The Mates of Monsters

a announces when she hea

my forehead. She takes the cooled thing from me then pee

elena weren't here cooking me dinner, I would be safe in my bedroom. I'm sure the last thing he wants is to come home af

her. She points to me and says, "Brigette is

ump into the pit that

lie and struggle to look at him. "I'm sure

utes," Helena tells him. "I told her t

vid speaks first, ask

y doesn't she sleep well? L

it might be genetic. I have a family of terrible sleepers; p

t?" David asks as

nd peer up at him.

nothing is going in the fridge," Helena ponders as she prepares to leave. David

dining room, and once again I'm under the pretty chand

led my self-d

ved it to next week, aft

"I was fine to

ought you would want so

night, you know, I was just sleep-deprived, that's all

fore he speaks, I say, "We don't have to talk abo

d together. My gaze lingers on his hands. "I need you to explain t

drop. "And

ible reason, then I think we

e reason, huh?" I take a breath and look to the side. "You'

nce with this," I ramble. "And I feel bad. I feel this overwhelming want for you to be happy, but all I do

ige

at's all impossible now. So no, I can't give a good reason as to why I am the way I am. There might be one that I'm not aware

sleep," he suggests. "Because I'm sure ever

I don't-I sleep alone, D

lways

just you, it's anyone. I would behave

ns and restrictions as

t have to ask. You know. Despite ot

ght has been aimed down at me, but the last thing I want is to fe

u wanted. If you want to visit your family and friends, you can. They are welcome to come here as

just-m-maybe that isn't the main issue anymore.

o a fist on the table.

t you back? I'm scared because you're all I want, no

step away fr

ette

ou got me to say

ear him behind me. "You can'

reach the steps and turn back to him. My li

distance yourself," he s

arrassment," I admit breathl

f them Saturday morning when Jeremy takes me out to try on dresses. David is

med beard. Every one of his features is heavy and dark, and his Luna-frail and brunette-stays by his side as if leash

in the mirror, all I can think about is seeing him tonight. Sure, I see David all the time, but there is a difference between watching someone and actually interacting with them. I want him

u like it?" Jeremy calls th

s ni

e that's better than nice? You need to pick out

black ones," I say and unzip th

dress and one that'

ar two blac

I grab on and pull, revealing a long, red dress that we

and comment, "It'

oes tha

ess. I motion to it and explain. "It'

down. "I think it l

this is what a Luna wears, then I'll pick this one and th

h younger than me-at least sixteen. It reminds me of when Lindsey and I would walk around town together at my old pack. Before she found Timothy, we would stay out late and get ice cream fr

ways that don't fit ice-cream and gossip. I'm supposed to be a Luna now-mated to

wn the street, and I think about the

ve to get going

e Alphas?" I

ommodations. The Alpha will be busy for the day, so yo

emy instead of two steps behind. "That'

's dinner. Unlike tomorrow night, tonight will be only you, the Alpha, Alpha Nicodra, and his Luna. You will

ay

una arrive. Our Alpha will be back around 5:30. If you

that woul

your stylist will arrive at 5:45. Shower before she com

speed up again. "Do yo

the Luna. I will be at the house around nine

do all of

e do what I do for a reason. I'm the best a