Page 41 of Monsterland Mayhem

“How about a story?” he offers. “I’ll tell you what happened, and then I’ll clarify anything you need afterward.”

“I… I think that might help,” I admit, a little transfixed by his touch. Because he hasn’t released my chin. He’s just… stroking me. All while his gaze tracks the movement, like he’s mesmerized by my mouth.

I feel pretty similarly about his features.

Those alluring eyes. Long silver lashes. Thick hair. The subtle age lines decorating his handsome face. He doesn’t look old. Just sophisticated. Masculine.Powerful.

“Once upon a time,” he starts, the phrasing drawing a laugh from Craze and a huff from Master Pillar. But all I can do is watch his mouth while he speaks.

Because the more he says, the more drawn into his story I become.

It begins with him as a younger ruler. “I didn’t exactly inherit the title,” he’s telling me. “That’s not how things work in Monsterland. But my birthright certainly set me up for the position.”

“It’s all about being the strongest Alpha,” Craze draws. “Who has the biggest knot.”

Master Pillar snorts. “If that were the case, I would be king.”

Krolic ignores both of them. “It’s about power, Ailsa. Alphas are all strong by nature. However, one of us will always be the strongest. My father was part of the royal mate-circle, but he wasn’t the king. My mother, though, was the queen. Hence the reason my birthright set me up for the role.”

I nod, understanding so far.

“But I wasn’t the only child,” he goes on. “I have two brothers and a sister. All of us are powerful in our own right, as is expected with our parental lines. However, I’ve always been the more dominant of my siblings. And everyone else, too. Which is how the kingdom became mine to rule.”

“He met us later,” Craze inserts, causing Krolic to glance at him. Craze puts his hands up. “Sorry. I’m just trying to get to the interesting part.”

Krolic’s expression doesn’t change. “Would you like to tell the story?”

“Of how Catum handed you your ass in a fight?” Craze asks. “Yes. Yes, I really would.”

“I wouldn’t say I handed him his ass,” Master Pillar murmurs. “Just… proved a point.”

“By kicking his ass,” Craze says. “Catum wanted our king to know that just because he hadn’t been challenged didn’t necessarily mean he was the strongest.”

“That’s not why I fought him, de Hatte.”

Craze rolls his eyes. “Yes, it was, Pillar. You wanted to take that stick out of his ass and beat him with it. Those were your words.”

“A poor summarization of them,” Master Pillar mutters. “I just wanted some respect. That’s all.”

“And you earned it,” Krolic cut in. “Unlike other Alphas at the table.”

Craze snorts. “I earned my respect when I returned your precious stones.”

“They were lava rocks,” Krolic says through his teeth. “And we’ve entirely derailed this conversation.”

Craze leans forward, his gaze on me. “I broke into his royal chambers and took some of his prized possessions. I, too, was making a point.”

“That he wanted a place in the king’s bed,” Master Pillar drawls.

Krolic shakes his head as Craze grins. “That’s not exactly what I wanted.” He looks at me again. “I wanted a mate. Afemalemate. As nice as I’m sure Krolic’s knot is, I’ve never been all that interested in experiencing it. I have my own to play with, and it’ll fit nicely in an Omega’s?—”

“Enough,” Krolic interjects. “She needs to know the history of our kingdom before we discuss our mate-circle and what it means.”

Craze gives him a look. “Then get to the part about Heart.”

The name makes Krolic flinch and Master Pillar curse. “Flames, Craze,” Master Pillar mutters.

“Heart is my sister,” Krolic says through his teeth, his gaze on me once more. He stopped touching my chin a while ago, which I think is a good thing since both his hands are fisted on the table now. “She’s an Alpha, too. But not as strong physically as me or our brothers. Therefore, she always felt… neglected. Like a lesser.”