Page 121 of Their Lethal Pet

Unfortunately for her, she won’t find any.

“In order to understand the Elite City, you first need to understand our history here.” She picks up her crystal wine glass and brings the decorated rim to her plump lips.

It’s a seductive move, one I suspect is another test of sorts.

She’s a beautiful woman, with long, athletic legs and a model-esque form. If she were a Mythos Fae, I wouldguess her to be an Alpha like me. She’s too tall to be a Beta or an Omega, and she’s too bold to be anything other than an Alpha.

But her skin gives her away as being something entirely other.

At first glance, she appears to be dark-skinned. However, the sunlight streaming in betrays the violet shimmer coating her otherwise black complexion.

It’s a trait that’s extremely evident now when the sun catches her hand as she returns her glass to the table.

“The first portal opened in this realm over a thousand years ago, but for many centuries, monsterkind visited in secret. That changed when we realized some of the humans were actually compatible mates.” Her long legs shift along the chaise as she angles her body toward me and props her head up on her elbow.

“I assume this discovery led to the establishment of Monsters Night?” I prompt her, not interested in whatever sexual game she’s trying to play with me.

“In a roundabout way, yes. But it took us over two centuries to perfect it. We’re now in our three hundred and thirteenth year, and we’ve more or less perfected the process. However, it took collaboration with the humans to get to where we are. Which is how the Elite City comes into play.”

Helia delves into a history lesson regarding how the monsters first approached a particular sect of humans.

They were mortals of certain bloodlines and beings with strong influence over their constituents—basically royal families, politicians, and other high-ranking members of human society. The monsters offered them boons in exchange for helping them manufacture ideal monster mates.

“Places like the Elite City were created to house thesefamilies and now, their descendants,” she goes on. “Within the city walls, there are sectors. Each sector comes with more power and gifts, with the ultimate layer being the Immortality Sector.”

“Of course,” I reply, not at all surprised that humans are willing to barter with monsters for such a precious gift. “Humans always want to live forever.”

“Exactly,” she says. “And they’re willing to do anything and everything in their power to achieve it. Including sacrificing other humans to the cause.”

My stomach tightens with unease, certain that I’m not going to like the direction this conversation is headed in.

“You see, each Elite family owns a village of humans. Your intended, for example, is from the Nightingale Village. Duke Nightingale, a human, oversees the breeding and maintenance of the crop in that village. He then reviews ample data and statistics every year to decide who is and isn’t chosen for Monsters Night.”

It takes serious effort to school my features and not react to my intended being referred to as acrop, like she’s an animal, not a Goddess.

However, Helia’s commentary about thebreedingdoes interest me.

Because it’s clear that humans in this world have been infused with some supernatural traits, thus making them even more compatible.

Although, her words suggested it may have actually been a natural evolution, not a manufactured one.

“When you saybreedingandmaintenance, what do you mean exactly? Is Duke Nightingale pairing specific humans together to increase the potential for compatibility with otherworldly beings?” I ask, interrupting whatever Helia had been about to say.

She smiles. “Basically, yes. Which is the beauty of ourprogram here. The humans are competing with each other to manufacture the highest-quality monster mates. So yes, they are prearranging matches based on genetic markers known to be compatible with beings from other realms.”

I arch a brow. “And that’s all they’re doing?” I can’t help the incredulity in my tone.

Alina’s an Omega. There’s no way humans just happened to create her with normal mortal genetics.

“Well, that’s what they’re supposed to be doing. But humans are prone to cheating. And cheating has severe consequences, as some Elite families have discovered the hard way.”

Her lips purse as darkness flirts with her features. It makes me wonder what she’s not telling me.

Is Alina a result of said cheating? Or is she thinking about something else entirely?

Helia blinks, her dark expression clearing in an instant. “Well, that all said, the breeding process is overseen by the Elite families. They decide how they want to create their ideal Offerings; we just provide them with general accommodations to help facilitate the process.”

Helia starts talking about the breeding compounds utilized by the Elite families.