Taming Her Beastly Mate

“Lex.” Jared’s eyes met with hers as a small frown formed on his face. “Can we talk?”

Alexis followed Jared to a private area of the castle. She watched him stop and stand there facing the wall in front. He stood there for a moment before he quickly turned around and pulled her into his arms. He held her head to his chest as his other hand hugged her tightly. A small smile rested on his face before he pulled back to look at her.

“Lex, you are amazing. Brian told us everything. I can’t tell you how much I admire you. That you are willing to stay by Brian’s side, so he isn’t alone. This is why I love you. It does really suck though, and I feel like a piece of my heart is shattered. But at the same time, I have so much admiration for you.”

“Wait, Brian did explain that if Aken shows up first that-”

“Yes, but he hasn’t shown up all this time. Sweet, wonderful Alexis you deserve someone who would destroy the world just to be by your side.” He let his arms drop from her and stood back. “I just wanted you to know that my love for you isn’t shallow. I’m here for you no matter what. I just want you to be happy and I hope that you will be. I just hope that destiny will bless me with someone like you. Maybe not as stubborn and more compliant.” He grinned and winked down at her.

She smiled back up at him. She knew he was hurting but he was doing his best to show his support. He was a true friend. He was best friends with Nick growing up and always joined him when he visited. He put his heart on the line and she never wanted to hurt him. She appreciated how he was being over this. But she didn’t really expect him to handle it any other way. Jared was always a noble man of a high standard. It wasn’t in his character to act differently.

“Thank you, Jared. I appreciate your friendship.”

“You’ll always have it.” Jared’s eyes lifted up behind Alexis and a cheesy grin spread across his face. “Looks like we have an audience, my love.”

“Jared you should drop the ‘my love’ instantly. Alexis is now my mate and I will treat her as such. Just like my father once upon a time pretended to be Rhea’s mate.” Brian walked up and tugged gently on Alexis pulling her next to his side. “Sorry for eavesdropping. I…” He glanced over at Alexis and raised his shoulders slightly. “I hope I am allowed to be protective.”

“Me too. I wasn’t about to hear her get berated.” Micah stepped out followed by Nick.

“Yeah, it was unBEARable for him to just wait around.” Nick snickered to himself patting Micah on the back.

“Oh Nick… you are better than that.” Alexis frowned.

“Hey, Brian this will be just like when Rhea first came to the dragon kingdom. You will take on the role that Titus did and I will take on my father’s role. And Cole will take over for Dex and Troy for Grayson. This will be operation keep the fairy princess away from other dragons.”

“Dude, you sound lame.” Micah stepped away from him as if the dragon was contagious.

“Dex and Ciana will be arriving soon. Try not to provoke Anna so much this time, okay?” Brian arched his brow up at Nick who held his arms out in innocence. Anna and Cole were his cousins from the North dragon kingdom. They were the prince and princess, though Cole would be the one taking over as the next ruler.

“It’s not my fault. She is the one who always picks on me.” Nick said defending himself.

“You are like kids fighting because they don’t know how to show affection. She is a potential love interest…” Alexis grinned biting her lower l*p.

“HA! Don’t you dare put that voodoo on me. Sure, Anna is beautiful but she has so many ideas. She thinks and has opinions. It’s a lot.”

“Nick, would rather have a blowup doll as his mate,” Brian chuckled and was joined by everyone but Nick.

“Eeewww, I don’t want to know about Nick’s private um hobbies.” Alexis scrunched up her nose.

“Now Lex don’t get jealous of those dolls. They mean nothing to me. Not like you do.” Nick gave her a cheeky smile.

“Hey, Nick that is my mate you are flirting with.” Brian tilted his head looking at his cousin with disapproval.

“Geez, all new rules now. I can’t adjust this quickly. Where is my buddy Raine at? I can at least flirt with her.” Nick looked around not seeing her anywhere.

“She will be back in a couple of days. She is visiting both of her grandparents in Elysium.” Micah frowned and grumbled under his breath. “Something we should have done too. It’s going to be so noisy here.”

“Aww look it’s Grumpy bear.” Nick teased receiving a murderous glare from Micah.

“You know I’ve had frog legs before I bet dragon legs are just as tasty slathered in butter,” Micah smirked turning to face Nick fully.

“Shall we see if bear meat all ground up tastes just like a hamburger?” Nick chuckled taking the challenge.

“Nuh-uh. Nope. We have a party we are getting ready for and can’t have you two children ruining anything. So, if you want to battle, better make it a cook-off or a dance-off.” Alexis listened to the two men g***n in protest. They were always doing this sort of thing. They couldn’t wait for a chance to spar against the other. It was all in good fun, but it was destructive.

“How about a duel at Mario Smash Brothers?” Nick smiled smugly and watched as Micah’s lips curled upwards.

“If you want to taste humiliation then by all means.” Micah chuckled.

“I’m in!” Jared stepped forward. “Of course, you both know you don’t stand a chance, right?”

