Taming Her Beastly Mate

Kurt walked down the stairs carrying Colleen in his arms and Sully balanced on his h*p. He had a proud look on his face as if he had won first prize at the county fair. His expression was one of regal pride, as if he held the most precious jewel known to mankind. Colleen had embraced their connection and their relationship was beginning to unfold like a flower under the sun. Even though she had given her consent for him to mark her, Kurt felt she wasn’t ready yet. He wanted her to understand this was entirely her decision without feeling pressured to do so; after all, she had been part of a pack that controlled every aspect of her life. Because of the deep-rooted manipulation and control she endured during her time in her pack he wanted to give her more time. The trauma she suffered was still raw, even though the oppressive darkness seemed to be fading away, its damaging traces still lingered in her subconscious. She frequently visited one of the pack’s doctors in order to help her process all those feelings in a healthy manner.

“Give him here! Give Sully to Pappy Sam.” Sam hopped up from the living room, trotting over to his son. With a single swift movement, he snatched the infant away and began cooing in jubilation to Sullivan. He had fully embraced Sullivan as his grandson, as did his mate Renee. They showered him with love and embraced Colleen as family.

Colleen watched as Sam and Renee played with Sully, their laughter filling the room. It was a comforting sound, one that made her feel more at home than she ever did in her pack. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing for the kind of family she never had. Her parents were busy with the pack life, and she rarely got to interact with them.

She glanced up at Kurt who was watching his parents with a soft smile on his lips. She was grateful to have his presence in her life. He had given her a home filled with joy and warmth. For once… she felt safe and loved.

“Are you okay?” he asked, as he rubbed small circles on the small of her back.

Colleen nodded, her eyes meeting his. “I’m more than okay,” she said. “I never thought I could feel this…safe. This loved.”

Kurt’s heart swelled with affection for her. “You deserve all the love and safety in the world,” he said, leaning in to k**s her forehead. “I’ll make sure of it.” His nose lingered on her skin as he gently breathed in her scent. He had mixed feelings about leaving her for the upcoming mission, but he had to see this pack for himself. And maybe offer her brother a little payback for when he choked Colleen. He knew he had to control his emotions though and let his Alpha and Luna make the decisions. However, this was the pack where his mate lived, and he needed to see it for himself. And if the time came… deliver the justice necessary.

“Now you are making me jealous, Sam.” Jason huffed as a small scowl formed on his lips. They had just returned from visiting Lucy, using the teleporting black pearl. He had gotten to see everyone with their grandchildren and now he was wanting his.

“Someone is ready to embrace being a grandpa?” Sam teased as he snorted.

“I haven’t decided on the technical name, but I want to see my little Blake.” Jason listened as Jin giggled softly beside him.

“Destiny said they would visit soon since there is a lot going on here. We can’t instantly teleport to them since she doesn’t have a black pearl shard. She is going to video chat with us this evening. And I have thought of names for us!” Jin said proudly while Jason arched a brow looking down at her. “Min for me and Pip for you.” She listened as he chuckled and shook his head.

“Is that right?” He pulled her to his chest as she smiled up at him.

“Yeppah, that is right.” She reached up and prodded his nose. The doors opened behind them with a bubbling commotion.

“Is Gia coming too?” Jamie asked as he followed in behind the group.

“I don’t know. Did she mention anything to you, Adam?” Wyatt asked, looking over at his officer.

“Yes, she is coming with her mate. Susan insisted on it.” Adam and Susan had been keeping in close contact with their daughter. They also planned a visit to the Ankh pack but were giving their daughter some privacy with her new mate.

“Where is Deeders?” Kurt asked, looking up at Aiden’s crestfallen face.

“She is training with mom. They wouldn’t let me stay and watch.” Aiden grimaced as he glanced back at the door behind him. He felt his father’s strong hand patting him on the shoulder.

“You know how your mom is. She doesn’t like anything to pull from focus… especially an overly concerned mate—”

“That’s the problem, Dad. If there is cause for me to be concerned, then she is going too hard on her.”

“Your mother won’t push her any harder than necessary. Diana is the one who asked for this. She wants to discover her new powers and sometimes those need to be provoked out of you—”

“Dad, don’t say that. I know what mom’s provoking is like. I am ready to bust back into that training room and—”

“And end up getting a whoopin’ from your mother!” Jamie chuckled, seeing the unamused look on Aiden’s face he offered him a reassuring smile. “Aiden, Diana is a beast. Your Luna can handle herself…” He closed one eye and grinned. “Have more faith in her abilities.”

Kurt nodded in agreement. “Jamie’s right. Diana is one of the strongest people I know. She’ll be okay.”

Aiden sighed, still looking uncertain. “I know, it’s just hard to see her push herself so hard.” He didn’t like the idea of her provoking her powers. He figured they would come when she needed them. Diana disagreed, she wanted to know what she could do and be prepared. She had made up her mind and nothing could shake her determination. She had asked Freya to help her train and prod the depths of her abilities. He just hoped they didn’t go too far. He quivered at the prospect of what would happen if things got out of control.

As if on cue, Freya and Diana opened the pack doors, sweat glistening on their skin. Diana had a look of fierce determination on her face, while Freya had an unreadable expression. As always, she held her cards close so she couldn’t be read.

“Diana.” Aiden breathed out in relief, taking her in his arms. “How was the training session today?” Her silver eyes flickered for a moment as a small smile crept upon her face, covering it up.

“It went well.” She said as Aiden glared at her and then to his mother.

