Page 34 of The Monster's Mate

The front is open, with four carpeted steps leading up to the platform. There are walls built out on the left and right to give the raised area some protection, which doesn’t make sense in a home in Haven, but in nature, it would offer additional safety.

The nest itself is built into the floor of the platform. It has a step down, and then the entire floor appears to be a plush mattress. The walls on the left and right feature floor-to-ceiling cabinets that, if I had to guess, house extra pillows and blankets.

Charity coos, wiggling in my hold until I place her on her feet.

“May I borrow your phone for a moment?” I ask.

She mindlessly reaches into the pocket of her silk robe and tosses it over her shoulder at me as she descends to test the nest.

Pulling up the camera feature, I zoom in on the pure joy on her face and send Bane several quick texts before siphoning over to check the cabinets.

I genuinely hope he appreciates the effort I’m putting in to being a good packmate. We’re going to be stuck together for eternity, so I’d rather we find some peace and common ground.

“Would you like to examine the extra supplies?” I ask, patting around to feel the sheets and blankets.

Charity belly flops onto the nest mattress, rolling around to check out the pillows and throw blankets lining it. “These are fine for now. They even smell like Bane!” She sounds so awed that I chuckle. “Come snuggle with me until I have to get ready for work?”

I siphon across the room, appearing at her side.

“I’m not sure you should leave the nest. Your quickening could start at any time.” I brush my fingers over her cheek to covertly check for her level of fever.

“I have to do payroll tonight,” Charity says, frowning. “There’s no way I can call in sick, but I might be able to leave early, once it’s done. Wait, what in the world are we going to do with Eldritch if he’s still asleep?”

Everything in me wants to push for her to be selfish for once. Nadia or Aline could come in for one night to handle the issuing of funds, but Charity is far too sweet to pull her friends away from their new babies.

“We’ll figure it out,” I assure her. “Now, if you’re planning on working this evening, I need you to get some rest while you can.”

Chapter Fourteen

Charity

Work sucks. The only upside of my night is talking to Veryn on the phone. I’ll be surprised if I don’t have to pry him away from Meena when it’s time for him to come home.

I appreciate Bane being proactive and making arrangements for him.

If it was up to me, I would have kept him until the last possible second, but I also understand how much fun he has hanging out with Ember and the other kids that live near Thornton and Meena. Unfortunately, most of the houses around us are taken up by aging monsters, so there’s no one his age for him to play with.

Athos brought Eldritch with us, and my wyvern lies on the sofa, still resting peacefully in his humanoid form.

He’s such a beautiful man, uh, fae…whatever, I’m used to the human realm.

Athos splits his time between out in the club and coming to check on me. Dread really should offer to pay him if he’s here every night, providing security and helping.

A loud knock on the office door has me shoving myself out of my seat, but my eyes stay on Eldritch. He doesn’t move, andwhoever is on the other side of the door should be grateful they haven’t interrupted his rest.

I freaking told everyone to text me if they needed me. Not only am I not ready for anyone to see him in his fae form, I’m also starting to worry about what happens if he never wakes up.

No, absolutely not.

I’m not even putting that energy out into the universe.

“What?” I whisper-hiss, tugging open the door.

“We’ve got a problem in one of the shows,” Lena says, popping a hip out. She’s a full-blooded siren and stacked with luscious curves. “What’s wrong with you?” She grabs the front of my dress, tugging me close to her nose. I grab on to the doorframe for support. She might be close to my size, but her full fae blood gives her a boost of power that I don’t possess. “Damn, you reek. Why are you even here?”

“You want a paycheck. Don’t you?” I grumble, gently shoving her hand away.

“That’s the only reason I show up.” Lena snorts. “Do you plan to fill your nest with that fine hunk of dragon that follows you around like a Doberman waiting to attack?”

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