Page 72 of Monster Daddies

"You should've seen him in our meeting. He wasn't nice one bit," Saint says.

Kael shrugs. "Making plans to deal with abusive packs brings that out in me. Especially when I know that pack hurt my mate. I want to raze the whole thing and salt the earth as a warning to the rest of the world that no one can defy the king's rule."

"There are some good people in the pack. Innocent people," I say quietly.

Kael kisses my forehead. "I know, love. We're going to make sure they are safe."

"When are we going?" I ask.

I already know he's going to try to leave me behind, but that won't work. They'll need my magic. Even though Kael can tap into it, he's not been trained and doesn't know where the packlands are. I know not only where the safest place to cross the wall is, but also where and when the patrols run. I won't stay here safe behind the palace walls while my mate and new friends go to war.

"You're not going anywhere. We are leaving in the morning. You'll stay here under guard," Kael snarls.

"No. You don't know where the pack is. It's too dangerous for you to go without my help. I can show you where to cross and when the patrols are. You need me," I argue.

Saint winces. "Sera, I agree that it's safer if you stay behind. You're an Omega. This is going to be dangerous and violent."

I stand from Kael's lap and stomp my foot. "I will not be left behind. I'm not some weak Omega. Not now that I don't have tohide from them. They will feel the full force of my power," I say before storming out of the room.

Little wolf, you'd better stop right there,Kael practically snarls through our link.

I give him a mental middle finger and keep going.

I don't stop my retreat until I find the door that leads to the garden. I wander through the flowers and to the edge of the forest. My wolf pushes at me to shift and run. She's as pissed as I am and wants to run off the angry energy. Deciding that's for the best, I quickly shift and let my wolf have the reins.

It doesn't take long before I not only sense Kael behind us but can hear him crashing through the forest after us. Wolves are usually quiet, but he's not even trying. He has one goal, and that's to catch me. I know that with a tiny push of magic, I could easily outrun him. He's heavier than me, making me quicker even without magic, but I don't try.

In fact, my wolf slows, allowing him to catch up. Kael runs straight for me, barely stopping before running into me. I turn and growl out my anger, the hair on my back standing on end. Kael's wolf matches my growl, letting me know his displeasure.

You can't run from me, Seraphina. I will always find you,he says through our link.

You can't tell me to stay behind while you go off to fight against my old pack. I won't allow it. Not only do you need me to fight by your side, but there will be scared and hurt Omegas who will need a gentle touch.

No,he says, leaving no room for argument. His words are just this side of an actual Alpha bark. Or maybe it is a true bark, and it's ineffectual on me due to my fae side.

I let out a huff and turn to walk away from my stubborn mate. Before I make it two steps away, he tackles me to the ground, growling in my face, trying to force me to submit. My wolf ragesagainst him. We submit by choice and not by force. She lashes out, snapping her teeth and scratching him with her paws.

Shocked, he backs off.

Do not mistake me for some weak-willed wolf,I growl. If I'm destined to be your mate—your queen—you will not dismiss me.

He visibly deflates.You're right, but I won't allow my mate to be put in danger.

That's where you're mistaken. You aren'tallowinganything. Iallowyou to be my Daddy Dom. Iallowyou to be in charge of many things. I willnotallow you to push me aside when there's potential danger. Saint will be there to protect me. Or have you forgotten he's bound to me now?

He paces away from me, growling lowly. He knows I'm right, he just doesn't like it. I also know that he's still going to try to leave without me in the morning, so I'll have to make my own plans. I won't be stupid, but I won't be left behind either.

Fine, but you'll stay behind the wall with Saint while we take down the Alpha leadership and whoever attempts to protect them.

I can hear the lie in his words, but I let him think I agree. When he says I'll stay behind the wall with Saint, he means to leave me here with Saint. Technically, I will be both with Saint and behind the wall. Tricky wolf, but he forgets our bond and how attuned we are.

I put up a curtain around my own plans and think about how happy I am that he's decided to be reasonable. Even if I know he's not being truthful. I simply won't let on that I know. He slowly approaches me as if he's worried my wolf might attack again. She doesn't. Instead, she rubs against him, scent-marking him. His wolf does the same. I let my wolf take over and melt into the back of her mind, giving her time with her mate.

They run and play for a long time before they complete their own mate bond. I feel the moment the bond strengthens. Now we are tied in every way possible. I follow Kael's wolf to the edge of the forest and shift back to human. He takes my hand and threads our fingers together, kissing my knuckles. Without a word, he leads me to our rooms. We shower and crawl into bed without speaking.

I'm nearly asleep when I hear him murmur, "I love you."

I don't say it back, but sleepily open our bond so he can feel how much I love him, too. He kisses the top of my head, and I fall into a deep sleep.