Slay My Soul
Chapter 12 Max

The relief the tingles give me is immense. For the first time in a long time, I allow myself to relax and bask in the scent of a woman. My woman. I have a mate, my soul is not alone after all.

I don't even care that I have to share her with others. The guys are all top blokes. Eve and I have become fast friends during our training sessions and she pushes me to become faster and stronger than I ever thought possible. She is hilarious during drinking sessions at the bar. This woman has gone through some major shit. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders but is somehow still standing, still trying to smile while flipping the Fates the bird.

I have never heard of anyone having a second chance mate. Like Eve, I am glad it is her I got. Strong, smart, and Sassy. She is so unique compared to most she-wolves. Unlike Eve, I have been fighting my attraction to her since her heat. The morning she was hungover and accidentally climbed in my lap half-naked had given me a lot of spank bank material and was absolutely worth getting Garret's fist in my face. Eve still has to change gears in her head, whereas I have a head start. Friends and respect are a good base for us to start from. I have zero intention of rushing her.

"Did the guys tell you, they think the Demons hold my last mate?"

I pull away and look at her in surprise. "No fucking way!" I say.

"Yip, the Fates love to shovel their shit onto me," she grimaces. "How am I supposed to replace Mr right when they are currently in the hands of the enemy?" she grumbles.

"Not to mention the horns and glowing eyes," I chuckle.

"You seem to forget I sleep with a sexy hell-hound and possessive dragon. Glowing eyes, check. Horns, check," she says, laughing momentarily before her eyes go back to being lost and sad.

"Have you tried going to Reece's grave and talking to him? It might help?" I suggest.

"No point, it's just a body there," she says shrugging. "Belestine harvested his soul, so he can't hear me. But I'll free it as soon as I lop that bastard's head off."

"Jesus Eve, that's a lot to be dealing with," I say, shaking my head. Poor Reece! What a shit hand to be dealt.

"It always is. You can still walk away. You don't have to bend to Fate's will. I have a wolf so I should be fine. I'm surprised they have sent in another wolf, to be honest. Shoots our original theory about why I got Darius, out the window,"

"Eve, even if I hadn't found out you were my mate, friends don't abandon friends. I'll gladly help hold Belestine down while you finish him off, okay?" She smiles sadly at me.

"On one condition."

"Name it," I say, without hesitation.

"You can't die on me. None of you can. No mates, no friends. We all have to make it. I won't survive another loss again."

"I will do everything in my power to ensure I stay alive," I say.

"Promise," She urges.

"You know a warrior going into battle can't pledge that. We can only swear to do our best to stay alive," I try to reason.

"The prophecy says two will fall, I already lost one," she whispers.

"One of the two rises up though. Unfortunately, that's not Reece. That must mean whoever is next will come back. Have faith, Eve." I study her face and realize Eve is flat-out exhausted. "You need to rest. You've overbaked yourself today. Too much, too soon. Do you want to stay here or head home?"

"Home," She says with a ghost of a smile. Acassus who has been earwigging the whole time steps out of the shadows and walks over to Eve, crouching down. I help Eve onto his back and we walk back. Eve lays down on Acassus and is asleep before we even leave the forest.

Mikyda is waiting on the front porch as we approach. He looks at her lovingly and gently picks her up, carrying her inside. I turn to leave.

"Nope," Acassus says, smoothly transitioning into his human form as he cuts in front of me. "She gave you a chance to walk away. You said you were going to be selfish and stay. Therefore, you're part of our house now too. Hurry up, Luka will have dinner ready." He claps me on the back and heads in. I raise my eyebrows in surprise. I guess now that it is known I am a mate, I have moved from the one to watch out for, to surprisingly being welcomed with open arms.

When I walk in, Mikyda has Eve cuddled into him as he sits on the couch. She is still sound asleep as he strokes her hair looking at her in adoration.

"Might pay to just put her to bed man, she's exhausted," I suggest.

"Trust me, it's just a power nap," Darius says behind me. He holds a cup of coffee and gestures for me to sit by Mikyda. "First guide to Eve: coffee is life." Mikyda carefully transitions Eve into my lap and goes off to fix himself a plate of dinner. Darius hands me the coffee and heads off to do the same. I allow myself to relax and look at Lysario sprawled on the couch opposite. I salute him with the cup and bring it to my lips. But it never touches them. Two hands deftly slide it from my own and I hear a happy hum.

"Second guide to Eve," Ly says with a chuckle. "All coffee belongs to Eve unless she says otherwise." I look down at the beauty in my arms, happily sipping away on my cup.

"Third, if you want coffee, make two cups and pray you can drink faster than she does," Darius laughs, handing me another mug. Eve eyes my cup speculatively.

"Don't even think about it," I warn. "I just got back from recon, I need caffeine too." She pouts and I relent, topping her cup up with my own before actually getting to take a sip.

"See, you're getting the picture fast," Ly grins. Note to self, make a truckload of coffee in the morning so I actually stand a chance at caffeinating. Dev brings over two plates. I place my mug down and gratefully accept one. Eve glares at him when he tries to hand her the second.

"D, we need more caffeine pronto, she's not ready for food yet." He says, backing away.

"On it!" Darius calls back. I can't help but laugh. This woman has Kings, beasts, and scary men wrapped around her finger. I knew they adored her but this is next level.

"Shame," Luka says teasingly from the kitchen. "I picked up a cheesecake earlier. Both Eve and Dev's heads swivel to Luka. She jerks back to look at Dev and growls, baring her teeth. Dev grins mischievously and races for the kitchen. Eve launches herself from my lap and over the back of the couch, tackling him. She's gone from tired grumpy coffee fiend to full-blown Satan. She has him in a chokehold and Dev struggles to get free. I cheer her on. Dev deserves whatever he gets. Everyone knows not to get between Eve and cheesecake.

The others watch in mild amusement and I get the feeling this is something normal to them. Dev's face is going purple. She releases him and rushes for Luka, snatching the plate of cake from him and jumping up to stand on the kitchen island.

"Don't you do it, Eve!" Dev rasps, pulling himself upright. She grins evilly. Her tongue licks across the top.

"I licked it so it's mine," she chirps.

"Fuck!" Dev curses. "I'm so going to spank your ass," he grumbles. Eve just blows him a kiss.

"Don't you threaten me with a good time," she laughs, sitting down on the island as she accepts a fork from Luka and digs into her dessert. After a few mouthfuls and teasing grins at a pouting Dev, she misses her mouth and the cheesecake tumbles off her fork and drops down her cleavage. Dev's on her like a shot pulling her top down and retrieving it from her cleavage with his mouth while Eve giggles.

"My favorite flavor. Strawberry and Eve," Dev says licking his lips. Eve grins coyly and forks another slice on before dropping it down her top on purpose and raising her eyebrow expectantly. Dev snatches the plate of cheesecake from her and throws her over his shoulder.

"We will be back soon, just heading off for a shared dessert," Dev announces, rushing them off upstairs. It isn't long before the sounds of moans reach our ears and I snigger. This place goes from zero to a hundred pretty damn quickly. I think I may get whiplash living here.