“Oh, look who lost his training wings and is trying on his big boy ones.” Nick nodded over at Jared while looking at Micah.

“Go get it set up Micah. I’ll show you, children, how to really play the game. But I want to talk to Lex here for a moment. Alone.” Brian cleared his throat a bit.

“Let’s go Mikey, the new love birds need a moment.” Nick turned around and looked at Brian. “Use protection bro. If you need the love, use the glove.”

“Gods Nick. I wonder why we are friends sometimes.” Jared walked past him followed by Micah.

“Oh come on guys. Wait up! That was a good one.” Nick trailed off as he jogged after them.

Alexis shook her head and looked up to meet with Brian’s serious eyes.

“Brian?” She asked tilting her head to the side with a small smile.

He leaned his head down on top of hers and let out a loud sigh. “Are you ready for this? The act we are going to have to put on?”

“My mother did it. Your father did it. I think we can manage. This isn’t weird for me. Is it for you? I mean, okay, so the acceptance k**s will be a bit-”

“Awkward?”

“Yeah, but Aken will come. So try not to overthink that okay?”

Brian chuckled dryly and shook his head. “Try not to overthink it? My favorite fairy, you understand what type of performance this is right? It is hard not to think about it and the consequences afterwards.”

“But you trust me…”

“With all my heart.”

Alexis smiled and reached out to grab his hand. “Then there is nothing to worry about my temporary love.”

Brian laughed and pulled her in for a warm embrace. “Lex.”

“Hmm?”

“For what it is worth, I hope he does come for you. You deserve to have whatever you want. I don’t think he deserves you though.”

“Who does deserve me?” She looked up at him and watched a crooked smile reach his lips.

“I don’t think there is a man out there who deserves you. At least not one I have met.”

“Well, you haven’t met Aken.” Alexis bit her bottom l*p and smiled up at him.

Brian shook his head and smiled. “You know sweetheart, you may meet Aken and be completely disgusted by him. You have only been told he is your fated mate. You may not like how he looks or how he talks. What happens if there is no attraction? What if you don’t feel the sparks with him?”

“I am not asking for a perfect mate. I just want my mate and my fated mate at that. He was made for me I don’t need to know any more than that.” She watched a small flicker of sadness reach Brian’s eyes, and she quickly bit her tongue. Here she was spouting off about her fated mate when it might be something Brian will never have. She could be his only chance at having a mate.

“But my Uncle Cody and Aunt Kelsie are not fated mates. Just look at those two and how crazy they are over each other. It just goes to show you can have a deep connection with someone who isn’t your fated mate. Those two were obviously made for each other.”

“You know Lex, when my aura kept getting stronger my biggest fear was that it would be too strong for my fated mate. I tried to push that thought from my head like it was silly to even think that. And now that is exactly what I am being told. That my fated mate will not be able to be near me. I’m still adjusting to this news and wrapping my head around it. But I’m not going to let it bring me down. I’m going to keep fighting for my future. Even if I have to hunt down Shiva myself.” He looked at her and placed his hand on her head. “So don’t give me those eyes. I don’t want you to feel sorry or bad for me. And when Aken comes to claim you I don’t want you worrying about me. Okay?”

“I won’t. I won’t worry about you because I will be right beside you fighting for a solution. And together we will find one.” Alexis reached up and pulled his hand off of her head. “But for now you have a battle to fight in the game room and your opponents all are claiming victory.”

“Of course, we both know there can only be one left standing when all this is finished.” Brian flashed a mischievous grin.

“The real question is which one will it be?” Alexis tapped her chin thoughtfully.

Brian chuckled. “I guess now is the time to show you my true strength as the Dragon Prince of the West.” He tucked her arm around his and led her down the hall.

Alexis smiled and bumped into his side playfully. No matter what, she would always be there for Brian. There had to be a solution out there and they would find it. And who knows, maybe Aken would know of something. She would ask him when he came for her. Because… he would, right?

_

“What would you do, huh?! When you want to be with someone so badly that it is tearing you apart piece by piece. I don’t know what this is going to do to me. I can’t take it. It is effectively killing me slowly to stay away from her. But, damnit, what if something happens to her because of me? I can’t lose her. This takes me back to I can’t have her. This is hell.” Aken set his jaw as his chest heaved angrily. He had never experienced such torture as he was now. He loved her. He needed her. But he didn’t want to risk losing her. He was spiraling right now. The thought of another man claiming her as his mate was bringing him waves of anguish…and anger.

“Have you ever thought that you are letting Erebus win? By staying away from her you will destroy yourself. This is exactly what he wants. I’m going to speak freely with you.” Terra braced herself as she prepared to yell at a deity who could crush her in a millisecond. “What the fu.ck are you doing?! You are a damn god. Take your mate and protect her and quit being a dumbass. Once she is claimed, it will be too late. You can figure the other stuff out later. But right now there is no later. She is about to be marked by another.” She flung her arms out and glared at him. “Don’t lose her. Don’t lose your light or darkness will claim you. What are you waiting for?”