Page 82 of Mate of a Monster

Why the fuck would they even start that shit, knowing how vulnerable Arabella is right now? Better yet, how have they flipped on her so fast?

And what the fuck is Knight taking the blame for?

Fuck, my mind is a mess.

“If that’s true, then let’s complete the bond. Here. Now,” she demands.

“I—”

A strange humming digs into my ears, and I shake my head.

“Are you out of your mind?!” London rushes toward us. “You have no fucking idea what will happen if this goes further! Remember your place, Argent.”

“How could I forget such a gift.” Arabella’s lips twist into a sneer, a complete contrast to her usual wide-eyed smile. “He’s mine now.”

“I will cut your—”

London leaps toward her, but her fingertips only manage to brush against my mate’s skin before I shove her back.

She stumbles backward, right into Knight, whose full attention is now locked on me. Shadows form around his features and the temperature in the room drops several degrees.

“I’m gonna give you this one time, but only because I pity you. But if you ever”—his arm locks around London’s stomach, holding her in place—“put your hands on London again.”

“Fuck. Lon, I’m sorry…”

Knight clenches his jaw. “I mean it, Legend. Brother or not, I’ll gut you both.”

He means it.

He sighs, cutting through the tension. “You’ve never been great at following instructions. But if there ever was a time?” He stays locked on me. “Now would be the time to start.”

“I’ll listen to you.”

“Legend!” Arabella claws at me.

“We go home now, just like you want,” I agree, and Knight’s shoulders seem to ease a little. “All you have to do is clue me in. Here and now.”

The change is immediate. His entire face hardens, his fists clenching before his eyes gloss over.

I scoff. Of course, he’s mind-linking our brothers.

I stiffen. He’s mind-linking our brothers—and I can’t hear what he’s saying. They’re blocking me out.

Is Arabella right? Are they trying to ruin this for me?

Again?

“Ledge,” London begs, “don’t do this.”

“It’s done,” I say firmly before turning to Aron, who has been silently watching from the corner. “Prepare whatever needs preparing. By nightfall, your sister will be crowned a queen.”

Chapter Eighteen

Haide

Creed paces like he’s trying to wear a trench in the floor.

It’s weird. The Creed I have had the utmost displeasure of knowing doesn’t match the one I came back to find.