Page 1 of Monsters (Vengeance #3)

Gray

H e was here.

I could feel him stalking me through the forest, my footsteps silent and eyes watchful.

His energy felt lethal even from afar and I felt a smile tilt my lips in excitement.

It was rare that someone could actually hunt me successfully.

Honestly, the picture would be complete if we could get that National Geographic voice-over actor to narrate this.

My magic pushed against me in protest but I kept it reined in.

It wasn’t time yet.

With an easy movement, I grasped one of the many massive trees that inhabited the forests in the Horde.

I loved how the tree changed at my touch and tipped just enough that I could scale it and sit comfortably on one of the branches.

Despite being the end of November, the Horde was painted in stunning fall colors and the pines a thick healthy green.

The land had begun to flourish and I didn’t want to toot my own horn or anything, but it was totally because the True Heir, me, had taken the throne.

Palo had explained that my ascension to the throne did something to the magic in the land and after about one moment of soaking in the ego-boosting, I zoned out.

I didn’t feel terrible, however, because Taylor had as well and Palo was his own brother.

Plus, if I ever needed anything repeated I could just ask Marabella.

The woman was sharp as a tack with an amazing memory, which could have its drawbacks.

As in, sometimes she would remind me of something I’d said despite me wanting to change my opinion.

“Gray,” she chided. “Hadn’t you just said you were going to give your brother a chance to prove himself?”

“I said that after a glass of wine and a family dinner!” I exclaimed. “I was just feeling sentimental. The guy sucks.”

Shit like that.

Silas wasn’t a bad guy but he was just a lazy piece of shit. Still, I had found a job for him and, oddly enough, it was coordinating large events. The man had a knack for party planning. It was also why I’d been kicked out of my own damn castle today.

My own castle!

Despite being the only one from the Earth realm and it being Thanksgiving, Silas didn’t want me to help plan the festival. It was bullshit. Although I had felt pretty proud of myself for bringing such a fun holiday to the Horde. Now if we could only get some cars and equal rights here.

I was still surprised I was even allowed to be Queen with the sexist undertone of this place.

Yet, there had been no riots thus far, so I had to be doing something right. Or, and this was likely the better guess, the inhabitants were scared shitless and didn’t want to risk getting their asses handed to them.

You know, because I’m a total badass.

My head whipped to the side as a small noise down below caught my attention. I knew he was close but for the life of me, I couldn’t find him. If I expanded my power, I might be able to…

“Fuck!” I squeaked, at the same time that a pair of strong arms snapped around me.

I’d been caught.

“Got you,” the deep and rumbling voice whispered against my ear.

I turned to look up at Adyen with a scowl. How the hell did someone fifteen inches taller than my five-foot-two-inch-self move so quietly? The dragon offered me a dangerous smile as he leaned closer his nose trailing my cheekbone.

“How did you do that?” I demanded, feeling rather inadequate in my hide-and-seek skills.

Adyen’s honey-colored gaze looked over my face affectionately as his slow, blinding smile grew and made his beautiful, golden, face light up.

God-damn handsome bastard. Honestly, I wondered why there wasn’t a rule regulating how attractive someone could be.

I mean it just made sense. What if he caused an accident?

It was inconsiderate if you really think about it.

“You’re actually upset I snuck up on you?” He chuckled while lifting me so I was resting more securely on the branch. I ignored how the tree shifted so there were more branches to cradle us whilst thirty feet in the air. Gods. Good thing I like heights, huh?

“No,” I denied, but put my chin up anyway. “I just want to know. For tactical purposes.”

A cool breeze blew over both of us, that shifted his short, dark hair as the scent of ashes and cinnamon wrapped around me in a comforting blanket. Despite wearing only a pair of leather hunting pants and a light sweater, I wasn’t cold. Although I totally moved closer, as if I was.

“Right,” he offered me a patronizing look before those eyes smoldered.

I stilled as he lifted a thumb to my lips and smirked.

Lately, I felt as though I was going crazy and had no release from it.

Every single touch or smile from the boys made me feel like a teenager with a stupid crush.

I blamed my total lack of sexual attraction to anyone before meeting them.

Now they had all of my attention and the bastards knew it.

