The Accidental Werewolf's Mate: A Monsterly Yours Romance (Monstery Yours Book 3)

by S. J. Sanders

  “Dryads,” Tas says from the position he’s taken behind Rashi. He lifts his lance wearily. I yank out my swords from their scabbards and turn my head this way and that, searching for any sign of them. However, I can smell them clearly now. The tangy scent of earth and freshly dug roots. It is powerful enough to sting my nose.

  “Why are we afraid of dryads?” Jinx asks, his head whipping around as he attempts to squint through the haze into the trees. Even with the lighting, it is still too dim for human eyesight to make them out properly. All the better for them, in my opinion. “Aren’t they like sexy female tree nymphs that prance around nude to lure shepherds?”

  “Not quite,” Fahuri says quietly. “They are an all-female species of nymphs, yes, but they are predators. They like to hunt and often have performed as the companions of hunting deities in lore.”

  “Hunt what?” Jinx whispers.

  “Males, of course. They will work to separate us before they ply their efforts to confuse you, try to draw you in and entice you if possible before they spring their trap. You will be a stag to them, one they will attempt to breed themselves on before you are slaughtered for their appetites.”

  “Fuck me,” Jinx whispers hoarsely. He wraps one arm around Fahuri and says in a louder voice, “Umm, all you dryad females, I’m sorry but I’m already taken. My seed has been claimed and all that. Pretty sure everyone here is claimed, or a large enough percentage to make it not worth your while. Might be best to just look for another group to eat.”

  He sounds so hopeful that I chuckle despite our dire situation. My fur shivers and I instinctively pull Ana closer to me. It is to protect her, but part of me hopes that Jinx is on to a good idea. Maybe demonstrating pair bonds will discourage them.

  I hear a shriek in the trees just above me and my blood runs cold and I jerk my head around to look for the source.

  Yeah, it might discourage them... or piss them off.

  “Fahuri,” Ana calls out to the other female. My sister turns her ear toward her in acknowledgment. “What conditions do dryads dislike? What might encourage them to hide in their trees instead of pursuing us?”

  “Let me think,” Fahuri mutters.

  “Think faster, love,” Jinx whispers after a moment. My fur bristles as the shrieking sounds of the hunting dryads approach. Clearly the one that was above us moments ago was a scout. Now the air was filled with hunting cries.

  “I fucking hate the northern woods,” Vrox growls as he unsheathes his broadsword, his eyes scanning the trees.

  “Fahuri,” I grunt as I move sharply to the side as something sweeps in the branches just behind me.

  “Light!” she shouts against the rising din. “It makes them drowsy and they will retreat into the trees.”

  “In these woods?” Tas replies incredulously. “Good luck with that!”

  “How about fire?” Ana yells back.

  Fahuri goes silent for a moment and my anxiety spikes. Any longer and we are going to have to battle our way out and, from the way things are sounding, our odds are not going to be good.

  “It... should work. It will either scare them or make them really, really angry.”

  “Jinx,” Ana calls out.

  “On it, babe!” the male returns merrily. Even in crisis mode, he sounds unconcerned. I begin to wonder if he is truly just really unstable.

  Ana grabs my hand and squeezes it. “Everyone... draw back!” she orders with such authority than an alpha would be able to admire. The betas respond immediately, running toward us. Fahuri is right behind them with Rashi nudging her along, though she keeps casting concerned looks back at the human.

  A chaotic red glow flashes around the witch, etched with mounting flames that zip around him as if being pulled from the fabric of the universe itself. At the heart of it, he was almost a shadow, his smile the most clearly-seen feature.

  “Don’t burn the woods!” Mentep snarls.

  “He won’t,” Ana replies. There is so much confidence in her voice that Mentep backs down, his fur bristling as he turns his attention back to the trees.

  Something... is... definitely happening. The trees are swaying above us with agitation. As Jinx’s flames spin around him in a carefully controlled inferno, the flames lick up just high enough to threaten the lower limbs without touching them. The dryads rage, limbs cracking around us as trees violently shake.

