Page 169 of Her Psycho Beasts

The chill of winter takes its time to leave, but the spring ball comes upon us far too quickly. By then, Savage has passed his literacy test, much to Lyle’s happiness. I bring him a cake for afterwards, but it hardly feels like a celebration. Both wolf and dragon take their joeys to zookeeper Rick to be assessed on the care. Both pass with flying colours and have to return the little ones. To everyone’s surprise, Savage refuses to give up Toastie, threatening zookeeper Rick so badly that Lyle has to counsel him afterwards. And so Savage gets what he wants, and Toastie remains in his bag around Savage’s neck at all times.

On the day of the spring ball, I feel sick to my stomach. Us animas all get ready together in Minnie’s room, having kicked out Marduk and Yeti to go off and get ready with my own mates.

“Sabrina sent a photo,” Stacey says. “As usual, it’s of her dinner. But look, the twins bought her Red Rooster.”

“I miss them cheesy nuggs,” Connor sighs, checking the back of his gown in the mirror. “Girlfriend is living her best life. I hope she gets what she needs there, even if she is missing the ball.”

“They do all sorts of recreation.” Minnie shoots glitter hairspray in a halo around her pink curls. “Scythe’s really made it cool over there—” She meets my eye in the mirror and her eyes start to glisten.

“It’s alright,” I project into her mind.“Pretending, remember?”

She gives me a tiny nod and plasters a fake grin on her face. “That colour really suits you, Lia!”

Lyle and Savage had picked out the sapphire blue gown with a sweetheart neckline online. It brought out the colour of my eyes, Lyle said. But whenever I look at its oceanic hue, all I can think about is Scythe.

A shiver passes over me and I try to ignore it, reaching to adjust a curl in Stacey’s half up, half down style. She looks spectacular in a canary yellow two piece that shows a slither of her stomach, while Connor wears a crimson gown with ruffles he’s sewn diagonally across the skirt on the hem of the long split.

Raquel has chosen a metallic grey suit that brings out the colour of their eyes and a sexy white shirt with the buttons open down to the centre of their chest.

Minnie has gone for her signature magenta, in a gown of silk with a cowl neckline.

Together, we are picture perfect.

Eugene, for his part, has been stuck to me like glue for the last couple of weeks. I don’t know if Savage demanded he keep an eye on me, but he’s been my little shadow. He has to stay in the dorms tonight, and I make sure the window is open so he can see us promenade down to the dining hall.

If only Icouldenjoy this night. I glance at the clock above Minnie’s mirror. I’m pretty sure Minnie put it here when shefirst moved in as a subtle hint to her beasts, but I glance at it nervously now. “Time to go!”

We all head out of the pack dorms, following the stream of equally well-dressed beasts, the avians dressed in shiny sequins and feathers, the felines with leopard print ties and fur wraps. The wolves wear edgy dresses and suits in hues of silver, blue and black, while the hyenas style themselves in black lace and leather.

In a sort of procession, we make our way towards the dining hall, the sunset catching our jewellery and body glitter and making us glimmer like a string of jewels. Savage, Lyle, Marduk and Yeti wait for us to the side of the dining hall, scowling at anyone who looks their way.

Apparently my sour mood is catching.

The gang of wolves in front of them parts and my mates are revealed to me in all their glory.

Lyle always looks at home in a suit, but I’ve never seen him in a tux. The sleek black and white suit and waistcoat, complete with a gold chain and bowtie, makes him look like a modern Adonis. His golden hair is sleek in a perfect ponytail down his back, but despite his clean look, anyone can see the rabid beast that prowls beneath his skin. It’s in his posture, the set of his jaw, and the gleam in his amber eyes. It makes the anima in me flutter her wings, and I try not to blush when his gaze catches mine.

Savage, on the other hand, wears his black shirt and suit pants like it irritates him and he tugs at his collar before scowling and undoing his tie, throwing it to the ground as I watch. His hair is freshly washed and styled, but I know he’s run his hands through it a few times by now, and those hazel eyes promise murder to anyone who looks at him askance. When they finally land on me, he perks up and his scowl smooths over. I can’t help but flutter my lashes under their attention as theyboth immediately stalk over, Savage brutally shoving at a feline in his way.

Minnie giggles as Marduk, in a new tuxedo, dramatically falls to his knees, clutching at his heart and professing his undying love. It’s hard not to love the guy, even if heiscompletely nuts and more than a bit strange. Yeti flicks at Minnie’s gold dangly earring, earning him a gut punch, which he ends up blushing at for some reason.

Savage gets his arms ready to sweep me up, but Lyle puts out a hand to stop him.

“If,” Connor says loudly from behind me, “a beast wishes to kiss his regina before an event and is gentleman enough to not ruin her makeup, he may kiss her on the neck.”

“Quite right, Connor,” I say before stepping up to my mates and turning my head to the side.

Lyle can’t help but growl a little at me presenting myself to him, but he gives me a soft kiss right over our mating mark. Savage sighs dramatically, but leans forward to drag his tongue up my neck in a way that makes Stacey gasp out loud.

“You are perfection in a human body,” Savage whispers. “After dinner, I’m going to pull up your skirts and Lyle and I will take you behind the hall so hard you’ll forget your own name.”

Connor chokes on his own spit, making Raquel thump him on the back.

Savage pulls back, straightening his shirtsleeves, acting as if he has no idea why everyone is staring.

Wild Mother help me.

Because only prayers can help me now.

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