Page 188 of Monsters in Love

“Because I do not want her first impression of us at her home to be one where we barged in, uninvited.”

“Don’t worry, if you do, we spelled the entryway to knock any intruders back to the street anyway,” a familiar voice called out from behind the door.

“Boudica?” How long had she been standing there? I hadn’t heard her, and from the look on Rothgar and Jalen’s faces, neither did they.

Her sharp-edged voice confirmed her identity. “Feel free to leave anytime you want. You’re not welcome inside.”

“What does Capricorn have to say about that?” I challenged the warrior.

“I wouldn’t know. She’s not here. But if she were, I could guarantee you she would repeat what I said.”

Capricorn wasn’t here. “Wait, if she is not here, where is she? And dammit, Boudica, open the door so I can speak to you properly.”

“Hm, let me think about that. Oh, wait—No! Leave, Tharraka. You are not invited here, and I, for one, cannot be charmed by you. So take you, your friends, and your silver tongue off my property.”

The warrior woman did not want propriety, fine. Bracing my hands on the threshold, I speak slowly so there would be no misunderstanding. “Capricorn was staying at the tavern, but she is no longer there, and that blasted pixie would not speak to me, and neither are you. What has happened?”

Silence. “Are you serious right now?” She threw the door open. Boudica was clothed in her leathers, her hair braided back, a weapon strapped to her back. A sheen of sweat glistened from her skin. If it hadn’t been for the evidence that we had interrupted a training workout, I would have believed that Boudica armed herself before greeting us purposefully.

“You don’t know why she wouldn’t want to see you right now?”

I froze at her words. “I must be misunderstanding you,” I said. “Your words seem to imply that Capricorn hides herself from us purposely.”

“Implying it? I’m damn well saying it.”

Rothgar swallowed down a roar. “I do not believe you. She wants us. All of us. She wanted to celebrate our return.”

“Celebrate what, you disgusting pig? Everyone has seen that video that you and your little friends recorded, guest starring Capri without her knowledge or consent. Ev-ery-one.”

Boudica’s eyes narrowed as she enunciated that last word. The meaning in her gaze was clear. There was only one video that involved all of us, but how in the world did she know about it? When I asked her the question, she replied, “Does it matter?”

“Yes, it matters. It was supposed to just be for family.”

“Family? Are you joking? That is something that you guys celebrate as a family?”

“Yes, because it is a mating bond that was started.”

“Are you joking?” Bo fists her hair. ”You just met her. Why are you starting a mating bond?”

I did not have to explain myself to this one, warrior or no, female or no. She would not understand the mysteries we held, how we knew who was ours.

Were she anyone else but Capri’s roommate and friend, I would have torn her ribcage open. She was standing in the way of me claiming my mate.

Somewhere deep down in the recesses of mind, I could remind myself that Capri would be less than pleased that her friend’s blood decorated her furniture.

The warrior-witch looked at me as if waiting for an answer. I ground my teeth.

“Because she is our mate, and I decided to? I don’t need to explain myself to you, warrior witch.”

“You do when you fuck up and share my friend’s naked body without her consent to strangers.”

Her words confused me, and by the looks on Rothgar and Jalen’s face, they were, too. I did not let on that I was ignorant of her statement. “Explain.”

She rolled her eyes and grabbed her device, tapping so hard that it threatened the integrity of the screen. “Here.”

She played a very familiar video. Ah yes, there was the pretty cunt that ruled my mind, taking me so well.

My mouth watered at the sight. My already hard cock strained against my leathers, seeking relief. The growl at my back told me Rothgar and Jalen were equally affected.

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