Page 25 of Cruel Devotion

“What was that, Bunny? I can’t hear you?” he sang. I tried to answer, but the words were muffled. He leaned close, pushing his ear against the hand covering my mouth.

Asshole.

“Oh… yes… I see. You’ve been fucking him. What? Gave him your virginity? You want to go back?” Even as he acted like the mentally ill patient I knew he was, he was voicing his fears and ignoring the truth. Darius’ vibrated behind me.

Why was he riling him up?

My brain screamed, ‘Danger!’ and I shook my head. Ryder released me. I didn’t know if it was an act of mercy or entertainment. Darius’ hand pushed on my back and I folded. His claws trailed down my back, over my hips, and I shuddered as he gripped my parted ass cheeks. My fingers curled into the sheets as I felt his gaze on my hole. His silence was unnerving. It felt like the calm before the storm.

“It isn’t true,” I breathed.

“It’s a reminder you weren’t pure,” Ryder explained. I squeezed around Darius’ cocks. Glaring at him because he was at fault here.

“I forgot you were still here. Char, get out,” Ryder sighed.

Lifting my eyes to where she still stood by the door. She smiled, apparently pleased my mates weren’t happy with me. She was fucking enjoying this, and I wanted to scream. My hackles rose, because once again, I didn’t miss the nickname. She bowed low, flashing her cleavage.

“My King. My Prince,” her sultry voice fanned the flames of my insecurities. She turned, and closed the door on her way out.

“You’re angry at me for having a fiance but you’ve fucked your assistant. I don’t want to go back to him. My parents arranged our marriage,” I hissed. My vision blurred as tearsbegged to run free. This feeling of betrayal was new, and I didn’t know what to do with it.

“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have killed them so quickly,” Darius seethed.

Too soon.

Too fucking soon.

I would never get over the fact that he killed them, but I didn’t want to be reminded. The tears finally escaped and my breaths became shaky.They’re not human, but fuck do their words cut deep.Each one dripped from his tongue like venom, burning through my pathetic defenses and poisoning me from the inside out.

“Brother,” Ryder cooed. His eyes flickered above me. The beast growled. “That was cruel,” he reprimanded Darius as if he’d called me fat, not thrown the nasty truth into my face; he’d killed my parents and wasn’t apologetic. The illusion’s focus returned to me, pity filling his eyes. I wanted to tell myself I was fucking delusional, but right now, that’s what I needed.

“Don’t bother,” I hiccuped, swiping at my cheeks.

“Look what you’ve done. Our mate is sad,” Ryder chastised. Darius nuzzled my cheek. A sound akin to a soft whimper warmed my face. Pulling me back into his arms, his cock deflated as he withdrew from me.

“I’ll make it better,” he growled. The beast cradled me like a baby and I burrowed into his chest.

“As long as you don’t fuck me again, I’ll take it,” I hiccuped.

Ryder chuckled as a large paw batted my head. Almost buckling at the pressure, I felt like it might snap off. Waiting to see what the hell he was doing, he did it again, but softer this time. His hand patted my head, and then slowly slid down my hair. I blinked. The flow of tears stopping as I straightened.

He is… petting me.

Fingers slid beneath my backside, collecting the mess. He scooped it up and pushed it back in.

“Can’t waste a drop,” he murmured, mesmerized.

“You’re supposed to be cleaning it out,” I rasped. Piercing eyes shot to mine, holding me captive. Brows furrowed as the corners of his lips curved down.

“Why would I do that?” his tone was reserved and calm, too calm. I backtracked, trying to figure out what I’d said wrong this time.

“So I don’t get pregnant.” My mate stopped petting me.

“You don’t want pups?” Glancing at the other half of his whole, I looked for help. Ryder’s chest rose and fell rapidly.

“Are you disgusted with us?” Ryder bit out.

“Dirty,” Darius snarled.

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