20.Marked, not mated.

**Eve**

Hand in hand, they strode downstairs- Eros, as always confident, his head held high. Eve, on the other hand- unsure of what was to happen, trying to hide behind her mates back. They approached the bar counter, and Eros asked for a young woman to join them. She smiled kindly, obviously excited about his presence. When her eyes fell on Eve, she frowned, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Kali, can you do me a little favor?" he asked kindly, squeezing Eve’s hand in reassurance.

"Sure thing, boss, what is it?" The woman's gaze flicked back to Eros, flashing him a million-dollar smile.

"This little human, here, is my mate, Eve. I need you to look after her, while I take care of something. I won't be gone for long, but I do need someone I can trust her with. Do not let your guard down." He placed his hands into Eve's armpits and lifted her onto the barstool, making sure that the bartender would not give Eve anything with alcohol. The woman nodded and smirked, looking at Eve.

"It's nice to meet you, my name is Kali," she faked excitement, grabbing a glass, filling it with water and placing it in front of Eve. With shaky hands, the human grabbed it, whispering a gentle, "it's nice to meet you too," before gulping down the whole glass. Eros leaned closer to Eve's face, pecked her cheek, and promised to return soon, before running off. For a while, Eve sat looking down at the glass, ignoring the buzz around her. She felt uneasy knowing how many shifters were now observing her every move. When it got too much, Eve jumped off the stool and looked around, trying to catch Eros. No matter how she felt at this point, she would be safer sticking around him. As she was about to go and find him, someone grabbed her elbow in a tight grip. That would leave bruises, for sure. She looked back, noticing Kali throwing daggers from her eyes.
"And where do you think you are going?" A sinister smile appeared on her lips. Eve might be careless at times, but she wasn't a fool. This woman was up to no good.
"I wonder what you did to make him mark you. Were you his quickie? You lied about being pregnant, didn't you?" The woman spat in rage. Eve's eyes widened in shock. How could someone be so cruel and say such things to a stranger?

"Excuse me?" Eve tried to get out of her grip, one unsuccessful attempt after another.

"You heard me. It's not like anyone could blame me for being curious. Look at yourself, you're maybe a four, while he is full-on ten. Honestly, I'm surprised, I thought he didn't like fatties, but here you are- in all of your chubby glory," her eyes travelled over Eve. Eve's mouth opened and closed, resembling a fish. She took her time to register the woman's cruel words.

"Listen." Eve took a deep breath, looking around frantically, hoping that Eros would notice her and the woman, who held her forcefully.
"I don't know, alright. The first time I met him was when he bit me, not like that's something you should know. Honestly, I am very well aware of me being bigger than other girls are, but that doesn't give you any right to make fun out of me. Now, please, let go of me before I start screaming like a madwoman. I might be weak, everyone here might look down on me, but if I scream- I'm not the one who's getting hurt," Eve smiled kindly, yanking her arm out of Kali's grip. Kali stood utterly dumbfounded; she didn't expect humans would stand up for themselves.

"Eh? I'm just trying to be your friend. Trust me, you'll have a lot of friends here until my shift ends," Kali winked at Eve, turning her back to the human. Even though Eros had told her to look after his mate- Kali was just a bartender, not a babysitter. Moreover, she noticed someone approaching them, his eyes fixated on Eve.

"Hey there, little princess," the drunk male spoke up, startling Eve, making the bartender feel a lot better.

"Not interested, sir, sorry," Eve blurted, her eyes still scanning the crowd to find Eros.

"I didn't ask if you would be interested, human. If you're here, I'm sure you know how us shifters act. I see you; I like you- I take you home, simple as that, doll." His breath reeked of alcohol and cigarettes, making Eve feel even more disgusted than before.

"I'm mated, sir," she tried to sound kind and reasonable, doing her best to avoid getting into trouble. “Eros, come on, where are you?” Eve thought, becoming a little worried about how safe she was around here without Eros by her side.

"Marked, not mated- big difference, human," the male snarled, bringing everyone's attention to him and the human girl. He neared Eve with a wide grin on his lips. The male's palm landed on Eve's ass, grabbing it, pulling her closer to his body.

