Chapter 74

[ 1,029 words ]

“Every House tests its newcomers. Some with traditions. Others with teeth p>

~ Rebel Beast

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“So Felicity told all of you to hide in these rooms and scare the girls?” Dimitri asked, disbelief evident in his voice. “And you agreed p>

The rat shifters exchanged uneasy glances.

“Well the first girl answered timidly. “It’s not like we could refuse her.” She swallowed. “You know what she is p>

Her voice grew so small toward the end that she lowered her head without daring to meet Dimitri’s eyes.

Aria caught the implication immediately.

“What is she?” she asked.

Dimitri turned to her. “What p>

“What kind of beast is Felicity?” Aria repeated more firmly.

It was the rat girl who answered.

“A tigress p>

“What?” Aria and Trisha blurted out together.

“Oh… crap,” Alek muttered beneath her breath.

Brittney frowned.

“What? Why are you all looking like someone just announced the end of the world p>

Unlike the others, she hadn’t spent years reading about animals simply because she found them fascinating.

Alek sighed.

“If beast shifters inherit even part of their animal instincts, then that’s bad news p>

“How bad p>

“Tigers,” Alek explained, “are notoriously territorial p>

Realization slowly spread across Brittney’s face.

“Wait.” She looked from Alek to the rat girl. “Are you telling me she’s going to want to murder me in my sleep because I took over her territory p>

She looked around.

“Which room was hers p>

One could never be too careful.

Before the rat girl could answer, Dimitri cut in.

“Nobody is murdering anyone p>

His tone left little room for argument.

“Yes, Felicity has a temper, but she’s not about to lay a finger on any of you.” He folded his arms. “She knows exactly where that would land her with Maverick p>

The reassurance should have helped, but it didn’t.

The four girls exchanged silent glances. While Dimitri sounded convincing, he also wasn’t a woman.

Felicity might not attempt murder, but after today’s welcome, none of them doubted she’d find far more creative ways to make their lives miserable. The rat incident alone had proven that.

Dimitri either missed the exchange entirely or chose not to acknowledge it.

“Besides,” he continued, “our beast instincts influence us, but they don’t control us. Felicity and the others have already been moved somewhere they’ll be comfortable. They may resent it now, but eventually they’ll settle in p>

Brittney opened her mouth, but Dimitri raised a finger.

“I already know what you’re going to say p>

She closed it again.

“If you’re still uncomfortable, I’ll arrange for trusted members of the patrol team to keep watch outside your suite every night. Will that put your minds at ease p>

“Better,” Brittney admitted.

Only then did Dimitri turn back toward the rat shifters, and the poor creatures shrank almost immediately. His expression remained calm, but there was nothing friendly about it anymore.

“If I so much as catch the scent of any of you anywhere near this suite without official authorization,” he said evenly, “I’ll hunt you in my wolf form and swallow you whole p>

Perverse delight glinted in his eyes at the thought.

One of the rat boys went visibly pale.

“I swear!” he squeaked. “I’m never coming back p>

Another nodded so frantically Aria wondered if his head might fall off.

“Neither am I p>

Dimitri regarded them for another moment before giving a single nod.

“You may leave p>

The response was instantaneous.

The eight rat shifters vanished so quickly they became little more than blurs rushing past the girls. Within seconds, the suite was empty.

Well, almost.

One rat boy suddenly darted back inside, reached for the front door, pulled it shut with remarkable politeness, then disappeared again before anyone could say a word.

Silence fell.

“That Brittney said slowly, “was impressive p>

Dimitri placed a hand over his chest and dipped into an exaggerated bow.

“You’re most welcome, my ladies p>

Brittney’s opinion of Dimitri rose several levels on the spot. He was handsome, reliable, and funny. And if the look she’d caught between him and Alek earlier meant anything… she might have just found her friend a boyfriend.

“Not to pry into your personal life,” Brittney began sweetly, “but are you single, Dimitri p>

The beta lifted a brow. He hadn’t seen that coming.

“No,” he answered.

Brittney stared at him unwaveringly.

“Are you serious, or are you teasing me p>

“The former, I’m afraid p>

“Well Brittney clasped her hands together. “You wouldn’t mind if I asked you a few more questions then p>

Meanwhile, Aria, Trisha, and Alek watched the exchange from the sidelines, each silently wondering what on earth had gotten into their friend.

“Well Dimitri scratched the back of his head. “Sure. Why not p>

“Excellent p>

Brittney clapped her hands once, as though the matter had already been settled.

Before Dimitri could reconsider, she had her phone out, opened the Notes app, and assumed the air of an experienced interviewer.

“Now then,” she began, “have you ever been in a relationship? If yes, how many? Please start from the day you escaped your mother’s womb. Childhood sweethearts count too. How long did each relationship last? Did any of your ex-girlfriends think you were the problem? Are you still friends with any of them? Better yet, are there any unresolved situationships I should know about p>

She paused only long enough to take a breath.

“Oh, and don’t skip any details p>

Dimitri’s mouth actually fell open.

Aria almost felt sorry for him.

“You don’t have to answer any of that,” she quickly cut in before Brittney could produce another list. “Our friend can be a little She searched for a diplomatic word. “Intense p>

She offered Dimitri an apologetic smile.

“Besides, I’m sure you have far more important things to do. You’re probably busy p>

Trisha had already slipped behind Brittney, subtly trying to steer her away before she managed to offend the only ally they currently had inside House Therion.

For a brief moment, Dimitri considered accepting Aria’s invitation to escape.

Then his gaze drifted to Alek. She wasn’t saying anything. She was simply watching him.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, Dimitri suddenly found himself wanting there to be no misunderstanding where he was concerned.

“Yes,” he said at last. “I’ve been in a relationship before p>

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