Page 143 of Soul of the Chaos

We’d also earmarked the second floor as office space for new business ventures. However, a few days ago Talia and Addy had stepped forward to ask Grimm if they could start up a private daycare. A safe place for the pack’s young—human and shifers alike—to mix. Arrangements were already underway for the conversion so Mongrel and I knew we had to spring our surprise before the cat was out of the bag.

Sasha’s posse had been given first pick of the remaining living quarters, of course. Seeing as many of them were now mated, the apartment block above Sasha’s Den was set to be a thriving mix of humans, club girls and boys, sweetbutts, Soul Reaper MC members and prospects.

It gave our wolves a sense of peace to know that our newly sprawling pack would be properly protected.

On the down-low, Mongrel and I had managed to secure the largest apartment on the top floor with a balcony in our mate’s name.

It had a clawfoot bathtub, a massive king sized bed, a not-too-shabby kitchen for when our mate didn’t feel like eating back at the clubhouse, and everything else we’d been able to think of to make it a comfortable second home. We’d even had the girls over to help decorate it, giving the place an eclectic but homey feel.

This morning, Grimm had slipped us the company card and instructed us to order anything our mate wanted to finish fleshing it out.

At first, our little alpha had refused to divulge any of her heart’s desires because she was too busy crying happy tears and declaring it perfect. However, Mongrel and I were diligent at following our alpha’s orders—at least, ones as pleasant as these. We’d slowly but surely tortured the information out of our mate in the most delicious of ways.

Thanks to our rigorous interrogation, we had a nice little shopping list all ready to go. Sasha’s new apartment had been thoroughly anointed and her scent was still replete in spite of the quick but athletic shower we’d taken.

Now, our mate was humming happily to herself as she swished her hips around the bar. Mongrel was installing security locks on all the windows and doors of the ground floor while I placed orders for our mate’s final touches to her new home.

All in all, I was feeling rather smug. Plus, things were only about to get better. Grimm was eagerly approaching—ready to take all of the praise upon himself, as his puffed-up alpha due—and I had yet to drop the ultimate bombshell.

“Done!” I crowed.

Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I zipped around the bar to catch Sasha round the middle and lift her into the air. She laughed as I swung her in a slow arc, hips clutched to my chest, then lowered her into a breathtaking kiss, chasing her happiness like sunbeams.

“Are you, though?” Sasha grinned, bopping me reproachfully on the nose. “Why do you look all mischievous? You might as well spit it out. Grimm’s almost here and I bet he only brought two lunches again, not four like I asked.”

Yeah, Grimm’s wolf had gotten awfully good at selective hearing these days.

“I bet you’re right,” I murmured.

Rubbing my nose along hers, I dragged her heavenly scent deep into my lungs knowing full-well it was about to turn spicy with rage. As Grimm’s ride pulled up into the parking spot, I schooled my face into an innocent expression.

“Hey, did I mention this morning that Grimm has already taken care of all of your mortgage repayments and council rates for the first year? Isn’t that so generous?”

Okay, leaning on the ‘so’ was perhaps a little juvenile but I was determined to enjoy my part in the game. Our alpha had forced us into this dance—competing for Sasha’s affections—and I planned to play the hand I’d been dealt to perfection.

“He what?” Sasha growled, clawing at my arms.

She turned to face the smug looking Prez as he strolled inside. Sensing the sudden temperature drop, Grimm paused on the precipice and he held up the takeout in surrender. “I’m sorry, mate—” he flashed his most charming, conciliatory smile, “—I forgot to bring enough for four.”

“Oh, don’t give me that crap!” Sasha screeched, stomping her foot. “You misheard me on purpose and you know it!”

“Kitten,” I mock-implored, holding her back from launching at Grimm to scratch his eyes out. “Is that any way to treat your magnificent provider of a mate?”

That was enough to clue the Prez into what was really going on and the look he shot me was both cunning and furious. “What did you say to her, omega?”

“What did he say? What did he say?!” Sasha raged as I offered Grimm my prettiest smile.

“I only repeated your kind offer—the one where you had already paid for all of our mate’s expenses—like you asked me to.”

“I said don’t tell her yet because I was going to soften her up first and you know it.”

“Oops,” I said, releasing the kraken as I put a hand up to cover my mouth and rounded my shoulders in mock-dismay. “Guess I misheard you, alpha.”

“I want to speak with you in my office, Grimm,” Sasha yelled as she stomped off. “Right fucking now.”

Grimm shot a furious glare at Mongrel who shrugged, looking pointedly at the food for two in our Prez’s hand. The Prez flipped us both off and stalked toward Sasha’s office, rolling up his metaphorical sleeves. I was sure their satisfying growls and shouts could be heard from anyone hanging about upstairs, just like our mate’s earlier screams of pleasure would’ve been rocking their world all morning long.

“Was that strictly necessary, pup?” Mongrel sighed as he dragged me by a wrist into his arms.

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