Page 59 of The Monster's Desire

I listen intently for sounds of Nadia and Ridge inside his home, but I pick up no heartbeats. My gaze slides to the side as I spin, scanning the tree line.

That wolf has a death wish. After such a long existence, he’s desperate for someone to end his suffering.

There’s no other possibility.

He’s of an ancient wolf line—some of the oldest shifters in the human realm. He’ll be difficult to kill, but not impossible. If nothing else, I’ll remove his head and heart and keep him close.

It’ll be an agonizing existence for him to experience for the rest of time. Every time the organs attempt to regrow, I’ll simply remove them again.

Problem solved.

I stumble a step as I catch sight of them.She’s his fucking mate. The line at River and Brant’s cabin wasn’t a bullshit throwaway comment.

My head hangs as I stare at my boots.

This is a fucking disaster.

I had a feeling his beast was drawn to her. Shifters in animal form only show interest in their mate. I really hoped I was wrong, but as Ridge stares down at her with his head cocked and his eyes glowing from his wolf, it’s very clear. She’s in his lap, but he still makes her seem tiny.

On one hand, it’s a good thing because he’ll be an ally. On another, it’s a disaster in the making because shifters are notoriously bad at sharing. I wonder if she warned him about her profession. Not that I particularly have any right to judge. I don’t love the thought of her going back to that occupation, but perhaps, that’s a bit of my own history tainting the well.

My eyes are glued to Nadia as she writhes on the alpha barbarian’s lap. In the next instant, he lifts her, tossing her down and pinning her to the ground as he slams into her like a feral beast.

It would be convenient if she looked like she was in distress or, at the very least, not enjoying herself. That would be a solid reason to step in and rip that asshole off her. His forearm frames her head as he kisses her. It’s a brutal kiss that has their tongues tangling in the air as he holds her in place.

Nadia bounces under him with each pump of his hips into hers, but he cradles her like she’s precious. Which makes me want to rip his head off all over again.

I frown, shaking my head. I’m losing my bloody mind. My thoughts circle in a loop of hating the barbarian wolf and how badly I ache to take his place.

Ridge fucks her through her release. The naughty thing gets so loud, I’m sure the entire pack knows what’s happening. He kisses her in a soft way that I’m shocked a shifter can manage. It’s the tender touches he offers as he caresses her cheek that make me slightly uncomfortable. They barely know each other. There’s no reason he should be gently worshiping her under the moonlight. She’s not his. She’s certainly not mine, either, but he has no right to treat her so reverently.

Not that I want him to fuck her like the animal he is. I take several steps forward. I don’t think I’ve ever been so close to snapping, not once in my long existence. Nadia is driving me mad, which is something not even Imogen managed to accomplish.

I showered during my five-minute stop at my apartment. I thoughtfully brought Nadia several changes of clothes, like a good soul-bonded vampire should.

Ridge shouldnotbe smiling atmywitch when I went out of my way to be thoughtful for the first time in centuries.

It becomes clear he has spotted me when he pulls back until he’s kneeling, looks straight at me, and winks. That motherfucker is still inside her.

My fangs and claws descend as I plan the best way to incapacitate him long enough to pour some concrete. I’ll also need a deep hole and enough time for said concrete to dry once he’s buried inside.

I can’t remove his head at the moment...

Nadia might find that traumatic.

See, I can be a thoughtful and conscientious tether. If I do something stupid, then I could fuck things up by destroying her trust in me.

I’ll have to murder the brute once she’s no longer around to witness it.

He pulls her up, helping her flip over on all fours, and slams back inside her. He gives me a look that indicates he wants me to see how much she trusts him. Also, apparently, how little he cares about breaking her. Witches are on par with humans, but he fucks into her in a way that makes it clear he’s not concerned about hurting her.

I take several more steps forward before I can stop myself. He’s taunting the wrong vampire. The closer I get, the tighter the tether between us pulls. It’s surreal and utterly intoxicating, feeling her pleasure coursing through the link.

Nadia gasps, catching sight of me, or perhaps, she feels me as I do her? It’s impossible to say with any certainty, but the thought succeeds in making my cock painfully hard.

Ridge pulls her top half up until they’re both kneeling and writhing around together. Fuck, her tits are fabulous. The way her cunt is stuffed full of his cock is enticing as hell. I wouldn’t mind a taste. I lick my lips.

The useless mutt glares, his eyes flashing like he read my thoughts.

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