Taming Her Beastly Mate
Chapter 11

Alexis watched her friends play games late into the night. She took part too and they rotated in and out. Each one taking turns winning a match. The guys were still out for b***d but Alexis was calling it a night. Plus, with Raine gone, it was all guys in there and the macho male talk was reaching snooze level.

“I’ll walk you to your room.” Micah listened to her laugh and shook her head.

“I’m perfectly safe, Micah. Keep playing. Goodnight boys.” Alexis patted Micah on the head before she made her way out of the room.

The halls were lightly lit and there were a couple of guards scattered down the hall. She greeted each one with a small nod of acknowledgment. She finally made it down to the door that would take her upstairs. It was a long staircase that would lead her to where her family stayed. Cody, Kelsie, Raine, and Micah all stayed up there too. It was like their own private house separate from the castle. Her father demanded his privacy and this place was given to him.

She slowly walked to her room, quietly shutting the door behind her. She made her way over to the far end of the room where her closet was. Inside of the closet, she moved things around until she found what she was looking for. It was a clear bag specially designed to contain scents. She opened the bag and pulled out a shirt. She clutched it in her fingers and held it up to her chest. She leaned her head down to it taking in the smell.

This was the shirt that Aken had put on her cousin Lucy when he rescued her from Erebus. Lucy had given the shirt to her and she had kept it safe ever since. It still had remnants of his scent on it. Though it was starting to fade now, even with the special bag. It was only a matter of time before the scent disappeared forever.

“I swear I am going to slap you upside the head when I see you. Why do you have to be such an i***t? I would rather spend one day with you than a thousand lifetimes without you.” She buried her head in the shirt. The small sweet traces of his scent tickled her nose and calmed her insides. Just hints of his scent could do this to her. She could only imagine what being in his embrace would feel like.

She folded the shirt up and sealed it back in the bag, covering it back up in her closet. What if Aken didn’t come for her? What was she going to do next? It was something she didn’t even want to think about. Because that truth would be painful to face. But if that a*****e doesn’t show up, she is still going to replace him and give him hell. She has eternity. Eventually, she would meet him, and he would think he is in the ocean with the salty tears she makes him cry. Because even if he doesn’t want her he could at least reject her properly.

How was it possible to love someone you have never even met? But she did. And when he saved her cousin Lucy from Erebus, she loved him more. He knew Lucy was important to her and he rescued her for that reason alone. This wasn’t the act of someone who didn’t care. Aken was wasting precious time they could already be together.

Deep in thought, she walked to the opposite side of her room to her balcony. She stepped outside into the cool crisp evening air. The wind swirled gently playing with the end strands of her hair. The moon was shining high above her and lighting up the ground below with its gentle light. She stood there looking out towards the garden and the sparkling fountain. Behind the fountain, she caught the slightest hint of movement. She concentrated on the area making out a body in the distance. She decided she would go and investigate since they didn’t appear to be one of the guards.

She jumped off of the balcony using her ice to glide her to the bottom. It was more discreet than shifting into her wings. She gracefully reached the bottom and walked cautiously towards the garden. It was located towards the rear of the castle and thick, green bushes surrounded the whole outer area. She reached the path to enter and walked in towards the fountain.

Alexis furrowed her brows and scanned the area. She heard a sound from her side and immediately turned her head. A number of figures walked out under the moonlight. They had human-like features, their skin looked gray, and had a foul odor. Their eyes were dull and lifeless but were fixated on her. A low growl or g***n came from their throats as they stepped towards her. She wondered if this was the voidless she had heard about before that her cousin Lucy was dealing with.

She raised her hand and rotated it gently. Sparkling ice rushed from her fingers and engulfed the undead creatures. She spun twirling her hand in the air and her ice overwhelmed another group of the undead. Her ice shimmered under the moon as it shattered tearing apart the creatures.

She felt a presence behind her and went to send a wave of ice towards it. Her ice missed the target as her hands were grabbed and spun her back into their body.

“Beautiful. A deadly beauty.” This was a deep voice that she didn’t recognize.

