Page 40 of Plug and Claim

Victoria stroked her chin thoughtfully. “I wonder which alpha will have the honour of taking her virginity?”

He didn’t know, and he tried very hard not to think about it as he stared into the flames. “Drop it, Vic. You’re disrespecting Gloria.”

“Whatever, Gloria is old news,” Victoria said, putting her feet up on his knees as if he were a footstool. “You need fresh blood—literally. Someone with a beating heart.”

He smiled at that. Gloria’s heart, if she had one, was muffled by her callousness and self-centred nature. Ten years ago, when their courtship began, he’d mistakenly thought that these made good qualities for a queen. Now that he was twenty-nine, on the cusp of his thirtieth birthday, he had a feeling she would use him for breeding and dispose of him when she was done with him.

Victoria kicked off her shoes and wriggled her toes back and forth. They were painted a horrible, happy shade of yellow. “Like them?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Very nice.”

Victoria wriggled them in satisfaction before giving him a sidelong look. “Now, back to Kira…”

“Can we not?”

“I just can’t help but wonder—do you think she’ll be all right after the initiation?”

Nathaniel tensed.

Of course, there would be an initiation.

He’d known there would be, but the activities of the wolves were none of his concern, not even if they were against school rules. And yet, he felt a sharp fear pierce him. “Why wouldn’t she be all right?”

“Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing,” Victoria said, giving a lengthy sigh before continuing. “I’m just not quite sure that Kira will enjoy the initiation as much as the alphas will.”

Her words hung in the air.

“Alphas?” he asked, every muscle in his body tensing as hot anger flared.

“That’s right, plural.” She shook her head with a smile. “That Kira of yours is so ambitious—she somehow got an invite to the Populars pack. Poor thing will be exhausted after tonight after taking so many dicks, I hear there are twelve alphas lining up to—”

Victoria’s words cut off as he sprang out of his chair, causing her feet to slide off him.

“Rude,” Victoria said, but she was smiling in triumph as he rounded on her.

“Where?” he asked urgently.“In the gym,” she said, adding with a wink, “centre stage. But what you really should have asked me was when the initiation’s starting.”His eyes narrowed. “Well? When?”

Victoria rose leisurely and moved to stand before him. She walked her fingers up along his arm, taking far too much pleasure in seeing him on edge. “Hm, let me see if I recall…” Her fingers came to a rest on his shoulder. “If memory serves, it should be starting right about now…in fact, I think it’s already started.”

Victoria’s high-pitched laughter followed him as he tore from the room.

Chapter 16

The Initiation Ceremony

Kira

The basketball pounded on the polished court. The sound made Kira wince. The Poplarin Pack were throwing hoops, which was a front to disguise what they were really doing here. Initiation ceremonies involving sex, fighting or blood rites were strictly forbidden by school rules.

Chelsea was the first to approach her.

“Surprised to see me?” Kira asked, crossing her arms. She was not afraid of confrontation, and she dealt out her accusations with calm force. “You knew the hunter would be in his office. You wanted him to bite me so I wouldn’t be able to join your pack.”

Chelsea shrugged. “So what? It’s your fault for being gullible.”

Kira bared her teeth. “I’ll soon be a part of this pack. And I will remember your deception.”

Chelsea’s eyes widened. “You will be the lowest ranking member, and you will respect me.”