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“Certainly not. Oh!” My friend claps his hands together, jumping from the bed. “Speaking of which, come and meet my monster.”
“Things are serious between you two?” I ask, throwing my legs over the side of the bed and pushing to my feet.
“Oh no. He’s all, ‘I’m not looking for a mate’ while continually gawking at me.” Kiernan rubs at the fading bite mark at the juncture of his shoulder and neck. “It’s cute, but hella frustrating. How is one to get fucked by a supernatural creature if they’re so busy denying they want you?”
“Jesus, Kee.” I slap him on the shoulder and he flinches.
“You’re a lot stronger than you used to be,” he remarks. “That’ll take a little getting used to.”
“Sorry.” I hold up my hands. “Still learning this new body of mine.”
Following Kiernan down the stairs, I assess my surroundings, noting how everything is so much clearer now, sounds heightened and the scents in the air strong and confusing. Sterling assured me I’ll learn how to distinguish them from each other soon enough.
“Is there food? I don’t remember when last I ate.”
Kiernan nods, leading me to the front of the barn to where the ruins of my farmhouse stand. My body stills and my mouth falls open. The space has been completely cleared. The scorched earth remains, but the rubble is gone.
“How long was I out for?”
“Three days.”
I stare at my friend. He has his hands tucked into the pockets of a purple hoodie. “You did all of this in three days?”
“Two cryptids and one badass human, yes.” He drops his voice and leans in to me. “Technically, two cryptids and one badass human who watched from a comfortable distance.”
I sense Sterling behind me seconds before his strong, warm arms wrap around my waist.
“Walk with me?” he asks, and I spin around.
“Food first.”
“There will be food, sweet mate.”
“Okay then, yes, I will walk with you.”
“Wait!” Kiernan yells and I turn my back to Sterling. There’s a blond man standing next to my friend. “This is Lucien.”
Lucien looks up at me. He has very intense blue-green eyes.
“Hi!” I wave. “You’re the other one who was stalking me. It’s nice to meet you properly.”
Standing at my back, Sterling growls and Lucien drops his eyes to his feet.
“Lucy couldn’t help that, Cas. It’s not his fault. And before you ask, he didn’t cause the storm,” Kiernan adds.
Ice fills my veins. I hadn’t even considered that. Lucien meets my eyes again.
“It wasn’t me.” His voice is deep and warm, a hint of regret in his words. “I don’t know who it was. He’d escaped Eugene by the time I knew what was happening. I’m sorry for scaring you. And watching you.”
“It’s okay, isn't it, Cas?” Kiernan levels me with a glare, resting a hand on the blond man’s arm. “Go easy on him. Your monster mate already threatened to tear him apart if he so much as looked at you.”
I turn my attention to Sterling. “You did not!”
He shrugs and kisses my forehead. “I told you, I am the only monster in your life.”
I roll my eyes, leaning in to his chest. “Alright, big jealous beastie, take me somewhere and feed me.” I look at Lucien. “I don’t blame you.” He smiles, his cheeks flushing when Kiernan wraps his arms around his waist.
Sterling slides his hand into mine and then leads me past the barn and into the woods until we’re at a clearing close to the cave I once hid in. There’s a blue and green chequered blanket laid out on the ground. He’s arranged an array of plastic containers off to the side.
