Page 47 of Monsterland Mayhem

“Regardless, Catum’s right. There were too many eyes downstairs. We’ll need to remain vigilant tonight,” I say.

“Are you suggesting shifts?” Catum asks.

I nod. “Perhaps even having one of us go?—”

The bedroom door opens, revealing a flustered Ailsa. “This smoke—dress—won’t come off.” She utters the words through her teeth, her frustration palpable and bordering on hysteria.

“Catum, take off her cloak,” I say without missing a beat. “I’m going to go fix her a bath. Craze?—”

“I’ll report back with anything I learn,” he tells me, already anticipating my order and heading toward the door.

“Thank you,” I call after him.

He just gives a wave and leaves.

By the time the door shuts, Ailsa’s gown is all but gone. Catum typically weaves his magic into the fabric of our clothes, but she was practically naked in the Orange Desert. Hence the need for her enchanted gown.

But removing the cloaking spell now means disrobing her.

If her nearly nude state bothers her, she doesn’t show it. Or maybe she just doesn’t notice.

Because she looks a little lost.

“Ailsa,” I say softly, stepping closer.

She just blinks up at me, that sense of despair seeming to grow.

“I’ll get the bath,” Catum offers, slipping around her.

I nod, even though his back is already to me, and move closer to Ailsa.

When she doesn’t startle or jump away, I slowly pull her into my arms. She buries her face against my chest, her body seeming to melt into mine.

I purr in response, the sound one I know she’s familiar with, as I’ve done it many times around her in wolf form.

She grabs my shirt and clings to me, her shoulders shaking as she fights the emotions rolling through her.

“Today was a lot,” I whisper. “I’m sorry, baby girl.”

It’s a nickname I’ve used hundreds of times in my head, but never out loud.

She doesn’t react to it other than to cling to me even more.

“I’ve wanted to reveal myself to you so many times,” I admit. “But I had to wait. We had to do this the right way.”

“I don’t even know what that means,” she mumbles.

“I know.” I kiss the top of her head. “There’s so much more we need to explain, but it’s been a long day. You need to eat and rest. Will you let Catum and me take care of you, Ailsa?”

She doesn’t answer. It’s almost like she’s too exhausted to make a decision.

However, I wait.

Because it’s the right thing to do.

She shivers against me. “Beast,” she whispers, nuzzling my chest as I purr.

She’s fallen asleep with me in the forest before, typically with her head on my shoulder. I always wanted to carry her back, but I couldn’t risk her waking with me in human form.