The Mates of Monsters
Chapter 60

Since our discussion of sorts in the rain, the air between David and me has felt off-kilter. Ironically, his preparations for his new third have limited our time more than ever, and he has yet to officially tell me about it. I overheard his conversation with his father, and sometimes I catch snippets of his conversations with Tarlo-both in person at the house and over the phone-but David hasn't told me outright that he's employing a third in command. He must know that I hear things, so maybe he thinks I've put two and two together and don't need an explanation. Maybe he's waiting to tell me once everything is in place, and the person is equipped. To make matters worse, Nicodra and Aurora are scheduled to arrive tomorrow afternoon. David is so utterly consumed that we have yet to decide what to do about Aurora and her dire need of protection let alone her poisonous thoughts of murder.

Somewhere between Nicodra preparations with Jeremy, the proposition work, my need to ask David about Germany, Aurora's dilemma, and the off-kilter air, I have to breathe. But David has been coming home when I'm already asleep and waking up before I do, and the distance is making me wake with a jitter of anxiety. Jeremy tries to calm my nerves by assuring me all will be better once the third in command is settled in place and Nicodra is both apologized to and forgiven. Yet I feel like I'm climbing a mountain and every time I look up, the top gets farther and farther away.

So I've come to realize that I'm falling down the mountain, not climbing it. And the ground grows nearer.

"Brigette," Helena says, torn from her pastry work. I blink until the fog in my head drifts apart. "If you're going to help me, you're going to have to stay awake. I said keep stirring or the jam will burn."

"Sorry," I mutter and stir the thick red mixture as it boils on the stove. "I'm awake."

"All of this busy nonsense is no good for you. Apologizing to that man," Helena scoffs, "after he wrung your neck-it's not right. If I didn't know any better I would garnish his plate with a special touch of my own."

I glance over my shoulder. "It's a good thing we know better."

"Why don't you go on to bed; it's getting late. I can finish this up myself then head home."

"No, no. It will be faster if we work together. I can wait until David gets back anyway."

"Then you'll be waiting too long. You need enough rest for tomorrow."

"I'll be fine. They aren't getting here until four, and I'm not seeing anyone until dinner. I can sleep in. I have no other plans for the day. Jeremy was kind enough to clear my schedule."

Helena dusts the flour off her hands by swiping them against one another. "He has you working too much."

"What? Is that bad for fertility?"

She shrugs. "Stress can't be good for anything."

She comes over and takes a look at the jam before cutting off the heat. She gives me an empty jar to store it in, then wraps her pastry dough for the refrigerator as well. Afterward, we get to cleaning. Helena loads the dishwasher as I wipe up the counter, picking up sprinkles of flour and scraps of forgotten dough.

"I take it you're not pregnant then," Helena says.

"No, I'm not."

"I thought maybe you were, thought maybe that's why you were more tired recently, but it's just Jeremy and his scheduling."

I rest against the counter when I'm finished. "I don't think I'll be pregnant for a very long time."

"Now I don't know about that. Believe me, you want to have babies when you're young. As we get older, it becomes difficult, and you don't need any more difficulties. After twenty-five, your chances aren't as good."

"Do you know anything about having alpha children when you're not alpha blood yourself?" I ask lightly despite the heaviness on my chest.

"I know only what I learned from David's mother."

"My mother?"

I jolt like a child being caught saying naughty words when David appears in the archway. Immediately I wonder how much he's heard; why he's home at a somewhat reasonable time when compared to the last few nights. I was sure tonight would be another one alone until I feel the bed and blankets shift when one dream ends and another begins.

"Oh, David," Helena says, placing her hand on her heart. "Finished early? Brigette and I were talking about babies, and why she should have them while she's young."

Helena speaks the last bit like an obvious hint. I look between the two of them and feel like hiding under the breakfast table.

"Brigette has plenty of time," he says.

"I know; she's young. But I worry too. Your mother struggled because she started trying for you too late, and I don't want to see Brigette struggle."

David takes a breath.

"You may have been just a boy, but I know you remember," Helena says. "She had your grandmother talking in her ear constantly. One baby isn't enough. What if something happens-of course your grandmother would say that. She had six children herself, three boys and three girls."

"Brigette will be fine, Helena. There's plenty of time."

"Alright, alright, if you say so." She shoos me. "Go on to bed. Big day tomorrow."

