Page 12 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Chapter Ten

Dread

F ury pounds through my system every time I think of the wolf who impregnated Emerson. He dishonored her. They hadn't mated. That much Aline was correct about. Even if the shifter was dead, his scent would still cling to her if they'd bonded.

At least, until a stronger alpha made his claim . My mind can't help but remind me of that fact. All of it is irrelevant, because the wolf never claimed Emerson at all .

Ember is small for a shifter but large for a human. Watching Emerson scoop her daughter out of my arms threw me off-balance. The child looked half Emerson's height as she held her.

“You know she has alpha blood?” I ask.

Emerson's mouth falls open, thus answering my question. “No,” she whispers. “I had no idea.”

Ember is of an old wolf line. Her scent doesn't tell me enough to be able to pick out her lineage, but I'll find out.

The hound practically paces in my mind, hoping for a chance to teach Ember's father a lesson.

If he's dead, then so be it, but he never should've left his mate and young unprotected. His blood running through Ember’s veins is enough to ensure that she'll have enemies.

“Oh, hey, boss,” Nadia says, walking into the kitchen. She glances between us and snorts. “Ember, why don't we go check on the garden? You want to do that with me?”

“Yes,” the pup squeals, clapping her hands.

“That's o—” Emerson starts. Nadia scoops up the child and heads back the way she came. “Thank you,” she calls toward Nadia's back.

“You're saying Alix was an alpha?” Emerson asks. Her face rests in her hands as she leans her elbows on the table.

“Did you miss the knot in human form?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. Because it would have been visible anytime he was aroused, only to swell even larger upon completion...

I do not wish to think of another male completing anything with Emerson.

My indigestion is back.

“No, but he was the only shifter I'd ever been with,” she grumbles. “It took me months to even notice the knot...” She sighs loudly. “He was very sneaky. It's not like he volunteered a ton of information about the supernatural world.”

That also infuriates me. He left her to rear a half-shifter child completely on her own. The alpha blood in Ember's small body will eventually manifest more fully, and Emerson would've had a real problem on her hands. Not to mention the issues that will arise once she's a mature female shifter.

We're here now , the hound is quick to remind me. And we're more than capable of handling the temperamental nature of a growing wolf.

“The two of you never should have been left without protection. No matter what, there should've been a plan in place to look out for you and Ember in the event something happened to him.” My eyes glow brighter as my anger grows stronger.

My father made the same mistakes. He left my mother with four pups to care for alone. She made her living much the same way Emerson intends to; only, the streets were her office.

Luckily, she survived. Then again, she isn't human. She has her own methods for protecting herself.

Emerson doesn't. She couldn't fight her way out of a wet paper bag if she had to. And she has a pup to provide for, in addition to whatever she's keeping from me.

The hound paces my mind, itching for the chance to break free and wreak havoc.

“Yes, well, woulda, coulda, shoulda. Ever heard that saying?” Emerson asks, shaking her head. “I'm sorry. I'm usually not so blunt. I don't like to talk about Alix.”

“It would help if you told me what has you on edge,” I say, trying not to push too hard. The hound has zero tact, and I have barely more than that, but I know Emerson doesn't really know me and is unlikely to open up if I push too hard.

Which is frustrating. She should trust us implicitly. Or that's what my beast thinks. Fine, I can admit that it makes no logical sense, but it's still how we feel.

“Dread, why the hell are you in Meena's house?” Emerson’s eyebrows rise as she gives me an expectant look.

That's a very good question and one I absolutely do not have an answer for.

The hound spent the entire previous day making my life difficult. He wanted to see the pup. It became such a pressing need that I couldn't ignore his demands any longer.

Once I knew Emerson was gone, I snuck in to have a peek at the child. Only, the little heathen bit me. So I bit her back. Which made her cry. She won't sink those sharp teeth into anyone else for a while, I'd bet.

Although, neither the hound nor I could stomach the crying, so we picked her up, which somehow devolved into piggyback rides around the toddler's bedroom.

I frown. The child is quite bossy for such a youngling. Very cute, but exceptionally demanding.

“Are you ever going to answer me?” Emerson snaps.

“I heard you failed your practical exam,” I say to deflect her from her question. I have no good answers to why I'm here. “Same time tonight, we'll give you another chance to impress a partner.”

“That fucking vampire wants my foot up his ass,” Emerson grumbles.

I laugh. Laithe would either find her attitude incredibly humorous or rip her throat out for it. I'd prefer not to find out which.

“You're lucky. Normally, we don't offer second chances.” I stand, crossing my arms over my chest. “Don't be late.”

Now I just need to determine who her partner will be. The strange indigestion is back with a vengeance.

Perhaps I have an ulcer?

I leave without another word.

“Dread,” Ember shrieks, toddling over when she spots me. She's covered in dirt smudges.

I squat down to pick her up. She buries tiny mud-covered hands in my beard, staring directly into my eyes. Her small blue eyes flash to amber for a second. The desperation of her wolf is evident. Her shifter side will only become more pronounced the longer she's around other beasts.

My eyes fly back to the house. Now would be a terrible time for Emerson to come out and question why I'm still here, but I needed to say my goodbyes to the bossy pup and speak to Nadia before heading out.

