Page 24 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Chapter Eighteen

Dread

I t's terribly inconvenient trying to distract the hound from the mewls of pleasure coming from down the hall.

I know that fucking witch could block the sound for me the same way she did for the pup. The only possibility is that she's trying to torture me.

It's working.

Ember is currently stuck somewhere between a human toddler and a tiny wolf. I've never seen a hybrid like her, but she's beautiful. Her fur is blondish gray. She's a fluff ball with wicked teeth and the attitude that comes with alpha blood. Her coat is soft, and her tail is shaggy.

Ember grunts and gives up, fully changing back into the wolf. The hound chuffs. A small, playful bark comes from the pup with too much attitude, and then she's nipping at my jowl again.

It's a minor inconvenience and completely natural for her to play with a parent in such a manner.

The hound preens. We're very fond of that idea. My massive paw lands on the pup's back as she growls and squats down, yanking at my upper lip.

“E-Ember?” Emerson whispers, coming into the room.

“She's an adorable little thing, isn't she?” Arsyn says, coming to squat at my side.

Ember bounds around him and jumps at her mother's legs.

Emerson is in a dress.

Ember's sharp nails rake down the unprotected skin of her mother's shins.

“Look at you,” Emerson whispers, bending down and scooping up the pup. The pup licks her mother's face and nuzzles her cheek. “Oh, you’re so soft, but your nails are sharp.”

The pup wiggles about, making Emerson laugh. Her hair flies in front of Ember's face.

I growl low in warning.

Ember snaps, biting her mother's cheek and lip. Blood instantly pours from the wound.

“Ouch,” Emerson says, wiping at her face. “Crap, you got me good.”

The hound is not pleased. Neither am I. Humans are extremely fragile. A low warning chuff escapes.

Ember tucks her face in her mother's arm.

Laithe appears at Emerson's side. “Let's put her down, then I'll heal that.”

Ember whines.

“It's okay,” Emerson coos. “It was an accident.”

“Hello, pup,” Arsyn says, carefully plucking the wolf from her mother's arms. “You're going to need to learn when not to use those teeth.”

Laithe bites his wrist, offering it to Emerson.

She scoffs. “Last time, you licked me. Why do I need to drink your blood now?”

“This is much deeper,” Lai clarifies, shoving his wrist to her mouth.

The incubus sits on the edge of the couch with the pup.

I prowl closer.

Ember whimpers.

The hound isn't able to communicate telepathically with her, but he makes his displeasure known.

“Don't growl at my daughter,” Emerson snaps, stepping in front of me. “Not ever again.”

We appreciate how fiercely she is defending her young. We know we're terrifying to humans and monsters alike.

The hound still bristles. Why doesn't she understand? We're protecting her, nothing more. The child meant no harm, but she's also half shifter. Her instincts are more violent than Emerson could ever guess.

If we don't curb it now, her alpha blood will end up being problematic.

The hound saunters off to where we left our clothes. I shift and pull on my jeans before heading back to the living room. Emerson has dried blood on her cheek, and it makes the hound pace as he threatens to make an appearance again.

“She's of old alpha blood,” I say, staring down at my exceptionally soft human. “Alphas are temperamental under the best circumstances and cruel under the worst. I won't allow her to bully you.”

“That was an accident,” Emerson says with wide eyes. “There was no bullying. She was overstimulated.”

“It needs to be addressed now,” Laithe says, agreeing with me. He takes a seat by Arsyn's side, running a hand over the wolf's back. She nips at him, and he shoots Emerson a look that says case in point.

“It's her first time shifting,” Emerson says, sitting on Arsyn's other side. “She's overwhelmed.”

“Most mother wolves would have pinned her to the floor by the throat,” I say, scratching at my bare chest. “You're frail in comparison to her, and she's two. She'll continue to get bigger and stronger.”

I'm aware she's not even two years old yet, but I'm making a point. All shifters age more quickly than humans. The child is clearly more on par with a three or four-year-old.

“I appreciate you taking the time to educate me on shifter culture,” Emerson says, stretching out her arms for the pup. Ember crawls over, licking her mother's face now that it's healed. “If she grows more aggressive as she gets older, then I'll address that as it comes, but this was an accident.”

“Your ex disappeared and left you with a disaster in the making,” I say, shaking my head. “It's okay, we're here now.”

Arsyn snorts. “You still have the tact of a wrecking ball and the finesse of a dump truck.”

Ember licks at her mother's wrist. She is remorseful, which is a good sign. Emerson is a loving mother. If she wasn't, then Ember's wolf would feel no shame right now. It makes me strangely proud to know the child recognizes her mistake.