“So, what do I get for winning?” He goaded in amusement. I couldn’t help but get distracted by how massive his hands were on my waist. Their mere touch made me want to squirm. Who knew my type was massive warrior men with rough hands and perfect smiles?

Said no one, ever.

“The feeling of accomplishing such a daring task.” I winked.

A low rumble sounded in his chest and as he lifted me easily I straddled his large form. I shivered as my hands steadied on his shoulders.

“I don’t think that was what we agreed on, lil brawler.” He responded, in a deeper, more serious tone.

“We didn’t agree on anything,” I accused with wide eyes.

“No.” He shook his head. “I think we did. Now, hand it over.”

What was he talking… oh no.

I felt my eyes widen as I tried to escape. “No, Adyen.”

His booming laugh scared some birds as he kept me trapped with a knowing gaze. “Come on, Gray. You have to play fair.”

“This is the fifth one this week. They don’t even sell them in the Horde,” I complained in a soft whine.

Instead of responding he just fixed me with a look. I reached behind me with a grumble and pulled out the elastic band that held back my veil of dark hair. Until recently, the dragon possessed a treasure hoard that used to be made of precious stones. Now, however, it was all my fucking shit.

It was totally cute until he started taking all my hairbands.

“Fine,” I growled.

His eyes flashed black as his dragon took it before drawing me closer so that my pelvis pressed against his own. I let out a small sound as he began tracing my collar bone with his nose. I didn’t bother pulling away knowing his dragon was more in control than he was.

It was a dangerous game to play with shifters because, while fun, if they were antagonized enough, they got a bit crazy.

Adyen was a perfect example. The man was loving, reliable, and persistent in his affection with me.

He didn’t always say how he felt but I could feel it in the way he acted and looked at me.

I could also feel other things that made me want to just spend all day up here. Preferably naked.

Anyway. The point is that he is all of those things and so much more.

His dragon, though? That motherfucker is one possessive bastard.

I mean truly. Even now, I could hear a low rumble trying to escape his throat and Adyen really wasn’t fighting it all that much.

I swear if I let him, his dragon would add me to his hoard of things.

“Mate.” He nipped at my neck as my core melted and I felt the rate of my breathing increase.

“Adyen,” I cooed, while I gently leaned forward to kiss his nose. I had figured out that trying to break away from his hold was a futile effort, and I really had no reason to. There was nothing but food and celebration on my schedule so his dragon could love on me all he wanted.

In fact, I preferred that.

It had been a long fucking week since the last coronation.

I mean truly. I was thrilled to have the academy members here, mostly Esme and Bobby, but it was a massive job to get everyone situated.

That was in addition to the numerous logistical meetings I had held to plan for the pressure I intended to put on Mario’s army.

We needed to act soon before we had to play defense at our borders.

Every night, I tended to just collapse in bed with exhaustion.

So, yeah. Time with my men? It had been nonexistent.

It was odd because I lived so long without any affection.

Now that they’d been in my life all of a month or two, I was attached.

It didn’t bother me so much as surprise me.

The sneaky bastards had just slipped through the cracks in my defenses.

Sneaky, sexy bastards.

“Kitten,” A voice prompted both of us to look down as my smile grew. I placed my head on Adyen’s chest and he fingered my hair with massaging patterns.

“Yes, Rhodes?” I asked curiously, with a small smile. I knew exactly what I had done.

“Any chance you want to explain why I was tied to my bed this morning? Lunatic sat on my chest staring at me like she was plotting my demise.”

Lunatic was our adorable kitten.

“Maybe she didn’t want you to leave,” I noted with amusement.

“I am finding it hard to believe she was the one who tied my wrists to the headboard.” He growled softly, I felt my excitement jump at that. I. Wanted. His. Control. Gone.

Mission in motion.

“You’re always teasing about tying me up.” I drawled as I stood. Adyen followed, holding me protectively. “Maybe, I just wanted to see what the big fuss was about.”

The tree shifted, the branches creaked to form makeshift steps that allowed us to descend the thirty feet and I came face to face with our lean and lethal leader. I loved the heat in his eyes.

“Adyen took my hair tie,” I complained, as my dragon’s eyes reverted back to honey. He winked as they did.

“Wasn’t me.” He shrugged and began trailing towards the castle with a proud smirk. I turned to look back at Rhodes. My heart jumped as my spine hit the tree and he loomed over me.