The Mates of Monsters novel Chapter 10

I leave the bedroom like a child woken by a terrible nightmare. My cheeks are salty from dried streams of tears, my eyes are red and wet, and I wander the hallway in search of safety, a parent, a hug, or in this case, any possible form of comfort. The house is asleep. David is likely tucked away in his room, but I attempt quiet footsteps anyway as I travel downstairs.

I traverse the shadows but follow the light once I see it. It's in the kitchen-the moonlight shines through the many windows and pours onto the floor through the glass of the back doors. The kitchen is the only room bright enough to move around in without my arms extended forward. I won't dare to turn on the lights. I feel like David will see it somehow. He'll see that I'm awake and he'll come to put me back in bed.

My eyes study the night through the back doors. There are guards out there, ready to hunt me down and drag me back kicking and screaming. Or maybe I won't get that far. I'm sure David has some alarm in this head that the bond blares whenever I do wrong. Or maybe he feels my heart-the uncertainty; the anxious, heavy beating. I hate it. I hate that I can't keep myself from him in that way. David will always have access to a part of me, and it scares me even more not knowing how big of a part that is.

I won't be able to protect myself if he hurts me. In one way or another, I'm forever exposed and vulnerable. And he's going to hurt me.

"Brigette."

I don't need to look back. My eyes remain on the window. It's the alarm-does it sound for wrong thoughts as well as actions?

"Yes?" I answer, hushed. The house is tranquil with silence, and to speak too loudly would disrupt everything asleep-disarmed-inside.

"Are you alright?" He asks. He's been asleep; I can hear the deep, tiredness in his rough voice. The alarm woke him. How inconsiderate of me to think such things in the middle of the night when the Alpha needs to rest.

"Yeah. Just thirsty. I came for water."

The sounds of shuffling and cabinets and finally glass touching the stone countertops tells me what's he's doing. I peer over my shoulder-hoping the shade of night hides my fleeting distress-to see his fingers around a tall glass. He slides it kindly in my direction. I feel like a deer in the forest, and David is careful, steady. He lures me over, and I trust him stupidly. I fill the glass and take a sip as his eyes watch me. He would have had the perfect moment to strike as my chin is lifted and my neck is stretched open, but he doesn't.

"Have you slept at all?"

Should I tell him why I'm awake? Should I explain the glassiness of my eyes or the uneven breathes pushing out of me?

I set the glass down and avoid making eye contact. "A little. On and off," I reply. "I know, that's probably not good considering my first self-defense lesson is tomorrow. Looks like it will be an easy win for you. I don't know h-how much of a fight I'll be able to put up."

David studies me. I didn't think I gave much away on my face, but he is making me reconsider my tactics. "Don't worry about it. If you need to sleep in-have the day tomorrow. It can be difficult to adjust."

My chest fills with air as we look at each other.