Page 6 of My Monster, My Choice

Another alien dressed in a uniform approaches us.

“You’re a little young to be Tera’smaman, aren’t you?” he asks.

“Bugger off, Haze,” Elex says smoothly. “She’s mine.”

I can’t help the sugary sweetness that flows through my veins at his words.

“Picked the ugliest asshole of the lot,” the other mutters as he wanders off, Jaire laughing as he leaves with him.

Elex just smiles, making my lips curl.

“Your president was surprised,” Elex says. “Your friend? Doris?”

“Dori.”

“Yes. She said to tell you that when the president picked you up, he checked the permissions slip to make sure nothing had changed. Of course, it hadn’t yet. Until she saw you leave with him, and then she changed them.”

“You don’t think that’ll put her in danger, do you?” I ask, biting my lip.

“We have the Britonians heading there now. They’re asking if anyone would like to join a new facility—like your old one—here in Eden that we’ve built. I imagine several will jump ship, including your friend.”

“I’ll be able to work there? At the new place?” I ask eagerly. Maybe . . . maybe in six months I won’t have to leave at all.

Elex smiles at me. “That’s the plan, Christina. In the meantime, I’ve built a small home for you.”

“You built?”

“Well, I had some members of my clan come over to help. The goal was to get it up as quickly as possible to provide a home for you and Kenny in the hopes you would stay.”

“Anya mentioned that I might stay in Tera’s bedroom during our break from the ceremony.”

“Yes. That is also a possibility. But the dancers’ house isn’t conducive to privacy with as many of us who stroll in and out.” His hand reaches out and tucks my loose hair behind my ear. I’d released the knot on top of my head and my hair falls in waves around my face.

“Do you think I need privacy?” My voice is amused.

“I hope you’ll want privacy.” His eyes darken and his head lowers to mine. My breath catches as he comes near. His lips hover right over mine. “May I?” he asks, and I can feel his warm breath. He smells like spearmint.

“Yes. Please.”

ChapterTwo

ELEX

She said yes.

I haven’t been able to get this female off my mind for an entire week. Since the first moment I laid eyes on her.

Goddess, the look on her face when she’d entered the dining room of the facility where her son had stayed. She glowed, the way a female does when she’s expecting. A smile stretched from ear to ear and her strange human eyes bubbled with happiness.

I knew from that point forward that I wanted her to look atmethat way. Every day, for the rest of our lives. Because this female, this glorious, vibrant human female will one day be mine. I’ve never felt anything more sure in my life.

That look of pure unadulterated love across her face quickly changed when her eyes fell upon me.

And now, a week later, she gives me permission to kiss her.

Ever so slowly, I drop my head, giving her time to change her mind. But instead, her arms wrap around my neck like she’s not going to let go.

This feels right. I know, deep inside, that this is the place I’m meant to be.