Page 2 of The Monster's Wife

I’m sure waking up to discover your child missing would scare the living daylights out of any parent.

“You snuck out,again.” Charity squats down and picks up her son. He’s more than half her height. Without her half-fae heritage, I can’t imagine she’d be able to lift him at his size.

I sigh, glancing away from the tender way she runs her hands down his arms and over his back. I’ve tried to accept that having children is something that just won’t happen for me, but even after all these years, I haven’t figured out how to come to terms with that loss. It’s difficult to process losing something you never truly had.

Charity frowns as she returns Veryn to the ground. “I’m so sorry he woke you up again.”

“It’s okay.” I laugh at the pouty look that covers the dragonling’s face. “To be fair, I’m usually up earlier. It’s been busy at The Den lately.”

“Yeah, Venom was packed last night too.” Charity grins. “Okay, we’ll get out of your hair. Say goodbye to Aline.”

“Bye, Ali,” Veryn says, chucking himself at my neck. He gives me a tight squeeze while Charity rolls her eyes. He is kind of like a child-sized tank.

“Behave for your mom today.” I swipe a hand through his hair as Charity pulls back, heading off.

Veryn waves as his mother leads him across the breezeway. I wave back and turn to head inside. I slept later than I expected, and with the full moon coming up, I know I’ll be needed at work.

* * *

The line to get into the club is already wrapped around the building.

Venom is the nightclub portion of The Monster’s Den, and the employee doors are on the back side of the property. I walk with purpose, sidestepping monsters on the front sidewalk. The fact that it’s this busy already means it’s going to be a long freaking night.

The Den itself is going to be even more packed. I can feel it before I reach the employee entrance.

The alleyway isn’t extremely wide as I head down it, but I don’t drive, and monsters aren’t always known for their care and concern for others.

I might be immortal, but I’m more the type of undying where I don’t want to put that theory to the test. Meaning, I avoid the employee parking lot at all costs, even if it would be much less sketchy to get to the doors that way.

This entire area is in the warehouse district that’s right next to downtown. It’s perfect for monsters who prefer to stay under the radar.

As I navigate the cobblestone walkway in my heels, a weird feeling slides through my system, and goosebumps break out along my arms. I glance around. Perhaps I need to initiate some type of walk-home program for the human employees of The Den.

I pull back my shoulders, letting out a heavy sigh. I’m psyching myself out this evening, apparently. I’m not human. I have my own protections, if necessary.

I do avoid using my magic, if at all possible, but that’s because being found by the hunters is the makings of my nightmares.

The last thing I’m expecting to find against the brick wall just opposite the alleyway exit is Atlas pummeling the hell out of some type of shifter. I stumble back a step before I can right myself.

I don’t recognize the man, but he’s got his claws extended, and he makes a swipe for Atlas’s throat.

My favorite half-giant, half-orc bouncer doesn’t blink as the shifter’s claws rake down his shoulder and arm. He’s still holding the man by the throat as he lands a hit that knocks the shifter out completely.

Atlas is a mountain of a male. His broad shoulders stretch his polo shirt to capacity as he shakes out his hand, glaring down at the wound.

“That was dramatic,” I say, inching closer.

Atlas goes rigid for a second before spinning around to face me. He’s holding the six-foot-something shifter suspended in the air like he weighs nothing.

“Ali,” he growls in his low tone.

I wave a hand, letting him know I’m only joking. He’s always hypersensitive about violence in front of me. I think it goes back to both of our roots in Faere, especially since he’s two species that are known for their aggressive natures.

However, I’m not afraid of Atlas. Not even at his most brutal and ruthless.

Myself? That’s a completely different story.

“I’ve got to get inside, but once you dispose of him, you should come find me, so I can clean that up for you.” I nod to his injury. It will likely heal before I get the chance, but I feel compelled to at least offer. “I swear, it’s like you can feel the full moon coming.”

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