I let go of the cloth and hesitate as I walk around the counter. David waits for me, and I feel like someone who has to be watched again. I move from Helena's care to his, and he guides me out with an arm behind my waist.

"You're back early," I say as we make our way down the hall.

"It's not early."

"Then you're back late rather than very late. Why?"

"Things are almost done with my third. You can meet her tomorrow if you like."

I grab the railing of the staircase and turn to him. "So is this you telling me you're getting a third?"

David doesn't falter, not in his stance or his gaze or his words. "You already knew. You've heard Tarlo and I talk about it. Her name is Lyde; she'd been working with the guards and security for a while now."

"Well, yeah, I'd like to meet her."

I continue up the steps, and David follows close behind. "Actually, since you're home while I'm still awake, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about," I say. "It has to do with the proposition. There's this meeting in Germany next month, as I'm sure you know, and Jeremy thinks it will be really beneficial to speak there. For me to speak there. For me to go to Germany."

"Then you should go," he agrees, making me trip over my own feet. I stumble and catch myself on the last step. "Careful, Brigette."

I swiftly spin around. "So I can go? You're saying I can go?"

"Yes. You can go-with Jeremy and a few guards. Maybe Lyde could go with you as well."

"You're being serious? Like you mean it?"

David insists, "That's what I'm saying."

"Why?"

"Can we get to the bedroom? Unless you plan on sleeping right here."

I continue moving and open the bedroom doors. "I'm just a little surprised, that's all. I mean, it's kind of a big deal."

"I trust you."

"And you should because I'm not going anywhere, but, well, I'd be an ocean away and-"

"If you describe it like that, I may just change my mind," he says and passes me as he lifts off his shirt. The muscles of his arms and back stretch and settle as he unwinds.

I saunter to the bed and sit on its end, stagnant as David moves about the room. "Then let's talk about Aurora instead. What are we going to do? We're running out of time."

"You're going to tell Aurora that no one is dying. You're going to assure her that she does not need to kill her mate, and we're going to get through dinner."

"And what about her safety? S-She can't go back with him."

"Brigette, I need you to try and understand where I'm coming from when I say this situation is far more complex than we think. I tried to come up with a way Aurora can distance herself from him, but nothing would work unless he willingly lets her go. Remember what I said? Our time isn't well suited for war, and we won't be starting one."

"So you're saying we shouldn't help her?"

David emerges from the closet in a pair of shorts, looking like the men on the ads in my mother's magazines. "I want to help her Brigette, but I don't think we'll do any good keeping her from him. Nicodra is a sick man, but his bond is just as strong as anyone else's. No Alpha will let his mate be taken from him. It's just like you said; he'll do too much damage if we do."

"Then she's right, isn't she?" I contemplate, "The only way to protect herself is to kill him."

"Nicodra is not dying, not by our hand, not in our territory."

"I know he can't, and I'm not saying we should. But I can't sit around and do nothing. It isn't right. He's dangerous."

"Which is exactly why you will listen to me-he's dangerous."

"We're stronger."

"He's reckless. He will sacrifice lives to get what he wants. We will not."

I bite down and bear the pressure of frustration. I beg my mind to spark with any kind of idea, but it truly feels like we've reached the end of the road. "Fine," I mutter, "okay. Let's just get tomorrow over with then. I don't want to think about it anymore." His shoulders drop. "I know this isn't what you want to hear. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," I mumble and stand to get dressed myself. "This just shouldn't be possible. He shouldn't be able to do that to her-what kind of mate would? What kind of goddess would allow this?"

"I don't know, Brigette. I don't know how he does it."

I refrain from tipping myself over the edge; I don't want to cry. My sadness for her is numbing. It sits in front of my face and doesn't fail to remind me how much power our Alpha mates have. If this world was upside down and David was the evil one, I would never be able to escape him. And the Lunas who are bonded to these dangerous men right-side-up, well, they're doomed. Aurora is doomed, and apparently all I can do is watch her beautiful flame extinguish.

I pull a clean shirt over my head and merely cover my bottom half with a pair of underwear. I wash up in the bathroom and brush my teeth and my hair, moving heavily, now dreading tomorrow even more than before. David comes up behind me and I watch him through his reflection. His hands cup my shoulders and one slides down to my wrist, guiding the brush in my grip to the counter. I suppose I've been standing here for longer than I thought, long enough for David to retrieve me.

I nod and leave the bathroom with him. "Try to get some sleep," he says. "I'll be here when you wake up."