Page 30 of Hot Monster Summer

“I understand," I say softly, though I'm not sure I entirely do.

The idea that love—if that's what this is—doesn't have to be exclusive, possessive, singular… It's foreign to everything I've been taught about relationships.

"Three of us," Oren continues, his deep voice thoughtful. "Lonely long time. You…" He touches my cheek with one massive finger. "Wake something."

"You're saying I don't have to choose between you three?" I ask.

His smile is knowing. "Why choose? Forest has many trees. Lake has many currents. Pack has many wolves. Same ecosystem."

"That's not how human relationships work," I protest weakly.

"Not with humans now," he points out. "Monster rules, different. Heart rules, different."

He leans down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Tomorrow, wolf show ways. Next day, water-dweller. Then decide what heart wants.”

I nod. “Whatever happens, I’ll remember tonight,” I tell him, standing on tiptoes to press one last kiss to his moss-covered cheek. A tiny flower blooms instantly where my lips touch.

“Forest remembers,” he rumbles, touching the new bloom with wonder. “I remember too. Go now. Rest.”

I walk the last few yards to the cabin alone, feeling his eyes on me until I close the door behind me. Inside, I collapse onto the bed, my body still humming with forest magic, my mind reeling with everything I’ve experienced.

My ex was safe and reliable, with a strong emphasis on safe. We met on a dating app, where excitement peaked at his proper grammar and splitting the check exactly down the middle.

The sex? More polite than carnal, more “meh,” than satisfying.

The man you’re supposed to spend the rest of your life with should be a lot more than just safe and dependable, not that mine was in the end. And guess what, Brad? My “unreliable” Honda makes me feel more alive than you ever did.

Catching them together might be the best thing that ever happened to me; it forced me to abandon my DIY denial project and take a hard look at what I was settling for.

It led me here and tomorrow is Kaelen’s turn.

The wolf.

The most primal and aggressive of my three supernatural suitors. After experiencing Oren’s gentle forest magic, I wonder what the wolf has in store.

Part of me is terrified.

A larger part can’t wait to find out.

11

Lily

Morning brings a strange gift to my doorstep–a freshly killed rabbit arranged on a bed of leaves.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I mutter, staring at the dead animal. “Really, Kaelen?”

A low chuckle comes from the tree line. Kaelen steps into view, more man than wolf today, covered in gray fur, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

“It’s a traditional offering,” he says, approaching the porch. “It shows I can provide.”

“I have a refrigerator,” I point out. “And groceries.”

He scoffs, clearly unimpressed with modern conveniences. “Not the same. This,” he gestures to the rabbit, “is personal. It was hunted just for you.”

Despite my initial disgust, I’m oddly touched by the gesture. Macabre as it is.

“Thank you,” I say finally. “But maybe next time… chocolates?”

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