Page 37 of Soul of the Chaos

I swallowed my moan as a by-now familiar void opened up inside me at the mere thought of one of my wolves stepping away.

Nodding brusquely, I turned before he could see the ridiculous tears shimmering in my eyes. My stupid body was already grieving the loss of his presence.

Before I could step away, Silver sprung. Spinning me back round with a hand on my bicep, he planted a quick but blistering kiss on my lips. A muted gasp came from someone in the room but Silver was gone before I’d even registered the intense press of his sweet, hungry lips working against my own.

I leaned into the contact and found nothing but air. I wanted to grab the omega and haul him closer but Silver was already sauntering out the door. His parting words hung in the air like a delicious taunt, tearing a growl of frustration from my wanton lips. “See you soon, beautiful.”

15

MATING INSTINCT IS A BITCH

Silver

Finding the captives huddled and shivering in cages had almost broken me and I was man enough to admit it. The poor souls had been dressed like hookers, even the youngest who were nothing more than pups. Tiny scraps of clothing which did nothing to hide their brutal treatment.

So this moment—right now—was making my damned night. Hell, my entire fucking year.

Popcorn, Snickerdoodle, Chocolatedip and I were loaded for bear. In no time at all, we had done a quick run around, and now we were barging our way back into our guests’ sanctuary with bags stuffed full of goodies. I couldn’t wait to see their faces as they rustled through the offerings.

The humans seemed to have made good use of the time. While I’d been gone, it looked like the group had hustled their way through a quick shower, getting the worst of the Bone Crusher filth off their bodies. I was sure I even caught a small glimmer of hope in their eyes as if their new reality was finally beginning to sink in.

My proud smile only grew as I relished their reaction to what came next.

I knew what it felt like to start from the ground up, but I also knew Grimm and the boys would do right by our charges tomorrow. In the meantime, this haul should ease the way.

“Honey, I’m home!” I called out as I upended the first of at least half a dozen bags while Popcorn marched straight in behind me, wheeling a supply cart piled high with loot. Chocolatedip and Snickerdoodle kept a respectful distance, looking on from the door, though I could feel them vibrating with the urge to make introductions.

After all the bags had been tipped out, I stood back with my hands on my hips, feeling like a pirate who’d returned from plundering the high seas. All we’d really done was sweep through our packmates' rooms asking for donations and then pillaged the Soul Reapers’ supplies.

Most of our people had, of course, been more than happy to loan or outright gift what they could. A few had done so with less grace than I would have liked, earning them a raised eyebrow. A subtle reminder that as pack omega, I was there on behalf of our alpha and Prez.

The truth was all our girls and prospects were damn lucky to live in the clubhouse and surrounding buildings as many traditional MCs—shifters or not—wouldn’t have afforded them such a luxury. If my subtle rebuke hadn’t gotten them moving, a fierce little snarl from Popcorn sure had.

Popcorn was head of the club girls and sweetbutts and my BFF. She was good people.

Most of the former captives had frozen at our brash entry but Sasha leaned against a wall, looking on with an amused tilt to her lips and a flash of approval in her eyes. Goddess strike me dead, but that look might have been even sexier than her spitting-mad-and-about-to-scratch-my-alpha’s-eyes out look.

Still no movement.

I waved a lavish hand at the mound of goodies. “Have at it, m’lady.”

My mate rolled her eyes at the title but I didn’t miss the way her chest puffed up slightly at the subtle reinforcement of her role here. An alpha was an alpha, in my book.

Sasha gave the nod and a few of the humans—Viola, Louise, Addy, and Robbie, to name a few—stepped forward. Sorting through the mound of clothes and setting it by into careful piles of t-shirts, underwear, long socks, leggings, sweatpants, sweaters. It was colder here than in the Badlands and, as the humans didn’t have a lick of fat left on them, we’d grabbed as much warmth as we could.

Next, the toiletries and personal supplies were separated clinically from water bottles and snacks. Each stash was set to the side in plain sight of everyone. There was no laughter. No good natured jostling or playful tug of war over a particular shampoo or pair of pajamas.

Everything was treated with careful detachment.

My smile began to fade and a fierce scowl soon replaced it.

“What are y’all doing?” I demanded from one of the passing women. Viola didn’t answer but shot me a look that said the answer should be obvious. I marched right up to Sasha, still leaning against a wall overseeing the work. “What are they doing?”

“Rationing.” She tucked a lock of hair gently behind my ear and patted my cheek.

I caught her hand with a soft growl and held it there, breathing a sigh of relief as her scent rolled over me and the contact soothed my aggravation. “Why?! They don’t have to do that here. We’ll be getting more stuff tomorrow.”

The sad smile she offered me was full of heartbreak and not for herself. It nearly undid me right then and there.

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