Page 33 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
The three men studied Maseo with inquisitive expressions.
Jaega gestured to each person as he made introductions. “This is Bitris, Drayden, and Sudryl. I trust you will all get along well. Should you need anything, you can ask them, myself, or Lieutenant Norkon.”
Maseo’s heart hammered with nervousness about how he would be treated once the respected general left him alone. “Thank you, sir.”
“Welcome to our ranks.” With another squeeze of his shoulder, Jaega exited the room.
The awkward silence shattered when Bitris spoke first. “Okay, I have a shitload of questions.” The dragon shifter had a leaner frame than Jaega’s, with black hair pulled into a long braid. His yellow eyes studied Maseo with interest.
“I bet your first one is whether he’s single,” Drayden said, causing the other two men to laugh. He was also a dragon shifter, with midnight-blue eyes bright with amusement. He gave Maseo a friendly smile and gestured for him to come closer. “Make yourself at home. I promise Bitris only bites if you ask.”
Maseo sat on the empty bed. “That’s good to know.”
“And I bet your second question is if he’s interested,” Sudryl teased Bitris. To Maseo’s surprise, the man was a tiger shifter, with orange-and-black striped hair and amber eyes.
Bitris pretended to pout. “What’s wrong with wanting to give Maseo a warm welcome?”
“Because your idea of a warm welcome means we have to leave the room so you can fuck,” Drayden said with an amused snort.
Bitris smirked. “Hey, you’re welcome to stay and watch. I’m generous like that.”
“Sorry, but we’re not indulging your voyeurism kink,” Sudryl said in a dry tone, making them all laugh. “Your dick’s needs can wait. I’m dying to know how a halfling wolf pup came to be a member of the Ariake clan and joined our ranks when our majestic monarch famously loathes wolf shifters.”
“In fairness, he only loathesonewolf,” Bitris added. “It’s a pity that King Nasume’s personality is so legendarily awful when he’sthatbeautiful. What a waste of a gorgeous face.”
“Don’t act like his terrible personality would stop you from sucking his dick,” Drayden retorted with a laugh. “It sure as hell didn’t stop you from hooking up with Hagel.”
“In my defense, when Hagel was sucking my dick, he couldn’t ruin things by talking. And he looks so pretty on his fucking knees for me.” Bitris shifted his attention back to Maseo, who tensed under his appraising gaze. “But Drayden is right. More than learning every inch of your beautiful body, I need to know how a half-wolf shifter got a personal introduction from our illustrious dragon general, claiming you as a member of their clan.”
Maseo tried to find a tactful way to explain his situation without mentioning his father. He knew the secret would come out, but he wanted the chance to make a good first impression before his lineage ruined his chances. “King Kitsuki and his consort saved my life, so I want to serve them in any capacity I can to repay their kindness.”
“How noble,” Sudryl said, a note of approval in his tone. “But I still find it strange that His Majesty would bring you into the Ariake clan for that alone.”
“His Majesty must be serious about it if he gave you that ring,” Drayden added.
Maseo ran his thumb over the dragon holding a diamond, which flickered with Kitsuki’s silver fire. “I don’t understand why he thinks I’m worthy of protection.”
“It’s strange, considering he already has a mate he worships,” Sudryl said. “Who are you really?”
When Maseo hesitated to answer, Bitris walked over to stand in front of him. “Wait a minute,” the dragon shifter said as he tilted Maseo’s chin up to inspect him. “With this jawline, those lush lips, and that downright gorgeous face, do you know who you look like?”
“Someone you want to fuck?” Drayden guessed, making the other men laugh.
Maseo’s breathing hitched when Bitris caressed his cheekbone with his thumb. He struggled with being the center of attention when his secret was dangerously close to being revealed. Even though it was shameful, he requested, “Please don’t. I have nowhere else to go.”
“Oh, you poor pup,” Bitris tutted sympathetically. “You beg so beautifully. It makes me want to do things that will make you forget all your problems.” The scent of his growing arousal took Maseo aback.
Drayden reached out and pulled Bitris to sit on his bed. “Stop harassing the poor guy. He just got here and is clearly overwhelmed. The last thing he needs is for you to make things worse.”
Bitris ignored him, giving Maseo a heated look. “You must be someone special if His Majesty is willing to takeyou, of all people, into his care.”
“What do you mean?” Sudryl asked.
Before Bitris could respond, Lieutenant Rylan Norkon entered the room. “Well, well, well. It seems the rumorsaretrue.” He flashed Maseo a flirty smile as he settled next to him on the bed. It startled Maseo when Rylan draped an arm over his shoulders and pulled him closer. “It’s good to see you again under better circumstances.”
“You know him?” Sudryl asked.
“Not as well as I’d like, because he’s off-limits,” Rylan replied. “Especiallyfor you, Bitris.”
