The Monster's Den by Jillian West

Author:Jillian West [West, Jillian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Dread

It's terribly inconvenient trying to distract the hound from the mewls of pleasure coming from down the hall.

I know that fucking witch could block the sound for me the same way she did for the pup. The only possibility is that she's trying to torture me.

It's working.

Ember is currently stuck somewhere between a human toddler and a tiny wolf. I've never seen a hybrid like her, but she's beautiful. Her fur is blondish gray. She's a fluff ball with wicked teeth and the attitude that comes with alpha blood. Her coat is soft, and her tail is shaggy.

Ember grunts and gives up, fully changing back into the wolf. The hound chuffs. A small, playful bark comes from the pup with too much attitude, and then she's nipping at my jowl again.

It's a minor inconvenience and completely natural for her to play with a parent in such a manner.

The hound preens. We're very fond of that idea. My massive paw lands on the pup's back as she growls and squats down, yanking at my upper lip.

“E-Ember?” Emerson whispers, coming into the room.

“She's an adorable little thing, isn't she?” Arsyn says, coming to squat at my side.

Ember bounds around him and jumps at her mother's legs.

Emerson is in a dress.

Ember's sharp nails rake down the unprotected skin of her mother's shins.

“Look at you,” Emerson whispers, bending down and scooping up the pup. The pup licks her mother's face and nuzzles her cheek. “Oh, you’re so soft, but your nails are sharp.”

The pup wiggles about, making Emerson laugh. Her hair flies in front of Ember's face.

I growl low in warning.

Ember snaps, biting her mother's cheek and lip. Blood instantly pours from the wound.

“Ouch,” Emerson says, wiping at her face. “Crap, you got me good.”

The hound is not pleased. Neither am I. Humans are extremely fragile. A low warning chuff escapes.

Ember tucks her face in her mother's arm.

Laithe appears at Emerson's side. “Let's put her down, then I'll heal that.”

Ember whines.

“It's okay,” Emerson coos. “It was an accident.”

“Hello, pup,” Arsyn says, carefully plucking the wolf from her mother's arms. “You're going to need to learn when not to use those teeth.”

Laithe bites his wrist, offering it to Emerson.

She scoffs. “Last time, you licked me. Why do I need to drink your blood now?”

“This is much deeper,” Lai clarifies, shoving his wrist to her mouth.

The incubus sits on the edge of the couch with the pup.

I prowl closer.

Ember whimpers.

The hound isn't able to communicate telepathically with her, but he makes his displeasure known.

“Don't growl at my daughter,” Emerson snaps, stepping in front of me. “Not ever again.”

We appreciate how fiercely she is defending her young. We know we're terrifying to humans and monsters alike.

The hound still bristles. Why doesn't she understand? We're protecting her, nothing more. The child meant no harm, but she's also half shifter. Her instincts are more violent than Emerson could ever guess.

If we don't curb it now, her alpha blood will end up being problematic.

The hound saunters off to where we left our clothes.

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