  A male bellows and I see Eteri drop to the ground a short distance away. He is thrashing and struggling, the blade in his hand swinging to gouge whatever has seized him. Before I know it, Ana drops my hand and runs toward him, skirting around the other males and any limbs swaying toward her.

  “Ana!” There is no stopping her from running to the male’s aid. I can already see a blistering red outline of power forming around her hands. She is going to intercede.

  “Eteri, hold!” I shout, and the male obediently drops his weapon and stills, panting as the wraith-like feminine form starts tugging at him, desperately trying to turn his heavy body over. Recalling what Fahuri said, I realize that she is trying to breed him. She barely manages to tug him to his side when Ana collides with the nymph.

  Ana’s scarlet hands flare as she slaps them onto her foe and the female beneath her grasp burns, writhes, and screams, red light pouring from her mouth and eyes. I can see Ana’s lips moving with her incantation, unyielding until finally the female flings herself away and runs screaming in pain into the trees.

  Silence descends and the trees still. I can see only glimpses of the hunters following after their companion. The flare of a fireball bursting harmlessly into the skies momentarily blinds me, but when my vision clears, I am happy to see my mate is well. I hasten toward her and barely avoid being run down by Fahuri as she yips with pleasure and races by to collide with Jinx.

  Ana watches after the nymph until she disappears from sight and then drops forward to brace her weight with her hands against her knees as she pants wearily. I rush to her side, wanting both to throttle her and hug her close to me and never let her go.

  “Are you okay?” she asks the younger male.

  He looks up at her, wide-eyed, his breath still heaving out of him in adrenaline-fueled pants. Slowly, he nods and pushes himself to his feet. A silence falls between them, both gasping for air when suddenly Eteri bows low to her.

  “I thank you. You have my swords to defend whenever the need arises. I owe you everything.” His oath sworn, he lifts his head and smiles down at her. “Never would I think to witness courage from such a delicate species.”

  Ana shakes her head grimly, only the smallest suggestion of a smile at the corner of her lips. “You owe me nothing. We do as we should for those we take as our companions. You protect me with your sword, and I protect you with my magic. That’s how it should be.”

  Easing back into a straightened position, she glances at Fahuri. “Do you think any of the dryads are still lingering?”

  We all scent the air, but the bitter, root-like, earthy scent of the dryads no longer lingers.

  Fahuri shakes her head. “No, they are gone.”

  “Thank the gods for small favors,” Jinx groans. “I think I need a protein bar. That fireball wiped out my energy stores.”

  Rashi chuckles and rummages through his mate’s pack and hands him a small pouch. I can smell dried meat and berries from where I stand. Jinx sighs happily.

  “You think of everything, babe!” he says and pops a chunk of meat into his mouth while Fahuri fusses over him, looking for even the smallest sign of scorching. The easy interaction between the mates fills me with longing until I recall that my own mate needs attention.

  I look toward my mate in concern. “Is there anything you require, Ana?”

  “No, my energy expenditure wasn’t as great as Jinx’s. I’ll be fine until we stop for a meal.” Her gaze softens. “But thank you.”

  I frown in confusion. “Why are you thanking me? I haven’t done anything to assist you.”

  “I’m thanking you for be
ing sweet and thinking of me,” she responds with a chuckle.

  “Oh!” My fur puffs with pleasure, which sets off a giggle as she strokes it. I lean into the touch, my eyes half-shut with pleasure as the males regroup. It is only with great effort that I manage to move away from her delightful touch so that we can keep pace with Vrox, who is watching us with no little amusement.

  “It is good to see happily mated pairs,” he observes as we rejoin him.

  For once I have nothing to say, and neither does my Ana.

  Chapter 18

  Ana

  The episode with the dryads leaves me more than a little frazzled as we continue to walk through the dim interior of the northern woods, so I’m relieved when at last we emerge into a sunlit meadow. All of the oppressive shadows seem to melt away and it feels like I can breathe easily for the first time.

  Vrox throws his pack to the ground nearby and breathes deeply. Unlike his brothers, he has more white in his face, a large patch on his forehead, and two smaller patches on his jaws that remind me of long sideburns. Those curious markings make me think of a distinguished Regency gentleman or the Victorian hero of some of my favorite horror stories. He glances at Fahuri and she nods her assent to his unspoken question.