She looked over her shoulder to try to look at who was holding her. “Who are you?”

“What? You don’t recognize your mate? It’s me, Aken.”

She didn’t feel anything. No tingling sensation from the mate pull. Nothing. She furrowed her brows and moved her head to the side more. This wasn’t the same scent on her shirt that was Aken’s. And then she noticed it… the slick white hair that was pulled back. She stomped her foot sending up an ice shard towards the man forcing him to let go. She jumped away from him and turned so that she could face him.

She looked at his white shiny hair and brown eyes. This was not Aken. There was only one person that this could be. This was Erebus. She clenched her hand creating an icy sword in her grip that swirled with little sparkling snowflakes. Only they weren’t snowflakes but tiny sharp shards. This was a technique she developed all on her own.

“Is that any way to treat your mate?”

“You are not my mate. I am the chosen mate of the dragon prince.” Alexis stood tall and narrowed her eyes on the evil man whose eyes glinted in humor.

“Perhaps you are. But that doesn’t change who you have a connection to.” Erebus took a step closer and Alexis raised her sword up at him defensively.

“Go ahead and try to kill me. I think you will replace I am much more troublesome than my cousin.” She watched a cruel grin spread over his face.

“Kill you? Oh no. After I captured your cousin… which was quite clever. It took a lot of research to replace out I had picked the wrong princess. Or didn’t you think I would realize that there are two fairy princesses?” He chuckled as he eyed Alexis up and down. “After I captured Lucy, I realized something. Trying to break her was entertaining. It made me feel alive. So, I intended to do the same thing to you. But, no, you are different. You are special. You’ve captivated me.”

Alexis gripped her sword tighter. The way his possessive eyes were glued onto her was making her feel repulsed. “How am I different?” She spat out looking at the deity angrily. After everything he had done to her cousin, she wanted to rip him apart. But he was a god and she needed to be clever with how she proceeded.

“You remind me of someone that was quite dear to me. Her name was Ivory. Her hair shined like yours. And just like her, you are beautiful. Your powers are amazing. I don’t want to hurt you. I want you to come with me. Stay by my side. There is no limit to what I could give you.”

Alexis almost choked on her spit. What the hell was this a*****e saying? “Wait a minute. You tortured my cousin and you think I am going to just agree to warm your bed? I guess you really are crazy.” She spat out. She listened to his chuckle as he raised his shoulders up.

“I would treat you well. You can’t hold the past against me. For you, I’ll change.”

“Awe, how sweet.” Alexis rolled her eyes overdramatically. “But it’s still a hard pass.” She swung her sword towards him unleashing her shimmering deadly snowflakes. He vanished and a second later had her captured in his arms knocking her sword from her hand.

“Alexis.” His hot breath beat against her neck. “I’m not going to fight you. I want to cherish you. Give me a chance to prove it to you.” He pressed his body against hers and ran his nose over her neck.

There was an overwhelming difference in their power. Even if she was strong she wasn’t on his level. She tried to shift into her dragon but in his arms, she couldn’t. She couldn’t reach her wolf, Yuki, either. It was like his arms were a block to them. Well, he couldn’t block her magic.

She focused her ice power and allowed it to swirl around the both of them. As the swirling ice dust raced around them it hissed angrily. The ice shards bit at his arms and attacked his back. She even saw the droplets fall to the ground. But instead, his arms tightened around her… almost gently.

“I expected this reaction. It’s okay Alexis. Give in to me. I’ll give you the world and treat you like a queen.” His lips brushed against her neck as he spoke to her. Her ice shards cut his cheek and his b***d dripped onto her shoulder.

“I don’t want the world. I don’t need your delusional treatment of what a relationship should be like. You have no idea what love is. And I don’t want to be the one to teach you. This is just another sick game you are playing to try to hurt Aken. I am not going to be your catalyst to cause him pain.”

“This isn’t about him.” He growled in agitation. “I’ve been watching you. I can’t stop thinking about you. I want you. P-p-please.” His voice drifted off as a pained whisper.

But before Alexis could respond, he was gone, followed by a rushing breeze and a loud crash.

