The Mates of Monsters

With my flannel pajama bottoms and loose hair, I saunter down the steps and restrain my feelings of romantic anxiety. It's difficult to be nice to him. All of my strict control over thoughts and feelings and desires annoys me. I hate that I have to do it. I hate that I'm experiencing such things. But, if I want to go home, I have to get through this part. When I reach the bottom of the staircase, I walk down the hallway to the main room. My eyes scan the living-room on my right then they turn to the kitchen on my left. I jump a little at the sight of him. He's leaned against the counter with crossed arms, expecting me.

"So you got my mother," I say and ease into the room. The front door is just beyond.

"I thought you would rather have her get you out of that room," he says.

"I heard that you're leaving tomorrow."

He nods. "We're leaving tomorrow, yes. I have to get back."

"I guess that's fair." I move closer. "Alphas have a lot of responsibilities. You're busy, aren't you?" He watches me. "We'll hardly see each other. It'll be like I'm not even there."

The Alpha smiles slightly while peering to the floor. "I can make time for you, Brigette."

"That's funny. I swear my father said the same thing to me once, and he's only a Beta." I breathe in. "Anyway, I'm going to go pack my things. Don't worry, my mother has been making sure I don't run off ever since I was a little girl. I won't be going anywhere." When I look back to him, his eyes are already on me. "I'll be walking you over," he tells me, almost regretfully.

"You're kidding?"

He shakes his head and walks out of the kitchen.

"I can't even walk to my house on my own?" I question, my voice growing louder. "What am I going to do? Run into the woods like this?" I motion to my pajamas. "Come on," he says and opens the front door of the guest house.

I stand still. "Is this how it's going to be? Even when we're at your pack? If it is, you're going to have to drag me out of this town because I won't be coming willingly." "Brigette," he says, "let's go. It's almost five."

I clench my jaw and storm forward. As I walk through the door, I mutter, "What? No leash?"

Before I can get far enough, he grabs my arm, halting me. My eyes shoot back to his face then to his hand on me. "What did you expect?" He asks. "Did you think you could just say the things you said with no consequences? Do you think I want to walk you around so you don't run off?" "I'm not going to run off," I dramatize.

"I don't believe you," he says as his eyes bore into my own.

The game it is.

"Let go of me, David."

Once he does, I take a step back. He closes the door and together we head in the direction of my home,

and I try to stay two or three steps ahead of him, but it doesn't seem to help the suffocating feeling bubbling

in my stomach. I try toe

I

without catching his air, but I can't help it.

When we reach a more populated part of pack land, we gain the attention of anyone who may pass can't tell it's because of his authority and beauty or my attire,

but either way it is unwelcome. I suppose my days of going

unnoticed are over.

"You know, they say people shouldn't have pets if they don't have time to care for them," I mutter just as three familiar girls walk by. I try to ignore their lingering gazes.

"So are you worried that I won't have time for you?" He asks from behind. "Or are you trying to make me feel guilty for being an Alpha?"

"Like that's even possible. As if men could feel guilty for being above everyone else."

"It's the first, then?"

I glance back at him. "I don't need your attention, David. I would say that I could live happily without you, but you might actually put a leash on me."

He gives a breathy chuckle as if he finds my words to be nothing but empty promises. "You know, you could actually convince me if it weren't for the bond." "So the bond is telling you otherwise? It gives you the ability to read my mind?"

"No. I don't have to read your mind to know how you feel."

I roll my lips together and power on all to keep from screaming. When my house appears in the distance, some relief comes to me. As we nears "Looks like you're off

watch duty."

en FindNovel

"Your mother will bring you back to the guest house after dinner," he reminds me. "We will be leaving early tomorrow."

I turn and face him before making my way to the front door. "So I just have tonight to say goodbye?"

The Alpha nods.

I swallow and straighten my neck. "I'm a person, you know. I didn't start existing when you met me last night; I had a life before you."

He exhales and breaks away, turning to walk back.

"Believe me," he says, "I know."

I cross my arms, watching as he heads off, noticing the sadness as it pools in my gut because a part of me wants him to stay. A part of me wants this to be easy.