Page 107 of The Monster's Desire

“Don’t mention it.” Ridge glares at his bloody hand. “Seriously. Nadia isn’t to hear about this. I’m fairly sure it would upset her.”

Echo snorts, shaking his head. His chest finally starts to knit back together.

“Would you siphon home and grab us some clothes?” Ridge looks at me. “We should probably shower and get back inside before Nadia notices we’re missing. And you should wash your hand and change too.”

“What’s the plan for those?” I gesture to the dead bodies.

Mattias, an older ghoul, approaches slowly. The look on his face spells pure interest. “If you don’t have other arrangements, then I’d be happy to take them off your hands.”

“Sure.” I shrug. “Have at it.”

“I thought ghouls only consumed human flesh?” Ridge asks, frowning.

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to.” Echo slaps Ridge on the back and they head inside.

I chuckle.

How’s that for pack bonding? Nadia would be so proud. Too bad she’ll never hear of this.

Epilogue

Wraith

I’m fairly sure there’s nothing in the world that compares to the frantic energy that comes when four men huddle around a bedside to watch their mate give birth.

Malice is always levelheaded, except apparently, during the birth of his children.

I visit both rooms during the deliveries, but I do my best to keep my eyes on my feet. I have no great interest in being exposed to childbirth prior to witnessing my own being born.

I have to physically hold myself back when the hellhound snarls at Nadia and Meena.

Nan is tough. She points at the door, giving the beast a look that would melt the skin off a lesser man. “Continue to be problematic, and I will stick you to the wall in the hallway. I won’t release you until all four of your children are born.”

Dread frowns, swiping his hand over his face. He sure does begin pacing back in the opposite direction without another word.

It’s several hours later before the chaos completely dies down. In all honesty, it seemed to go quite smoothly.

I’m leaning near the door when Saber opens it a few inches. “This child is done with me,” he says, shoving the small girl into my arms.

“I thought I was invisible,” I mutter in confusion.

“Yeah, I’ll thank my sentinel DNA.” Saber shrugs. “I’ve always been able to see the three of you.”

I assume he means Knight, Malice, and me.

Ember wiggles, stretching toward her mother. “I want Mommy.”

“Would it be all right to bring her a little closer?” I ask.

Nadia nods, coming to scoop the child out of my arms. “Do you want to meet your little brothers?”

“I guess,” the small shifter says with a huff.

I chuckle. That was exceptionally cute. I wait for my mate to hand off the girl and pull Nadia into my arms. She’s utterly exhausted. It’s time for us to gather our pack and get home.

* * *

Our packmates join us as we head for the exit.

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