Page 22 of Held By a Monster

“Though the opportunity to exact vengeance wouldn’t be rejected.”

Zeus nodded. “I understand. Where are you staying now? How can I get in touch?”

I spoke before either of the wyrfangs could. “Through me. I don’t think it’s wise to reveal their location just yet. I imagine BioSynth spent a hefty amount of resources in their creation and training, and I seriously doubt they’ll walk away without trying to get them back.”

The werewolf nodded. “Good point. I’ll need your contact information, then. We’ll arrange further meetings and pass information through Kendal.” He looked at Drym. “If that’s acceptable to you?”

Drym seemed surprised they would ask. His long silence stretched before he finally responded.

“If any harm comes to her, you will regret it.”

Zeus tilted his head. “There is a lot of Society history you aren’t aware of, and we'll help fill that gap. Werewolves and dragons both historically have fated mates. The way you are with her makes me suspect she”—he nodded in my direction—“isyours. One thing I can assure you of is that all of Society shifters see fated mates as sacred, and any of us would lay down our lives to protect them. Not just our own, mind you, butanyshifter’s fated mate. They are rare and precious. No harm will ever come to Kendal if we can prevent it.”

Oh wow, that was seriously hot. Not only did I have my very own monster—not under my bed, but in it, thank you—but any of these other powerful beasts would protect me with their lives.

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. “I’d love to meet the other fated mates.”

Reinar laughed, a great booming sound that echoed through the conference room. “God help us when Virginia and Gaelynn get hold of you.”

sixteen

The return trip toKendal’s apartment parking lot was done in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Kendal was my mate. It felt right, but I wanted to know more. Were fated mates bound together in some way? Could she reject me?

My chest twisted at the thought.

Beyond the issue of Kendal being my mate, there was the entirety of Society for my brothers and me to wrap our heads around. Even though Zeus seemed willing to accept us, would the larger supernatural community be as open? Zeus said there were others like us, who couldn’t hide among humans, so at least there were precedents for our situation. That didn’t ensure we’d be treated like those others.

We weren’t natural. We were created. Even we knew that meant we’d be treated differently. We hadn’t been formallyeducated about Society or normals, beyond being taught to read and write. I remembered the debate among the scientists on whether even that education was wise. In the end, they decided if we couldn’t read or write, then our functionality as weapons diminished.

We couldn’t very well infiltrate a facility if we couldn’t read which door was the entrance and what exits existed.

What little history, culture and manners we’d learned were self-taught. We listened closely to our captors, and we watched. We shared our observations and that’s how we built an education beyond the limits the scientists set.

Kendal parked the van at the edge of the forest and opened the back doors for us. Kragen didn’t hesitate, disappearing into the dark woods. I tilted my snout to look into Kendal’s eyes. “I want to stay with you.”

I shifted from paw to paw, nervous while she thought. She didn’t look away, and my heart swelled.

“I don’t think that’s wise.”

My ears flattened. “Can I ask why?”

“Of course you can. You can always ask questions. There are two main reasons. The first is that I don’t think you’ll be happy cooped up in my apartment alone all day. I have to go back to work tomorrow, so you’d be alone most of the time. And the second reason is that I think your brothers need you.Right now, everything is unsettled. Until there is a clear path forward for the wyrfangs, you should be together.”

My entire head sank, the weight of the rejection not lessened by her sensible logic.

Her hand beneath my chin lifted my eyes to hers. “That’s not to say I won’t visit, or that you can’t come here sometimes.”

The world lifted and my eyes glowed bright. Given leave to visit, I could admit she was right. “Both of your reasons make perfect sense.” I looked over my shoulder, spotting Kragen waiting patiently in the dark. “You know the way to the caves? For when the were-creatures contact you? Or should I come by each night?”

She smiled. “I know the way, but if you want to come by, I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come up.”

I tipped my nose to her window. “How?”

“Umm,” she thought a moment, “I’ll turn the light on. The one next to the window. That will let you know it’s okay to come inside.”

I nodded and ran my nose up the side of her neck, paused for a fraction of a second, then turned and caught up with Kragen.

“Everything good?”

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