Page 145 of Their Lethal Pet

One inhale is all I need to know that she’s come into her Omega heat.

I didn’t expect to sense it like this; Death Fae don’t have estrus cycles. But I can smell Alina’s sweet strawberry fragrance from all the way over here. It’s enough for me to shadow toward them rather than walk, my gaze on her blissed-out face.

“Rest,” Orcus says to her in a whisper. “We’ll be here when you wake. And then the fever will begin.”

Fuck fest,I want to correct him.And then thefuck festwill begin.

But I refrain.

Instead, I simply smile at Alina’s responding sigh, her limbs going limp in his arms.

“So you knotted her,” I say, not guessing, just knowing. “And how was it?”

He looks at me. “A private affair.”

I arch a brow. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of keeping her to yourself now, Alpha. You might be my brother, but I will fucking fight you on this.”

He snorts. “I wouldn’t dream of keeping her away from you and Flame. She’s chosen you, too. But what Alina and I share… will remain ours. Just as I’m sure you’ll have things you share with only her, too.”

Like cupcakes, I think, the thought one that comes automatically. “True.” I reach forward to tuck one of her sweaty strands of hair behind her ear. “You worked her hard.”

“Yes,” he admits, giving me nothing more. “When she wakes up, she’ll be lost to her estrus.”

I smile. “About fucking time.”

He snorts again and turns toward the door where Flame is waiting, his expression dark. Based on the way his eyes are narrowed at Orcus, I’m guessing he wasn’t invited to the knotting show.

I understand his disappointment.

But I’m certain we’ll be given another opportunity to watch.

Leaning forward, I press a kiss to our girl’s forehead. “Mmm, you smell like strawberries and sex, pet. A delicious dessert.” One I fully intend to enjoy after the dinner of dark souls I just consumed.

“She should wake up comfortably,” Flame says, walking toward us. “I’ll take her.”

“You just want to groom her again,” I drawl. It’s such a catlike thing to do.

He doesn’t deny it, just pulls her from Orcus’s arms and carries her inside. Flame’s shoulders instantly relax along the way, suggesting the nearness has helped calm his inner beast. But I suspect he’s going to unleash his feral side during the heat.

Our beautiful pet is in for one hell of a ride.

“When will she wake up?” I ask, eager to begin.

“Soon.” Orcus folds his arms over his bare chest and spreads his wings when I take a step forward, my intention having been to follow Flame.

I arch a brow at the naked Alpha. “Yes?”

“Tell me what you learned.”

My teeth grind together. Of course the big guy wants a report of what I’ve seen. “If she wakes up while I’m talking, I’m ghosting in there,” I tell him. Because what I have to share isn’t nearly as important as our pet’s needy pussy.

“I suggest you speak quickly, then,” he says, arms still folded.

I blow out a breath and palm my nape, my body pent up and ready to play with Alina, not engage in a serious discussion with Orcus about Strigoi royals. “They’re fine,” I inform him. “Cain didn’t kidnap them. They went willingly.”

Orcus arches a brow. “You spoke to them?”

“Yeah. Well, I spoke to Cage. Sabre was, uh, busy.” An image of blood and chaos rings through my head, causing my lips to curl. “They were having one hell of a party. It’s not often I enjoy reconnaissance, but in this case, it was delicious.” I glance at the cabin door. “Not as delicious as strawberries and cream, though.”