Page 129 of Let Us Prey

I snort, leaning in to whisper in her ear. “That was the predator in you,petit lapin.”

Her hands land on my waist, and she sways her hips, moving to the pounding bass of the surrounding music. “Do you think there is a predator in me somewhere?”

“Oh, most certainly. Even without that display of dominance you put on for Lucinda, we’ve all seen you show others that being an apex predator isn’t always about what animal you have inside of you. It’s how you carry yourself, and that’s something that can’t be taught—you were born this way.”

Her tinkling laughter vibrates through me, and my tail drops immediately. It’s going to be damned near impossible to keep the gargoyle under control—all my pent-up frustration, rage, and heat paired with her bare skin are sending me into overdrive.

“You all still act like I’m too fragile to handle things, though.”

The assignment the others gave me flits through my mind, and I frown. She’s going to be irritated no matter what; I might as well rip the band-aid off now so we can enjoy the rest of the evening. “It’s because we worry about you, and none of us have had anyone to worry about in a long time. With the recent problems on campus, we would like to take extra steps to ensure you’re safe.”

She rolls her eyes, giving me a look reminiscent of every surly teen to come through my classroom. “Fine. What do you have in mind, an escort everywhere I go?”

Well, that was easy.

I nod and she throws her hands up, growling, “That was sarcasm, Rennie! I’m not a child!”

Oops.

“We don’t think you’re a child, petite. But someone is attacking students, and none of us would forgive ourselves if you got hurt when we could have prevented it.”

She considers my words for a moment and nods.

When I sigh in relief, she steps closer, looking into my eyes with a mischievous grin. Then she reaches down and wraps her fingers around the end of my tail, squeezing it lightly. “How about I show you what a big girl I am, and you can decide for yourself?”

Cue Renard losing his motherfucking shit in the middle of a club.

Closer

Delores

When Renard’seyes glow bright blue, I swallow hard. I was feeling bold after my confrontation with the disrespectful flamingo. So I didn’t even think before I wrapped my hand around his swishing appendage and squeezed. I’ve only seen the fierce look on him a few times before, during his hunts with Aubrey, and I wonder if it’s related.

I’ve awakened the beast.

The thought makes butterflies erupt in my stomach, and I grin at the blue-eyed man as an idea flits through my head. During the video in sex ed, the narrator mentioned how canine and feline shifters often enjoy ‘stalking’ their mates as foreplay. Zhenga said a lot of what those groups do can apply to other shifters…

Without giving myself time to overthink it, I pull back, crooking my finger as I whisper, “Come get me.”

I take off down the nearest hallway, unsure where I’m going, but hearing him behind me in pursuit—just as I’d hoped. A tiny sliver of fear runs through me as I navigate the twists and turns of an unfamiliar place with a predator on my tail. Despite a similarcircumstance triggering me earlier in the year, it’s now giving me a thrill. My pussy clenches as I take turn after turn, claws out as I sprint in the heavy boots.

They did not build this outfit for stealth, but that’s okay—I want to be caught.

I finally hit a dead end with nowhere to go, panting as I lean against the wall and wait.

A few moments later, I see Renard stalk around the corner. Gone is the lounging emo man: instead, there’s a partially shifted, onyx warrior stomping toward me with a feral look on his face. My eyes run over his wings, short horns, and immense bulk as he fills the hallway. His tail is flicking rapidly, and as he comes closer, I realize two things. One, his talisman is glowing and two, his clothes are gone and holy mother of Zeus, he might actually break me in half with that thing.

Have I made a grievous error or a really brilliant decision? Fuck if I know, but I’m going to find out.

“You found me,” I say, knowing I sound breathy and ridiculous.

The gargoyle taps his nose, winking at me. I laugh nervously, but I muster my confidence, propping one foot on the wall and stretching my arms above my head, hoping it looks inviting. His steps quicken, and before I can say anything else, his hands grasp my hips and haul me off my feet. I wrap my legs around his waist, gazing into his eyes as I touch the smooth, hard stone covering his face.

“You,” he growls out between four very serious fangs, “... are in for it, little one.”

Oooh. I like snarly Rennie. It’s hotter than shit.

Deciding to up the ante, I lean in and bite his lower lip, tugging on it with my teeth. “I’d prefer it to be in me, to be honest.”

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