  “We will rest here,” he announces. A collective relieved sigh from everyone followed.

  We all drop into the grass and packs are immediately broken into as everyone digs out their travel rations. Some the males would attempt to hunt something later, but for this break, the rations would fill us and restore depleted energy as we soak in some of the sunshine and get much-needed rest. Fahuri is a few feet away, curled up between her mates as the three of them doze, and among the brothers I can see two asleep while the other two sit alert. Tas gives me a small smile from where he sits that I quickly return.

  Beside me, licking the remnants of his ration from his muzzle, Arawl stretches out, his silvery belly looking almost white under the sunlight. I kneel forward and scratch my nails over his belly and am delighted when he groans and leans into it. I add in my other hand to scratch his pectorals and abs in time with the scritching over his belly. Arawl growls low in his throat and writhes, his entire body shivering with ecstasy, and his tail fans me as it thumps my leg with pleasure. He finally gives a long, shivering stretch and the plops over on his side facing me with a content look on his face, his eyes gleaming like cut gems from beneath his heavy lids.

  For a moment I’m utterly mesmerized, and I pillow myself against him gently as if pulled in by some unseen force. His arms wrap around me. I close my eyes, soaking in his warmth and the touch of the sun. Everything is perfect...

  “By the gods, I wish I had someone who would do that to me,” Mentep grumbles to his brothers, and the males break into laughter, totally spoiling the romantic atmosphere. Everyone pretends to ignore Fahuri’s flirtatious giggle and Rashi’s lustful moan. Despite all their flirting and touching, I know the males are still courting their skittish mate. I know what Jinx looks like after he’s gotten some, and he looks more than a little sexually frustrated but also like he’s having fun and enjoying himself with his mate and the female they are cozying up to. So it’s all good. If they want to enjoy a bit of heavy petting while resting, more power to them.

  Snuggled up against Arawl’s belly, I am more content than I really want to analyze too closely right now. I close my mind to all the little doubtful, reproachful thoughts and let myself enjoy our shared closeness at this moment. Despite the chilly autumn air, I’m so warm it’s easy to doze off cradled in the strong arms holding me. His even breathing and the steady beat of his heart easing me into slumber.

  I am not sure how long I napped but when I wake, I’m wrapped in my cloak lying in the grass while Arawl crouches near me, repacking and checking our packs. Everyone else is getting ready to leave while I was sleeping. Vrox and Tas give me an amused glance as I scramble to my feet, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment, but Arawl is there by my side to steady me. He turns me into his chest while he slips my pack on me and fusses with the adjustments while giving me time to compose myself.

  His hand strokes soothingly at my waist. “It is okay, Ana. Everyone awoke only moments earlier. There is no reason to be embarrassed. If any of the males so much as try to shame you for resting, I will threaten to rip a vital organ from his body while he watches.”

  I stifle a laugh in his fur and pull back to look up at him.

  “Oh, really. That’s a little bloodthirsty, don’t you think?”

  He grins down at me and runs a hand through my curls. “Maybe just a little, but sometimes you have to give them a good scare so that they know you mean business. I don’t mind at all.”

  I snort with laughter. “I just bet you don’t.” I affectionately ruffle the thick fur around the collar of his neck. “What did you ever do to entertain your thirst for violence before me?”

  He pretends to scratch at his jaw thoughtfully as he swings one hand through the air for emphasis. “Picked fights with assholes, responded to dominance challenges, drank and got into more fights. For a while there we had a nice feud going with the trolls that kept us all pretty busy. Then of course, there is always the fucking, which is a good outlet when you can’t fuck something up.”

  “You know, that would be really concerning if I was hearing that from a human man.”

  “It is quite a blessing that I am not a human male. Poor Jinx, he is truly missing out. He has the crazy bloodlust, just not the muscle to back it up. Then again, if he threw his magic behind it, he might land a good strike,” Arawl replied, his mind busily turning that idea around with none-too-little interest.

