“Then what?” I ask. I feel like there’s more to that story there.
“Well, she belonged to him. She was his chosen one,” she says, all but rolling her eyes.
“Meaning?” I urge, still not understanding this chosen shit. “Someone can’t just decide to have you,” I state the obvious. “Women aren’t fucking property.”
Dropping her voice to a whisper, she says, “The Lords can do whatever the fuck they want. Their oath promises them that.”
“How do you know about all of this? Were you a chosen?” I wonder.
“Fuck no.” She scoffs as if offended that I could even think that. Then she turns around and practically runs off like it’s a sin to be seen with us.
“Oh, we’re going,” Sarah says matter-of-factly.
“Ritual? Vow ceremony? Sounds like some fucked-up shit.” I shake my head.
“Matt’s a member. How bad can it be?” She laughs. “He’s a pussy.”
I don’t argue with that. When I look up, Ryat walks by with two other guys who I know as Gunner and Prickett. Fellow Lord members. A Lord member is always easy to spot because they wear a ring—a crest. No one who isn’t a Lord knows what it actually means, though. Right now, the three are oblivious to everyone around them, deep in their own conversation. I imagine this is what they’re always like. Thinking they’re untouchable.
My hands fist, wrinkling the paper once again. The words he said to Matt … what the girl just said to us. I’ve known they took an oath—a stupid one at that, but I don’t know what all this chosen shit is about. I guess I’ve just never paid that much attention to what goes on behind the doors at the house of Lords. The members are required to all live together, and it’s not near campus.
Making up my mind, I take off down the hall. I pass by, then turn around and stop in front of them, making all three come to a halt.
“Well, hello sexy.” Gunner, the one on the right, smiles at me, his baby-blue eyes dropping to my bare legs.
“Bitch, remember?” I ask Ryat, who stands in the middle, crossing my arms over my chest. He had referred to me as Matt’s bitch, but he knows my fucking name.
The corners of his lips turn up, giving me a smirk, looking more playful than before. “I see the pathetic boy toy still hasn’t put that leash on you.” His stunning green eyes drop to my neck, and he shakes his head while making a tsking sound. “Can’t say I didn’t warn him.”
Heat rushes up my body, and my face goes red with embarrassment. Why did that feel like another threat? And why does my heart begin to race at the thought of being his prey?
“Free game?” Prickett, the one on the far left, asks.
My eyes snap to his. “Excuse me?” I bark. Pretty sure it’s the first time I’ve ever heard him speak. I don’t talk or hang out with any fellow Lords. Matt is the only one I know on a personal level. He’s always kept me as far away from them as possible, and I never minded that.
“They always are,” Ryat answers him.
“Well, who do we have here?” Sarah asks, sliding up next to me.
“Sarah.” Gunner lifts his hand to rub his chin while his eyes devour her. “Nice to see you again.”
“Seems so.” Her eyes drop to his crotch, and I roll mine.
“What did you mean by someone else may choose me?” I ask Ryat, sticking my hip out.
All three men stiffen, and their eyes narrow on me. He steps forward, his body entering my space. I suck in a shaky breath when he reaches out, taking a strand of hair and tucking it behind my ear. His fingers gently brush my skin, and I shiver at the contact. He bends down, his green eyes devouring mine when he whispers, “Why don’t you ask Matt why he’s not allowed to choose you.”
I pull away, taking a step back, and frown. “He’s my boyfriend.” What does he mean Matt wouldn’t be able to choose me? And what the hell is he choosing me for?
“Keep saying that like it means something,” Ryat remarks, making the others laugh.
I yank Sarah away from them, not really sure what I planned to accomplish by that. But I’ll definitely be talking to Matt about this.
As we’re walking down the hallway, she looks over her shoulder to glance back. “Ryat is staring at your ass like he wants to eat it.” She chuckles.
“Yeah … well, that won’t be happening.”
CHAPTER SIX
RYAT
I WATCH THE brunette stomp her way down the hall, getting as far away from me as possible. Blakely is exactly what I expected her to be. Long dark hair and big baby-blue eyes hidden behind her black-rimmed glasses. She looks so innocent with a Barbie doll face and sun-kissed skin. Great fucking body. Big tits, considering how small she is everywhere else, with a bubble ass. Can’t be taller than five-four without hooker heels on.