Page 17 of Enticing Monsters

“Of course I didn’t.”

Kian and I both scramble, whirling to gape at Sera, standing next to Xander’s oversized bed. Tears stream down her cheeks as she watches us, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist, fingers curling into the sides of her sweater as if she’s afraid she’ll come apart if she lets go.

Kian’s smile is soft as he reaches out and strokes his fingers gently down her cheeks, wiping away the tears.

“Don’t cry for me, mate,” he whispers, cradling her cheek in his palm.

She closes her eyes and nuzzles against his palm, soaking in his touch. I expect to feel jealous, even knowing now that she’s all of ours, that she always has been.

But it’s not jealousy I feel now. It’s…contentment? I’m not sure if that’s the right word, but my wolf huffs inside of me, enjoying seeing two of our packmates with each other, calming each other, caring for each other.

Her eyes open and meet mine, the haunted look in them calling to me, making my wolf whine and push against my skin. He’s been pushing for me to shift for her, to greet her himself.

To apologize himself.

But I haven’t been able to face it. Not yet. Not until I’ve…atoned.

As much as I need all of them around me to help mute out this pain, this fear, this shame, it still lives inside of me in those moments when I stop or focus on myself. It threatens to consume me whole.

“It wasn’t because you’re my mate.” Her voice quavers a little as she looks between us, a light blush flushing her cheeks, glowing brightly against the deep-pink strands of her hair. “I mean, I don’t want it happening to anyone. But for you…”

She takes a deep breath, that soft mouth firming up as her back straightens. My wolf makes an agreeing noise, soaking in her strength.

“For all of you, I’ll burn the world down around us if anyone hurts you.” There are nerves in her eyes as she meets my own, her teeth coming out to dig into her lower lip, chewing it as she looks between us.

“And we’d burn it with you.” Kian grips her chin in his hand, leaning down to rest his forehead against hers and breathe her in. “We’ll all kill for you without a question.” His lips brush against her cheek, tentative and sweet. “We’re proud of you saving him, angel.”

Fuck.

I step forward, reaching out to mirror Kian’s touch. “Thank you, Sera. I didn’t… I couldn’t…”

The words roll together as I try to sort them out, but she reaches out to touch us both, joining us into a triad of fear, pain, and hope. A living, aching wound that is struggling to heal.

We’re all broken in our own ways. All aching. Shattered. Torn to pieces by our pasts and our bodies. Even Sera. She may not have gone through what Kian and I have, but she understands what it’s like for a body to betray you. She shared her pain with us before. Her own fear—that her body will fail her and she’ll be a shell of who she once was.

“You’re ours, Tristan.” Tears well in her eyes, the blue nearly electric as she lightly grazes her fingers down my arm, watchful as she monitors our reactions. “You’ve suffered enough. Please.” Her voice cracks on the word. “Take care of us all you want, but take care of yourself too. And if you can’t right now, that’s okay. Just let us carry you for a while.”

I lean down to her, my heart pounding in my chest as I brush my lips over her temple. I look up into Kian’s eyes, and he reaches out to squeeze my shoulder, offering his own support.

“It’s okay to not be okay,” he assures me.

“I’m not okay,” I admit, my voice cracking slightly. I’ve barely spoken since my return, and my throat feels raw and weak. “I need to brush my teeth.”

I’m not sure why those are the words that leave my lips, but the tension breaks as Sera giggles, her nose wrinkling in a way that makes me want to hug her tightly.

“Then let’s go brush your teeth. Then we can have some dinner.”

None of us are okay right now, but we have each other. And that’s going to have to be enough right now. I’ll just take it a minute at a time.

And when I falter?

They’ll take care of me, and I’ll take care of them.

Because that’s what a pack does.

And I’m not losing anyone from mine ever again.

CHAPTER SIX

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