Page 90 of Monsterland Mayhem

“We’re safe here for the time being,” Krolic says. “But it won’t last long. Which means we need to discuss plan Z.”

“And what’s plan Z?” I wonder aloud.

“We take you back to your realm,” he replies, sounding unhappy with that idea. “It’s not ideal, but if Monsterland isn’t going to respect your choice—which I’m starting to question, given all these recent attacks—then we need to remove you from the situation.”

My lips curl down. “But what about your throne?”

He lifts a shoulder. “We’ll win it back in a different way.”

“A different way,” I echo.

His green eyes flash as he looks down at me, his expression exuding a sadness that hurts my heart. “Yes. By turning Monsterland on its head.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

KROLIC

I feedAilsa another tomato bomb.

While I didn’t hear most of her conversation with Catum, I understood the gist of what they discussed—the elixir, the mating ritual, and my family feud with the Crimson pack.

My blood boils like it usually does when I think about the Imposter King and Heart. They’ve destroyed everything, including this kingdom.

I meant what I said to Ailsa—if we can’t fix this with the mating ritual, then we’ll be forced down a much more violent path.

Thus far, we haven’t permanently killed anyone, just severely injured those who have posed a threat. Primarily because we’re still not entirely sure if the attacking beings are of sound mind or not.

They don’t want to hurt Ailsa. Yet they seem inclined to take her by force.

Craze told me about what happened in the Mushroom Jungle with the snout men.

“They were overrun with lust,” he muttered back in the kitchen. “They’ve all been overrun with it, K. And it’s clearthey’re not interested in her consent. Just that she’s a fertile Omega.”

“Is that what they called her?” I asked, frowning at the termfertile.

Her heat hasn’t started yet. So while she will soon be in estrus, she’s not yet. And therefore, by definition, notfertile. Hence the reason I could knot her without impregnating her.

Craze went on to confirm that was the phrase one of the snout men used before trying to stake his claim.

Traditionally, interested Alphas and their mate-circles hunt a desired Omega during the ritual period. And the Omega chooses whom to submit to by succumbing to the eventual rut.

However, Omegas can refuse all suitors.

It rarely happened in the day when rituals were more common. But it did occasionally occur, and that Omega chose to live without mates.

Ailsa could take a similar path.

Unless Monsterland doesn’t allow it.

In which case…

“War,” Catum says, answering a question Ailsa just asked about what I mean by turning Monsterland on its head. “He’s talking about war.”

Yes, I think, hating the word. Alas, he’s right.

“We’ve avoided a fight for what feels like eons,” I add while bringing another fried cheese ball to her lips. “Our hope has always been to find an Omega to complete our circle, and to remind Monsterland of our rituals. Because somewhere along the way, the Alphas lost their sense of purpose.”

“That happens when their leader is absent,” Craze interjects as he joins us in the bathroom. “Or, in this case, hiding his true identity.”