Page 66 of The Monster's Mate

“Easy-peasy,” she reminds us, smiling at Roxian who scrambles down from Sam’s hip.

“My Wrombley,” she says.

Sure enough, further up the embankment, Isabel waves with another male I assume is Bronan, and a Tiiblet who wears a… bowtie.

A large bowtie and nothing else.

“Wrombley,” Roxian yells, running up toward him.

But then Skiden is there, taking my hand, and Mejak and Kalrian surround Samantha and we make our way up the hill.

“You’re here! I can’t believe you’re both here,” Isabel cries, huge tears running down her cheeks as she hugs me and Samantha.

Her mate scowls like it’s our fault she’s crying.

“How did it go? Mikhail promised to show us the vid that was recorded but I can’t wait to hear.”

“River’s dad kidnapped me,” I say.

“Uh,yourdad,” she counters.

“Tried to make me marry the old prophet to replace her.”

“Oh, my God, honey. Is that what happened to your face?”

“I hardly noticed,” Skiden says, blinking. “I did notice the other three mamans of River’s though.Theywere tore up.”

“Mother Clara? Bertha? Eleanor?” River asks.

“All three. I kicked their asses,” I say, proudly.

“I created a monster,” Skiden says, aghast.

“Yes!” River says. “All three?”

“All three. Though, I really hope the men get what they deserve.”

“They will,” Tessa says, her son back on her hip along with Mikki on the other side. The two little boys play peek-a-boo around her shoulders with each other. “Lilaina said all three are heading for prison.”

“Well, let’s go eat,” Bronan says. “We have a feast prepared.”

I don’t miss the look Skiden gives Mejak and Kalrian. Both males look nervous and I wonder if this will be the mating ceremony they discussed.

It turns out it is.

The Bronians live in the side of a cliff, mostly. There are smaller huts around the edge, leading toward the forest of trees, where a lot of the single hunters stay. Inside the main area of the cliff is a huge room, with polished marble floors. There are areas with floors to ceiling draped with fabric, which I assume hide entrances to other rooms.

Above the main area, and visible “windows” to the outside of the cliff, are individual homes. Sort of like apartments. There are staircases dug deeper into the cliff that wind up to each level, though there are smaller stairways that go from one level to the next. On the back end of the cliff is the ocean. I guess it’s nothing for Bronians to jump right in.

We take seats—oddly placed in the middle of the room—and I hold back a smile. Now I’m sure they’re going to ask her for a mating.

Both males spread their tentacles so they’re kneeling before her.

“Samantha Merende of Earth, you own my heart.” Kalrian leans over and places his kiss in the center of her palm. “I feel like I’ve waited my entire life for you.”

“Samantha Merende of Earth, you own my soul.” Mejak leans over and places his kiss in the center of her palm. “Please complete our family.”

Both males close her fingers, making a fist, as if they refuse to let her wipe away. A few people chuckle.

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