“We need to fix that.”
I gape at him. Whatever that means, no, a thousand times no. “No, we don’t.”
“When he touched your thigh, you looked like you wanted to hit him; you even balled your fist. Clearly, you hated him touching you.” Oh, the smugness of this alpha. Cinnamon catches my attention, and I realise it’s him. It’s…intoxicating.
“Did you see him?” I ask pointedly.
Khaos covers his mouth and turns away.
“You need to be more relaxed, more receptive. Let us help you.”
I feel like I’ve been walked into a trap, and I can’t find a way out of it. I’m fighting my body because I really want to lean into his scent; it’s hard to pay attention to what they are talking about.
“I looked that bad?” I ask Khaos.
He sighs and gives Wrath a long look. “Yes, you did. It did, in fact, get worse over time. You looked like it was physically painful.”
I wince.
“All right, Wrath’s right. We should be doing all in our power to help you get ready for these dates,” Khaos says with deep regret.
It’s almost offensive the way he’s saying it and looking so disgusted.
“No, I, you don’t have to,” I stutter over the words, but Khaos ignores me.
Wrath puts his hands on my shoulders, leans in, and presses a kiss to my forehead. I freeze, oh, my god. Cinnamon fills the air around me, and I let out a whimper. What the hell is he doing? Oh, my god, make him stop!
“Your back stiffened. You went all tense, you tried to lean away from me,” Wrath lists with a smirk. “You need our help, pretty girl.”
I roll my eyes, but I feel way out of my element, nervous, unsure. I flick a look at the others and find them watching every move I make. Hazard especially shifts closer to me. He walks right into my space. I step back into Wrath. The redheaded monster beams with pure, undignified delight.
I’ve just shown my hand.
“Oh, this is going to be fun.”
His fingers grip my waist and yank me forward, right up against him. Sandalwood mixes with cinnamon and then takes over. The scents are so strong and clear. My head’s dizzy, and my skin is tingling where he’s touching me.
“This is just to get used to touch,” I clarify in a squeak. I glance at Angel, who watches with intense, fierce eyes.
Khaos studies me. “What else do we need to teach you? Because Riot is going to fix your wardrobe tomorrow.”
Riot sidles over and grips my chin. I’m frozen, Hazard holding me still, while Riot steals all my air. Cinnamon, sandalwood, and incense. They are distinct but blend perfectly. I lick my bottom lip, and I can taste them. My mouth waters.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
“My wardrobe is fine!” I snap out.
“For a librarian,” Riot says with an evil grin. “Don’t worry, babe, I’ll fix it.”
My mouth falls open. Babe? I’m glad Hazard is holding me up because I might sink into the floor.
“And for the love of fur, stop shuddering when we use pet names,” Wrath snaps.
“I’m not.”
Wrath pushes the others aside, stalking towards me. He lifts a hand to the side of my face and stares down at me. “Baby girl, you are quaking…” the husky, fuck-me voice almost cripples me.
I don’t just shudder; I recoil away from him, shrinking back. Self-preservation at its finest.
