Page 27 of The Monster's Mate

Meena and Emerson follow behind the toddler.

Veryn grins, shakes out of my hold, and jogs off toward the small wolf shifter.

If they truly are mates, we’ll have to watch them closely when they’re teenagers, but for now, their genuine excitement at seeing one another is pure.

Warmth fills my chest as Ember chucks herself at Veryn. He catches her with ease, spinning them in a circle as they laugh.

Parenting is complicated. He might not be biologically related to me, but that doesn’t make him any less mine.

I think they’ll make for a fine pair one day.

“Ooo, you gots a dragon,” Ember says as Veryn puts her back on her feet. “I wanna pet him.”

“Um.” Emerson, Ember’s mother, looks terrified as her eyes meet mine. “I don’t know about that.”

I shrug. “He’s mostly domesticated. He won’t hurt her.”

“That’s Eldritch.” Veryn links his hand with Ember’s, and she proceeds to drag him across the courtyard. “He’s a wyvern.”

I have faith enough that Eldritch won’t harm the kids, so I focus on Meena. “Are you sure you don’t mind keeping him?”

“Not a bit.” Meena smiles. “Nadia isn’t anywhere close to being ready to part with her girls, meaning I’ll take all the little ones I can get.” She laughs, bumping her shoulder to Emerson’s. “They keep me young.”

“Eww, he’s scratchy,” Ember says. “And sad. I wish he could feel better.”

My entire body tenses as my eyes meet Meena’s.

She simply shrugs.

My mind races through ways to take out a djinn.

Too fucking bad I don’t know a single one.

“Ember, you adorable, pure-hearted pup.” Athos appears in a silvery-blue cloud of smoke. He scoops up Ember, tossing her into the air and catching her. “Do you have any idea how you just changed fate?”

“I do.” Meena chuckles softly.

“No way,” Emerson whispers. “That’s why you literally wouldn’t let me say no to bringing her over.”

Meena’s lithe shoulder bounces as she tucks her long, dark hair behind her ear. “It’s best not to fight a vision.”

“Again,” Ember cheers, patting Athos’s hands.

“Last time.” He chucks her into the air, disappearing and reappearing behind her as he catches her.

Ember hits her feet and runs over to Veryn. “Wanna play at Mimi’s house?”

Veryn pats her head. “Yeah, I just have to grab my bag and say goodbye to my da—” He freezes. “Bane.”

My heart tries to race out of my fucking chest as I scoop up his duffel bag and stride over.

Veryn gives a tight smile, like he doesn’t know how I’m going to react, but I grab him with my free hand, pulling him to me.

“Be good for Meena, or I’ll kick your ass,” I say to let him know how much he means to me.

He laughs, squeezing my back. “Yeah, got it.”

“Love you, kid. Have fun.”

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