Page 120 of Her Rabid Beasts

“Why didn’t you just ask me?”

She casts a doubtful look over her shoulder and I realise she doesn’t feel like I’m someone she can reveal things to.

It wounds my primal self, and I frown at her back as the lift pings and the doors slide open.

Aurelia visibly flinches as Georgia is revealed.

My secretary’s eyes flick from Savage, to Aurelia and her mouth twists before she looks at me.

“Move, feline,” Savage growls impatiently.

Her brows shoot up, but she stalks out of the lift, brushing her arm across mine as she does. “I’m almost done for the day, Lyle,” she says stiffly. “But I can stay if you need me.”

“I don’t.” The growl is out of my mouth on pure reflex.

Georgia blinks in surprise. Then her nostrils flare. Her eyes flick to Aurelia again.

As Savage tugs Aurelia into the lift, I have the sudden urge to hide my regina. I step into the lift and press for the doors to close.

Georgia turns to follow my movements and I stare her down in warning.

Once the doors are safely closed, I take Aurelia’s small hand in mine. “I want you to come to me if you have questions,” I say gently.

Her cheeks flush under my attention, but she nods. I sense she’s still uncertain. My animus makes me stroke her cheek. She leans into my hand and a purr bubbles up from the depths of my being.

The lift descends.

“You are entitled to your secrets,” I murmur, even as my animus screams in protest. “But I am not here to hurt you. Iwantto help you.”

She looks at her hands. “I know.”

But her words are telling me one thing and her body language is telling me another. She doesn’t quite trust me.

Perhaps it was the fact that I handcuffed her to my?—

I suddenly go still with horror. I found the pieces of the cuffs lying in the bed when I returned, but sensed her with Savage at the time and hadn’t rushed after her. But… her entire life, she feared being sent away to be bred. And Ichainedher to my bed.

Savage is staring at me and frowning as the lift door opens. “What is it?” he growls.

Aurelia looks back up at me. I take her face in my hands and let my power softly brush over her. She blinks, feeling me around her and in her mind.“I’m sorry I cuffed you to my bed.”

Her eyes shutter in memory and something in me tears anew at the sight.

“I am so sorry. I’ll never do that again. Ever.”

She bites her lip before replying.“I never thought I’d see the day when you would apologise to me.”

I shake my head.“I’m not above it. Not when it comes to you.”

She sucks in a shocked breath, before leaning up to press her lips against mine.

“My job is to protect you,” I say possessively. “No one is taking you away from my academy.”

“Away from us,” Savage growls.

The elevator chimes from being kept open for too long by Savage’s finger on the open button. I suddenly remember we’re out in the open and step away from her.

I deserve every ounce of agony that tears through my chest at the hurt I see on her face. But Savage lunges for her, tucking her under his arm before throwing me a dark look. Together, the two of them leave me standing there like a fool. A fool headed to the lowest rung of hell.

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