Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
The gowns shimmered faintly in the light, clinging and draping in all the right ways. She chose a deep forest-green one, slipping it over her head. The fabric hugged her curves, flowing over her hips and pooling around her ankles.
She smoothed it down, then caught sight of herself in the full-length mirror—and froze.
Her breath caught in her throat. What she saw couldn’t be right—it just couldn’t.
The woman staring back at her looked…younger. Not drastically—not enough to be impossible—but enough to make her heart pound and to explain all the strange looks she’d been getting all afternoon.
The silver streaks that had threaded her hair for years were gone—replaced with thick, gleaming auburn that shone like fire in the lamplight. It was the color it had been in her thirties, before stress and time had dimmed it.
Her gaze darted lower. The fine web of lines at the corners of her eyes—the little creases around her mouth—were softened and smoothed. In fact, they were barely there. Her breasts, cradled by the dress’s bodice, looked firmer and higher than they had been in decades.
“What in the world…?” she whispered, touching her face. “What happened to me?”
The hair could have passed for an expensive dye job, and the rest might have been from a good spa facial and maybe a hidden push-up bra. But she knew better. This was more. This was… impossible.
Her thoughts whirled back to Korrath, to his deep voice rumbling in her ear. You’re rejuvenating at an accelerated pace.
“Oh God,” Miranda breathed, gripping the edge of the dresser. Could it really be because of the big Monstrum? Because of what they’d done together?
Before she could think further, she heard someone calling,
“Hurry up! The ceremony’s about to start!”
Miranda shoved the thought down, grabbed her clutch, and hurried to the chapel.
She would have to worry about her strangely rejuvenated face and body later. For now, it was time for the wedding.
32
MIRANDA
The music swelled, sweet and solemn, as Hanna stepped into the aisle on her father’s arm. Miranda’s chest ached at the sight—her baby, radiant in white lace, her face glowing with happiness.
She forced herself to focus on that, on Hanna, on the moment. But when Martin turned to walk back to his seat after giving their daughter away, his eyes flicked to Miranda. He stopped, just for a heartbeat, staring at her with a double take of pure shock.
She lifted her chin and looked away.
Don’t you dare notice him. Don’t give him the pleasure.
Besides, she had bigger problems.
Because as soon as she sat down in the pew, with no more wedding tasks to distract her, she realized something was wrong…very wrong.
Her nipples were tingling, tightening painfully against the fabric of her dress. Heat coiled low in her belly, spreading and making her thighs press together. Her pussy was wet—so wet she shifted uncomfortably, terrified someone might somehow see. What if she left a wet spot on the spider-silk dress? And right in the middle of the wedding?
God, not now! Not here.
A wave of heat flushed through her, prickling over her skin, making her heart race. She tugged at the neckline of her gown, desperate for air.
What is wrong with me? she thought frantically, trying to fix her gaze on the altar where Hanna and her groom were exchanging vows. Why do I feel like this?
But no answer came—only more heat…more aching need. It was as if her body remembered Korrath’s touch and was screaming for it, even here, even now.
But the big Monstrum was millions of miles away—he couldn’t help her.
What was she going to do?
33
KORRATH
Korrath sat alone in his quarters, staring at the dark curve of space beyond the viewing port. The stars looked cold and distant without Miranda by his side. He had spent the day trying to focus on his duties, but every time he closed his eyes, he saw her—her auburn hair spilling across his chest, her soft curves wrapped around him, her voice trembling as she whispered his name.
His beautiful Mature Elite.
Gods, I miss her! I’ve only just lost her, and already I feel half a male without her by my side.
He raked a clawed hand through his fur, his chest aching.
If only I’d waited. If only I hadn’t gone through Hanna to reach her. Perhaps then she would still be with me. Or she would have let me come to be with her on Earth.
He was perfectly willing to give up his place on the Monstrum Mother Ship and live with her on the small, blue-green planet. She was his Fated Mate—he was sure of it. Without her, life was hollow…empty. It didn’t matter where they lived as long as they were together. If only—
And then, as though his desperate longing had opened a door, a voice filled the chamber…a voice that wasn’t his own.
“Warrior!”
Korrath froze, every muscle going taut. He could feel the presence that came with the voice—it was warm and feminine and divine. There could be no mistaking who was speaking to him.