"Please, let go of me!" Eve yelled, tears filling her eyes, trying to push him away. The man leaned closer to her ear and whispered: "If you say one more word, I will kill you before fucking you. Girl, don't be stupid, just because you're marked doesn't mean that you're off-limits. Now shut the fuck up." As he spoke, tears streamed down Eve's cheeks. She was terrified beyond limits, especially when nobody around tried to help her. Eve slapped him across the face, hoping that the male would loosen his grip, and she could make a run for it. It didn't happen. He slapped her back; the only difference was that the male had his claws extended, and the razor-sharp nails cut her skin in the process, blood oozing from the cuts. He was about to grab Eve by her hair when his body was violently yanked away. In front of Eve stood Eros. His eyes dark, breathing deep, the look on his face alone could kill. He glanced back at Eve, looking more intimidating and dangerous than ever. On instinct, his hand reached for her face, and Eve leaned closer, enjoying the feeling of closeness. Even if it was just him- cupping her bleeding cheek.

"Give me a second, kitten. Close your eyes, if you may," Eros smiled at Eve lovingly, trying to warn her about what might happen, dropping a hint that she shouldn't see that. Eve nodded, looking away.

"You fucker!" the male, who hit Eve, yelled. He was about to launch at Eros, when he suddenly stopped, almost frozen on the spot.

"Mind explaining who had given you the right to come close to my mate?" He spoke in a low tone, stepping closer to the male. "Who has given you the right to go around and act like marked women are toys for you to play with? Who has given you the fucking right to hit my mate?" He was full-on yelling by the time he stood right in front of the male. Only now, Eve noticed the considerable height difference between Eros and other wolves. Her mate was a giant compared to everyone.

"Shut it, she's not mated, just marked. I still have the right to take her, don't I? One bite and your mark long gone, replaced by mine. Come on, quit this show, I'll grab the human and leave before anyone gets hurt," the male spoke confidentially. Eros leaned his head back and laughed, sounding like a mad man. Everything happened too fast for Eve to follow his movements. Eros stood in front of the male, grabbed onto the hand, which had Eve’s blood on and twisted it- in one swift move. A loud sound of cracking bones echoed in the room. The male dropped on his knees, screaming in pain, gripping his broken arm.

"The fuck is wrong with you?" he yelled at Eros, a glimpse of fear appearing in his eyes.

"Everything, especially, if it comes to my mate," Eros shrugged his shoulders.
The man jumped to his feet, trying to lunge at Eros. He smirked, stepped aside, and grabbed onto the back of the male's neck, with one hand, and his broken arm with another. The male had drawn his mates' blood- it was him, fucking begging for this to come upon him.

"Stand still, kitten," Eros winked at Eve and approached her, dragging the male like a marionette doll. Eve stood frozen in fear, while Eros pushed her attackers to face against her neck, forcefully. He held the unknown man in such tight hold, everyone around dreaded the thought of all the male’s bones being crushed any second.

"Smell it! To whom does she belong?" Eros spoke through gritted teeth, tightening his hold onto the male's broken arm.

"I-I don't want to," male mumbled, holding his breath.

"I said, smell it, bitch!" The sound of breaking bones followed his voice. Outraged, Eros broke the male's arm once again, earning an ear-piercing scream. The male sniffed Eve cautiously, catching another strong scent on her, letting his eyes down.

"Coming into my bar, on my land and now, trying to abuse my mate? Guess who's dying tonight?" Eve stepped back, surprised by the coldness in her mate's voice.

"I-I am," the male whispered.

"BINGO!" Eros cheered and put his hands onto the male's neck in one quick movement. When the worst seemed to be behind them, everyone in the bar gasped. All eyes fell on the stranger's body, while Eros stood there, smiling.

"Get rid of the body; I don't like seeing trash scattered on my bar floor. Drinks on me, enjoy the rest of the evening," everyone around him cheered. Everyone, except Eve- she still stood frozen in place, a terrified expression on her face. Eros approached his mate, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her. Eve wrapped her arms around his neck and legs around his waist, like a scared child- she clenched onto him.

"In an hour, I'll see you in my office, Kali. Don't be late." He growled and left the room, carrying his mate upstairs, to safety- with him.