68. Take what's mine and I'll kill what's yours.

"Why isn't she calling yet, damn it!" Eros checked his phone for the hundredth of time in the last half an hour. He was glued to a tiny device in his hand, unlocking and blocking it again constantly. Balthazar grew tired from watching how the man couldn't concentrate on the topics they had to talk about in front of him.


"She will call, calm down," Balthazar spoke up, eyeing Eros suspiciously.


"She should have called already. In a couple of minutes, our meeting is over, and Eve hasn't sent even a text to tell me that she's alright. I don't like this, I don't like it at all," Eros growled, checking the phone once again.


"What if she's having too much fun to look at her phone? Your mate needed some time to relax, especially around other women. I'm sure they are doing face masks and talking shit about their mates. Let Eve be a woman for a couple of hours, that's what they do," Lord sighed, disapproving how poorly Eros trusted Eve. Balthazar was sure if anything was wrong, she would have called already. Eros was a little control freak, waiting for reports from his own mate.


"Listen, son. We haven't done any work yet because of that damned phone always being in your hand, and you cursing the world each time there isn't a text or call. This meeting is meant for us to discuss important matters, and you are not able to concentrate. I know Eve, Mary knows her, and both of us think that she is a bright young lady, who would warn you if anything would go wrong. There isn't much time left for us, so can we please discuss at least one thing before you have to leave?" Balthazar stood up from the chair and approached the window. He looked out of it, watching how the sun goes down and nature, surrounding them, comes alive for the night.


"You're right. I guess I'm just too caught up in everything. I just feel like something is off with Eve; therefore, I keep waiting for at least a message." Eros groaned, leaning his face against the cold table surface.


"Understandable. It happens to everyone, especially during such an early and fragile point of mating. I guess you have the right to be more worried, considering that your mate is a human, not shifter. Let's get to the most important point, and then you can leave and pick her up. How does that sound?" Balthazar turned his attention to Eros and smiled, seeing how the man nodded.


"Coronation. When and where are you willing to announce taking over the throne? Would you like to have your coronation held separate from the Queens, or should we organize the celebration in one day?" Lord decided that talking about security matters wouldn't be the best idea at this point.
Eros had enough on his mind already; adding fuel to the flame would be the worst idea possible.


"I think the right time for the announcement would be within a month. By then, Eve might be ready to complete the mating process. I'll leave the choice in her hands, maybe she will want us both to have a ceremony on the same day, but maybe she will want her own special day. It depends on her wishes, not mine," Eros smiled, the image of Eve, in a white gown, invaded his mind, nearly making his knees weak. No doubt, she had him wrapped around her little finger. The thing is- Eve wouldn't need to put an extra effort in that, she just had to be herself. Even if the woman would be awful, by any means, he would still love her.


"Good thinking, sometimes even the most powerful ones have to step down and let their women lead them. Remember, behind every great king always stood an even greater Queen. I'm sure both of you are exactly what our kingdom needs. A strong leader such as yourself is a perfect combination of compassionate women such as Eve," Balthazar smiled, approaching Eros and placing a palm on his shoulder.


"You can make it, she sure as Hell can too. Both of you will be unstoppable, just give it a little time. Put some more trust in your mate; I'm sure she knows what she's doing," Lord tried to reason Eros, who was grabbing his phone once again.


"She trusts people too easily, even ones that have hurt her." Eros groaned, worried seeing no call or message notifications.


"I admit, she is a little too trusting. But it's an admirable type of trust. For me, that means everyone in the kingdom will receive a fair trial from their Queen if needed. Her trust in people will lead her to become the greatest Queen ever seen. Now, pack your stuff and get her. I'm sure she might be worried if you'll be late." Balthazar tapped his shoulder and stepped aside, leaning over the table, gathering documents.


"Will see about that. Thank you for your time, we shall arrange another meeting soon, to go through those questions you had," Eros stood up and smiled, the joy of seeing Eve again overtaking him.
Even Ares wasn't acting like a grumpy, old wolf anymore. He was running around and wiggling his tail in happiness, reminding a young pup. Both of them were excited to hold Eve again. She must be tired and being away from her for such a long time since forever tired Eros. Without taking a glance back or even proper goodbye, Eros rushed out of the house, jumped into his car, and sped down the road. He grew more excited within minutes, just a mere thought of his mate, making him feel as if he was on cloud nine. His heart skipped a beat when the packhouse came into view. Eros stopped the car, turned off the engine, and headed towards the enormous building. The nagging feeling in him grew as he neared the door. He felt uneasy for some odd reasons, even though Eve would be in his arms just seconds later.


"Something feels to be off; I don't get her scent; it seems to be faded?" Ares questioned himself and Eros.


"I knew something was wrong; God damn it! I should have gotten here earlier!" Eros hissed back and kicked the door open.


"Mother!" The beast roared, his powerful growl shaking the packhouses windows. Nothing. Absolute silence. Eros breathed heavily, frantically looking around to see any movement.


