Page 73 of Their Pretty Little Monster

Chapter

Twenty

NYKO

For fuck’s sake! I march toward Wolfe’s quarters, a storm brewing in my thoughts. Just spoke with him about being Sage’s true mate, about her attack in the Chamber of Rituals, about her power, yet all I can think about is… Are you fucking kidding me? Those two asses are her true mates, and I’m here obsessing over her but get nothing? Well, that’s not going to work.

I burst into Wolfe’s room without knocking. Killian jolts to his feet, looking like he’s been caught jerking off.

“What the hell?” he snaps, glancing at me as I shut the door behind me. “What are you doing here?”

“Wolfe gave me the rundown of what’s going on. It’s my turn to watch over her.”

His shoulders shoot back. “Like fuck it is. I just started.”

I smile, calm as shit, strolling across the room. “You want to be exhausted tonight when you take over watching her? That’s why I’m here.”

He glares at me, and I stop myself from chuckling, attempting to keep my voice low, figuring she’s asleep in Wolfe’s bedroom. I throw myself down on the couch, feet up on the small table in front, reclining.

“Off you go.” I smirk, waving him off.

Killian throws me death glares. “You think I trust you alone with her? Last time we left you in charge of a shipment, it ended up at the bottom of the seabed.”

I snort, crossing my arms. “Hey, that wasn’t my fault. How was I supposed to know the damn crates were poisoned? And besides, Wolfe needs your help.”

Killian’s jaw tightens. “What’s so important?”

I shrug. “Just some recon. I think with the scouting team, our path to the kingdom is clear. Can’t have any surprises, can we?”

“Recon, my ass,” Killian mutters, but he’s wavering.

I can see it in his eyes. I might be lying about taking over from him as Wolfe’s suggestion, but the recon is hand-on-my-heart true.

“Come on, Killian. You know I’ve got this,” I say, leaning forward on the couch, trying to appear nonchalant. “Besides, you could use a break. You’re wound tight as hell.”

He stares at me, lips thinning. “If anything happens to her?—”

“Yeah, yeah, you’ll rip me to shreds,” I interrupt, waving a hand dismissively. “I’ve heard it all before. Now, go. I’ll keep her safe.” I chuckle. “All under control.”

His fists clench and unclench, his eyes darting between me and the bedroom door. Finally, with a muttered curse, he says, “Fine, I’ve also got a few people to interrogate about the Sylar, so I’ll get that done.” He shoots me one last warning glare, then strides out of the room, tension radiating off him in waves. “I’ll be back.”

“Yep, I’m sure you will,” I call after him, smirking.

The door closes behind him.

I glance at the bedroom, my heart pounding. Time to check on our little princess.

As I approach her bedroom, I unfurl my shadow, my monster side rippling down my body, feeling like water washing over me. In a flash, I become a complete shadow, slinking forward and slipping under the thin gap beneath the door and into the room.

Sage stirs on the bed, clearly disturbed by Killian’s loud insistence on staying behind, though Wolfe had told me he gave her a sleeping tonic to help her sleep soundly. So no surprise, she hasn’t woken up yet.

And now she’s mine.

I float in as she settles onto her back, her eyes moving behind her eyelids as if she might still be asleep, but I’m too preoccupied with her being completely naked.

My breath hitches, shallow and uneven, as I take in the curves of her round breasts, the thin waist, and the round hips that call me to the patch of hair between her thighs. Fuck, I can smell her in the air, the fragrant perfume that screams berries and sex. My cock pulses, taking shadow form… The soft rise and fall of her chest and the way the sunlight caresses her skin leave me captivated.

My heart slams in my chest, and I close the distance between us. Her body is intoxicating, and it pulls me to her.

---