Page 128 of Let Us Prey

“Hunting for partners isn’t that different from hunting for food,petit lapin. It’s a different hunger, but it’s basically the same instinct.”

And you are my new favorite prey.

The parking lotat Liquid Onyx is packed, despite the hour. I’ve never been here before midnight, but even as early as ten, shifters are lined up at the door and around the block. Luckily for us, that won’t be an issue. I pull up to the valet and hand him the keys before walking over to Dolly’s side to open the door. She quirks a brow at me as I help her out of the sports car, curiosity written on her face as she looks at the long line of people in front.

“I should have guessed by the fancy outfit we were going somewhere nice, Rennie, but this is a surprise. You don’t seem like the clubbing type.”

“There are many things you don’t know about me yet, ma petite. Experiencing loss when you are young can cause you to develop a thirst for living, and I enjoy many things that might shock you,” I reply as I tuck her arm into mine. “Perhaps you will discover new things to enjoy as well tonight.”

We approach the door, and the massive gorilla shifter grunts before lifting the ropes for us without so much as a word. Dolly gives me another look, and I smile when she murmurs, “I believe you.”

Dance music pounds from the DJ booth as we make our way inside. I stop at the coat check, allowing her to peel the leather duster off and reveal the couture beneath.

My eyes start at the black patent leather platform boots, traveling up the wide fishnet stockings to the pleated black skirt—similar to the one she wears at Apex. The beavers in the laundry room were an excellent resource for sizing, and I’m glad I checked in with them before I ordered the outfit last month. Her glittering bunnybelly ring is hanging just above the waistband, and I bite my lip as my gaze roams up to the tiny silver halter top. Her rainbow hair falls in waves, and I grin when I notice she’s wearing the choker I sent, with the tiny locket dangling from the ring.

She’s absolute perfection.

“Come with me; we’ll get a drink,” I rumble, offering my hand again as I work to get my reaction to her under control. “There’s quite a selection to choose from.”

“Are we going to… dance?” she asks, her eyes dancing with excitement as she looks over the crowded floor. “I’ve never been to a rave, but this definitely seems close.”

“Raves are more Flames’ thing, but we can add it to the list. I think he’d love to have another person to dress up like an electric light show with him.” That’s entirely true—I’m not a huge fan of the human-filled, fake furry festivals he loves so much, but I’d bet my last prey-so Dolly would bounce around with him until the sun rises.

Our dragon has such a soft spot for the cute and fluffy—and our girl fits that to a tee.

Dolly squeezes my hand as she looks at the neon menu above the bar, squealing. “Look at the drinks!”

“Uh,petit lapin, the fancy ones are all alcoholic. You don’t drink, so I’ll order you a?—”

“Hell no! I am not my mother, but I also want to live a little, just like you said. Can’t I have just one? That really pretty pink thing in the big fancy glass?” She turns to me and her expression is so sincere and bright that I groan.

Fuck. They’re all going to murder me if I let her get tanked, but…

“Just one,” I say carefully, motioning for the bartender. When the leggy flamingo comes over, she titters in excitement and I chuckle. “Dolly, this is Lucinda. She’s one of the owners of Liquid Onyx. Lucinda, this is my… girlfriend, Dolly.”

The bunny in questions flushes pink with pleasure, and Lucinda flaps her wings, feathers dropping in excitement. “Holy Hades in a wetsuit! Renard, you cradle-robbing dog!”

My eyes widen, but Dolly just smirks at her and tosses her hair over a bare shoulder. “Oh, he’s not my dog. Three of my other boyfriends are felines, though.”

Well, I’ll be damned.

Clearing my throat, I give the flamingo a shrug. “She has a harem. It’s a thing.”

“Dammit! Why do you rare fuckers have all the fun?” Feathers fly again, and Lucinda sighs. “Okay, what do you and your adorable little girl want to drink?”

Dolly bristles at the ‘little girl’ remark, and I can see the Council heir magically appear in her bearing. Her spine stiffens, and her expression goes from sweet to regal in less than a second. The look she gives Lucinda is downright scary, because the way the flashing strobes hit her, it looks like her eyes turn red.

“I’m not a little girl, and Rennie hasn’t fully introduced me yet. My full name is Delores Rostoff Drew.” She waits for recognition to blossom on the flamingo’s face before she gives her a slow, knowing smile. “And I’ll have a Pink Bikini Martini.”

I’m definitely in trouble now. Not only have I unlocked daring Dolly, but I also found ‘possessive, scary heir’ Dolly, in one fell swoop.

Lucinda gathers herself, nodding as she looks at me. “Your usual? I’ll have someone bring it to the floor for you.”

“Yes, please,” I reply as Dolly stares her down. “Thank you, Lucinda.”

Tugging on her hand, I finally get my girl to budge from her stand-off with the bartender. I find a nice dark corner of thedance floor and tug her into my arms, brushing a strand of hair off of her face. The tension in her form fades as I trail my fingers down her jaw to her neck.

“Sorry about that,” she mutters. “I don’t know what came over me.”

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