There was no one on this side of the cavern. Donny and I traversed it with no encounters with any guards or well anyone, but a loud commotion to the front of us had my attention. Donny seemed wary of me but was warming up to the fact that I was now a monster on his terms. It was just me. A bit more aggressive and more willing to kill but still me. I hadn’t survived these days being bashful Matt. I guess those days were behind me.

The noises became louder as we approached and I could make a big crowd gathered around two females. One was familiar. Andromeda. She seemed resigned almost worn out. The other was the woman I had met before yet not. This one seemed older. With grey in her hair. She held Andromeda gently and wore a crown on her head. Was this the queen that Greg spoke of so sincerely?

“This girl is unmated and has lost her mate recently. We are holding a wake for the brave male who gave his life to save her and the boy. Now may the festivities begin,” she said rubbing Andromeda’s arm who only looked up dejectedly.

I wanted to go to her and tell her I wasn’t dead but that would be a bad move on my part. First I needed to show that I wasn’t to be trifled with and neither were those in my care. My eyes went to the only activity going on was a tournament. I wasn’t dumb. This was all a show to get Andromeda interested in someone around here. I smirked. Well, I was going to rain on that parade.

First I needed a disguise cause the guards knew me. Well no. I ate all the ones that knew me. Hmm, I guess I was fine but a change of clothes was needed. I was covered in blood still. I glanced at Donny. He could get in to talk to Andromeda to meet me and get me new clothes.

“Donny. Can you talk to Andromeda to meet you right here in this spot and get me a change of clothes? I’m about as tall as you now,” I said smirking.

“I’ll get Andy,” he said walking back to Andromeda’s side. If the queen was surprised he was still alive she didn’t show it. Instead, the queen’s face was stone-cold and unreadable. Andromeda followed Donny to another corner where he whispered something to her; what it was, I could not know because I couldn’t hear. But once they were close enough for me to touch them, I smiled. It was nearly time.

“Well, Donny where is he?” Andromeda said, glaring at Donny. Her eyes reflected a heartbreaking disappointment, and that’s when I knew she didn’t expect me to be here. A part of me immediately regretted staying in the shadows this long, especially when the rest of me was just SCREAMING to run to her and hug her.

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“No one’s joking, Andy. I’m really here.” I said, stepping out of the shadows, arms wide open just for her.

She glanced my way and blinked. “Matt?”

I only nodded, a knot had formed in my throat. My chest felt an indescribable warmth like a fireplace feels after you’ve endured a blizzard. Her eyes went from cold and angry to soft and shimmering. Those are the eyes I thought of all the times I had a moment to myself.

“Matt!” she screeched as she tossed herself at me. I caught her and held her to me as she cried in my arms. I kissed her head.

“Shh, I’m here now,” I whispered to her, holding her in my arms, taking in every moment with her. I want this memory to last me forever, to be as vivid to me in my dying moment as it will be tomorrow.

She pressed her hands to my face memorizing me again and I butted up against those soft hands, turning to kiss them.

“I thought…” she sniffled tears in her dark eyes.

I moved and brushed my lips over her soft yielding ones. Her arms rose to encircle my neck and her kiss deepened. I opened my lips and she took over my mouth with a flourish.

Donny made a disgusted noise and muttered, “Come on guys! Not here. I’ve still got the clothes to get. Don’t make me barf all over them.”

Andromeda growled in my mouth nipping at my lips and pulling away leaving me breathless. She turned to Donny a glint of mischief in her eyes. “Well ok, Donny. When you get a girlfriend I’ll remember this.”

Donny made a suspicious face. “Ok, now what did I do?”

I ran my fingers through Andromeda’s hair and sighed. “Stirred the sleeping lioness. Go and find me some clothes. We’ll be waiting here.”

Donny scoffed and pointed at Andromeda. “Won’t they miss her?”

I glanced at the queen who was glancing in the direction Andromeda had taken. Likely Donny would be asked about her if he returned empty-handed and a search would be mounted for her whereabouts. Andromeda glanced at me, her eyes gaining that resolve I so loved and hated from her.

“I have to go for now,” she said.

I nodded and led her back to my lips this time kissing her deeply and thoroughly I bit her lip gently and soothed it with my tongue. She moaned low in her throat. I smiled and let her go.

"Remember I’m waiting,” I whispered in her ear kissing her earlobe before slowly pulling away. I breathed on her ear making goosebumps rise on her flesh. How I wanted to lick and bite every surface but now wasn’t the time besides I didn’t want to give Donny a show. That would kill the kid, with how he was acting. You’d think he’d never seen grown-ups making out or some such and in the anthill. I doubted everyone kept to themselves.

Andromeda smiled and led Donny away. The two went back to the queen and Donny went inside a cavern for a few minutes before returning with a set of clothes. I changed into them and smiled when I finally was allowed to chuck my blood-stained clothes. A brown shirt with brown pants was my attire. I kept my boots. Everything fit well enough. I was camouflaged enough that I could join the crowd.

That’s what I did and blinked when the lights became brighter and the sounds quieted. I glanced at the queen and Andromeda who looked displeased.

“It’s time for the mating games. Will every eligible bachelor line up?” called the queen.

I growled and crossed my arms. Looks like Andromeda was going to have to meet the monster sooner than planned.