They moved on to game two, which was fantasy-themed Monopoly.
I’d heard of this game, and didn’t refuse when they asked me to join in this time. They gave me first choice of game pieces, and I had to ask, “Who usually picks the wolf?” There was only one wolf, along with a dragon, bear, unicorn, magic wand, cauldron, yeti, and a phoenix.
The alphas all looked at Hunter, and I wasn’t surprised. “I’m the entitled leader,” he said with a shrug. “I get the wolf.”
By instinct, I found myself holding the silver figure out to him. “I don’t want to take your piece. I’m happy with the unicorn.”
I was fairly sure that wasn’t the first time I’d been nice or compromised with these alphas, but they acted like I’d discovered gravity as they fell into silent shock.
Hunter wrapped his palm around my hand, gently closing it over the piece. “You’re the wolf, little omega.”
A buzz ran through our joined hands and up my arm, and I couldn’t find the strength to pull away until Hunter released me.
While I got myself under control, the others chose their pieces, and all of us started on the GO square. Hunter and Kellan explained roughly how this game worked, and it seemed straightforward enough. I had no idea why there was so much tension in the group as they eyed each other before the first roll of a die.
It started out normally enough, with everyone rolling, moving their figures, and if they landed on a property, buying them up. Kellan picked up a lot quickly, but so did the others, while I had two measly cards in my possession, and a dwindling cash pile.
It turned out that if you didn’t own the properties, you had to pay to stay there, which ate through your money fast.
After thirty minutes of intense play, I landed on one of Kellan’s properties that he’d just put two houses on, and counting out my money, for the first time I didn’t have enough to pay.
“Shit, does that mean I’m out?” I stared sadly at the board. “I’m really fucking bad at this.”
“You can stay for free—”
Hunter interrupted Kellan with a growl. “No cheating, even for our little omega. She’s out.”
Golden’s face fell as he reached out a hand for me. “Want to borrow some money, pretty girl? I’m sure we can work out a suitable arrangement for you to pay it back.” He waggled his eyebrows, and I snorted out a laugh.
Shaking my head, feeling stupidly happy even as the biggest loser of this game. “Thanks, Kel, but I’m fine to watch you all battle it out.”
His lips brushed across my cheek, and as heat coursed through me I completely forgot about Monopoly. My wolf whined, and I felt the other alphas flinch, even though I’d never made an external sound. Kellan pulled away with a low, purring rumble from his chest.
The game continued, and I was stupidly invested in the outcome.
After about an hour, only two remained with a real chance, and when Finley landed on Kellan’s property loaded with maximum hotels, he cursed loudly. “I swear to the goddess you’ve got this shit rigged.”
Kellan held his hand out and wiggled his fingers. “Pay up, buddy. You want to stay at Hotel de Kellan, you’ve got to pay your dues.”
Finley slapped the money into his brother’s hand. “It was a shithole anyway. I’m leaving you a one star on Yelp.”
By now I’d picked up on Kellan cheating once or twice. He was so fast that it was only from my angle beside him that you’d see his sleight of hand. He had it down to a fine art, which was driving Finley bananas.
Kellan spent a full minute slowly counting Finley’s rent as if to ensure he hadn’t been shortchanged, while the bear grew grouchier and grouchier. When it was Kellan’s turn, he rolled a six, which landed him on the final property he needed to own the full side of the board. The most expensive side. Which was the exact straw that broke the bear’s back.
Finley lurched to his feet, and as the bear launched himself across the table, Hunter was at my side, yanking me out of the way. An echoing crash rang in my ears, and by the time I looked around Hunter’s protective stance, Kellan was sprawled on the ground, and the whole table was on its side, pieces of the board scattered across the wooden floors.
Finley’s chest heaved as he stomped his foot right in the middle of the Monopoly board, tearing it in two. “If you keep fucking cheating, I will kill you, Kellan,” he raged, before snarling and marching from the room.
The other three were quiet for a beat, and then to my fucking surprise it was Slade who broke the silence with a rumbly laugh. Just one laugh, and it felt like he’d punched me in the gut. His low burst did things to me that I couldn’t explain, even as he immediately returned to his regular stoic self.
Kellan dragged himself up off the floor howling and looking pleased that he’d managed to achieve exactly what he’d been aiming for. Chaos and carnage.
Meanwhile, I was still stunned by the dragon shifter. I decided then and there that I wanted to hear Slade laugh one more time.
Just once before everything came to an end.
Chapter
