Page 47 of The Monster's Mate

Sure enough, the old storage hut now has a stoop that makes it look more like a home than a closet. There’s also a soft light that shines through the curtain covered front window.

Softly, I knock, not wanting to startle her since she’s already had one guest this evening. She answers so quickly, I almost think she’s waiting for someone to knock.

Perhaps Bel isn’t so enamored with living on her own.

Her mouth drops open when she sees it’s me. “Skiden? Oh my God. When did you get here?”

“Presecca!” I hold my arms open and she throws herself into them, making me think I was right. Bel is having second thoughts about her little home.

I squeeze her to me for a minute. Funny how River reminds me of Lucy, yet Isabel reminds me of River. And though Isabel and Lucy are friends, I don’t really mix them up, despite the fact that they pretend to be each other.

When I feel her shiver with cold, I usher her inside. “Invite me into your lovely home, you mannerless oaf.”

She giggles. “Oh, come in, goof.”

“I’ve never seen the storage shed look this good,” I say, looking around. They’ve brought in several seats and propped them up against a cushioned headboard propped against thew all to mimic a human sofa. But I can tell she was sitting inside doing nothing because it’s been a while since River’s left… and Isabel hasn’t bothered stoking the flames in the fireplace.

“Shed?” she huffs. “You’re talking about my home, good sir.”

I tap her strange little nose. “Look at you, a house on every planet. I just came from your other home.”

I head to the fireplace and add some wood from the bundle next to the brick encasement. Soon it’s blazing again, adding warmth to her small place, before I join her where she sits.

“So. I’m guessing since you’re out here, you broke up with him. I told you to give the knucklehead some leeway. He means well.”

“I know,” she sighs. “But this was huge. Did you know? That we’re mated instead of me being a breeder?”

“Yes.” I reach out to pull her hair. “But he’s loved you from the first time he laid eyes on you, Bel.”

“All he had to do was tell me that!”

“Would you have believed him?”

She sighs. “Probably not.”

I click my tongue at her unreasonable thinking. “Then you can’t blame him for taking it slow.”

“I know. I just wasn’t prepared for him to take my choice away. Besides, look at you. A fight with Bronan caused by your dad and you didn’t excuse Bronan’s behavior. You fled the planet, Skiden! Left us all behind.” Her tone rings with accusation and I know she was really worried about me.

Not realizing I’ve been basking in Lucy’s arms all this time. I should tell her, but first I need to make sure she and Bronan are fixed.

“I know. It took me a minute to cool down but when I did, I realized I’m just as bad as my brother. Instead of admitting my feelings to Lucy, I looked for an excuse to head back to her.”

Her eyes are wide as plates. “You and Lucy? Really?”

“More like me. Lucy’s not looking for love in all the wrong places, as she told me.” More like she told me this the first time she threw me out of her house, but I don’t want Isabel to think Lucy’s safe with loving me and entering the Match Program. If Samantha manages to get Mikhail to break up the political party, he’ll need Isabel’s help. As much as it tears me up, I manage to shrug.. I agreed to remain friends. Talked to her about what happened here. As soon as I realized everything was blown out of proportion, I wanted to talk to him, but it was too late.”

“He felt awful.”

“I did too. So, I came to make sure you weren’t making the same mistake I did. Leaving before you thought things through.”

“Well, I did.” Isabel smiles. “But at least I didn’t go to a whole other planet.”

“Touché. So, when are you coming back to the main cave?”

“River and Maman are picking me up in the morning. I was sitting here on the sofa wondering if I should just show up tonight.”

“Did you decide?”

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