Page 99 of Soul of the Chaos

With a growl, the girls began chasing Mace. He played along, slowing down long enough for them to get close, then skipped out of reach as they lunged. Laughing so hard they could barely stay upright, Louise and Addy continued the game long after Viola tired of it and went back to running laps.

Mace’s long elegant body ate up the ground to the far side of the yard where the trees were painted black by the moonlight. Louise’s hand was clutched tight in Addy’s as they played and it made my heart clench happily to see them acting so carefree. Our day of ‘normal’ at the pub had done them good.

Still, I couldn’t help the prickle of unease at the world being blanketed in this unnatural light.

There were only two days left of the Chaos. I was looking forward to seeing what the Soul Reapers’ compound looked like bathed in natural sunlight. Mongrel and Silver were holed up with Grimm and the other higher-ups in some super serious Executive Committee meeting, but I could feel their bro time was coming to an end as Silver’s anticipation of seeing me slid like a ghost hug of joy down our bond.

I held my coffee mug up to my face, breathing in the delicious brew. I’d never really had the money to entertain a caffeine addiction before, but it was fast becoming a happy luxury.

“A girl could get used to this.” As the fog pressed closer, I called out. “Don’t go past the wall, girls!”

The blood red fog had begun a stealthy takeover of our space, creeping out from under the trees to swallow them at the far end of the courtyard. The sight sent a shiver down my spine.

“Sash, they’re fine.” Viola dropped down next to me, pushing her sweaty hair off her forehead. “Mace is with them. Stop being a worrywart.”

She snorted at herself for using such an old fashioned saying and I rolled my eyes.

“The fog makes me nervous,” I grumbled into my cup.

The rich scent of the coffee taunted me and I took an experimental sip. Damnit, still too hot. It burned all the way down but it hurt so good.

“How much longer is this apocalypse gonna hold?” I glared at the baleful moon.

Sure, the Blood Moon Goddess had blessed me with two incredible mates, and I was truly grateful. However, her incessant urging to get down on my knees and worship the alphahole of this pack grated more and more with each passing day. Like a ticking bomb in my gut.

If Grimm wanted me—as Mongrel had insinuated—then he was going to have turn his bad attitude around. Big time.

“What are we on now, day four?” Viola replied. “No, five. Hard to tell if you’re coming or going with that thing hanging over our heads, ain’t it?”

We both eyed the moon which was making its unnatural progression across the sky. Due to the magic of the Chaos, it inched from one side of the horizon to the next over all seven days and eight nights. It really did feel like the sands of time were clutched in the Blood Moon Goddess’ relentless grip.

“She’s a blood thirsty wench, isn’t she? So, two.” Viola shrugged. “No night and day is starting to fuck with my head.”

“You and me both.” My eyes hunted my youngest charges, following them and the wolf round the yard. I shook out my feet as a weird burst of adrenaline surged. A niggling unease was creeping up my spine. Each time they disappeared into the lingering fog, their absence made my heart jump. “Ever seen Louise smile before?”

The girl was giggling uncontrollably as Mace pretended to catch her, nipping at the loose t-shirt she’d been given by one of the MC members. The stories of my people weighed on my heart, but watching the girls playing with the wolf was a nice reminder that the Soul Reapers were working real hard to change that.

I thought over our day at the pub, relishing the warm memory. Everyone had been so happy, working their little butts off to set our new business to rights. Thrilled at the thought that we finally had a place in the world to call our own. A way to earn our independence.

Grimm had given us that as he’d handed me the keys in the dining room and I appreciated the gruff gesture of support. I knew it was only symbolic, the Prez probably had his own copy back in that sexy-smelling office, but it wasn’t exactly that I wanted to cut him out. I appreciated the support his pack was offering us.

A man like Grimm simply couldn’t help sticking his snout into all the pies. However, the more I saw of him, the more convinced I became of his worth. This alpha didn’t rule with an iron fist, but with a careful eye cast over his people. Always looking out for their best interests.

No, I couldn’t lie to myself about the sort of man the Prez was. His continued support of my place as a leader spoke louder than his surly snarls. I let my mind muse on the surprisingly sexy sight of the alpha quietly painting a wall—my wall—his body all relaxed and fluid as he gave himself over to the task at hand. It made a girl wonder.

So, olive branch. Yeah, I could do that. Maybe after coffee, I’d try to smooth things over with Grimm. I didn’t mean to fly off the handle. Maybe if he could phrase shit like a question, I could try not to spit tacks everytime he gave me an order.

“It sure is nice to see.”

I gave my sturdy friend a quick smile. Viola was one of the few who had a family and a home to return to. She’d even spoken with her brother a few times. But my friend had chosen to stay with us. “Why did you do it? Decide to stay with us, I mean.”

“Oh, it’s always been a dream of mine to clean out the grossest toilets in the history of dive bars,” she teased.

My cheeks flamed. “Hey, it’s not my fault Uncle Vick was a complete and utter slob. I cleaned them on the regular when I was there.”

Viola reached out and rubbed my arm. “I’m sure you did, sweetie. It was a dig at that good for nothing slime, not you. Ignore me.”

“So?” I prompted.

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