Page 15 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Chapter Thirteen

Emerson

“ W hat would you like to do today?” I ask Ember a few hours after Ryktus returns me home after our extremely strange hiring exam.

To say I have no idea what the hell last night was about would be a drastic understatement.

“See the ducks,” Ember says, nodding her head. “I wanna do that.”

“Okay.” I help her get her shoes on. “The park, it is.”

I do my best to keep Ember out of the house for a few hours each day. Nadia is also working late nights, and having a toddler running and playing when she's finally getting some sleep seems like a terrible way to repay her kindness.

I grab my purse and Ember's hand and we head out. The very last thing I expect to walk into is my boss.

Dread stands with his hand raised like he was about to knock. I bite my lip, studying his broad chest as he drops his hand.

“Dread,” Ember says, shaking out of my hold. She immediately runs straight into his denim-covered shins.

“Little wolf, how are you today?” he asks, scooping her up. The white t-shirt he wears isn't fancy in the least, but paired with his long, dark curly hair, tight jeans, and combat boots...he is sex personified.

Seeing him cradle my daughter to his chest while tickling her sides makes my ovaries literally weep.

I don't care if it's physically impossible.

It happens.

Ember nuzzles her face to Dread's beard and lets out a little ruff . My jaw falls open as he chuffs in response and trails a hand along her blonde curls.

“Was that a bark?” I ask, stepping up and running a hand over her back.

“That was a hello,” Dread says, his red eyes meeting mine. “She's a wolf and simultaneously human, but she doesn't understand how to express that facet of herself just yet. It's no matter. We're here now.” The last few words echo with the deep rasp of his hellhound. “Where are we heading?”

“The ducks!” Ember declares.

“The park,” I say at the same time. “I mean, that's where Ember and I are headed.”

Dread wraps his free hand around my lower back and grins. “It's a perfect day for a visit to the park.”

I blink rapidly as he directs me down the stairs. I have no idea what's happening, but I'm not about to turn down the company. Sure, Alpha Brayden's men were just here, but there's no guarantee they won't come back sooner rather than later.

The walk to the park is more peaceful than any of the others. Dread holds Ember, and for once, I'm not exhausted from carrying her when the park comes into view.

“I can run?” Ember asks, wiggling to get down. “I wanna play!” Her blonde curls bounce as she grips Dread's chin in both hands and nods his head using his beard as leverage.

“She's exceptionally bossy,” he muses, catching my eyes. “And delightfully cute. I believe you must ask Mommy for permission.”

“Mom, I can run?” Ember asks, giving me a cheesy smile that’s practically impossible to say no to.

“You'll only go to the playground equipment?” I ask, leaning up and giving her a kiss on her cheek. “Do you promise?”

“No,” Dread says in a low, growly tone. “You're her mother. You do not ask. You tell her what she's allowed or not allowed to do. This may work with human children, but you know Ember is of strong wolf blood.”

My jaw falls as he frowns.

“Where are you allowed to go?” Dread asks Ember.

“The slide,” she replies, staring straight into his red eyes.

“Nowhere else,” he commands.

Ember wiggles in his hold, and finally, she lets out something akin to a whine.

“Agree,” he growls as his eyes glow.

“Okay,” Ember huffs.

Dread finally squats down, setting her feet on the grass and grins. “Have fun, little wolf.”

Ember squeals and toddles off toward the equipment. My eyes are still glued to his tight ass in those damn sexy-as-hell jeans. They seem molded to his muscular frame. I swallow, glancing away as he stands.

“Come on, Emerson,” he says, extending a hand for me. He wraps his warm skin around mine and pulls me close as we head for Ember. “You survived your night with Ryktus. I must admit, we're all impressed.”

“Does that mean I got the job?” I ask, craning my neck so I can study his face as we meander toward the playground equipment.

“You did,” Dread agrees, halting in place. His hand caresses my hip and lower back. “Although, I wish you would simply tell me your problems so I could solve them for you. You'll always be welcome to work at Venom...” He trails off, carefully studying me in return.

It's so damn tempting to blurt out how Alix left me with a massive debt I don't even owe, but I also remember how Aline said The Den didn't need any trouble nosing around.

It's not his problem. It shouldn't even be mine, but I've been dealing with Brayden for two freaking years. He’s not a normal alpha.

I don't know if it's because he has a huge pack or if he's further up on some food chain I don't know about, but it really wouldn't be right to drag Dread into my trouble. He could get hurt.

