Page 81 of Soul of the Chaos

Viola snorted. “For the Soul Reapers, huh?”

I gave her my most no-nonsense looked and she sobered right up.

“Yes. For the Soul Reapers. Nothing in life comes for free, Viola, and you know it. Not a single one of my brothers or club members would ever lay a hand on any of you who ain’t looking for a bit of fun. You have my word on that. However—”

My gaze swept the room, passing gently over my mate before returning to Viola’s clear gaze. I was speaking as the pack’s omega, now, and the humans were soaking up every word.

“The Soul Reapers don’t run a charity. If you want to make this your home, then you will be expected to earn your way as a club girl or boy. Just like anybody else. In return, you will have our protection. No questions asked. No further debt owed. Feel me?”

Viola sat up and took a long, loud slurp on her drink. She didn’t shrink from my gaze either, instead she slid it thoughtfully to Sasha’s. “Well, then. I guess I’m pretty fly behind a bar, I can clean a pool table faster than most guys, and I’m pretty handy with a needle and thread, too.”

Sasha nodded while Popcorn took notes.

“I pick pockets and can swipe food on the run,” Addy piped up, flopping back onto the bed dramatically as she threw an arm over her head.

I smirked. Girl was a lightweight. It was strangely comforting that in this, at least, the fierce little street kid got to live a bit of normal.

“You can start as a glassy and work your way up,” Sasha promised. “But no fleecing the customers.”

“Aw. But what if they’re assholes who try to cop a feel?” Addy whined.

“Won’t be no assholes drinking in Sasha’s bar,” I growled. “You will have proper bouncers from here on out.”

“And you’re only working when you’re not in school or training with Carbon,” Viola added.

“Oh, so I get to do school and work for a living? Whoopdy doo.” Addy gave the world at large a cheeky thumbs up.

Sasha looked to Talia.

“Um, I’m not great with a room full of people. I’d like to learn how to cook, though.” Talia chewed on her lip and shot a shy look up at her mate, who gave her shoulder a squeeze of encouragement.

“Bet you’re a fast learner, too,” he prodded.

She smiled gratefully and nodded. “Have to be. On the streets.”

Popcorn fluffy-tipped pen flew across the page as she jotted it all down.

Robbie raised his hand, “I like cooking. Dancing, too. Nanna taught me. Back when she could. Before. Well, before all this.”

“Great. I’ll introduce you both to Cook in the morning. She’s a tough old bitch and doesn’t suffer fools in her kitchen. But something tells me you’ll be quick on your toes and there’s always dishes to get done in an MC.”

Sasha settled in, leaning her back against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her middle while Popcorn continued grilling the humans to find out what their new roles might be. There was a new energy permeating the group. A sense of purpose.

I smiled softly against my mate’s hair, taking her beautiful scent deep into my soul. This, right here, was how to spend a girl’s night.

30

SUPERPOWER OF AN OMEGA

Sasha

Hopelessness swirled. I’d lost half my people today and until this moment, I’d barely even spared a thought for them. All I’d really been able to focus on was the wild call of the Chaos, my own selfish desire for revenge, and feeling sorry for myself about Winter.

While the others got to clearing up, our new friends chatting animatedly with my much smaller group of runaways and homeless, I padded over to the bathroom door and laid a hand over the wood. It was cool to the touch. Lifeless. The small world inside despondent.

The pain in my chest was so red hot that I had to feel my skin just to reassure myself that I wasn’t burning up. I had done this. Driven her away. When our group had been all-but cut in half and we were feeling ragged and torn, I’d driven away our most vulnerable member.

The center of everything we’d strived to protect.

---