Page 102 of The Monster's Desire

I don’t let myself think too much about Shelby and Carina. They were friends when we were teenagers, nothing more and nothing less.

We end up spending nearly two weeks longer than planned in North Falls. One morning, Scarlett pops up at Ridge’s house, informing me that my old friends have disappeared completely.

How shocking.

They stayed long enough to ensure the ward wouldn’t fail, and then they scurried off without another word.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter. North Falls is thriving under River’s leadership.

Ridge’s brother, Trace, even took a seat on the council, along with Scarlett and Garth.

The evening we actually manage to leave town is a more emotional farewell than I’m expecting. Milania and Scarlett pack a giant picnic basket and shove it at Ridge as we prepare to depart. I’ve delivered babies before, but I’ve never felt so connected to someone as I do when Milania hugs me tight. Things could have gone in a completely different direction, but the universe was in our corner that night. It makes me grateful for my magic. It may have cost my mother her life, but it’s ensuring the lives of future generations, and that makes it mean something.

Speaking of my magic, we’re all interested to see if North Falls ends up with a staggering number of omegas. Only time will tell. I’ve promised to come back in eleven months to renew all the contraceptive spells I placed.

The longer that passes without serious fallout from the town council, the more hopeful I become. Also, I wouldn’t mind seeing the twins for their first birthday. I feel like I changed on some soul-deep level when I came to North Falls, and as I climb into Echo’s car, I’m ultimately okay with that.

* * *

I’m in the passenger seat of Echo’s car. Athos’s jar is in the back seat, but the djinn is nowhere to be seen. Ridge drives my SUV, with Wraith and Knight as passengers, since Echo’s car is rather small.

We drive for several hours before Echo grabs my hand. He places it on the gearshift and interlaces his fingers with mine. His left arm is stretched over the steering wheel and, honestly, it’s sexy as fuck. We’re driving at night to avoid any issues with the sun. Likely, my shadows wouldn’t allow him to be injured, but it’s also not something I’m willing to put to the test.

He runs his thumb over my inner wrist, and I’m completely freaking blown away at the giant butterflies that dance around my stomach. Yeah, that warm feeling in my chest is bizarre too.

I thought I’d be renewing a ward and delivering a baby or two, but everything changed in the blink of a damn eye.

* * *

We pull into Haven in the middle of the night. We’ll be staying with Nan for a bit while the guys search for houses. I’m not destitute, but I also don’t have the type of money houses in Haven go for. It’s a sanctuary city, meaning there’s limited space and availability. There’s practically no new land to build on, so unless they get lucky and find someone willing to sell, then we might have to look outside the ward.

Nan jokingly said on the phone last night that she would be happy to help me extend the ward if it came down to it. Echo pulls his car into one of the tiny parking spots that I would never attempt to park in if I was the one driving. It leaves the small back gravel area for Ridge to park my SUV. It’s actually kind of sweet.

Don’t even get me started on how sexy it is watching him shove the car from reverse into first gear as he parks perfectly.

He’s out of the car and helping me out of my seat before I can do more than unbuckle. “Do you know what I realized on the drive to Haven?” He dips his lips to mine for a slow, teasing kiss.

“What’s that?” I ask as he pulls back.

“That I truly fucking love you,” he murmurs against my lips. My heart stalls as he fucks his tongue into my mouth again. “Please, don’t say anything at the moment. I simply needed you to know that.” He wraps a cool hand over my mouth, preventing me from responding, but I do send him an unfettered glimpse of my emotions in the bond. “Come on, I can’t wait to meet Nan.” His hand meets my lower back, and he guides me to the back door.

I blink repeatedly when Thornton opens the door as we reach it. “Nadia, you look well. Did you have a good trip?”

“I did.” I smile politely, glancing around for Nan. Please tell me they weren’t having a last-minute quickie right before they noticed we’d arrived. “Glad to be back in Haven, though.”

“I can only imagine.” He shoves a hand at Echo and they make introductions. Wraith and Knight appear a second later and the process repeats. “You’ve left the mountain with all the bags.” Thornton chuckles. “I’ll help.” He sidesteps the four of us, patting me on the back. “She’s missed you terribly.”

“Me too,” I acknowledge, stumbling toward home. I don’t mean the house, either. Nan is home. She always has been. It’s strange to realize, but my guys are now too.

“Hello, my dear.” Nan shuffles out of the kitchen, and she’s fully dressed. She wraps me up in her arms, but I frown when I spot the pile of luggage next to the front door. “You’re all more than welcome to come in.” Wraith and Knight move to come inside, but Echo doesn’t. “Ahh, I did wonder about that.” Nan kisses my cheek. “Invite your vampire in.”

I keep my arm wrapped around her lower back but turn to face the door. “Come in. She might pinch your butt, but she’s already welcomed you inside.”

Echo smirks. “Apparently, it needed to come from you, darling.”

I frown, because that doesn’t make any sense. Nan makes introductions as Ridge carries in Athos’s jar.

Thornton comes in with several bags. He drops them and grabs two of Nan’s suitcases from inside the foyer.

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