Page 42 of Monsterland Mayhem

“Now you’re just giving her excuses for becoming a psychotic bitch,” Craze tells him. A flicker of fire travels across the table, causing Craze to bat it away as he glares at Master Pillar. “Careful or our shield will go up in smoke.”

“Stop being an ass and let Krolic finish his tale.”

Krolic ignores them both and continues his story by telling me how his sister orchestrated several violent events, including the one that killed his parents and their mate-circle.

“She was imprisoned,” he says, swallowing. “Or so we thought.”

He goes on to tell me how he became king after the the loss of the existing monarchy, how he met Craze and Catum—a name that’s hard for me to think, let alone say, since I’ve spent two years calling himMaster Pillar—and how they became a mate-circle.

“What is a mate-circle?” I interject, wanting to make sure I understand. They keep tossing that term around, along with several others, and I’m not sure I understand it.

“Alphas form a mate-circle to best protect their mate,” he explains. “There are a lot more Alphas than there are Omegas.”

“An understatement,” Craze inserts.

Krolic doesn’t acknowledge him and continues with, “Most Alphas band together with others who have similar skill sets or power levels. The stronger the mate-circle, the better. Especially for a king. Which is why Catum is often referred to as my Second, while Craze is my Enforcer.”

“Or that used to be the case before everyone assumed we died,” Master Pillar murmurs. “K, we need to make this a little more interesting. A few too many crows are glancing our way.”

My brow furrows at the wordcrows, but Krolic seems to understand because his jaw tightens. “Damn voyeurs. Suggestions?”

Master Pillar leans forward, finally allowing me to see his face outside of the shadows. His handsome features are etched into harsh lines, his thick hair elegantly tousled. But it’s his eyes that captivate me. Those warm brown irises swirl with dark intensity. Focus.Promise.

“I need you to straddle me, Ailsa,” he says.

I blink at him. “What?”

“Get in my lap and straddle me. I’m going to pretend to kiss you while Krolic continues his story.”

“Oh, I like where this is going,” Craze drawls.

Master Pillar stretches his hand out toward me. “Now, Miss Marvel.”

I shiver, his command rumbling through me in a purr of sound. “Why?” I ask in a whisper as I take his palm.

He helps me to my feet and draws me closer to him but doesn’t respond until he’s pulled me between his sprawled thighs. “Because I created the barrier to mask our conversation. Typically, that’s only done here when certain arrangements are being made—arrangements that one doesn’t wish for anyone else to overhear.”

His palms go to my hips as he lifts me in the air.

“Part your legs, Miss Marvel,” he says, sending another tremble through my body.

I do what he asks and jolt when cool air touches my skin, the smoky fabric of my dress seeming to part all around my lower limbs.

He settles me against him in an intimate position that has my thighs automatically clenching in response, sending a wave of warmth through my veins. If he notices, he doesn’t show it, just continues explaining his bizarre actions.

“We’ve been too casual for too long, and the patrons are starting to notice.” His voice is soft, very unlike his demanding hands that are pulling me impossibly closer. “So you and I are going to give them something else to focus on while Krolic finishes his tale.”

His palm slides from my hip to my spine and up to my nape, where he tangles his fingers in my hair.

I grab his shoulders, mostly to hold on, as his opposite arm encircles my waist.

“From their view, it looks like I’m kissing you now,” he says, tilting my head ever so slightly to the side. “We’ll do this for ten or so minutes, then venture up to our room to continue the charade.”

His grip tightens, his breath fanning across my now-parted lips.

“When I tell you to move your hips a little, do it,” he adds, his nose bumping mine. “Otherwise, be a good girl and listen to Krolic.”

I’m not sure how he expects me to concentrate like this.