Page 40 of Guarded By a Monster

Silence reigned for several moments before she cleared her throat.

“Look, Jade, I know it’s scary, especially for someone new to Society, but if Thurl is your mate, you have nothing to worry about.”

“He says I am, but how doIknow?”

“As long as I’ve known them, which I admit isn’t long, none of the ‘fangs have lied. Even about the smallest thing. The type of trauma they lived through forges a person. You come out the other side either good or evil, and they’re good ones.”

I chewed my bottom lip. “You sound like you’re talking from personal experience.”

“I am.”

She didn’t elaborate. My heart ached for her, but I didn’t press. “Then I suppose I only have one more question.”

“Shoot.”

“Why Bacon?”

She snort laughed, which set off my own giggles.

twenty-six

My ears flicked asthey picked up Jade talking. I leaned toward the back door like it would help me hear better. As if I couldn’t hear everything she said standing upright.

Nanna appeared in front of me and slapped my bicep. I rubbed at it automatically, shrinking back from the old woman.

“Don’t eavesdrop. She’ll tell you if she wants you to know.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Her tiny fingers grabbed my wrist in a grip stronger than expected. She tugged, and I allowed her to lead me toward the front of the house. I could still hear Jade speaking, and if I focused, I could hear what she said.

Nanna pinched me. “Stop listening in!”

I drooped. “I can’t help it. She’s my focus.”

“You love her.”

My eyes flicked to hers. “She’s my mate.”

The older woman grabbed my muzzle and shook it. “That’s not what I said.”

My words garbled as they pushed through my trapped mouth. “Yes, I love her.”

Nanna nodded and released me. She sank into an armchair. Sized for me and my brothers, it swallowed her.

“Good, but she’ll need time. Just because she’s a kindergarten teacher doesn’t mean she easily swallows a bunch of mystical woo woo. She needs to come to her own conclusion about being your mate.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

Jade’s screech of “What?” had both of us running for the back door. My claws flexed, and my lips pulled into a snarl as I scanned the backyard for threats. There were none. I turned toward Jade, who now clutched Nanna’s hand in her own, her eyes wide as she stared at nothing.

The man on the other end of the phone was telling her about an incident at her house. Her friend Emma had been attacked while feeding Jade’s cats.

I recognized his voice. He was the older detective who’d been at her house. He was trying to convince her to return to police protection. My chest rumbled and I shook my head.

She was safer with me.

“I appreciate your concern, Detective Chambers, but I assure you, I am safer right where I am.”

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