Page 105 of The Monster's Desire

I bite my lip as I stagger forward.

It seems highly inappropriate to ask because of her fertility issues, but also... God, it would make my whole damn year if she was pregnant.

“Is something wrong?” Wraith sounds truly perplexed.

“She is indeed carrying four eggs,” the nightmare from the warehouse says, appearing at Aline’s side. He bows low. “Thank you for all you did to help my mate.”

I squeal, bouncing around on my toes. I rush Aline as she smiles.

“It’s good to see you,” Malice says to Wraith. “I’ve missed you.”

I barely even process what he’s saying as Aline hugs me tight. She’s not usually a huggy person, but she holds on to me like she needs the contact just as much as I do.

“Are you excited?” I bite my lip.

“What do you think?” She laughs. “It’s all I’ve dreamed of for years.”

“God, I’m so fucking happy for you,” I whisper. “Wait, did he say you’re carrying eggs?”

“Thank you,” Emerson says from behind me. “Can I just say, I’m really happy I’m not the only one who needed that explained?”

“I feel like I’ve missed so much.” There’s a weird quaver in my voice that betrays my emotion.

“Well, you’re here now.” Emerson comes to stand at our side. “And that means it’s time for us girls to catch up.”

“Should one of us rescue Charity?” I ask, glancing at the door.

“I’ll find the djinn and give him a job.” Dread shoves himself off the couch. “I’m tired of everyone loitering and never working.”

Aline snorts, then bends in half, laughing harder than I’ve ever seen her laugh.

It really is good to be home.

Epilogue

Knight

Even in my wildest imagination, I never imagined that Aline and Emerson would go into labor on the same night.

My beautiful mate is in her element. It’s wild to see her take charge and step into the role of healer. She might bitch and complain about some of her tasks as a fertility witch, but it’s pretty damn clear she’s got the talent and the experience to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Nadia is still very much baking our babies. Then again, she’s a witch. I think she’ll make it to at least four or five months before she gives birth. What might be unusual in the human world is actually quite normal for supernatural pregnancies.

It seems pretty clearsomeoneshould have realized monsters often give birth on a full moon.

I laugh hysterically as Malice appears from the shadows. It’s his second attempt to subdue Wraith, but the reaper managed to escape the first attempt.

Malice grabs Wraith, putting him in a headlock. I snort, shaking my head at the insanity unfolding in The Den tonight. Everyone has lost their goddamn minds.

“Come on,” Malice snarls.

“No,” Wraith growls, slapping at Malice’s hands. “I don’t need to see that. I’m here. Here is fine. I can assure you that, if you need me, I’ll be in there before any of you can blink.” He punches Malice in the kidney. “I can monitor their souls perfectly well from here.”

I cackle.

I really missed that nightmare.

Malice was calm and collecteduntilAline started to cry as she pushed. “I need you in the room. What if one of them tries to die on me? Be a goddamn decent clustermate and shove their soul back in their shell. That’s what you’re going to do!”

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