Chapter 14 – REGINA #2
"But also," he continues, "consider that our instincts have kept us alive this long. There's something off about Villeneuve. All of us can feel it. And our wolves don't trust him. Especially not with you."
"Your wolves also wanted to mark territory on the Dean's lawn last full moon," I point out. "Maybe their judgment isn't always sound."
Sean gasps like I've personally offended him. "That was a completely valid territorial display. The Dean's lawn is prime real estate."
"It's a rosebush."
"A prime rosebush."
"What do I have to do to convince you?" I ask, the words coming out more heated than I intended. "Give you a blowjob?"
The room goes absolutely still.
Four pairs of eyes lock onto me with an intensity that makes heat rush to my face. The bond suddenly shifts into something hungry and focused and very, very interested.
"Yes," Killian says right away.
I blink. "What?"
"Yes," he repeats, his voice dropping to that low register that always makes my knees weak. "That would convince me, at least."
"I was—" I stammer, caught completely off guard. "That was a joke. I was being sarcastic."
"Too late," Sean announces, sitting up with alarming speed. "You made an offer. An offer we can't refuse. Those are the rules."
"What rules? There are no rules about—"
"Pack rules," Rowan says smoothly, though his eyes have gone dark in a way that makes my heart stutter in spite of my frustration. "When a mate makes an offer, it would be rude to refuse."
"I didn't make an offer!"
"Sounded like an offer to me," Micah says with a slow grin. "Clear terms and everything. Blowjob in exchange for agreement to approach Villeneuve."
"That's not—" I look between them, trying to find an ally. They're all watching me with identical expressions of wolfish anticipation. "You can not be serious."
"Dead serious," Killian confirms, moving closer. "You drive a hard bargain, but I accept your terms."
"Hold on," Sean interrupts, scrambling to his feet. "You can't just agree for yourself. That's not fair."
"I'm pack alpha."
"That doesn't mean you get exclusive blowjob rights!" Sean seems genuinely outraged, dramatic hand gestures and all. "This is a pack matter. It requires pack consensus. Democracy!"
"He has a point," Rowan says, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "If this is a negotiation, all affected parties should benefit equally."
"Fine," Killian growls, though there's amusement lurking beneath his irritation. "Blowjobs for all."
"Yes!" Sean pumps his fist in the air. "Democracy wins again!"
I stare at them, my mouth hanging open. This conversation has gone completely off the rails, and I'm not sure how to get it back on track.
Or if I even want to.
"Let me get this straight," I say slowly. "You're going to let me ask Villeneuve to be our faculty sponsor... if I give you all blowjobs? After all that? After the demon zombie robot theories and the Bond villain comparisons?"
"Never underestimate the power of a good blowjob," Micah says with a completely straight face.
I open my mouth to argue, then close it again. Because honestly? I was going to do that anyway. Not as a negotiating tactic, but because I want to. Because the thought of getting on my knees for these idiots makes me fucking wet.
But they don't need to know that.
"Fine," I say, rolling my eyes with as much exasperation as I can muster.
"So that's a yes?" Sean looks like Christmas came early. "We're doing this? Democracy has prevailed?"
"That's a yes."
"Yes!" Sean and Micah high five. Even Rowan looks triumphant.
"When?" Killian asks, his voice rough with want. He's already moving toward me, and I can see the effort it's taking him not to simply pick me up and carry me to the nearest horizontal surface.
I hold up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "After."
"After what?"
"After I ask Villeneuve." I can't help the smile that tugs at my lips. "You don't think I'm going to give you what you want before I get what I want, do you? That's not how negotiations work."
"She's got us there," Rowan admits, looking impressed despite his obvious disappointment.
"But—" Sean starts.
"But nothing." I pat his cheek as I walk past him toward the stairs. "I'll go see Villeneuve tomorrow morning. If he agrees to be our sponsor, you get your reward. If not, well..." I shrug. "We'll have bigger problems to deal with."
"That's evil," Sean whines. "That's actual villainy. Who's the Bond villain now?"
I pause at the bottom of the stairs, looking back at them over my shoulder. Four alpha wolves, all watching me with a mixture of frustration and admiration and desire.
"I learned from the best," I say sweetly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to figure out what I'm going to say to convince a mysterious professor to take responsibility for the most chaotic pack on campus."
I climb the stairs to the sound of their groaning protests, my smile widening with every step.
Tomorrow, I'll deal with Villeneuve.
Tonight, I'll let the wolves learn a little patience.
It's good for them.