Page 42 of Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice

“Pretty much.” He shifted back the way he came. The urge to run. Back to his Queen was written all over him. I didn’t want him to go, but to see him so smiley warmed my heart. “I love you, Ivy. Stay safe.”

“You too.” Then he booked it back to the BDSM shop that Molly owned, and where they lived. I just stood there smiling for a while. It felt great to know he was finally safe and happy.

Trigger came up behind me, when I didn’t move my gaze from the building, even after Zar had been in the house for a few minutes.

He wrapped his arms around me and slowly shifted both of us to leave. I didn’t fight him or resist. I just didn’t want to leave when two important people in my heart were so close.

Images of Vivian came to me. Her smiling face as she presented the meal to Zar. The way she’d tuck her short purple hair behind her ear as nerves shined in her almond-shaped, purple eyes. She was petite like Lilah, but without the fire. Vivian wanted to please. I spent most of our time reminding her not to do things just to satisfy me.

I walked faster as the images turned to them sharing blushing smiles. Truly having a great date. When all the drama was over, I’d get that with my mates too.

We walked back through the two boulders and out into the dark night. The shopping center lights were on constantly for the guards that protected the shops, even though those assholes were nowhere to be found tonight. They probably ran for the hills.

Minus being in Hell, it was nice to be out not hunting or doing anything at all except taking a stroll. It felt almost normal. With Kain and my dog at my side, Bones explaining how to play Power Ball to Dex and Alaric, which was pretty much football but with powers, it just felt right.

Their laughter filled the air when Trigger ran over to a bunch of half-fae guys to dance around them singing, ‘Don’t you wish your mate was hot like mine.’

It was all just blissfully normal. Well, for magical beings like us. I’d take it. I really hoped we had more moments like these, they made all the fighting worth it.

By the time we made it back to the apartment, I was exhausted. Not because it was a far walk, no. The day was just catching up with me. Tomorrow had to be better, right?

Kain closed and locked the door behind us. Smokey licked my hand and glided into the shadow of the couch. It was earie to watch a massive animal disappear like that.

“Who's up for more kinky sex?” Trigger shouted in the kitchen, grabbing a handful of water bottles from the fridge. The air-conditioning made me even more ready to sleep.

A foreign energy snaked up my spine, telling me someone was coming. “Kinky sex, huh? Son do tell.”

I groaned. Alaric’s father had arrived. I really was going to bed. I couldn’t deal with him right now. His constantly challenging Alaric got old fast.

“Dad, what did I tell you about popping in.” Alaric sounded as tired as I felt.

“Come on. There’s kinky sex to talk about.” He ran his hand over his long dreads.

Kain growled beside me. His hand wrapped around my hip possessively. The man’s dark eyes almost lit up at the sound of Kain’s growl and the gesture that screamedmine.

His dreads swayed as he gave Alaric a beaming smile. “You really did amazing picking a mate, son. You have yourself a powerhouse family. They’ll be perfect at your side when you take over the pack.”

We all groaned. “Here we go again,” I grumbled. We had all told him to fuck off, but the guy was relentless.

“How many times do I have to tell you, we are not taking over the pack. Give it to one of my brothers.” Alaric flung himself on the couch. His arm went over his face to block out the light.

This was my time to slip away.I’m going to bed. Do you need me?I asked Alaric.

No. It’s better if you go. He’ll just use you to piss me off. I don’t know if he’s serious, but he’s not getting you. The fucker gets whoever he wants all because “he’s one of the strongest alphas on Earth.”He said the last part in a tone that spoke of the disgust he feels about it. Considering Alaric had women following him around, pretending to like him, so they could get close to his father, when we first met, I understood. If I grew upwith my mom around, it might have happened to me as well. She was one of the last full-blooded Sex Demons. She might still be. I had to speak to Lust to get some answers.

I’ll stay with him,Dex said.

Me too. If I’m lucky, I’ll get to punch him.Bones snickered.

I felt better that he would have back up. Alaric’s father wasn’t terrible, but he could be a bully. He pushed Alaric so hard and ridiculed him his whole life to make him an alpha. It hadn’t worked. His alpha nature didn’t come on until his vampire side rose when my life was in danger. His father was obsessed with getting Alaric to be what he wanted him to be, but since he was an alpha, he didn’t have to listen to his father anymore. Ironic.

As soon as we stepped into the bedroom, Kain and Trigger slowly undressed me, their tender touches and soft kisses eased my tension. By the time Trigger removed his shirt and draped it over me, I was barely able to stand. Kain, rolling his eyes at Trigger’sI’m-the-shit-because-she’s-wearing-my-t-shirtattitude, scooped me up and laid me gently in bed, spooning me from behind. Trigger grunted but settled against my front.

Trigger swatted Kain’s hand away from my hip because he wanted his hand there. Kain didn’t like that, so he did the same to Trigger’s hand. It was all so cute that I let them have their brotherly slap party for a little while, but after the tenth slap, I got annoyed. Their harsh whispers to each other made it worse.

“If you two don’t stop, I’m pulling this car over, spanking both of you, and one of my other mates will cuddle with me.” My groggy mind made the words barely intelligible.

“I volunteer for the spanking. Kain can spank you. You can spank me. And I can…” he had to think for a moment, “maneuver and spank your pussy. It’ll be like a train of pleasure and pain.” Trigger was something else. Funny part was, I would try it.

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