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“Lunch.” Sterling sits down, folding his legs beneath him. Then he opens one container and holds it out to me.

I settle on my knees and take the container from him, scrunching up my nose while saliva builds in my mouth. “Is this raw?”

Sterling nods.

“I’m not eating this.” My stomach grumbles, and despite my words, I bring the cut of meat closer to my nose. My tongue darts out and licks across it.

“Fuck. Why is it so good?”

Sterling picks up his own piece and bites into it.

“Because it’s in your nature to like it.” He’s watching me closely, his jaw working as he chews another bite.

Tentatively, I bring it to my mouth and in less than five bites it’s gone, and I’m licking the juice from my fingers.

“Good?”

I nod. “Now pass me those.” I point to another container which clearly holds raisin scones. Sterling hands it over and I rip off the lid, then shovel half of the sweet treat into my mouth.

“Holy shit, this is good. Sweet and delicious and far better than the steak.”

Sterling laughs. “Some things never change.”

I smile, my mouth full of food. “I guess not.” Reaching forward, I take another scone and place it on my knee. “What do you think is going on with Kiernan and Lucien? His bite mark has faded. Does that mean they’re not mates?”

Sterling leans forward and brushes a crumb from my lip with his thumb. He slips it into my mouth and I suck it. His eyes darken and he pulls his hand back and settles it on his lap.

“I know nothing about what Lucien is or how mating works for him. I also think it's none of our business.”

I can't believe I'm lying here talking about mating and monsters as easily as I would talk about baking a lemon drizzle. The thought of how much my life has changed makes me laugh.

“What is so funny?”

“Nothing. But it occurred to me for someone who never believed in monsters I sure am surrounded by plenty of them.” I tap my chest. “I mean, I am one!”

And I've never felt less alone and more accepted than I do now. With my mate, and my friend, and an entire community who rallied together when I needed them. I can see why Pops never wanted to leave Newbridge. It’s not just a farm or a village. It's a home. My home.

Sterling moves to his knees and crawls over me. “You are my favourite. I love you, monster mine.”

“I love you, too, my beautiful mate.”

STERLING - EPILOGUE

“Knot me, Sir. Please.”

Two sharp teeth puncture the skin on my neck and I open my eyes, blinking away sleep. Caspian is on top of me, his warm body grinding against mine. His tail swishes behind him and he runs a clawed hand over my ribs, making me shiver. My cock throbs between my legs, always ready to slide inside my mate. But first…

“Get up here.” Caspian pulls back, glowing orange eyes on mine. “Feed me your cock,” I command. He swallows thickly, nodding as he moves up the bed, two large clawed feet falling to either side of my body.

“Do you want to shift first?” he asks, looking over my very human, very naked body.

“I will when I’m ready.”

Caspian moves up the bed and, holding the base of his thick cock, presses it to my lips. I open my mouth and he slides inside. There’s a lot of him to take in, but I widen my lips and relax my throat. He spreads his fingers into my hair, tugging and guiding my movements, moaning as he slides his cock out and then thrusts back in.

With him on top of me and his length so far down my throat, I can’t breathe. I close my eyes and shift. My teeth scratch the tender flesh on his shaft and he hisses.

My tail wraps around his waist and I throw him onto the bed. He lands with an oomph, a shriek falling from his lips when I crowd him into the mattress, my legs on either side of his hips. I grab a handful of his furred ass, then spread his cheeks.