Slay My Soul
Chapter 22 Devlin

I drink directly from the bottle. Who gives a fuck about glasses anymore?

My people's numbers have dwindled significantly, all because I tried to be nice, tried to give my people a choice. Eve had warned me, and she was furious when I didn't use my position to force their hand. My pride and the pride of my people have left us little better off than the Light Fae. At the rate they are taking us out, there won't be any races left to save. Thank fuck Garret got the chance to get his people out.

I don't know if my race will make it. Our bonded pairs are lucky if they produce one pup during their long lives. Fertility rates are way down, with many being chosen mates rather than fated ones, unable to replace their destined mates. It is rare for a chosen pair to produce a pup.

Even though it was their choice to stay, it doesn't stop the survivors from looking at me as if I kept them there on purpose. At first, I was pissed off. They chose to ignore the warnings. Then as the looks continued, Eve's words started looping through my head. Just order them! You are their King, they rely on you to make the hard decisions, so make the decision before they all die!

But I didn't. Lycans have always been above vampires, witches, and wolves. We can kill them with relative ease. Even an untrained teenage girl can take one out. Part of me thought my people could handle it, part of me was clearly a fucking idiot. Now those who have chosen to stay and fight, or work in medical, are having to roll up their sleeves and work hard, probably for the first time in their privileged lives. I am surprised at the amount of Lycans that have stayed to fight. But they haven't stayed for their King. No, they have stayed for their Queen.

Eve speaks to the survivors and the few who have evacuated and lays out what is at stake. She explains everything that the enemy has done so far and exactly what we are up against - and what will happen if we lose. Then she leaves the choice up to them, making it clear she doesn't want cowards in the ranks.

When Eve sent the children and elderly into the human domain, she made it a rule that children must have at least one of their parents with them. She also paired the elderly with the little families, to help with the kids but also so the elderly weren't left to rot alone. A kind of mutual support. Reports have been coming back that the old ones have a whole new lease on life, having found a purpose instead of their usually mundane, boring existence.

Those who have stayed are being quickly whipped into shape by Eve and her warriors. They've found that they enjoy having their Lycan side used the way it probably should have been. The days of tea parties and politics are now long behind them. All because of Eve, my people have re-found themselves and are thriving. I am no King, Eve is running rings around me.

"Huh!" A soft voice says behind me. "This is quite some pity party you've got going on." I growl lowly in response, hunching my shoulders. Eve snorts.

"Just calling it how I see it," she says, plonking onto the seat beside me and snatching the bottle. She has a quick guzzle and hands it back. "So, your highness, what's up your arse? Penny for your thoughts?"

"I failed them, Eve. You were right and I was wrong. Happy now?" I mutter, not looking at her.

"You're right. You fucked up and I was right." I look at her, glaring, and she waggles her eyebrows at me. "So what are you going to do about it?"

"What can I do? It's already done!" I exclaim. Eve grabs my chin and yanks me to look at her.

"Exactly! It's done. You can't change it! Thank you captain fucking obvious. However, this pity party doesn't help you - or them. Your people are not gone. You have survivors who are lost. They need you."

"They have you. I think you have it covered," I say snarkily. She slaps my face with her free hand.

"Sorry. Wrong answer. Try again."

"Ow! Fuck Eve!" I grumble rubbing my cheek. "They are looking to you for answers. You are what they need." She slaps me again.

"This is fun! Please continue telling me the wrong thing."

"What do you want me to fucking say?" I demand, throwing my hands in the air, exasperated.

"The right answer," she says with a laugh. Oh, I am so not in the mood for games. She cocks her head, looking suddenly confused. "Who are you again?" I sigh, fine I'll play.

"Dev!" I snap at her. She looks into my eyes and searches them for something, then shakes her head and scowls.

"No, your not. Dev's not here."

"What the fuck are you talking about!" I snarl, my control slipping and Lycan peeking out. "Of course, I'm here!" Jesus, I know Eve's been slipping a bit mentally of late, but I didn't realize she was this far gone.

"Hmm, I don't think so. Who are you really and where did you put my mate?" She demands. My Lycan slips from my grasp and bursts forward. My claws go around her throat and the little shit grins with delight. I shove her against the wall as she laughs at me. "Oh, the big bad wolf has come out to play. Tell me wolf man who are you?"

"I am the Lycan King, Devlin, and your mate!" I roar.

"Yes you are," she smirks. "Phew! What a relief. I thought I'd lost you for a bit there." She cups my giant jaw. "Who are you? Tell me again."

"I am the Lycan King. Your Mate." I say with conviction. She purrs happily.

"Good now act like it. Do you think you fucked up? Then apologize to them. Tell them why you decided the way you did, so they share the blame. Then tell them how things are going to be moving forward. You are the King. So be the King."

I ease back into my human form.

"I would first like to be your mate." She is still pinned to the wall by her neck. I run my nose up her neck taking in her intoxicating scent. "I need to reclaim you, ensure you don't forget who and what I am again." My Lycan is worked up. Not only have we risen up to reclaim our crown, but we have laid claim to Eve as ours again and her current vulnerable position appeals to my Lycan. It would be so easy to take her here against the wall and she would love every minute.

"Well then, in that case, let me help you out." She leans forward and whispers, "I heard that chasing your mate is a huge turn-on. Fancy a game of hunter-prey?" She breaks my hold in a quick maneuver, darts to kiss my cheek, and runs out the door. I snarl and let my Lycan loose again.

She's right. Playing hunter-prey with a mate is a huge turn-on, and by god, I am going to show her how hard that turn-on has become when I catch her. And I do catch her eventually, but only because she stops for a quick drink at the river. There, against a boulder, I dominate her and reclaim her. I take her with the authority I have, the love I have, and the strength and kingship I wield. I fuck her standing and then I take her like the dogs we are. Fast, furious, ravenous. There is no foreplay, only the need to claim her. I fuck her till her legs turn to jelly. The intensity becomes too much and she cries uncle before I allow myself to cum, and then I remark her with my teeth. She is mine! The Kingdom is mine. It may have moved and merged with others but I am one of the rulers of it. I am still King of the Lycans and it's time I proved it by helping my people adapt to the changes in their new lives. There is a silver lining. I no longer have to worry about trying to drag Eve to my Kingdom as my Queen. My Kingdom is right here and with her at my side, it will thrive once more.

I take a moment to catch my breath, watching my mate's chest heave beside me. Strands of dark hair cling to her sweaty brow and her lips are swollen from the kisses I ravished her with. She looks thoroughly sated. I kiss her damp forehead before standing and allowing my Lycan to come forth.

"Where are you off to?" Eve asks as I turn to swagger away.

"I'm off to talk to our people and get my ducks in a row. I'm going to reinstate myself as King."

"About bloody time!" She laughs.