29. Chapter Twenty-Nine

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

MICAI'S POV

W e head into the kitchen, hearing voices as we enter. Mallyn gives my hand a small squeeze, a grin tilting his lips before our gazes meet Ezra, Creed and Annex's.

The room falls completely silent, and all of their gazes fall on me. Creed's face seems baffled before it quickly hardens and narrows into his usual glare.

A beat of silence passes before Annex takes a step toward us, his eyes peering at my hand wrapped in Mallyn's as a playful grin stretches his cheeks.

"And where have you both been?" He walks over to us, his brow raised playfully in question. "It doesn't take long to get to the academy and back again when Mal's doing the driving…" He taps his chin with his fingers, his mock interrogation continuing. "So what could you both have been doing in that time alone ?" A mischievous glint sparkles in his eye as he watches us.

"I don't remember asking what you did a few nights ago," Mallyn answers, a heat creeping into my cheeks, remembering exactly what we did.

I peer toward him. Had he heard us?

Annex's playful demeanour drops, his gaze flitting between Mallyn and I as his eyes widen. Would he be upset?

"You did that ?!" he calls, his gaze flitting up and down me as he takes a step closer. "Fuck, Mal, why didn't you wake me! I don't mind a little ménage à trois ." He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me into him for a light kiss as Mallyn still holds my hand in his.

Ezra clears his throat, a grin spreading his lips as he raises a brow.

"Or foursome," Annex adds as his grin widens.

Mallyn gives my hand another squeeze before slowly letting go, a warmer look in his gaze as he nods to Annex. He heads over toward Creed, who wears a strange expression, before turning to stare daggers my way.

"We need to discuss this further," Creed calls, looking back and forth between Annex and Ezra. "Now is an important time for us. We can't have any mishaps ." He glares my way, emphasising his last word as Annex scoffs.

"There won't be any need, Creed." Ezra walks over to me and Annex, taking his turn to pull me in for a light morning kiss before twisting back toward a scowling Creed. "You should trust us and our judgement. We've been together long enough for you to know better."

The conversation between them seems serious. And maybe something I shouldn't be around for.

I pull back gently from Ezra and Annex's arms.

"I'll head to the blacksmith's while you…talk." I go to leave when Annex grabs me, wrapping me in his arms and burying his face in my neck.

"I'll come too," he whispers, his breath trailing down my neck and collarbone as he places a soft kiss on my skin. "Let's get some proper breakfast while we're out and then lunch, and later dinner as well. Let's make a day of it and play in town, Red."

I peer toward Creed, his face twisting upward as he opens his mouth.

"You can't just play. We need to—"

"All work and no play makes life very dull, Creed." There's a slight endearment to Annex's tone as he continues, gazing at their group's chosen leader. "You've forgotten how to live properly, brother. It's not always just about the end goal, but the journey along the way."

Creed scoffs. "And life's not always rainbows and sunshine. Being burnt before, you think you would remember that, Annex." There's a bite to Creed's tone, an anger swirling in his amber eyes, not all entirely directed toward Annex.

Silence floods the room, a sombre atmosphere taking over.

"Let's get you to ‘Elle's'." Ezra breaks the silence, giving me a knowing grin before we make our way toward the door.

"We need to talk—" Creed shouts.

Annex lets go of me for a moment, turning around to meet Creed's angry glare.

"Nah. We've already said all we need to, Creed. Accept it."

Ezra's POV

Micai was my mate. My fated mate…and Annex's too.

I stare at Annex, a smile pulling at his cheeks and his eyes shining with glee as he watches Micai.

I knew I would be sharing Micai with others, as was the way of the supernatural community. But I had hoped it would be my brothers— as long as that's what Micai wanted .

I could tell she had a strong bond with Annex. It was evident from day one that they had a special connection.

Although to know that we're both her fated mates…

A smile mirroring Annex's spreads on my lips. I guess fate had brought us together in our little group for a bigger reason….To meet our mate. And I couldn't be happier.

Annex was a crazy psycho at times, but he would kill and die for his family, for this family. He already has, and more than once .

He had a love in him that was buried deep inside, one that burned brighter than anybody else's. And, like me, he would give his whole heart and soul for her. He would burn the flesh from his body, break the bones beneath his skin, and raze the world to ashes for our mate if she wanted it.

Is this the reason I felt so comfortable when we were all together? That whatever bond that tied us to her was connecting and linking us more and strengthening our bonds?

I had heard in supernatural partnerships that there was usually jealousy between a few of the male partners toward each other, but I never felt anything like that with Annex. I was more content when we were all together and felt happy knowing she was with him when I wasn't around. I knew he would always keep her safe and put her first.

"I'll just be a few minutes, and then we can grab something to eat, maybe from Pages and Pies?" Micai turns back, waiting for a response from me as Annex nods.

"Yeah, and I'll show you the best place for a gelato." I take my space on her other side as Annex chuckles, draping his arm over Micai's shoulders as I wrap my own around her waist.

"Whatever our girl wants." He gazes over her head toward me, a soft look in his eyes before glancing back toward her between us.

Our mate.

We make our way into Elle's, Micai heading straight for a staff member as Annex heads toward the blades.

I notice the jewellery on the opposite side of the store and head over, finding a set of earrings that instantly remind me of Micai and me. A small lilac pearl sits at the stud before it drops down in small leaves— or scales —to a fine shimmering tip.

