips together as if he hates to admit it. “I could have given you the world.”

My stomach hollows out the same as my heart.

It’s not my choice at all.

Now again, I have no choice but to submit. So, I project as much hate into my eyes as possible and say, “I understand, Savage.”

He closes his eyes for a moment. As if he’s savouring the sound of his name in my voice. Abruptly, he removes his hand and pats me on the cheek like a dog.

“Good girl.” Turning away, he looks at my wardrobe. “Now, what are we going to wear tomorrow?” I can’t help but watch his ass in those black sweatpants as he yanks open my wardrobe. “Hmm.” Leafing through the hangers, he grumbles under his breath because everything I’ve purchased at the village is short, tight or bright. “I know, you’ll wear this.” He pulls out an old T-shirt and the holey leggings I usually wear when I have my period. I make a face and he lays it out on my bed.

“Wear this tomorrow, regina, or we’re going to have a problem.”

I stare at the clothes, and he cocks a brow at me. “What do you say to me, princess?”

Grinding my teeth, I bite out, “I understand, Savage.”

He smirks, shoves his hands in his pockets and saunters towards the door, whistling. I move aside for him to leave, and he does so without looking back.

Sagging against the wall, and glaring at a confused-looking Henry, I wait a minute for the evil wolf to leave our dorm building.

I count to one hundred, then hurry next door to where, no doubt, Minnie is hiding with Raquel and Sabrina. All three whip open the door right away, wide eyed.

“What did he want?” Minnie asks, her arms crossed angrily.

“I don’t care what he wants,” I grumble. “But I need you guys to help me with the best outfit possible.”

“Oh, you’re g-gonna get in t-trouble,” Raquel groans as we all return to mine and Minnie’s room. The other nimpins are irritated and they don’t seem to be under the same spell as Henry because they zoom about the room, sniffing the air.

But I’m determined not to be scared ofthat wolfor comply like a submissive pup. Minnie gets that, as a devious smile spreads over her lips. Sabrina seems to understand as well as a mischievous look catches in her eye.

“You know,” our leopard says, pulling out a top that’s no more than a bra. “I had no idea you guys would be this much fun. I thought you were nerds.”

“I can still be a nerd and wear sexy clothes,” I say smugly.

“Oh, babe.” Sabrina’s eyes practically shine as she pulls out a coat hanger, holding up the outfit like a trophy. “You’re not wearing aconservativeold crop top tomorrow.”

Chapter42

Aurelia

Imake sure we show up to breakfast late so I know Savage will be there, waiting to see me obey his so-called order.

Today, I’m the predator,bitch.

Savage thinks he can tell me what to wear? He thinks he can try and kidnap me and I’ll just forget that? Well, I’m going to make them regret the fuck out of everything they’ve done and assumed about me.

My dress is black, the original colour of rebellion, and much to the taste of my mood. While it’s midi length, down to my shins, the side panels are cut outallthe way down from the armpit to the hem and joined together with criss-crossing black strings. It shows side boob, and the sides of my hips so that everybody can clearly see that I’m wearing neither underwear nor bra. I thought Lyle would have tried to investigate my stolen underwear, but turns out he didn’t care about it as much as I thought, so I still have to wait until tomorrow night to buy some more.

In solidarity, Sabrina wears a strappy body con dress and Minnie a teensy yellow skirt and crop top combo with her hair in a high pony. Stacey chooses super tight jeans and a red top that’s more bra than blouse. Raquel blushes when they see us but shakes their head in dismay because we all know shit is going to go down. They put on heavy black combat boots, as if kicking someone is going to be our way out of this. And it might be, I don’t know.

I saunter into the dining hall with my nose in the air, in the lead because I want to make sure I’m seen. I’m not catcalled anymore and beasts only make comments to my four friends.Everyoneseems to know that Savage is out for me and are too scared to take him on. Savage seems to have a soft spot for Minnie, and it might have something to do with the fact that she was bold enough to tackle him, when none of the other animuses in this place would dare.

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