Page 82 of Claimed By Monsters

“Would it be okay to walk past the nursery on the way back?” I ask, thinking of my mother. “If we take the longer way, around the woods, I mean.”

“You want to visit your mother?” he asks.

“I want to make sure she’s still doing okay.”

It would be nice to get another chance to talk to her.

Especially now that I have the good news that Lita is mated to me.

“I don’t know,” Scar starts. “We have to plan our announcement for the morning. There will be plenty of time once that is done to spend with your mother.”

“No there will not,” I complain. “We will have to convince these people we are no threat to them, and there will be opposition and possibly multiple challenges issued. Weeks will pass before I can …”

“Fine,” he says, letting out a sigh. “We will walk that way and if it looks as if lights are on inside, we can stop for a quick visit.”

“That will be nice,” I tell him.

“It will not take weeks to settle this town,” he murmurs, clearly in denial.

“You would know better than me, I guess.”

The barn door opens, and Lita steps out with a small sack containing several vegetable items that we have sometimes come across discarded in the woods. I screw up my nose at the bag.

The carrots were vaguely edible, but unsatisfying.

Potatoes are just plain disgusting.

I have no idea what the rest of the items are called.

We found them too infrequently to bother committing their names to memory.

“We are going to stop by the nursery,” I announce, smiling at Lita.

“We are?” she asks, as Scratch takes the bag out of her hands.

Snake has another small sack in his hands.

How many vegetables do they think we need?

“I am not eating any of those,” I tell them.

Lita rolls her eyes. “Just wait until they’re cooked. You can try a little before you judge too harshly.”

“Well, only because you have asked this of me.”

“Good. So, we’re going to the nursery?”

“Just to see my mother for a second.”

She nods slowly. “Right. Good idea. Sneak in a visit before we divide the town’s opinions.”

“Exactly,” I tell her.

I knew she would understand.

I shoot Scar a superior look and he shakes his head at me.

“Let’s get moving,” he says. “We’re already hungry and we need to cook all this before we can eat.”

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