Page 55 of Hot Monster Summer

And somehow, miraculously, I am theirs—equally, differently, completely.

“What are you thinking about, treasure?” Caspian murmurs, one tentacle brushing hair from my face with dexterity.

“Just marveling at how normal this feels,” I admit, gesturing to our cuddle pile. “Three months ago, I was crying into a pint of ice cream over my cheating ex, and now I’m the filling in a monster sandwich, and it’s somehow the healthiest relationship I’ve ever had.”

“Healthier with protein,” Kaelen rumbles beneath me, his chest vibrating with the words. “Not ice cream.”

“He’s not wrong,” I tell the others. “Yesterday, he brought me an entire deer. Very romantic, if slightly traumatic. We’re still working on appropriate gift-giving protocols.”

“Better than Caspian’s gift,” Oren rumbles, amusement in his deep voice. “Pearls pretty. Dead fish not pretty.”

“It was a very rare species!” Caspian protests, tentacles twitching with indignation. “And perfectly fresh.”

“It had three eyes,” I remind him. “And teeth where no fish should have teeth.”

“Exactly. Rare.”

I laugh, the sound echoing through the cabin that’s become home to all of us.

The summer has transformed all of us.

The monsters share more easily now, their territorial instincts tempered by something more substantial, their devotion to me, and their gradual growing respect for each other.

Caspian and Kaelen have mostly mended their relationship. They are still working things out, but I’m happy they are no longer at odds.

I guess we’ve formed our own pack. Not one that is determined by social norms of cultural ways, but one that is formed by choice, by understanding, and by the kind of magic that happens when three monsters decide that loving one human is worth rewriting the rules they've lived by for centuries.

Kaelen hunts for all of us. Oren tends the gardens that have sprung up around the cabin. Caspian keeps the lake clean and brings treasures from its depths. And I paint, write, laugh, and feel the happiest ever.

“Rental agreement ends soon,” Oren says, voicing the concern that’s been growing as August wanes. “Three days left.”

“I know.” I sigh, snuggling deeper into our collective embrace. “Real life beckons. Jobs. Responsibilities.”

“Stay here with us,” Kaelen says, the word between request and demand.

“We’ve discussed this,” Caspian reminds him gently. “She has a human life beyond these woods. Family, friends, obligations.”

“Her family betrayed her,” Kaelen growls. “And friends are replaceable.”

The thought of returning to civilization and my small circle of friends, who are mostly busy with their own lives, seems colorless compared to this vibrant existence.

“There are options,” Caspian says carefully, a tentacle twining around my wrist like a bracelet. “If you wish to stay longer. Or permanently.”

I prop myself up on one elbow, looking between my three monsters. “You mean the whole ‘ways around the human mortality problem’ you’ve been hinting at for weeks?”

Oren nods, flowers blooming more intensely across his shoulders—a sign I’ve learned indicates excitement oranticipation. “Ancient magics. Forest heart. Lake depths. Wolf’s bond. Combined power.”

“Very cryptic, thank you,” I say dryly. “Translation, please?”

“He means we could bind you to us,” Caspian explains. “Share our essence with you. It would extend your life, grant you certain abilities. Make you less fragile.”

“Make you ours forever,” Kaelen adds, his amber eyes intense.

“Turn me into a monster, you mean,” I clarify, not as shocked or repulsed by the idea as I probably should be.

“Not exactly,” Caspian says. “More like enhanced. Still human, but more.”

It’s a lot to process.

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