Page 47 of Monstrous Truths


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“But why? Trust me, any woman would beg to be with you. Human or monster,” I say, and he eyes me with a grin before shrugging.

“I hoped that one day, I would find my mate, and when I did, I didn’t want her to be upset or jealous of my past. That wasn’t fair. A lot of monsters are happy to lie with whomever before their mate. We are a very free people, and sex is an instinct, a need, but I was happy to wait for her. To me, sex is more than just satisfying an instinct. It’s for love. It is forever.”

Wow. I just stare in shock and something else—pain. He’s waiting for his mate. His perfect match is out there. I’m guessing it’s like marriage but an instinctual thing for him, like animals. He’s waiting to give himself to her, and I’ve been kissing and touching him. It hurts, a lot actually, and I’m suddenly jealous of a woman who might not even exist or he doesn’t even know.

“I see.” I turn away, sipping my drink. I feel him frowning at me, so I comfort him. “It’s an amazing thought process. She’s very lucky.”

“No, that’s me,” he murmurs, pulling me closer, but his embrace no longer feels like a sanctuary, because I feel guilty for stealing his touch, his time, away from his mate—a woman I hate already, because she’ll have him and I want him.

I want him to be mine, and he never will be.

TWENTY-SIX

CATO

Something is wrong with Talia, but I don’t know what. I keep asking, and she just says she’s tired. Is that it? I try to take her back to rest, but she wants to stay. She talks to my people, drinks, and even dances with me and a few of my people, but something is bugging her, and I hate that she’s keeping it from me.

I’ll bide my time, knowing she will eventually share when she’s worked through it, just like I do. Until then, I hold her tighter and sway to the soothing croon of our best singer, Rainer.

After dancing, I let her lead me through the subway carts so she can see everything. At the stalls for clothes, she searches through the racks, her hand hesitating over some tight leather pants with lacing up the back and a few other items. Discreetly, I nod at the seller, and when Talia looks away, I pay for them and ask for them to be delivered.

I can see she is starting to tire, so I take her hand, bid everyone goodbye, and lead her back out into the city. Once there, she takes a deep breath. “Can we walk back and not run?” The words are the only ones she’s said for a while, so I nod, willing to give her everything if it will make her smile again.

Tomorrow, I have to deal with a potential war, so tonight, I just want to spend my time with her. Unwilling to let her pout, I grab her hand and walk with her, pointing out my favourite architecture or places. I tell her stories as well, and she eventually starts to soften, smiling and even laughing, and I feel like I’ve achieved a great victory.

I stop to show her the old preschool and the high school, knowing she’ll like that. We end up racing each other at the track under the moonlight, and of course I let her win, which she slaps me for. After that, I show her the artist warehouse, which is still forgotten, the kiln left half full and unoccupied tables. She wanders around with the same awe I did, and I can’t help but watch her with a pounding heart.

I get to keep her for a little while longer, but how much longer? Won’t it make it that much worse when she leaves?

I should be worried for my people, for what the humans are up to, but instead, I’m worried about Talia. What will she do back over the wall if she gets lonely again? Will she miss me the way I will miss her, as if she’s taken my entire soul and heart with her? Even now, I can’t bear having a few steps between us, as if needing to be close to feel her heat and have the floral scent that’s all her wrapping around me and settling my chaotic thoughts.

When she turns to me, I grip her chin, unable to help it, and lower my head to hers. I kiss her and silence whatever she was going to say, and when I pull back, I smile at her. “Couldn’t resist,” I say. “We should get back, it will be sunrise soon.”

“Right, and we should work.”

“We should,” I whisper just inches away from her lips. “Tell me to stop, Tally.”

“What?” she asks, searching my eyes.

“Tell me to stop,” I beg as I lean in and kiss her again, dropping my hands to her ass and pulling her close. I groan at the feeling of her body plastered against me. “Tell me to.”

She doesn’t. She kisses me back, biting my lips and tangling her tongue with mine. She strokes my fangs until I lift her and set her onto the closest table before forcing myself between her thighs. I taste the heady flavour of her on her tongue, feel her warmth against me, and inhale the scent of her arousal.

Laying her back, I kiss down her throat and neck before returning to her lips. I need them on mine as my hands explore every inch of her, tracing her delicious body as she moans for me. Slowly, she starts to pull away before pushing me back. I go willingly, both of us panting heavily. “We should stop,” she whispers raggedly, but her voice is confused, like my own would be.

“Of course, Tally,” I whisper and kiss her once more before helping her down and taking her hand, wanting to show her that there will never be any hard feelings between us. I will never push her or be upset with her. I will protect her and heed her wishes. She’s in charge when it comes to us. My tiny human mate holds my heart and future in her hands, and she doesn’t even know it.

We reach home just as everyone is bedding down for the night. She goes to check on her patient as I check on the border patrol. They report the same as before— humans at the border and walls but no movement—which is good for now.

When Talia comes back, she’s shaking her head. “He’s fully healed and on patrol. Incredible. I’ll talk to him tomorrow, but for now, I need a shower and some sleep before we start work.”

“Me too, Tally.” I take her hand, and when she yawns halfway up the stairs, I pick her up and carry her to our nest. She snuggles into my arms in that way I love that makes me feel complete, and she’s asleep before I even reach our rooms. Laying her down, I kiss her head softly as I stare at her beautiful face.

“How did I ever live without you?” I murmur, cupping her cheek. “How will I ever live after you?”

TWENTY-SEVEN

TALIA

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