Page 15 of The Monster's Mate

Veryn spins around, and his bright blue eyes sparkle. He gives me a lopsided grin and rushes me. For being only six years old, he comes up almost to my chest. He also manages to hit me with the force of a tank.

I stumble back as he climbs up my front, giving me a hug that makes everything in the world seem right.

“You jumped off the roof.” I nuzzle my cheek to his.

My lower back aches, but nowhere near as fiercely as my chest. One day soon, I’ll put him on his feet and never be able to lift him again.

I’m not ready for that day to come.

“He told me to.” Veryn twists, pointing at Bane. “I was just listening to my olders.”

“Elders,” I correct with a laugh.

“Right under the bus,” Bane says, rolling his eyes. “Would you care to back over me next time?”

“I can smell breakfast.” Veryn slides down my front. He takes off toward the house. “You coming, Mom?”

“Yep,” I agree, turning back to Bane.

It’s complicated.

I’m not a shifter, let alone a dragon.

There are so many things that I can’t help my son with, no matter how much I wish I could. If Bane wasn’t here to help, I honestly don’t know what I’d do. I’d probably have to beg my friends’ mates, but none of them are dragons.

Even before Bane lectured me, I’ve been told how important it is for alpha shifters to bond with their monster form.

I nod, smiling softly at Bane. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” His head tilts. “That’s not how I thought this was going to go.”

Shoving my hair behind my ear, I shrug. “Are you hungry? Athos might have made something edible.”

Bane snorts. “I’ll take my chances, if it means I get to spend a little more time with you.” He swipes his dark hair away from his eyes.

I lick my lips, studying the way every ab and oblique flexes. He’s covered in dark tattoos that disappear into the waistband of his basketball shorts.

“So, you plan to head inside, or did you want to keep eye-fucking me?” Bane asks, chuckling a low, throaty sound. “I’m fine with either…”

I scoff, turn around, and stride toward the door.

That man is far too cocky, but something inside me says he’s got the package to back up that big dick energy.

Chapter Seven

Athos

The Monster’s Den has an atmosphere that’s all its own. It doesn’t bother me that my mate is overseeing the sex club, but she should have more support from the owners. They’re all wrapped up in their own lives.

Charity is capable. She’s also overworked and exhausted. She slides through several of the workers waiting around for their next clients, pasting on a plastic smile for long enough to make it past them.

I appear at her side, garnering looks from several of the women I’ve been steadily avoiding the last few weeks.

I’m not sure if the attention is due to the rarity of my species, or perhaps my form is pleasing to gaze at, but I have no interest in anyone but my mate.

One of the women I don’t recognize by name starts in our direction, and I toss my arm around Charity’s shoulder.

“Save me, please.” I keep my tone low, but she still jolts. Possibly because she wasn’t anticipating my arrival.

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