Page 88 of Their Pretty Little Monster

“I watched your father kill many Shadowfen in cold blood when he forced those who followed the old kingdom off the land. Families, loved ones, friends, and neighbors. For them, I’d risk throwing myself into a pit of flames if it brought back a fraction of what they lost. If I could remove all their grief, I would.” He pauses, breathing quickly now. “I never said I was a good guy, Sage, but I’m a fighter for those who need it. Then you came into my life like a damn earthquake, ripping us apart. Your presence turned everything we’d planned on its head.”

I blink at him, feeling helpless, angry at everyone, sorrowful for all the wrongs… all because of my father.

“I feel things for you, Sage, things I never expected to. I’m broken, but I won’t put you in danger, and I’d die before I let your father have you. So I’ll work on a new plan to find another home for us all, no matter how long it takes.”

My heart’s splintering, the pain swallowing me, teetering between fury and grief. The atrocities these Shadowfen faced, living with those memories, make it hard for me to blame Wolfe for his decision.

“I don’t know what to say. I’m still torn, but I’m starting to understand why you did what you did.” I’d do anything for my mother, so am I any different? Maybe I should just go to my father’s side, bring the Shadowfen some relief, discover a way to overpower him… but just as quickly, I stiffen, shoving aside the pity at myself, the absurd thoughts.

Instead, a new anger rampages through me, one that is white flames aimed at my father.

“I wish I could take away your pain,” Wolfe coos.

Everything he said feels like a blur in my head. The sharpness in my chest comes from how strongly I’m drawn to him, and I guess that’s why it hurts so much.

“I think the part that tears me apart the most is that you kept it from me. And I’ll be honest, it stings knowing that I came here to be sold off.”

He stares at me like a man barely holding it together, deflated, with no response, while my insides are a mess.

Wolfe grabs my arm, holding me firmly.

“What do you want me to say to make it better?” He drops to his knees in front of me. “I’m not ashamed to beg for forgiveness. I can’t sleep, worrying myself sick with how I’m going to sort out his fucking mess. You’re pure of heart, and it’s destroying me that we drew you into our chaos.”

I stare at him, unblinking, unsure how to answer, but I’m crying.

“I can’t bear to lose you,” he says, his fingers still grasping my arm, and I feel the tremble in his touch. “You know that, right? You are mine, Sage. And I’ll prove that like I should have from the moment you arrived.”

“I’d like to not feel like I can’t trust you.” Shaking, I find myself drowning in his gaze, the invisible connection between us pulsing stronger. His rise of desire for me is so much more than just physical attraction. He wouldn’t hurt otherwise, wouldn’t have glassy eyes when he looks into mine, wouldn’t shake as he holds me like this might be the last time.

His hands fall to my waist as he climbs to his feet, his gaze on my lips, and before I can get any words out, he’s cupping my face with two hands, his thumbs wiping away my tears.

“I don’t want you to cry. You’re ours now, and we might have fucked up how we first found one another, but going forward, that changes. As my true mate, I will bring the world to your feet and show you that you are my goddess.”

We’re staring at each other, our bodies pressed close, and I’m buzzing with a need for him.

“You don’t say those things, but I like them.”

“I’m hoping you can forgive us,” he whispers, not letting me go.

If I thought I was angry at him, my body had other ideas because he makes me weak, and I lack control. I push myself up on my tippy-toes, and mouth and mouth clash instantly.

We kiss ravenously, starved, his hand sliding to the back of my head, curling my hair around his hand, keeping me pinned to him, his other hand sliding down to my ass, squeezing. He grinds against me while kissing me so wickedly, making me whimper.

Fisting his shirt, I hold on, knowing exactly what I crave, blinded by emotions that consume me. The rest of the world fades, leaving behind a raw, intoxicating carnal desire that drives me to insanity.

In seconds, he has my dress up to my waist, his hand between my legs, and I’m moaning at the perfect way his fingers rub my clit. I groan at his assertiveness, my nipples hard, the buzz building deep in my stomach. I’m drenched so fast it’s not fair how my body betrays me.

“Maybe we shouldn’t.” I glance at Nyko across the room, still unmoving in bed, but Wolfe’s not backing off.

He holds me close as he moves out onto the balcony, where he takes a seat on one of the seats and drags me down to sit on his lap. The wind’s blowing, tugging against my clothes, but I barely feel it’s cold when I’m burning up.

We’re kissing again like we can’t stay away from each other.

I draw his tongue into my mouth, and I’m floating on the beautiful way he growls. He’s fiddling with his belt, and I reach down between us, pulling at his pants. Breaking our kiss, I glance down to his cock popping out. It’s thick and hard, and there’s only one in his human form, but I swear it’s as thick as his two monster ones put together.

“Are all monsters so huge?” I ask.

He smirks at me with a knowing look that tells me they are.

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