Page 86 of Their Pretty Little Monster

So now, Nyko lies motionless, his skin ghostly but thankfully less death-like than yesterday when he passed out.

Perspiration beads on his forehead, and each shallow breath he takes seems like an effort. The blame I’m feeling keeps churning in my gut. Because my life wasn’t becoming brutal enough, now, of all the monster abilities, I had to get one that could kill my true mates. I sigh.

Staring at him, I follow the perfect lines of his cheekbones, the strong jawline, his thick eyebrows, and long lashes. My attention dips to his pale lips. He’s perfect in every way, kindling awake the need I have for him deep inside of me.

Even lying in bed sick, his muscles are impossible to miss. My gaze traces the thin line of light brown hair running down the middle of his stomach, vanishing under the blanket around his waist. I’m teasing myself, torn between the guilt and an attraction I can’t ignore.

Gently, I scoop some of the clear salve that’s cool against my fingers and apply it to his chest, smelling slightly like freshly cut grass, and the cream is sucked up by his skin almost instantly.

Apply it every hour to his chest, the doctor had said, so I’ve done just that. His skin is warm under my touch, though it leaves me wondering why he’s always in his human form. I struggle to believe he’d be so hideous that he avoids transforming.

As I finish rubbing in the salve, I pull back and go wash my hands in the bathroom. The room feels colder now, or maybe it’s just the chill seeping from the walls into my bones.

Sitting next to him again, I fold my hands in my lap, the silence of the room punctuated only by his labored breathing and the distant rumblings that darken the sky. A storm’s brewing. I twist in my seat to glance outside at the black clouds heading our way, when a soft knock at the door grabs my attention.

“Come in,” I say, just as it opens.

Wolfe strolls inside, his presence commanding yet gentle. He’s wearing a white V-neck shirt that hangs loosely around his waist, yet it’s impossible to miss the muscles pressing against the fabric and those powerfully broad shoulders. He’s in his human form, and still, he’s so tall and strong.

“How’s Nyko doing?”

Wolfe stands on the other side of the bed, staring down at him, and despite everything, butterflies are beating their wings wildly in my stomach in his presence. Then he lifts his head in my direction.

“I know you’re upset, Sage, and you have every right to be, but I think it’s important we talk.” The ache behind his gaze wells in the pit of my stomach.

I breathe heavily, hands curled in my lap, and he watches me with a devastating expression.

“Start, then. Explain why you all kept me in the dark. I want to know your real intentions for me being here.”

Wolfe exhales and pulls up a chair across the bed from me, making himself comfortable.

“It wasn’t meant to be this way, Sage,” he begins, leaning back in his seat while my mind’s spiraling. “Our Shadowfen have grown exhausted from living on this constricting vessel, our resources dwindling, and everyone’s demanding a solution to reclaim our kingdom. I don’t blame them. I’ve spent my life trying to do just that.”

“Have you attempted to speak to my f—him—to see if he’ll compromise?”

He nods, the corners of his mouth creasing. “We endured three battles with his army, and in each, we lost good Shadowfen. Your father’s a fucking asshole who’d rather see us all dead before he gives an inch.”

I swallow the thickness in my throat, detesting my father more than I thought possible. And I have yet to meet him.

“Then we discovered he’s been trying to find a way to summon a portal to Earth to find his daughter. That’s when we decided if we could collect you, we’d have an advantage over him. Especially since he doesn’t know the magic to open a portal, unlike me. I taught it to Killian and Nyko only, just like my father had taught me.” He pauses, watching me intently, as if he’s judging my expression.

I gasp, imagining the discussions they would have had about me being just something they could use. That ache digs deep down inside me because, like most in the village, that’s how I’m seen—as someone they can use.

“Wh-why would he care who I am?”

Wolfe shifts in his seat. “Your father is a ruthless bastard. I learned from an insider that he wanted to discover your shadow power. Many in his bloodline are known to have unusual abilities, and he hoped you’d be an asset in his battle to secure his reign over the stolen kingdom. To use against us.”

The more I listen, the more anger flares inside me. Now, I’m beginning to understand why my mother told me nothing about him.

“So, you decided to get me first, and what? Sell me to him? Use my ability against him?” My heart’s hammering, waiting for his response, needing to understand exactly who my true mates are.

He leans closer against the bed between us, exhaling loudly, and for a moment, I stare down at Nyko. He’s still passed out, and I wonder what he’d say if he was awake.

Lifting my attention, Wolfe’s flaming eyes appear tamer today, which surprises me, considering I’m shaking so hard.

“Sage, you need to understand. Our intention had been to use you in our plan, so I’m not going to hide that from you. A decision born of desperation. But never in a million years would we have guessed you’d be our true mate. This changes everything because we will never hurt you!”

My hands curl tighter, fingernails digging into my palm, stinging.

---