Beastly Desires by Nikki Winter Read Free Book Online Page B

boy as the next in line to command, his mother standing in for him until he was of age. There were prides that were matriarchal and ones that the males ran. This was the latter.
    For him that would mean giving up what he’d desired; that would mean giving up Kamali. Nico wouldn’t do that. Females of his kind went into conception heat only every few years or so. It was nature’s way of ensuring overpopulation was kept to a minimum. Mating heat was different; it occurred once a female found what human women called the one. From what Nico could tell, Alfre hadn’t been with Kamali outside of conception—which meant she wasn’t marked, and that would make it so much easier to claim her. Once he did, she was virtually his property. It was indisputable. He didn’t give a fuck about what rules were written. He didn’t care about laws that protected women from unwarranted matings. She would accept him. Nico would make sure she had no choice. He’d mark her and then inevitably ensure it was his cubs she carried. His position, his taking over what was previously her pride, would be inarguable then. Nico would be cemented in as the dominant male, and he’d have all he wanted. But only if that cub died.
    “I’m going to speak in slow, concise sentences so you all can understand me,” he quietly stated, his claws tapping the desk before him. “Find Kamali. Find Callum. Kill Callum. Bring Kamali to me.” Nico looked around the room and gripped the edge of the desk. “Was I not clear on your directions?”
    The pride members watched him warily, one of them speaking out, “Yes sir.”
    “So then why the fuck are you all still here ?” he whispered.
    Standing abruptly, Nico slapped his hands against the desk and roared, “ GO !”
    They scattered like mice in a maze, almost trampling one another to get out of the door, and he watched, amused. Turning his head, he found Rave casually leaning up against a wall, studying his nails.
    “Was my roar not loud enough for you?”
    His second smirked. “You sounded like an angry housecat, so I suppose my answer to that would be no .” He suddenly stopped smiling and looked at Nico with the same expression he always had when trying to point out logical facts. Rave had been Nico’s brother when Alfre deserted him. He’d never questioned Nico’s rule, only followed behind, giving his advice when it was needed and shutting the fuck up when it wasn’t. Rave was like him—he contrived, he planned, and then he conquered. He trusted no one else at his back.
    “Kamali holds your interest,” Rave said, straightening. “But your focus should be on other things at the moment. The elders will be asking questions soon about what happened here, what the next step is. You may want to put your energy into that rather than worrying about a cub who hasn’t even cut his first fang yet.”
    Nico bit the inside of his cheek. “That cub comes from a line of males that domineered every inch of southern Benin. That cub literally has the blood of a king in his veins. That cub is completely unaware of his value but the moment he is, he will affect many—his mother will affect many. The only reason the elders aren’t at our door right now is because that would push Kamali out of hiding. She can’t ask for help without exposing herself. This gives us the opportunity to get to them first. The boy must be found not because I see him as a threat now, but because he will become one. I would rather risk having to weave lies to cover my sins than having to look over my shoulder for the rest of my rule.” He exhaled and watched the male. “Ask yourself, Rave, how does a tree grow?”
    Rave’s head tilted slightly. “From a planted seed.”
    Nodding, Nico retook his seat. “Consider me herbicide.”
    ***
    “I need you to do me a favor and not ask too many questions,” Kaisal said the moment his brother answered the phone.
    “I am currently nursing several head wounds and attempting to get my