“That's flowers,” Ember says, wiggling to get down.

I place her back on the ground as Nadia spots me. She makes her way over, dusting off her hands on her long skirt. She's a beautiful woman and an excellent employee. But from the way her eyes glitter with mischief, I imagine she's going to make this difficult on me.

“What can I help you with?” Nadia asks as Ember pulls me over to a row of herbs.

“See the flowers, Dread?” Ember asks.

I frown. I spot several types of spell ingredients, but no flowers. However, the child is so bright with joy that I nod my agreement, even though I think she might be confused.

“You've warded the house?” I ask Nadia, who prowls closer with the grace of a full-blood witch.

“We have. Miss Ember, would you water these for me?” Nadia grabs a tiny plastic watering can that's obviously child size and hands it off to the gleeful shifter. “What do you really wish to know?” she asks once Ember is no longer within earshot.

“Any information you have on who Ember's father might be or whoever it is that Emerson is afraid of,” I growl. It's unintentional, but even the thought of it outrages my beast.

“I never met him,” Nadia replies. Her brow furrows as she glances at the house. “I'm sorry, boss. I can't give you the information you're after. Emerson is a friend.”

“It's all gone!” Ember calls, frowning into the hole at the top of the watering can.

“Hold it tight and I'll refill it,” Nadia says in a much friendlier tone.

“Okay,” Ember says, putting the can down and holding the handle tight. Her bum pops out as she squats.

I chuckle, swiping my hand over my face. That child is extremely fucking cute.

“There you go,” Nadia says, waving a hand and refilling the water.

“Thank you,” Ember says, getting back to work.

“Oh yeah, you're totally fucked.” Nadia grins predatorily. “I thought Nan was full of shit, but then Aline said essentially the same thing. Now I'm getting the joy of seeing it firsthand.”

A low warning growl escapes my chest. Nadia laughs harder. Ember lets out a tiny bark in return, and I don't have a hope of holding back the smile.

Kids are cute. It's a universal fact.

“You're responsible for Emerson's contraceptive spell?” I ask, staring at the too-smug witch.

“I am,” she agrees, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I could tell. Your scent lingers on her. What's the work-around?”

“Dread.” Nadia shakes her head. “Boss or not, that's absolutely none of your business.”

She has a point—it's not. However, the hound and I are in firm agreement that we are Emerson's guardian. She and the defiant wolf pup are our business.

My eyes glow as I snarl.

“Does she know that every spell has a work-around?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest as our showdown continues.

Nadia frowns. Her mouth opens and closes several times. “I honestly can't say with any certainty, but I'll tell her.”

“Good,” I agree, squatting down to collect Ember. She toddles right into my outstretched arms. She has good tastes. The miniature wolf knows not to fear me. “The work-around?”

“I'm not telling you.” Nadia sighs heavily. “I swear to Christ, you shifters always lose any sense of boundaries when you meet your mate.”

“Emerson isn't my mate,” I reply as Ember again buries her fingers in my beard. I chuckle as she nods my head.

“Of course not,” Nadia says, laughing. “I won't tell you specifics, but I will explain to Emerson how the spell works. As with most voluntary spells, I'd recommend consent from both parties if you want to override the block.”

I grin. “Thank you. Here, little wolf. Go to Nadia. I'll see you soon.”

“Yes, run out before Emerson realizes you're still here.” Nadia laughs, taking Ember from my arms. “By the way, your beard is caked in mud. But absolutely ignore the fact you're stalking the human and her pup.”

I rub at my beard. I am, in fact, covered in mud. With a grunt, I turn to head off before Emerson comes out and realizes I never left.

“No,” Ryktus says, crossing his arms over his chest.

My posture mirrors his as I glare at the gargoyle currently on my last motherfucking nerve. He doesn't get to tell me no. I own The Monster's Den, and I'm the alpha of our pack.

Technically, it's extremely rare to have a multi-species pack, but the hound claimed both Ryktus and Laithe. They didn't put up a fight, so they became pack. Which he knows... He's being purposely difficult. Everyone is on my last goddamn nerve lately.

The hound chuffs. I might be in human form, but he's letting his displeasure be known. My eyes glow with his dominance.

“You know that doesn't work on me,” Ryk says, shooting me a look that screams fuck off with that bullshit.

“Who would you have me put her with?” I snarl. “I'm not giving her to any of the regulars.”

“Give her to Marius or Saber,” Ryk suggests, sighing loudly. “They're both fully capable of assessing a new employee.”

I scoff. That'll never happen.

“Are you going to acknowledge the fact that you don't want anyone else touching the woman?” Ryk asks, stretching his wings and giving me a look that makes me want to rip his damn head off.

The smug bastard. He turns to stone. Decapitating him would take too damn much effort.

“I let Laithe have her last night, and I'm very clearly indicating that you should do the same tonight,” I growl.

“Two monsters your beast views as family pack, and thus, doesn't view as truly outside sharing. Dread?—”

“Enough,” I snarl, spinning in a circle. “Take the damn date.”

My anger gets the better of me, and I shift without care or concern for my clothes. The hound growls his warning at Ryktus, and we exit the office to do another sweep of Emerson's neighborhood.