Page 9 of Guardians
“Lexie,” Tara cried. “You can’t do this. It’s not why we came here.”
“I came here to save Bianca’s life,” Lexie argued. “If this is the only way, then so be it.”
Zion’s eyes gleamed and his jaw tensed as if he clenched his teeth. Why was he annoyed by what she’d just said? She’d given in to their demands.
Still glowering at her, Zion motioned toward Kane. “Kane has indicated an interest in claiming you for his coalition. Do you accept his claim, or would you like to choose another coalition?”
They would let her choose? She was so shocked by the development that she didn’t immediately answer. Now they were both glaring at her. If it were just Kane she wouldn’t hesitate, but he intended to share her with two or maybe evenmore other males. “It doesn’t matter,” she blurted nervously. The phrase was more of a reminder to herself than an answer to Zion’s question. If she wanted to save her camp, this was what she must do. End of story. “Kane’s coalition will be fine.”
“Kane’s coalition will be fine?” Zion echoed, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. “Kane’s coalition is far fromfine. They are exceptional. They are three of my six guardians. Malik is a doctor. Diego is part sorcerer. And Kane is the person who championed your cause. If it weren’t for Kane, I would have let your men die and brought your females into this village by force. It is no more than your lot deserves. You should be on your knees kissing Kane’s feet. Instead he has agreed to make you his mate. You are not worthy of this honor.”
She stared back at him in stunned silence. How the hell was she supposed to know any of that? She just met Malik, and she’d seen Kane a grand total of one time before today. If she was unaware of developments in the feline village, it was unfair to hold her accountable for them. She didn’t dare say that, of course. She stood there silently and waited for their next move.
Zion walked back to his chair and sat down. He looked like an arrogant king presiding over his presence chamber, she thought rebelliously.
“Your attitude offends me,” he told her. “You are prideful and self-absorbed when you should have shown deference and gratitude. I now require a show of humility before I will allow three of my finest warriors to rescue you from death.”
Her jaw dropped and anger sparked within her disbelief. “What the hell are you talking about?” She had been nothing but respectful and grateful since entering this village. “I agreed toyour ridiculous deal, even accepted the malesyouwanted me to mate with. How is that prideful or self-absorbed?”
The fucker growled at her, literally growled. “I will not argue with you, female. If you want me to save Bianca, you will humble yourself in front of my guardians!”
Now she was the one clenching her teeth. “And how would you like me to do that?”
Zion thought for a moment then said, “Undress and kneel before your mates. You will suck their cocks to prove that your intention to mate with them is honest and you will submit to their authority. Personally, I think you intend to reject them as soon as your friend has been restored to health.”
As Lexie had lain awake last night, that was one of many possibilities that had passed through her mind. The fact was irrelevant because Zion’s suggestion was intolerable. “I’m not doing that in front of everyone.”
“Then Bianca will die,” Zion reminded, his gaze still openly hostile.
A shiver dropped down Lexie’s spine as Bianca’s pale image formed within her mind. She was trapped and Zion knew it. This sonofabitch was determined to humiliate her, and Lexie didn’t see a way out. The choice really was that simple. Be humiliated in public or allow a friend to die and likely watch a contagious infection ravage the rest of the encampment. Hating Zion and hating herself, Lexie unzipped her coat and started to take it off.
“Lexie!” Tara rushed forward and grabbed her arm. “This is ridiculous. Let’s get the hell out of here. We’ll go to the lupine village and get the shit back on our own. We don’t need these bastards.”
Zion laughed insolently then crossed his legs. “Good luck with that. If you think I’m a bastard, wait until you meet Elias. He’ll strip you naked and put you in a cage so his pack can torment you.”
“He’s bluffing,” Tara sneered then tugged on Lexie’s arm. “Let’s go.”
“He’s not exaggerating,” Kane said, drawing Lexie’s attention. “Elias did that to one of our females a few weeks ago.Do notgo near his village.”
Lexie twisted her arm out of Tara’s grasp and faced Kane. “Zion isn’t leaving us an option. I can’t let Bianca die, but I’m not going to give you a blowjob while everyone watches. If you take me somewhere private, I’ll?—”
“No,” Zion cut in. “You insulted all of us. You deserve to be humiliated.”
“Sir, may we discipline her instead?” Kane asked. “We will do it here and she will be naked, but we prefer our pleasure in private.”
Zion looked at Lexie for a long, tense moment then shifted his gaze back to Kane. “All right, but use your belt. A hand spanking is not sufficient.”
The conversation was so surreal that Lexie nearly laughed. If they were trying to scare her, mission accomplished. Kane was going to spank her with abelt? They couldn’t be serious. “You’re joking, right?” she asked tentatively.
“Get undressed.” His expression was grim and unrelenting.
Lexie shook her head. “I think I’d rather give you a blowjob.”
He had the audacity to smile. “That’s still an option.”
She looked around the room as trepidation built inside her. Malik was the dark-haired male who had looked at Tara a little too thoroughly. Was Diego here too? There were a total of six males watching her with rapt interest. Six large, muscular males who hadn’t had sex in years. If she got on her knees for Kane and Malik, would the rest of them get in line?
She glanced at Tara, but all Tara did was shake her head. The belt was the wiser choice, the safer choice. But did she really need to be naked? “It’s cold in here,” she said softly, pleading with her eyes. “Can I please keep at least part of my clothes on?”
