Page 121 of Mate of a Monster

“What are you doing?” He hisses, and I know by the tone he tried to send it into my mind first.

But he couldn’t reach me, which means he can’t hear me.

“Beast?”

A beat of silence passes, and then he rumbles deep in my chest. “Hellpet.”

“Say it.”

“Yes. It’s true,” he confirms.

“You knew. You never said a fucking word about him dying, too.”

I can’t breathe. I can’t fucking think. It’s like my ribs are being cracked open from the inside out, cut from within me with one jagged chop of a knife at a time.

Coming here, I thought I stood to lose the beast that loved me freely.

Now I stand to lose the man who was created for me.

Not one, but both.

There was a while there when I didn’t care if I couldn’t have the man so long as I got to keep the beast, but things have changed.

Or maybe they were always this way, and I let fear or anger hide the truth.

I want—no. I need them both.

“You said you wouldn’t leave me,” I press. “Why the fuck would you say that if you can’t fix this?”

“Because it’s true, my mate. The fates themselves couldn’t keep me from you. I would—”

“Shut up and tell me how to keep you? How to keep him? Am I strong enough to fix this?”

“Yes.” The relief is short-lived when he adds, “And no. At least, not on your own.”

“Tell me,” I demand.

“No, Hellpet.”

“What the fuck do you mean, no? Why not?”

“Rage is what runs you and it will consume you if I do.”

“Let it.”

“Little mate, what did I say about trust?” There’s almost a gentle scolding in his tone. “Trust me. Trust them. They are not just the royals of Rathe, the realm you exist to protect. They are your family now.”

“None of that matters if I lose you, you stupid fucking demon!”

“I know.” His words are a warm caress down my spine, and the sting in my eyes soothes.

“You’re petting me.”

“I am. And one day, when I’m back in the body I belong, I will pet that pussy too, my sweet little mate.”

“Another promise, beast?”

“A guarantee. Now let him back in before he tears the roof off this place.”