“Don’t worry,” Pierce said, putting his hand on my thigh. “Neither of themwantto touch you, and they have plenty of experience holding themselves together.”
I nodded. “That’s reassuring, I guess.”
The touch of his hand on my skin tingled. Images of our intimacy last night flashed before my eyes, and sent a jolt of pleasure down my spine.
Keep it together, Benji, you’re barely awake and getting a boner.
But Pierce definitely noticed my rapidly building arousal. His eyes glinted like shards of obsidian.
Then, his hand slipped away.
“Come, Benji,” he said. “Get ready for breakfast.” A knowing smirk crossed his lips. “You’ll be needing all the energy you can get soon enough.”
* * *
I thoughtthe dining hall would be empty, but to my surprise, it wasn’t.
Pierce bristled as we entered the hall, his sharp gaze turning to his brothers. Theo hung his head sheepishly, and Adriel sat stiffly in his seat and tried not to meet Pierce’s eye. They both sat closer to the other end of the table, at least.
“What is the meaning of this?” Pierce asked. “You were both informed - “
“It wasmydecision.”
Margaret’s voice cut through the air like a blade. I hadn’t noticed her before, but now that I did, her presence emanated coldly.
“Mother,” Pierce said, his voice thin as a taut wire, “why were my brothers invited here when they are explicitly aware that Benji is coming into heat?”
“Is the omega pregnant?” Margaret asked bluntly.
“No,” Pierce said, unable to keep the edge from his voice. “Obviously not, since his heat scent is still there.”
“Andwhynot?” Margaret demanded.
I shrunk behind Pierce. I didn’t want to be rude about his mother, and in fact, Iwantedto like her, but the way she spoke about me made me feel like complete garbage. I wished the ground would open up and swallow me.
“Because it only just began,” Pierce said evenly, “and he hasn’t even had his breakfast yet. I’m sure you’re well aware that an omega in heat needs his energy.”
Margaret narrowed her eyes into slits. For a moment, it felt like Pierce hadn’t been joking when he said he was her least favorite son.
Margaret raised her arms slowly. They seemed frail, completely different than the image of a healthy vampire - from what I knew, anyway. She gestured to Adriel and Theo on either side of her.
“I have two willing alphas to complete the task if you’re not able, Pierce,” Margaret growled.
Is she threatening him?I thought, then with a flash of fear,Is she threatening me?
But Adriel and Theo didn’t look willing at all. When Margaret uttered those words, their expressions changed to shock and horror, like they couldn’t believe what she was saying.
So she’s just bluffing,I realized.
Pierce must have too, because he glared back at her. “That won’t be necessary, mother. I will accomplish the task.”
I winced, hearing him speak that way. But I knew it was for Margaret’s sake.
“Good,” she growled. She weakly grabbed Adriel’s arm with her claw-like hand. Neither of them spoke, but Adriel immediately stood and helped her leave the hall.
Theo shot us an apologetic glance and mouthedsorrybefore he left, too.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “Geez.”