“Will she shift back on her own?” Emerson asks.

“She was trying right before you came in,” I say, aiming for the little wolf. Her ears duck down as she pouts. It's impressive she can convey a sulky face when in animal form.

“Come, little wolf,” I say, placing my hand on Emerson's thigh. “Good, Laithe also healed the scratches on your legs.”

Ember crawls onto my hand, and I pull her up to my chest. “It's going to hurt a bit, but you're still going to do it.” My eyes meet her small yellow eyes. “Shift.”

“Don't,” Arsyn says to Emerson, pulling her into his chest. “He's an alpha shifter. And he would never hurt your child.”

Ember whines. Her body wiggles, but she doesn't change. I put myself down on the floor next to Emerson's legs and rest the pup on my thighs.

“You don't get cookies or treats if you're in wolf form,” I say with a shrug. “No chocolate milk at bedtime. Pups don't get to play with dolls or cuddle on the couch to watch a movie before bed.”

My eyes glow as the hound takes partial control. “Shift,” we growl.

Ember struggles. She writhes as her body morphs.

“Jesus,” Emerson whispers.

My focus stays on the little wolf. I'm no longer asking or trying to cajole her. The hound is more dominant than the toddler wolf could ever hope to be.

Ember pops up and looks at Emerson. “I did it!” she shrieks. “Oh no, I gots to pee.”

Emerson jumps up, grabs her daughter, and bolts for the bathroom. When they're out of sight, I look at Arsyn. “You're lucky I haven't killed you yet , demon.”

The incubus laughs. “I told you. I'm very good at sharing.”

The hound growls, but we know it's useless. Nothing can be done to temper their bond now. We best all get on board with each other... real fucking quick .

A few minutes later, Emerson comes down the hall. The tiny pup is once again dressed, and she chucks herself at my bare chest when she spots me.

“Thank you,” she says. Her eyes light with her wolf.

I release a low, playful growl that signals my fondness for the child. She buries her small hand in my beard and cuddles her cheek to mine.

It's clear—I am so totally fucking fucked.

I'd burn down the world to keep the two of them safe.

Emerson watches the exchange with wide eyes, but when I extend an arm, there's no hesitation on her part.

She walks right into it, and I can't help but grin.

Yes, whatever or whoever intends her harm will die a painful death at my claws.

I never claimed to be the hero. I'm very much the monster, and I hold no shame over that fact.

“I'm sorry,” Emerson says as I guide her inside the building the town council meets in. “I'm meeting your mother?” She looks down at her tight dress and frowns. “This doesn't feel like appropriate attire for meeting my boss's parent!”

“You're meeting her in her official capacity,” I tell her, so she won't worry.

“Then why am I dressed like this? I thought I was working,” she whispers, glancing around to make sure no one is listening.

“You'll be working with me once we're done here,” I assure her.

She'll never work a true night in my establishment. Not as long as I have anything to say about it.

She's my mate.

It's my responsibility to handle all her problems. It took Arsyn bonding her for the me and hound to come to terms with it, but I've accepted it.

Fucking Aline .

She was so damn smug when I finally admitted it that I was tempted to fire her. Unfortunately, she's not only very good at her job, but she's also one of my closest friends.

“Why are we here?” Emerson asks.

“This is part of protecting you and Ember,” I say, pulling her into my chest. “Be convincing. I can assure you it's in your best interest.”

“Why the hell do monsters keep telling me to be convincing?” She frowns. “And more importantly, what do I need to convince them of?”

“That you're my mate.” I quite unceremoniously drag her through the door to the conference room before she can complain.

My mother sits at the head of the table with her pack around her. The rest of the town's paranormal council sits around the curved table.

“Dread,” my mother, Octavia, says, standing. She bows and I return the honor.

Emerson . . .

I don't know what the hell she does. I think that was a curtsy and a dreadful one at that.

I gently pull her back to standing before she can face plant in front of my family matriarch.

My sister snorts from the end of the table, and one of my stepdads elbows her gently in the stomach.

“Emerson Parker?” Mother asks.

“Yep,” Emerson agrees. “That's me.” Her head does a bizarre little wobble like a chicken or possibly a tortoise.

Fucking Laithe . He recommended not prepping her for this little meeting. I may need to divest him of his heart in repayment for that horrendous advice.

I shoot my sister a look that promises pain if she speaks. Raisa grins, shaking her head. Oh yeah, she's quite enjoying my torment.