I pick up the set and notice one of the pearls has a slightly bluer shade to it. It reminds me of Micai's soft blue eyes, and brings a smile to my lips.

Christmas wasn't far off, and it would be our first together. And we had already missed her birthday.

It had been frustrating to know we spent the whole day with her and didn't even know it was such an important day. We would have done something much better and grander if we had known.

So, Christmas Day was our do-over. I had already ordered a few things, and I know Annex had too. I think even Mallyn had gotten Micai a present as well.

We have never properly celebrated Christmas together before, just treating it as another normal day. At most, we had dinner together as a group. But this year will be different.

Micai was worth every last drop of effort I had in me.

I glance around the shop, seeing Annex terrifying one of the staff members again while holding a large, bronze antique blade. He was more than likely just asking the guy about the weapon in his hand. But the overzealous and deranged look on his face wouldn't help him get many answers.

I turn around, searching for Micai, and find her near the back of the store and a black metal door. She's with a large man wearing a navy long-sleeved top and a worn dark brown leather apron.

She's handing over the necklace we got her, but the chain is slightly damaged as she gently places it in the man's hands.

I recognise his face, remembering it from when Annex and I came to collect the custom necklace for Micai. He's the blacksmith here. Ian or Isaiah is his name, I think.

Annex had used his services a few times, having blades mended or altered for him, and had mentioned that he was skilled.

I watch on as Micai's eyes narrow, her stance slightly stiffening with a tone to her voice that tells me she isn't comfortable with him.

I make my way over, wrapping my arm around her shoulder as my eyes meet the large blacksmiths. Dark hazel-brown eyes peer out through a dark, bushy beard, and a slight hint of spirits or alcohol floats to my nose as his eyes slightly narrow my way.

"Is everything okay here?" I ask, turning toward Micai, who nods, her glare never leaving the blacksmith's frame.

I can see why she was uncomfortable with his presence. I also didn't like the strange way he was looking at her.

But my little sea star was a fighter.

She had shown me at Erving's place that she could handle herself and that I shouldn't be so overbearing.

I could definitely try, though it wouldn't be easy. Every part of me wanted to shield and protect her from any danger or possible pain. However, I would have to learn to trust her abilities and have her back instead.

Trying to protect or shield her from everything would only be telling her that I don't trust that she can defend herself.

And Micai was powerful.

I think we have only seen a small fraction of what she's truly capable of.

I never want to dim my mate's light. I want to help it grow to a blazing fire that outshines everything else around it, building it stronger and more powerful so that it can consume anything it wants or needs to.

I flick my gaze toward the blacksmith. Even if Micai was uncomfortable, she wouldn't look away, staring the man down like he was four feet tall instead of two heads taller than her. Nobody could mess with my girl; she was a pit bull with fangs, after all.

"It'll take a few days," the blacksmith calls gruffly, a deep-gravelly pitch to his voice as he speaks, like he hadn't used it in a while.

Micai lets out a small grunt of agreement, never once letting up in their stare-down before he turns away and heads through a black door behind him.

I pull Micai closer as he leaves, a slight tilt to her chin with her small victory.

"All done here?" I ask, holding back a chuckle.

"All done." She turns toward me, a small smile gracing her lips before she takes my hand in hers and begins to lead us to where Annex is.

"Did he do something to bother you, Micai?" I glance back to where the rough-looking man had just been as we leave, my brows pinching further together.

"He didn't say or do anything." She calls, following my gaze. "I would have flipped him on his ass if he had."

I wouldn't put it past her with the glare she was giving him.

She tugs my hand, dragging my attention back to her before gently squeezing it.

"I just didn't like the way he looked at me. He went all weird, and I've had enough sleazy assholes around me these days to last me a lifetime."

What other assholes have been annoying her?

"Annex has been annoying," I add, grinning as she meets my gaze.

A sweet chuckle leaves her mouth with my words, her smile growing as those plump, rosy lips stretch wider for me.

I wanted to lean in and take them for myself, savouring the happiness on them.

I lean forward, a fraction from her lips, before a heavy arm lands on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.

"What about me?" Annex's eyes narrow playfully as they flicker back and forth from me to Micai. "Even when I'm gone for a moment, you can't seem to get me off your mind, Red." He sighs dramatically. "I get it. You miss my tongue between your le—"

Micai claps her hand against his mouth, cutting him off as an elderly man passes by with a shop clerk.

She raises a brow at Annex, his tongue stroking against her palm before she quickly pulls it back again.

She glances down at her wet hand, her nose slightly scrunching up before I take the hand in question and wipe it on Annex's shirt.

"We'll return that." I grin. "We don't know where it's been."

"Recently?" Annex calls, his grin growing darker. "Between Reds legs."

Micai's face flushes a soft pink shade as a man and woman in the jewellery section glimpse our way. Their voices fall into low whispers as they hurriedly turn away with one look from Annex.

Annex then tries to wrap an arm around Micai, but she elbows him in the rib, pulling a small chuckle from his lips as he bends forward.

"So rough…I like it." A mischievous glint grows in his eyes as he rubs his side.

I roll my eyes before turning toward Micai.

"Let's go get some breakfast," I call, gently moving us toward the exit. "And then we need outfits for the Christmas eve party."

I need to wine and dine my mate and show her what being cherished by us feels like.

And what better excuse than a party to do it?

I'll have to keep an eye on the things she takes an interest in.

And add it to my collection for Christmas Day.