"Mother!" He yelled again, heading for the office. When he opened the door, office was empty. The whole packhouse felt dead. Not a single soul appeared next to the enraged beast.


"Eros!" Came a frantic female voice from the main entrance. Without losing any time turned around and rushed towards the voice. Eros would kill every living being, stopping him from reaching the goal if there would be anyone in his way.
When he came eye to eye with his mother, for a second, Eros lost his voice. She leaned against the door frame, holding her chest tightly and breathing as if she had run a marathon.


"Where is my Eve?" He growled through gritted teeth, his body shook, close to shifting.


"I tried to stop her, I tried. Eros, I think she's carrying your child. Eve told me she would never give birth to a monster, promising to get rid of the pup. I went to the kitchen to make her some tea as soon as I managed to calm her down. You blocked everyone; I couldn't get a hold of you. When I got back to the cabinet, she was gone.
Eros, I tried to follow her scent, but I couldn't get a hold of her. She wasn't alone, someone helped her," Luna dropped on her knees, sobbing violently.


"I found this near the forest borders," she held up the bloodied cloth, clenching it.


Eros dropped on his knees. This was too much to handle, even for him. Luna just announced that he was to become a father. He would never reach fatherhood's joy because of his stubborn mate, who couldn't accept things as they were. She was gone.
Eve ran away, injuring herself in a way and would hide for her whole lifetime. Or even worse- she could kill herself, along with their child. Or the rogues would do that. She had no idea about borders and creatures living out there. She had never left the pack territory, aside from once, when they visited cats.


"Fuck! I knew leaving her with you was the worst mistake I've made. I shouldn't have let her trust you. You're nothing but a bitch, always fighting for your evil ways, damn it!" The hatred in his eyes could easily set the whole place on fire.


"I didn't do anything; I tried to stop her! How can you blame me for her careless behavior? I was the one who kept repeating what a blessing a child is! I was the one to calm her down and try whatever it takes to keep her safe! I didn't tell her to run, hurt herself, or hide! I'm not the fucking bad guy here!" Luna screamed, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She was a great actress, especially if the opponents weren't around. No matter what she did, the woman would always play the victim card, granting her safety.


"You were fucking responsible for her! I told you, I don't trust you, I wouldn't trust you as much as a ripped sock, but Eve did! She trusted you and look where we ended up! She's gone!" Eros raised his voice, unbothered by the people who suddenly surrounded them. Pack members, one by one, appeared out of nowhere- watching mother and son argue as if it was a show.


"What the fuck is going on here?" Xavier finally appeared. His hair was messy eyes a little red, meaning that the Alpha had just woken up. Everyone, besides Eros, bearded their necks in submission.


"Ah, Eros, still the same rude pup. Some things don't change. Shouldn't you show your submission to your Alpha?" Xavier had obviously woken up in a bad mood, probably still half asleep. He knew better, but not now. Eros stood up, throwing daggers from his eyes at everyone, who dared as much as look his way.


"Xavier, everyone here knows you're an asshole; unfortunately, not all of these people know that you're an uneducated asshole. A King does not submit. Get that in your thick skull and zip it," Eros stepped closer to Alpha, enjoying how the seemingly influential leader shrunk in front of him.


"You're not a King yet." Xavier tried to fight back, a weak attempt to keep his superior status in the pack member's eyes.


"That's where you're wrong, mutt. Be a good bitch and drop on your knees while I'll deal with my beloved mother," Xavier noticed how his eyes became red, the beast was fighting its way out. Only a suicidal person would dare to defy him. So, Xavier did as told and dropped on his knees, head hung low in shame. He was no longer the leader of the pack, he submitted.


"Where is Eve? I give you one last chance to tell me where my woman is. I'll burn this fucking place down if you don't tell me!" Eros growled. The people surrounding him dropped on their knees, begging for mercy.


"I don't know! She ran away; I told you everything I could!" Luna kept resisting him. The woman felt that this was about the time to fight for her life. Eros was unpredictable, especially when his beast took over the control. It's terrible when a werewolf is split from his mate. It's even worse when an Alpha is. But when a King is being divided from his Queen- the Hell will break loose.


"You had to protect her." Eros looked down, shaking his head in disappointment.


"I know, I tried, son." Luna whispered.


"Take what's mine, and I'll kill what's yours," Eros announced with a mischievous grin on his lips.


"What? What do you mean?" Luna tried to approach him, but she was nowhere as fast as her son was.


"I mean that you took what's mine. Eve is mine. Just as promised, I'll kill what's yours. Xavier. Any last words?" He mocked Luna as he stood next to the Alpha.


"No, you c..." Luna didn't get to yell out anything more as she heard a snap and dropped on her knees, grabbing onto her heart, howling in pain. When Luna opened her teary eyes, she saw her dead mates' body dropped next to her son's feet.


"Why such a sour face, mother? The fun had just begun."