The Mates of Monsters

"Do you have the agreement?"

"I got it," David says. I look from my reflection in the mirror over the dresser to see the folder clamped in his hand, hanging at his side. It seems like just the other day that I attended my first Union meeting here, but I don't mind the travel. Besides, the heavy snow outside David scans my body as if something will suddenly be out of place. I turn to him with my hands holding the underside of my rounded belly. "I know," I tell him, "I'm getting big."

reminds me of the winters at my old pack, minus the mountains, of course.

He approaches with gentle eyes and spreads his palm to feel my belly with a cautious touch. "Twenty-two weeks today-over halfway there."

"Do you think you can make it?"

He smiles a tainted smile. "We both know it's not me that I worry about."

"Shh," I hush and place my hand on his, intertwining our fingers. "She might hear you don't stress her out."

"Trust me, she's doing perfectly fine in there."

"How do you know? Have you been talking to her while I'm sleeping?"

"Something like that," he says.

I roll my lips together and follow him out of the bedroom. "You know, sometimes I think you're a psychic."

He glances back. "A psychic? No."

I step into my kitten-heeled shoes that are set beside the main door, and David holds my hand. Almost all of my clothes are elastic-banded lately-a big difference from my usual business attire. But for the welcoming meeting, I've fought my way into a fitted maternity dress. My dinner attire is similar; normal-looking clothes with a rounded extension of fabric that makes me feel as if I'm slipping on a giant sock. My baby belly just fits into place, and I feel silly wearing specialty clothes. I love this little girl, but I want my regular clothes back.

We leave the apartment right on time. A scramble of voices can be heard from the end of the grand stone hallway, and my puffy feet quicken their achy pace.

I walk down the stone staircase along the thick railing, letting my hand glide without much worry. There isn't a need to when David has my other hand in his own paired with an extra support beneath my elbow. He moves as if he's ready to lunge and catch me if I stumble, but I've adapted to his newfound level of protection. Sometimes it pulls my trigger, but most of the time I think it's sweet.

"Careful," he says.

"I'm being careful."

"You're stepping right on the edge of the steps; there's space."

I hold my breath. "David, trust me, I got it under control. I have many years of staircase experience."

"You constantly trip on the steps at home."

I look back wearing my playful embarrassment. "Don't say that. I don't want someone to overhear-they all think so highly of me I can't look weak."

"No one will think that you're weak."

"They will if you keep walking me up and down staircases like a grandmother."

Before I can break away at the bottom of the stairs, David holds me and lowers to my ear. "Remember our deal. You could come as long as we're careful. No overexerting yourself, and no wandering alone."

"I really don't think anyone here would hurt a pregnant woman."

"Brigette, please-"

"Okay, okay, I know," I assure him, "I'm taking it seriously, I promise."

"Brigette?"

I turn at once. Aurora stands in front of me behind her own pregnant belly, one riper than mine. My eyes widen and the first thing I say is, "How are you here?"

Her thin body has filled out during her pregnancy, and her sturdy arms come around me as our bellies get in the way of one another. "It's so good to see you," she says behind my back. "Look how far long you've gotten."

"Me? Look at you. Are you even allowed on airplanes?"

"By the skin of my teeth."

cont

In Aurora, see the pregnancy glow that I've waiting to see in myself. She has entirely transformed, and every time we find ourselves in the same ro

room, she seems to look healthier and healthier.

David steps up and greets her as well.

"Is that it?" She questions and nods to the folder under David's arm.

"It's the agreement, yes," he says. "We have to turn it in today. Once it's validated, everything will finally be settled."

"Well, it's about time that chapter was closed," she says.

I tell her, "We're handing it over before the welcoming meeting starts. You're welcome to come with us. Who are you here with?"novelbin

"I came with Bonny at the last minute. Getting here by myself would have been too much to deal with. But she and Alpha Godoy are still in the room-thought I would venture out early."

"Oh, how's Bonny? It's been a few weeks since we've spoken."

"I wouldn't want to spoil her news. She wants to tell you herself."

I freeze. "She's pregnant?"

Aurora makes a face. "Now you'll have to pretend to be surprised."

"Wow, all three of us are pregnant at the same time. I suppose our kids really will play with each other after all."

"How cute," she gushes, "I didn't think about that, but we'll have to do it. They can all be friends."

Aurora walks with us to the meeting

room, carrying on. "I know I said I wasn't going to spoil the gender and keep it a surprise like you, but my sister talked me into it. I'm having a boy haven't picked his name yet but I'm glad to know."

"After all my hard work, you're having a boy?" I tease.

"It's not my fault. You can blame the Goddess."

"I should tell you that I spoiled my baby's gender too."

Her eyes shift to David when he glances back at us. "Did you talk her into it?"

"She talked me into it," he says.