The Mates of Monsters novel Chapter 40

"I'm not leaving," I protest.

"Get your things together. We're flying back tonight."

"I'm not leaving, David. I mean it. I'm not done."

"I don't care," he says, looking from our bags for a moment between his frantic packing. "I knew this would happen. I knew I shouldn't have let you come."

I sigh and sit on the edge of the bed, watching him. "They're making Nicodra leave—you saw what happened. He's probably already gone."

"I don't care."

"I'm not leaving."

"Yes," he says louder and shoots upright, "you are. Look what he did." He motions to my neck. "What he could have done," he mutters.

"He said he wouldn't kill me," I tell him. "Well, maybe he would now, but he's being expelled from this meeting, and if he wants to attend the next one, he'll apologize, not hunt me."

David throws down a piece of clothing and runs a hand through his hair. "Please, Brigette, just let me take you home."

"I can't go yet," I say gently as he comes over. "I need to talk to Bonny and the other Lunas tomorrow morning. It's important. And besides, who knows what we'll miss during discussions if we leave now."

"Right now, my only concern is your safety."

"I am safe," I exaggerate.

"Look at your neck, Brigette!"

"I know! Okay? I know." I breathe, "But it really isn't that bad."

He frowns, hard. "Don't look at me like that and lie to me."

"Nicodra is gone—you made sure of it—and that's all that matters. He and his plans are gone. He can't keep campaigning, and with an open spot in the discussion topics, we can introduce something new. I think we can make a real difference—something that matters to people."

"You planned this, then?" He questions, straight-faced. "You wanted Nicodra to act up and get thrown out?"

"I can make this bruise worth it."

David's chest rises and falls before he looks away.

I stand and grab his hand. He doesn't have the cruelty to jerk away. "Bonny and Aurora gave me this idea—that the Lunas want to change how leadership transfers in the family. They want women of Alpha blood to be able to hold the Alpha position. They talk about it in their little club. If I can go there tomorrow morning and talk to them before the first meeting, then maybe—"

"How long have you been considering this?"

I shrug. "I thought about it after Nicodra was an ass at lunch. He deserves to have his selfish ideas smothered, and what better to replace them than something he would surely hate? He's a sexist pig."

David pauses for a moment, thinking. "Goddess-sake, Brigette," he sighs. "You're trying to change a structure that's been followed since our beginning. It's not as simple as you think."

"I know. But with the Lunas on my side, what will their mates do? Refuse them and leave with angry women? Plus, packs are dying—this could possibly save plenty. It's painfully reasonable. At least let me try."

His fingers brush the blooming bruise along my throat, a mark of a hand. "I don't want you putting yourself at risk. I don't want you playing games, Brigette, because they rarely end the way you hope them to."

"From now on, I'll be good, just please don't let this go to waste. Don't make me leave. This is for all our women, for your mother, for me."

"Here we are," Bonny says and opens one of the two doors leading to the lounge claimed by generations of Lunas looking for an escape. The first thing I notice is the sunlight. Three large glass pane windows fill the room with the energetic brightness I've been missing since leaving home. I almost shield my eyes from its intensity, but there is so much more to look at: upholstered furniture in soft, romantic patterns; flowers and plants perched on shelves and small, curvaceous side tables; tasseled carpets, and glass light fixtures, and mounted artwork encapsulated inside hand-carved frames.

Another moment of silence discerns me until Luna Lovegreen calls out, "Let's do it then. Right? Come on then, ladies. Let the young girl make change."

"It's quite the change," older Luna Williams states, sat with her legs together and hands neat on her lap. "Quite sudden."

"Oh, Williams let the girl make change. I, for one, am sick and tired of this archaic need for baby boys. I love my little girl, and you know what, I'm sure she's smarter than both my boys at half their age," Luna Lovegreen admits happily.

"I'll do it." Luna Leloup raises her hand. "My mate will support it as well. He's far too busy arguing with your mate, Luna Lovegreen, to know what he's supporting or not."

"I will as well," Luna Horvat announces. "I have two girls. My mate is pushing for the third right after I gave birth not even a year ago. I'm tired. I'll support you, dear."

One by one the Lunas join my team, and with each addition, my plan grows stronger and stronger. Just as time is running low, a knock sounds on the door behind Bonny and me. I turn back and open it, peeking through only to find my mate. I step out of the lounge and immediately tell him, "It's working. They want to support me."

David, with crossed arms, says, "You got the spot."

"I-I do? You got it?"

"You're speaking first. Are you ready?"

In a single stride, I lift up and bring my mouth to his, kissing him firmly then pressing my cheek to his shoulder as I hug him. "Thank you, thank you," I murmur. "I'll do well, I promise."

I peer up and he kisses me again, tucking my hair behind my ear when he pulls back. "You have twenty minutes. You better get back in there."

"Right, okay. I'll see you in the meeting room then."

I turn to the door, touch the handle, yet I can't help but look back at him. "You can do this, Brigette," David assures me.

"I will. For us, I will do it."