  To regain his attention, I tap the tip of his nose playfully.

  “Oh really? What about me? Do you think I’m missing out too?”

  He grins down at me. “Nah, because even though you try to hide it, you are just as bloodthirsty as the rest of us. Perhaps it makes you the perfect werewolf’s mate.”

  My smile dims and Arawl gets a strange, distressed look on his face. I swallow and pat his chest a bit in an attempt to convey that it is okay. Adjusting my pack slightly I shift away and look for Jinx. He seems to be intently listening to Rashi and Fahuri talking. I inadvertently catch his eye, and he excuses himself to jog over.

  His arm drops around me and gives me a brief side hug. “How are you holding up?” His gaze shifts to Arawl to include him. I literally have never seen him do that with any guy I’ve ever been with.

  I laugh. “Pretty well. I suppose a fond wish for a bed when the temperature drops tonight would be asking a little much.”

  “Actually, not at all as it turns out,” Jinx states happily. “Once we pass through this next section of the woods, Rashi believes there is a small tavern with rooms to rent for the night just over the northern edge of Evarue territory. It is run by satyrs, but that sounds like good fun.”

  “You’re fucking with me.”

  Arawl lets out an impressive growl and Jinx laughs nervously. “No. Trust me, there will never be any kind of fucking. I am quite certain that Rashi and Fahuri will outright beat anyone else to killing me.”

  I snort. “You know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, but the nuances in wording to a mated werewolf don’t always come across exactly as you intend, so I’m just being very clear here. Funny just how quickly that becomes obvious with two of them,” he says with a small grimace.

  “So there really is a small group of satyrs running a B&B?”

  He hesitates and winces a bit. “That is probably a bit more upscale than what it will actually be.”

  “Like what, then?” I return, my brow pulling down.

  “Probably a ramshackle room on the upper level with straw on the floor, a creaky bed that may or may not hold our weight, and one blanket,” Arawl fills in.

  “Ah, just a notch shy of a Motel 6. We’ll survive. It beats a night in the woods,” I say with a shrug.

  “I wouldn’t necessarily say that,” Arawl mutters bu
t I choose to ignore his grump. He may not mind sleeping on the ground, but I like a bed when I can get one.

  “Onward then to the Satyr Inn!” I really do try to stay positive about the little things. If only things didn’t have a tendency to be a whole lot worse.

  We travel for several days through the woods, thankfully uneventful. The nights are cold and I’m thankful that I have Arawl to keep me warm, although I don’t think anyone has it quite as good as Jinx sandwiched between the two werewolves. At least the sunlight streams through the trees and the worst part of the northern woods are behind us... I hope. The peace of our journey comes to an end when we reach the territory boundary. All the males stiffen as we pass two large standing stone markers, and even I feel a shiver of apprehension.

  We only have to travel a short distance more when, late into the evening on our seventh day in the woods, we come across a small clearing. Rashi smiles triumphantly—as there had been several doubtful grumbles between the males of whether this place even existed—and I stare in awe at the structural oddity in front of me.

  The tavern in question, if one could really call it that, when we finally arrive is an impressive hodgepodge of logs and random bits of lumber that, judging by their appearance, were likely scavenged scraps from other buildings. The end look was something more like a deranged two-story cabin that you’d expect to house a serial killer hiding out in the woods rather than satyrs serving drinks and food to clients. But when we walk in, that’s exactly what we find.

  A young male with small budded horns on his head looks up at us with interest the moment we enter. In a tavern full of satyrs and a number of sprites, I suddenly feel very large and awkward around the slighter beings. The satyrs, despite their wide, blunt noses, enormous dark eyes, pointed chins, and thick sturdy bodies, come up no higher than my breast. Females laugh bawdily from where they congregate in small groups around the tavern, just as unclothed as their male counterparts, leaving their breasts completely bare. Their faces are just as broad as those of the males but their features a little more delicate. The younger ones who scurry about helping are adorable, reminding me of goat kids I once saw at a fair. Everyone is rushing about on dainty cloven hooves that I fear even moving around lest I accidentally knock someone over.