Page 93 of The Monster's Desire

Nadia sighs but nods her agreement. The two undercover council members leave, and the mood is somber. Overall, it’s a good thing the paranormal council is unlikely to come for retribution on behalf of the town council. On the other hand, I don’t like having to place our trust in anyone outside of our group.

“Shouldn’t we head back to your apartment?” Nadia bumps Echo with her shoulder. She’s staring at him like she’s desperately trying to figure out how to comfort him.

“It would be cramped.” I run my fingers through her hair. “My house is a much more feasible option.”

“Yeah, but if your brother tries to punish you for Drake, then I’m pretty sure I’ll have to kill him.” She snuggles deeper into my chest.

“You wouldn’t need to,” Wraith pipes in, taking a seat on the opposite couch.

“We’d be glad to handle it for you.” Knight winks, making his way into the room with a plate of cheese and crackers. “After all, it’s part of our binding contract.”

“Wait, what?” Nadia squeaks, sitting up to stare down her demons.

“When you blood bound us, that was a binding contract.” Wraith clears his throat, but his cheeks are pink.

It makes me mildly suspicious. Nadia seems to be equally perplexed, because she jabs a finger in their direction as Knight takes the seat next to Wraith. Her mouth opens, but no words come out.

“You soul bound us to you in the warehouse that night with Kash.” Knight shrugs, grabbing a cracker and shoving it into his mouth.

“Meaning what?” Echo grinds out.

“There were no terms discussed verbally,” Nadia says a little breathlessly.

Wraith grimaces. “Correct, meaning your soul would have had to accept our terms, as ours did in return.”

“Okay, and what were these terms?” Nadia asks.

“We agreed to protect you above all else, kill anyone who threatened you—” Wraith starts.

“Give you good solid dickings,” Knight interjects, winking like an idiot. “Although the soul binding contract lists your terms as hot, psycho, will-do-anything-to-protect-you fuck buddy.”

“Ohmigod,” Nadia snorts. “That’s actually ridiculous.”

“Our terms were much more streamlined.” Wraith gives a smile that indicates he’s in pain.

Knight nods. “Our command into the human realm and your agreement to carry our spawn. You really got the better end of the deal.”

“What?” I chuckle, pulling a hand up to cover my mouth.

Nadia goes stiff in my arms. “Is there a time limit stated in the contract?”

“It’s a soul binding agreement,” Wraith says, completely avoiding answering the question.

“Wraith.” She jabs a short finger in his direction.

“You’ll be pregnant within a year, but please remember that I love you.” The poor, clueless fucker gives her puppy dog eyes if I’ve ever seen them on an actual person.

“Holy shit,” Echo whispers.

“Truly, and I’ve never experienced that particular emotion before. It makes what I feel for you extra special.” Wraith continues nodding and smiling, like he can mentally force her to be excited about the bomb he just dropped.

My nose falls to run along the column of Nadia’s neck. My wolf has been obnoxiously sure that we were capable of breeding her this entire time. A low growl rattles out of my chest at the thought.

“I have a birth control spell.” Her head shakes, sending her hair flying across my face.

“It will have been rendered inert,” Knight says. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. Your soul agreed to the terms. No coercion or trickery needed.”

“Holy fuck,” Nadia whispers. “This is the universe punishing me for screwing up Emerson’s spell.”

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