Page 60 of Guarded By a Monster

Voices filtered up to us and I picked out individuals. “Nanna is here with Roul. There is also a woman I don’t recognize.”

“Really? I can’t hear a thing.”

I licked the side of her face and she swiped at her cheek with a giggle.

“Are you sure they didn’t put dog DNA in you?”

I nipped her earlobe and growled.

She laughed and pushed at my chest. When I finished drying myself, I found her in our bedroom getting dressed. She pulled a soft shirt that hugged her curves over her head. Her eyes twinkled with laughter. I wondered how I could thank the fates for her.

Downstairs I assessed the strange woman I’d heard. She was compact and well muscled. Straight black hair framed upturned eyes that seemed to see everything.

Nanna came forward and grabbed Jade’s hands.

“Jade! I thought y’all would never come down. Meet River. This lovely young lady has been looking after your house while you’re away.”

“Yes, it’s so nice to meet you.”

Jade strode to the woman with an outstretched hand, and I resisted the urge to pull her back. There was a feral edge to River. Despite her size, she was dangerous.

“I wanted to drop by and introduce myself so you can put a face to the name and voice staying in your house.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that. You’re okay? After what happened this morning?”

She scoffed. “Not a scratch, promise.”

“I’m so glad.”

I relaxed. River was definitely a threat, but not to Jade.

“Nanna was telling me you were with Kendal watching movies last night.”

Jade’s face lit up with a smile. “That’s right.”

“Next time, call me. I have a Seductflix account.” River waggled her eyebrows. “And I make the best popcorn.”

Jade laughed. “I will, promise.”

“Have you met the others yet?”

I thought of the Superhuman Security males and growled. River smirked at me.

“Relax, big guy, I’m talking about the other mates.”

“I haven’t, but Kendal’s told me about them. I guess there really are only a few of us, hunh?”

“Just the four of you, so far.” She sighed and put a hand on her chest, looking up at the ceiling. “The rest of us are still seeking.” She straightened and smiled at Jade. “At least we have hope now, thanks to you and the others.”

“How long was it,” I asked, “before Virginia?”

“We think for the bulk of shifters it was centuries. There’ve been rumors that have circulated through the years of one or two shifters finding their mates, but never more than that and always unsubstantiated.”

I couldn’t imagine the horror of never finding Jade, but so many must have gone through just that. Jade verbalized my thoughts.

“That’s awful.”

River shrugged. “It was what it was, but now it’s not.”

---