Page 30 of Monster's Heart

That was how long it took me to prepare for what I was about to do, claiming my mate and accepting my title. First, I had to return home, tell my family and the portal to Asgard was not an easy thing to access.

It took a toll, but a few hours rest and I was able to go to my brother Erik’s house on my own two feet. He was surprisingly happy to see me, something I worried about since the last time we met. It was not under favorable circumstances.

“Menon?” he said when I approached.

“Erik,” I nodded. “I am here to tell you, I found her.”

“Her? By the gods, is it true? Have you found your mate?” he asked, his familiar face breaking out in a grin.

“I have. I will still need some training and Blackthorn is likely the best place for it, but I will take up position as Premier Celestial Guardian of Asgard when I am through. I just, I wanted your blessing,” I said, and my brother did not hesitate.

He’d rushed me, tackling me to the ground in a fierce hug. Ingrid was there, and I could not fathom ever feeling so strongly about her. It was clear what I’d experienced was a youthful infatuation, because seeing the woman again had not stirred a single thing. She had nothing on my Amrin. But she was good for Erik, and I was happy for them both.

After that, there was no stopping my brother from calling my entire family to bestow good luck blessings and tidings on me. Even my mother was there. Tears trailed down her cheeks as she kissed my face and gave me a token from our family to give as a mating gift for my Luna. So yeah, I’d had no choice but to stay. But I returned to the portal and Northumberland Island as quickly as possible.

Back to her.

My love.

My life.

Mate.

Sending her a sheet of fabric cut from the night sky of Asgard and charmed to create a dress of her own heart’s desire was my idea, but I hadn’t prepared myself for what I would feel when I actually saw her in it. She was so close, but I could not move. I had to stare as she walked with the Draugr’s mate.

So fucking beautiful, the vision she made nearly stopped my heart. My sweet Luna was made for me. Seeing her wrapped in a gown of my making from a piece of the night sky from the realm of Asgard itself, cut by my own hand and forged in love and magic, only solidified that belief.

The scent of vanilla and jasmine mixed with my own spicy musk reached me, carried on the breeze, and my chest rumbled in satisfaction. Tonight was important. It was the Spring Equinox, and there was a rare full blue moon due to rise in just a little while. I checked the darkening skies and knew it was nearly time. The stars were bright, and the sky was clear. It was the perfect night for a claiming ceremony.

I moved closer, still cloaked in shadow, invisible to the crowd of students and locals as they partook in the festivities. I had not intended to eavesdrop, but it was not like I could block out my ears when she mentioned school and the threat of failing, and her horrible mother’s demands. Possessive instincts I supposed I’d always had spiked, and I wanted to tear that fucking Werewolf’s head off.

He wanted to court what was mine?

Hell fucking no.

I made my presence known.

“You will be okay, Luna, and you will pass, and stay in school. Come,” I told her, needing to calm my inner rage and offer support to the woman I loved at the same time.

A moment passed between us, where the entire world seemed to fall into the background. Her pale moonbeam eyes glowed with feeling, and she gasped, a sound I very much wanted to swallow. Her gaze roamed over me from head to toe, and I realized I was decked out in my Asgardian gear. Leather pants, straps, buckles, and my magic was pulsing through me. It had been a long time since I felt so powerful, and from the look in her eyes, she was impressed.

Well, at the very least, she was not afraid of me. And that was good. I never wanted to scare her. She was safe with me. I would protect her from entire worlds of Demons or Werewolves, or assholes who wanted to do her harm, if I had to.

Mine.

“So beautiful, my Luna,” I said, and held out my hand to her. I caught sight of the Draugr and his mate, and nodded my thanks, knowing I had yet another favor to ask. “Thank you, Draugr. Will you bear witness for me?”

After accepting, the four of us walked to find Professor McEwan. My Luna worked so hard on her project, she deserved a passing grade. But I frowned, thinking she’d only put herself through all that work for her mother. My Luna had been seeking approval from her Witch mother only to be met with more demands from the woman. Demands I found unfuckingacceptable.

“Sten,” she whispered, her small hand tightening on my arm. “There he is.”

I turned and saw Professor McEwan speaking with a group of people, and changed our direction, guiding Luna and the other couple through a group of Blackthorn students engaged in a pie eating contest. Wiggleberry pie was as revolting as it sounded, since the berries only wiggled when full of maggots, but there were certain breeds of Monster who loved the things, and they were having a ball.

Gross.

I scanned the area, and though crowded, I did not sense any threats as I guided us through the throngs of students and festival goers. There was music and food, games, and merrymaking, but I only had eyes for Amrin. She needed to pass this course for herself, not her mother, and she had worked hard to do it.

Finally, we neared where the professor was standing, and I pressed the small of her back, sending her gently forward. She squeezed my hand before letting go. It was a small sign she felt my support and knew I was there for her, and damn, I loved her even more for it.

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