Page 3 of The Monster's Mate

We finally make it to the sidewalk that leads to the courtyard behind my house. Sometimes I go in through the front, but when I need to collect Veryn from Mrs. Segar, it’s easier to go in the back door.

“I see your dragon has been not-so-patiently waiting for me to deliver you,” Athos says, giving my forearm a squeeze. “Excuse me, I’d like to say hello to Eldritch now that I have a proper name to attach to him.” He appears in front of me, bending at the waist.

A sexual smile tips at his lips as he rights himself.

Dammit.

If I was looking to add another mate to my already full plate, it would definitely be Athos.

Chapter Two

Athos

The little siren sighs heavily as she turns to face the grumpy-as-fuck dragon. Bane was an assassin in a former life, and it shows in how he struggles to find common ground with, well,everyone…but most especially his mate.

He is practically incapable of compromising or handling anything with tact. And, yes, I’m confident he’s not lying about their connection.

I have inside information, since Knight can sense lies, and I’m not even a little ashamed that I verified Bane’s story.

Charity may be slow to accept our connection. I, however, am already fully committed to protecting her best interests.

No one warned me that my kind could share a mate. Certainly not with two beasts who don’t seem to understand the meaning of the wordshare.

Still, I’m no longer stuck in Hell at Nero’s mercy.

That, in and of itself, is a gift.

So, I’ll do my best to peacefully assimilate with the more monstrous mates of my mate.

Ha.

I’m rocking the alliteration tonight.

“What’s up?” Charity asks Bane, shoving her hair behind her ear. “I need to grab Veryn.” She’s stunning, which some might attribute to her half-siren heritage.

I simply think she’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever come across, because such is the nature of the matebond.

“I get that you’re still pissed at me,” Bane growls in his low, gravelly tone. “But we need to have a conversation about Veryn. He’s already tucked into his bed. I snagged him from Mrs. Segar two hours ago.”

“You’re overstepping again.” Charity frowns, jabbing her finger at Bane’s chest. “Who gave you permission to do that?”

Oomph.

Such a perfect example of his lack of tact.

“He had the shakes.” Bane swipes the long, black hair on top of his head back. It doesn’t stay that way, falling immediately over his forehead and into his eyes.

He clearly needs a haircut.

Hmm.

Not that I should have any opinion on the matter, when my hair falls around my shoulders.

“Is he sick?” Charity takes a step forward, like she’s about to dart into her house.

“No,” Bane says firmly as he reaches for her arm. “His dragon is restless and beginning to fight for control.”

“But he partially shifts regularly…” Charity frowns.

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