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“Marco, I think it would be wise to tell her what she wants to hear.” I shouldn’t be enjoying watching my brother struggle so much, but it was such a rare sight. I couldn’t let the moment pass without reveling in it.

I pulled out my phone and snapped a few pictures before posting them to our group chat.

She dragged her claw down his neck, teasing. “Say it.”

“Fuck!” he roared, bucking his hips to no avail. “Fine! Women can be just as strong as men.”

“Stronger,” she corrected before bending over, sticking her tongue in his ear, and jumping off in a flash, taking off down the hall before he reacted.

“Ahhhhh!” He gagged and rubbed his ear against his shoulder before sitting up and using his shirt to wipe away any remaining spit.

Yes, I had the foresight to continue documenting. I got the whole thing on video, and it would live eternally in my memory.

“Thank you for that.” I chuckled as I walked away.

“She’s fucking crazy,” he grumbled, still on the mat.

I didn’t argue. She was, but that was exactly what was necessary to survive in our world.

CHAPTER 7

Emilia

The second I woke up, I was aware of three things.

One, this room needed blackout curtains. I hadn’t even opened my eyes yet, and it felt like my retinas were burning.

Two, I wasn’t alone. At some point, a very warm body crawled into this bed with me.

Three, and most importantly, this body’s hand was cupping my breast.

Before my brain processed that information, my body reacted.

I spun, kicking the blankets off with one leg as I swung around to straddle this body and use my weight to hold it down. My left hand pinned down the one that had been groping me as I extended the claws of my right hand, using them like knives as I had against Marco just hours before.

Then I assessed my target.

Fuck.

“Emilia?” Fear washed over his face.

What? This was the first time he’d been woken up by an attack? How cute.

“What the fuck?” Derek grumbled and sat up in the other bed.

“You were touching me.” I pressed my claws deeper.

Cruz paled. “I didn’t mean to. I was asleep.”

“Why are you in my bed?”

“Why are you in my bed?” he countered, sounding a bit more in control of his emotions.

“Javier said I could pick one. You guys would rotate or share as necessary.” I didn’t lower my hand. I wanted to make it very clear I wasn’t someone to mess with. “Also, that’s my bathroom. Just mine.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Javier!” Derek got out of bed and stomped toward the door.

I turned back to Cruz. “Don’t touch me again.”