“Mom?” He asked, as his brows knitted together.

“You heard your mate.” Freya said as she moved next to Wyatt. Her face hiding whatever knowledge she had.

A gushing breeze flew into the room as a tiny messenger fairy blurred in with a message for Wyatt.

“Thank you,” Wyatt said as he glanced over the contents quickly. “The Alpha and Luna of the Ankh pack will be here soon. Sam, please make sure we are ready to greet our guests.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Sam said as he handed Sully over to Renee.

“I need to get a quick shower then. I don’t want to meet them looking like this.” Diana chuckled as she quickly trotted up the stairs. She could hear Aiden’s footsteps right behind her. The moment they got into the room, Aiden shut the door and pulled her back to him, concern etched on his face.

“Diana, what aren’t you telling me?”

Diana smiled softly, reaching up to cup his cheek. “That I love you more than words can possibly express.” She felt his lips move to her hand and then his own hand encompassed hers.

“Dee.” He said in a steely tone.

Diana’s smile faltered for a moment, and she looked down at their entwined hands. She knew she couldn’t keep the truth from him forever, but she also didn’t want to worry him unnecessarily.

“I promise you, Aiden, everything is fine,” she said, looking back up at him with as much conviction as she could muster.

But Aiden wasn’t convinced. He could feel the tension in her body, the way her eyes darted away from his gaze.

“I don’t believe you,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Something’s going on, and I need to know what it is.”

Diana looked into his green orbs with confidence. Yes, there were a few things going on, but he didn’t need to know about all of it. Not yet. She needed to at least tell him some things or he wouldn’t let it go.

“Freya and I discovered something during training today,” she began, looking up at him with a mix of fear and excitement in her eyes. “I have a new power.”

Aiden’s eyes widened in shock and awe. “What kind of power? Is it fairy magic?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“No…” She whispered and pursed her lips together. “I have an elite vampire skill…”

“You mean like what Jasper and Derek have? Noble skills?” He watched as she slowly nodded her head.

“Your mother suspects that you probably have these skills as well. She said it can take vampires hundreds of years to develop their skills… though normally these skills are just for noble vampires. Somehow, I have them and was able to get them now. We both feel there is a meaning behind it… a reason I have gotten my abilities.”

Aiden gazed into her silver eyes, slowly nodding his head. Then his brows knitted in confusion. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Because…” She looked down at her toes as the light in the room began to dance around. Slowly turning into sharp razor blades. The lights spun around the room and then fell back down. She watched as Aiden looked at her in horror, his lips parted as his eyes widened. “When I use this skill…” She reached her hand up as the b***d dripped to the ground. Her skin quickly healed but the crimson stains remained. “There is a price I have to pay in order to use this skill. The price is that my own b***d must be spilled. The debt rises with every second that I use it. Luckily, I have fast healing and—”

“Don’t you dare use it!” Aiden’s voice thundered in the room, his eyes boring into hers like a hawk. His demand echoed like a death sentence in the silence of the room.

Diana’s eyes flickered back at him with defiance. She knew Aiden wouldn’t like it and so did Freya. She had to be prepared for anything that came their way. She knew it was a risky power, but it was also powerful. She couldn’t ignore it, not when she and Freya had tested its strengths. It could easily tip the scale in a battle. She just had to limit her use with it, otherwise the debt demanded of the skill would be too high.

“”Aiden, I can’t promise you that I won’t use it. It isn’t a promise I would keep. I won’t use it unless I feel it is necessary. I know you don’t like it—”

“I hate it. I—” He shook his head as his green eyes began to water. “What a horrible power to give to you. A power that injures you. Do you know how much that hurts me? I would give everything to protect every single hair on your head and you have a power that injures you when you use it. The cost is too high in my eyes. It is too risky. I can’t lose you.” His voice broke at the end when he thought how the power could ultimately be a death sentence.

Diana stepped closer to him, placing a soft hand on his chest. “I know that, Aiden. I understand how you feel,” she said, her voice gentle and soothing. “But I need you to trust me. I won’t use it unless I absolutely have to. I’ll be careful, I promise.”

She leaned in closer, her lips touching his in a soft, tender k**s. She could feel his hesitation melt away as he kissed her back, his arms wrapping around her tightly. They broke the k**s, their foreheads touching as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

“I love you more than anything,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

“I love you too,” he said, his voice just as emotional. He sighed, pursing his lips together in a thin line. “I don’t like it. I don’t want you to ever use it…but promise me, Diana. Promise me that if you ever do use it, you’ll be careful.” If he could, he would remove the power from her so she could never use it. He didn’t care if she liked it or not, all he wanted was to keep her safe. To him, this power was too vicious to even consider using.

“I promise,” she said, her voice filled with conviction. “Aiden, you aren’t going to lose me. I’m always going to be by your side… I promise.”

Aiden pulled Diana close, her body pressed up against his chest. He didn’t want to let her go, not after hearing about her new power. He kept her locked in his embrace, as if he could shield her from the world.

“Want to get a shower with me before our guests arrive?” Diana felt him give her a gentle squeeze, his lips landing on the top of her head.

“Yes, a good long shower because I need some extra attention.” His voice grew husky as he leaned down to nibble on her ear.

“Aiden.” She giggled.

“Hey, we are going to be leaving. I need to have one more taste to hold me over until we return.”

She lifted up on her toes to peck at his lips. “Well, I wouldn’t want to leave you hungry. Lead the way.”