The Mates of Monsters
Chapter 75

Gentle music fills the empty space between proper conversations and the careful clinging of plates, glasses, and silverware. The sun has set, and the dining hall is instead lit by the romantic chandeliers above. We share our dining table with two other parties: an Alpha and

Luna from Romania as well as an Alpha and his two advisors from Scotland.

The Luna, an older woman named Beatrice, lets me know that she has heard of my work as soon as I sit down. Bonny and I discuss the proposition with her and her Alpha until Jeremy joins the table, returning from wherever he's been all day. He maintains his appearance of composure despite the fact that he is nearly ten minutes late. The man has never been late to anything. "Good evening," he greets our fellow guests.

"Get tied up in something?" I ask. I left the seat next to me open on purpose. With him stuck next to me, he can't avoid my questions.

"Lost track of time."

Liar! Jeremy wouldn't dare. "Oh really? Did you venture off the territory? Do a bit of sightseeing?"

"If you must know, I saw some old friends," he says.

"From the Dreier pack?"

"No."

My appetizer is placed before me, so I pause his interrogation to thank the server and eat some. My appetite has been very present today, and I plan to scrape my plates clean.

"Brigette!"

I peer over my shoulder then turn completely in my chair. A woman in a blue dress scurries over to me, and it clicks in my brain. "Luna Lovegreen," I beam and stand from the table. I reflect her firm hold when her arms bind around me in a hug. "Don't you get all formal with me now," she scolds, pulling back.

"Mary," I correct, "it's nice to see you again. I didn't know you would be here."

"We're in Europe, darling. Of course I'm here. The real question is what are you doing here? Is your Alpha here as well?"

"No, I've come with my advisor and Luna Godoy. I'm giving a speech tomorrow before the votes are cast on our proposition."

"Good. At least one speech will be worth listening to, though I'm sure you'll get the votes anyway. The Luna's love what you're doing. You're a little firecracker making the rest of us look bad; I'm relieved each day that Alpha Lovegreen doesn't hone on me for not making history."

"I couldn't have done it without the Lunas support. It's been a group effort, Mary, which means you too helped bring the proposition to this stage. We're all making history."

She nudges me with her elbow. "You little politician. You're getting good at that."

"So, you're here with Alpha Lovegreen?"

"Yes, yes. We're at a table just over there." She points across the room. "Funny that I saw you-I just caught Luna Leloup coming out of the loo. I feel like I'm at a reunion." "I'll have to find her to say hello, then. It's actually a relief to hear that the two of you came. Some familiar faces will be nice to see in the crowd tomorrow."

"I'll be right in the front row," she assures me. "Now don't let me interrupt your dinner. I've got to get back before the Alpha comes looking for me again." "We'll talk tomorrow? I want to see you before I fly back."

"Of course. We'll carve out some time after you deliver what I assume will be a lovely speech."

I smile and say, "I would love that. Have a nice rest of your night."

"You too, darling. I'll see you tomorrow."

I settle back down and finish my meal, letting Jeremy off the hook, at least for tonight. There will be plenty of time to hear about his old friends when we're locked in a plane forè eight hour's. I'll make sure that we sit next to one another. Maybe then I can lift some of the weight from my shoulders regarding Maybe Baby. I know I want to wait to tell David until I can say it face-to-face, but Jeremy is like the brother I never had-an extremely organized brother who keeps me on track and helps me achieve my goals.

So he's not much of a brother, and quite frankly, he reminds me of my mother more than anyone. Regardless, whatever he is, he's one of my closest friends. He gives grade A advice and is never afraid to tell me how it is, and I feel like I need him in my life. What am I supposed to do when he moves on? When we get back, he could take off the very next day.

Later on, after dinner, I have a deep breath and I remove the heels from my achy feet. It's quiet now, but I don't know if I like it. I don't want to be alone.

I take my phone out and call David. With the device to my ear, I sit on the bed and tug the tie from my hair. The first thing he says when he picks up is, "Hello, beautiful."

"Hi," I coo, fond of his new pet name.

"How did today go?"

"It was fine. Jeremy was off

somewhere most of the day, but I saw Luna Lovegreen at dinner. She said Luna Leloup is here as well, I'm happy that not everyone is

stranger. It will make tomorrow ne

a

whole lot easier. I miss you, though. Quite a few people asked me if you're here with me. It seems your presence is missed."

"They want to ask me about Nicodra, that's all."

"They don't think you're in the wrong, do they?"

"No, I don't think so. I think they're curious. It's not every day that Alphas agree to such things." "Okay," I murmur.

"Is everything alright? Is everyone is being respectful?"

"Everything is going great. There are no issues at all; it's just good to hear your voice."

"Good," he says. I close my eyes just to picture him beside me. "I can't wait to have you back."

"Really? You aren't realizing that you're better off without me? I mean, you have the whole bed to yourself. I'm not there to steal the covers and roll on top of you in the middle of the night."

"I would do anything to have you on top of me, Brigette."

I grip my phone a little harder, still bashful when he talks to me this way. Before I can respond, he continues, but his words head in a much different direction.

"I know what happened before you

left upset you. I never want you to feel like that again. I shouldn't have been speaking to you about our intimacy as I was, and then to watch you become so excited by the

possibility of being pregnaneet

What

I mean to tell you is that if you want

a baby, we can let whatever

happens, happen. No more pressure,

or guilt, or shame."

My need to tell David about Maybe Baby almost claws its way up my throat. "You've been talking to Helena, haven't you?"

"All I want is to live my life with you and have you be happy."

"As long as I have you, I am," I promise him. "We can figure it all out when I get back, okay?"

When I get back-something about it worries me. Why do I fear so deeply that I won't be able to?

"Alright. You get some rest. You're going to do great tomorrow."

The electric blue of Alpha Dreier's eyes pierces the front of my brain. As I say my final goodnight to my mate, I check the locks on the doors to make sure they're locked tight.

I promised David I would come back to him, and nothing is going to stop me from doing so, even if I have to do it myself this time.