Under His Claw Read Free Page B

guaranteed your safety, I am ordering you to choose one of these men and take him to your room tonight. I will know if you have not followed my orders. You will not like the result.”
    She swallowed at the fire in his eyes. He had been almost fatherly toward her over the last few days but apparently it was over.
    “Now?”
    “Now. Octavia will help you make your choice. She will conduct the introductions.”
    Zora swallowed and got to her feet.
    Octavia mirrored her and came to her side. “Do not worry. It is a simple thing. In the morning, he will have gotten his way and you won’t have to worry.”
    “Oh goody. Simply one night of humiliation.”
    “No one you don’t want. Let me help you pick and you will not be disappointed.”
    Octavia had seemed to have a slight big-sister streak when it came to Zora, or so it had appeared. It was going to be a trust issue, but at least she was confident none of the shifters would do permanent damage.
    Octavia bypassed a few who had a predatory gleam in their eyes and introduced her to a wolf, a tiger and an eagle.
    Albertus, the wolf, took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “It is a delight to meet you. If I am chosen, I promise you a fascinating evening.”
    She swallowed and smiled weakly. “A charming offer. I will consider it.”
    Raynard, the eagle, gave her a sneering glance which had her stomach flipping with unease. He kissed her hand as well and looked her over. “Not as thin as I had hoped, but you will do.”
    Zora jerked her hand back. “You won’t. Thank you for coming.”
    He gripped her arm and pulled her toward him. “You misunderstand. I was invited to fuck you.”
    Octavia struck him in the chest, and it sent him flying back into a crowd watching an orgy.
    Conrad, the tiger, supported her by the elbow. “Are you all right?”
    She blinked and smiled weakly. “Yes, thank you.”
    There was a disturbance in the entryway, and Zora looked to the king. He lifted his hand and the tawny-headed contingent strode in and came over to greet him.
    It seemed a fairly even meeting, but the two males were sizing each other up. They spoke softly and Olvadi nodded in her direction. When the other man turned to look, she looked at Conrad and smiled brightly. “So, did you come here strictly to meet me? I am flattered.”
    Conrad was handsome, dark haired and he had the loveliest blue eyes she could have ever imagined. Her body warmed at the thought of him on her and inside her. For one night, he would be more than enough.
    She opened her mouth to ask him to come with her when a hand tapped her on the shoulder. She was whirled around and a mouth closed on hers. Heat bloomed the moment she tasted him. Her heart pounded and she felt herself being bent backward.
    The smell of warm male swirled around her and she held onto his arms for balance as her senses were spinning for purchase.
    When he held her upright and released her, he was grinning and his heart was pounding. “Pardon my tardiness. I am Regick, invited shifter.”
    Octavia was in the background making a negative motion.
    Zora turned to Conrad, but he was gone, as were the other offered suitors. She frowned at Regick, “What did you do to the others?”
    He smiled, “Nothing, nor did they want me to. I have heard you are in the market for a companion for the evening.”
    She blinked and looked around again with an air of desperation. Olvadi caught her gaze, and he nodded his head toward Regick.
    Softly she whispered, “I suppose I am.”
    “Would you care to go for a walk in the lower gallery? The portraits there are stunning.”
    She looked around again. “I was supposed to—”
    “In good time. We have all night and Olvadi isn’t getting any older. He will wait until he rises tomorrow before you will be put to the question.”
    Zora was still wrapped in his arms, and she had no choice when he began walking through the crowd, and it parted for them. Whatever he was, even the vamps moved