Page 84 of Monsterland Mayhem

Which is a huge fucking problem.

Because we still have five days before her heat.

Krolic’s arms are around me as we cradle Ailsa between us, the three of us rolling through the portal and onto the snowy fields. The chill burns my bare skin, this plane aptly named. It’s high up in the Garnet Mountains and shrouded in clouds, making it difficult to see through the fog.

But I feel Craze rolling onto the ground behind us, his presence a scent that’s ingrained in my memory. I quickly shut the portal, then scan the icy tundra for any incoming threats.

Plan D is one of our last resorts.

“Shit,” Craze mutters, taking the word right out of my mouth as he leaps to his feet. “Bringing her here was a mistake. We should never have let anyone know she exists.”

Krolic is already shaking his head. “Monsterland deserves to know their queen.”

“Sure,aftershe’s carrying your heir,” Craze growls, one of his more antagonistic personalities on display. I can’t say I blame him, given the situation.

But Krolic is right. “Our queen also deserves a choice,” I add.

“What choice are we giving her exactly?” Craze demands. “We’ve already claimed her. Fuck, we’ve been taking out everyone and anyone who comes within a few feet of her. How is that a choice?”

I untangle myself from Krolic and Ailsa so I can sit back on my heels. I’m not having this conversation whilst strewn about on the ground.

Running my fingers through my hair, I attempt to regain control of my mental faculties.

Krolic, however, is faster. “Her choice is whether or not she wants to accept her role in Monsterland.”

“And if she doesn’t?” Craze retorts. “We just take her back to her realm? Or we let another Alpha-circle claim her?”

Krolic releases a low rumble at that and sits up with Ailsa in his lap. Thankfully, he doesn’t appear to be inside her anymore, his knot likely having subsided the moment we hit the Ice Planes.

“We all agreed to this plan, Craze. Complaining?—”

“I didn’t,” Ailsa interjects. “I don’t even understand what’s happening, or whatplansyou’ve made or why I’m here or… orhoww-we ended up h-here.” Her teeth begin to chatter over that last part, the frigid air not at all kind against her exposed skin.

“Let’s move this discussion into the cabin,” I tell them, gesturing to the sheet of ice about ten yards in front of us.

Ailsa frowns at it.

Considering how it looks from the outside, I’m not surprised.

Krolic stands with her in his arms, and I leap up to my feet to get ahead of him.

Craze just stomps off after us, clearly pissed.

Talk about a mood shift, I think warily.

When I approach the wall, I press my hand to the center and a door appears, one that only manifests when one of the three of us touches this specific sheet of ice.

Pushing through the threshold, I hold the door open for Krolic to bring in Ailsa. Craze follows right behind them and heads to the bedroom without a word.

I assume he’s getting dressed until he returns with a T-shirt for Ailsa.

Krolic takes it from him and puts it over Ailsa’s head, fashioning a temporary dress of sorts as Craze marches off again.

“I’ll be back,” Krolic mutters, following Craze and leaving me alone with Ailsa.

She hasn’t said anything at all, not since mentioning her own frustrations outside.

“I’m sorry, Ailsa,” I murmur, meaning it. “You’re right. We should have focused on our plans, not…” I nearly sayour knotsbut clear my throat instead. “How about you sit down over there while I make you a hot chocolate?”