Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
LAUREL
My pulse thundered in my ears as the Lucas pack walked with me. My skin was crawling, and I needed to be alone.
This evening had shaken me to my core. I had lost the Duchess when the incident had happened, and I was struggling to maintain my composure.
“It’s late,” I said as we reached the VIP elevator. They were staying on the top floor, in one of our largest suites. My palms felt clammy, but I still managed a smile up at Prince.
He leaned down, capturing me for another kiss, his hands sliding down my back further than I would have liked. “Come up with us.” His lips brushed against my ear, and I took a shuddering inhale that thankfully could have been taken as desire.
“Prince,” Dax cut in. “Not tonight.”
Prince stepped back, a sullen look on his face. “But—” he started, and Dax cut him off with a growl and a glare.
“We have a job to do,” Dax said, and shared a look with Prince.
“Oh yeah, I forgot.” Prince straightened his shoulders and arched an eyebrow. There was a smirk on his face as he turned back to me. “Another night, then?” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
I managed a nod, looking back at Dax. He had that amused glint in his eyes as he gave me a nod.
To my horror, Madison grabbed my shoulders and pulled me flush against his towering frame.
He dragged his neck against my head, scent-marking me, and I let out a choked gasp as he gave my ear a painful nip. His scent spiked, and he chuckled.
My heart was racing and my chest felt tight.
I tried not to let anyone scent-mark me; it was too instinctual and deeply personal to be used in casual flirting.
I could count on one hand the alphas who had done it to me, and all of them were dead.
They’d gotten too possessive of me, not able to tolerate me mixing with other alphas.
“Don’t worry, sweets,” Madison rumbled in my ear. “We won’t forget about you.”
He let me go, and I stumbled back a step, my eyes wide. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.
“Good night,” I said, nodding in the direction of Dax and Prince.
I couldn’t bring myself to look at Madison again. A tremble started as soon as the doors closed, and I wrapped my arms around myself as I sank to the floor. They really meant to claim me, and the thick scent clinging to me was proof they’d fight for it.