The last thing a sanctuary city needs is a prime alpha on the hunt for revenge.

“Look at me,” Ember calls out. She's hanging from those handholds, swinging her body back and forth in the air.

“On your bottom,” I yell back. “Right now, please!”

“Human niceties,” Dread grumbles, leading us closer to the equipment. “Mother wolves do not ask. I know it's in your nature, but I worry how she'll progress without the strict discipline most wolves are raised with from birth.”

“She'll be a very polite shifter,” I say, smiling as Ember hits her rear end and slides down. “If she ever shifts. Alix seemed shocked that she even exists...”

“It's very rare,” Dread agrees. His eyes dance to Ember. “Female shifters are practically endangered. The birth rate for male wolves has stayed steady, while female live births have plummeted.”

“What?” I gasp.

“It's why you'll both be joining my pack,” Dread says, smiling and waving at Ember, who is again at the top of the slide. “Some males would think nothing of waiting fifteen years for her to mature.”

“She's not even two,” I hiss.

“I know,” Dread says, his tone lined in disgust. “That's why she needs a strong alpha capable of keeping her safe, no matter the challenger.”

“I don't really know what that means.” I tilt my head to look at him. His jaw is tight. It's clear my words have upset him.

Dread's hand on my hip tightens. “That bastard best hope he's dead, or I’ll ensure he is. He left you clueless to the threats that will come for a female shifter. Even half shifter. It’s clear she’ll shift.

I can feel it when she meets my gaze. There’s no excuse for how vulnerable he left the two of you. ”

He spins me, pulling me flush with his front as his hands dig into my sides. His red eyes glow as he bends down, nuzzling his cheek to mine.

“Sit on your bottom,” he growls at Ember.

I'm not sure why I'm surprised, but he's been carefully watching her while we talk.

“Okay,” she concedes from behind me.

Dread's eyes stare into mine with an intensity that makes me squirm against his chest. It's not the unnatural color of his eyes, nor is it his dominance making me wiggle. I have no idea what it is.

“Why would you look after her?” I ask, staring at his chest. “We aren't your responsibility.”

“Every employee of The Den is my responsibility.” Dread’s hand leaves my hip to guide my chin up until I'm once again forced to stare into his red eyes. They're freaking beautiful, despite being so different from what I'm used to. “The wolf wasn't your mate.”

I shake my head. “No, he made that clear after I told him I was pregnant.”

“I believe the only reason you were able to carry her to term is that you're meant for another shifter.

The universe would ensure you're able to carry offspring for your true mate,” he says.

His eyes finally leave mine, and he takes a step back.

“The little wolf approaches. We'll continue this conversation another time.”

My jaw falls open. He can't tell me something as monumental as I have a mate out there somewhere and then totally say let's leave this until later. I prepare to snarl something to that effect, but Ember appears, and Dread bends down, scooping her up.

“Want to check out the ducks?” he asks, smiling. That look transforms his entire face.

I let myself fall for Alix and got burned so badly for it. I'm not a part of their world, and I never will be.

Ember buries her hands in Dread's beard and squeals her agreement. The image is unreal.

Dread smiles down at my daughter, and my knees go weak while my heart races. Apparently, I don't learn from my mistakes at all .

Dread spends the entire afternoon with us. He even treats us to burgers after the park. We barely get any time without Ember's tiny ears listening in, but as he drops us off at Meena's, he asks for permission to set my schedule.

“My clients?” I ask as Ember disappears into the house.

“Yes,” he agrees, looking downright uncomfortable. “You're unfamiliar with the supernatural world. Allow me to pick partners I know will take care of you during your time together.”

I frown, swallowing thickly. “Okay, I mean, at least at first...”

“Thank you,” he says, giving me a weird bow.

Dread's hand wraps around my neck and pulls my face to his. He nuzzles his cheek against mine and gives me a killer smile. “Until I see you again,” he says, spinning and heading off without another word.

Yeah, my life has become officially bizarre since coming to Haven.

“Good evening,” I say to the guard at the door later that night. “Emerson Parker.”

The massive orc checks his clipboard, giving me a once-over. His eyes linger a bit too long on my hips and breasts. I sigh, rolling my eyes. He eventually gives me a nod and moves to open the heavy metal door. However, it opens and someone zips outside.

The next thing I know, I'm standing several feet away from the entrance. Laithe gives me a once-over similar to the bouncer’s.