Page 75 of Their Pretty Little Monster

“Where am I?” she asks, glancing around, sleep still tugging at her eyes.

“In Wolfe’s quarters. Apparently, you fell asleep after he brought you to orgasm.”

She stares at me incredulously, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. “Oh… and you’re here because?”

“Well, since your incident in the ritual chamber, we’re going to keep a close eye on you to ensure no one hurts you again. Consider me your protector.”

She blinks, clearly processing my words. “That’s kind of sweet, I guess, but also a bit restrictive.”

I chuckle, leaning back on the couch. “Sweet, huh? I guess that’s one way to put it.”

“So, what now? We just stay here?”

“Nope,” I state, licking my lips, still tasting her in my mouth. “You are going to shower and get changed. I’m certain Wolfe has some clothes for you in there. He’s nothing if not beyond organized. I’m taking you out to get something to eat. Plus, I have something I want to show you.”

She doesn’t move but stares at me, confused.

“Look,” I say, softening my tone, “I know this is all overwhelming, but we’re here to keep you safe. I promise we won’t let anything happen to you. We’re going to find out who attacked you and fuck them up.”

She wraps the blanket tighter around herself. “And we’ll be safe?”

“Trust me. With me, no one would dare lay a finger on you. I have a rather lethal reputation on the vessel. I don’t always play nice.”

She nods slowly, her stare never leaving mine. There’s a flicker of something there—hope, maybe, or curiosity. It’s enough for now.

She hurries back into the room where the bathroom awaits. And I’m left behind, lifting my pillow and staring down at my erection tenting my pants…

Fuck, you better go down, and fast.

Chapter

Twenty-One

SAGE

“What is this place?” I ask, glancing around the long hallway Nyko and I are strolling through. Chandeliers hang overhead, their crystals scattering the light across the arched ceilings, the stone walls lined with tapestries. Lining our path, there are carvings of lifelike beastly heads on podiums. It’s terrifying, yet I can’t stop staring at the collection of severed animal heads.

“The Beast Hall.” His voice deeply echoes around us, a wicked grin curling on his mouth as he stares at me like he’s in his favorite place in the world.

Since waking up in Wolfe’s room, Nyko’s been determined to show me around, and I welcome it, as I haven’t had a chance to see more of the vessel.

Besides, it takes my mind off the reminder that I’d woken up with the most beautiful orgasm rocking me awake. I swore I had dreamed of one of the monsters going down on me, and I couldn’t stop him… I didn’t want to, to tell the truth. Because I wished I’d woken up and found one there, to put out the flame that’s constantly burning me up.

Of course, I blame it on all the talk about true mates, about my body going weak around them, and the ridiculously wicked sex I’ve had with Wolfe and Killian. Still slightly sore, I feel it with every step I take, reminding me of how much I enjoyed them.

Yet, here I am, also stealing glances at Nyko alongside me in our stroll.

“That’s a Braucor,” he states loudly, sticking his chest out, staring at a two-headed goatlike creature with curled horns. “I single-handedly destroyed that asshole. Look at him now!” He’s chuckling.

I scrunch up my nose even more to think these are real heads. He points to a particularly large one with fangs jutting upward from its lips, a squashed nose, and bulging glassy eyes. It’s freaky.

“That one took a bite out of me.” He lifts his shirt, revealing his toned stomach and the low hang of his pants on his hips. As I trace the contours of his muscles, I spot the healed scar on his side—large teeth marks.

“Oh, hell! That would have hurt!”

“Like a damn bitch.” But he’s smiling, proud of his war wounds, studying another grotesque head, smiling to himself. He wears his human form again, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt that has metal bands across his biceps and dark pants that hug powerful legs, while he keeps raking a hand through his hair. Except, it’s his jade eyes, how they glint behind his long lashes, that leave me breathless.

I have yet to see his monster side. Though, for now, I’m beyond content with him being less terrifying. There’s actually something deeply captivating about him but also slightly scary.

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