“Don’t you fu.cking touch her!”

Alexis’ eyes widened as she smelled his scent. It swirled around her and embraced her like a sweet hug. She turned towards the commotion to see Erebus facing off against another man. The man was young, muscular, with brown hair. His back was towards her as he stood protectively in front of her. She felt her senses screaming at her. She didn’t need his introduction. Her body, heart, and mind knew exactly who this was. He was finally here. It was her fated mate. Her Aken.

“I gave you Ivory. I am not giving you her.” Erebus snarled at him angrily.

“I didn’t touch her. She came to me. And you killed her for it. You must have really treasured her.” Aken said his voice dripping in sarcasm.

“What do you know? You don’t keep anyone close. You enjoy causing pain. It’s what you do. You meddle with lives to cause others misery.”

“Hmmph. Who exactly are we talking about here? This is exactly what you do. You are so caught up in revenge for no reason. Nice hair by the way. Compliments to your salon. The color is just perfect.” Aken smirked and folded his arms over his chest.

“You need to go back to the ocean. It was more peaceful that way. Who are you linked to again… it’s the fairy king right? Yes, I have my ways, Aken. So, if I kill him, it’s back to swimming with the fishes for you. And then that one is all mine.” Erebus’ eyes fixated on the blonde young woman that had moved closer towards Aken’s side.

“I’ll rip you apart,” Aken growled as he narrowed his eyes at Erebus. He wanted to destroy him now but didn’t want Alexis to get caught in the crossfire.

Alexis was conflicted. He was here. Right in front of her within her finger’s reach. But Erebus was here as well. It was hardly the time to connect with him. There was a dangerous crazy deity right in front of them and who knew what he would do.

She kept her determined eyes locked onto Erebus as she stepped closer to Aken. She lifted her hand up and lightly placed her fingers on his bare arm. She felt his body tense and tighten under her touch. At the same time, little jolts and tingles raced up from her fingertips. Aken moved his head slightly so that his eyes met with hers.

She kept her determined eyes locked onto Erebus as she stepped closer to Aken. She lifted her hand up and lightly placed her fingers on his bare arm. She felt his body tense and tighten under her touch. At the same time, little jolts and tingles raced up from her fingertips. Aken moved his head slightly so that his eyes met with hers.

MATE! Her beasts raged inside of her in recognition of the one who was created for them. She watched his lips slightly tug upwards with a soft smile. His green eyes connected with hers and at this moment the world turned to revolve around them. As if they were the sun. There was a powerful pull and she knew that there could never be anyone else but him.

Erebus scoffed loudly, shattering the moment. “Don’t even think about it, Alexis. You can’t choose him. I won’t let you.”

Alexis arched her brow up at him, looking at the crazy deity. “You said you’ve been watching me, right?” She listened to the low menacing growl from Aken as she said those words. “And yet you think you can say something like that to me and I’ll just listen?” She watched a cruel smile spread on Erebus’ lips.

“Of course not. But what if I tell you if you choose him I’ll start claiming the lives of the ones you love one by one.”

Her eyes widened and her lips slightly parted before she quickly regained her composure. “Wow, you certainly showed me that you know what love it. Give you a chance to prove it? Well, it looks like you are still the vengeful crazy deity. The one who took my cousin and tortured her. And now-”

“And now this part is up to you. I won’t see you with him. I don’t care what I have to do. I’d rather the dragon mark you. If you love your family you better do just that.”

“Of course, if you are dead you can’t do anything to anyone.” Aken chuckled as his arm reached around Alexis. His fingertips gently gripped into her as he watched darkness reach Erebus’ eyes.

“Kill me? As if I’d make it so easy for you. To kill me you’d have to replace me.” Erebus shot a dark light towards Aken and Alexis.

Alexis felt Aken quickly maneuver her body pulling her into his chest as he turned his back to the blast. At the same time, he shot out a power of his own to collide with the darkness. Alexis was overwhelmed by the sweet tingles and fresh scent of Aken. It was all surreal. But she was trying to focus on the battle too. She raised up an icy shield between them and Erebus just as an extra layer of protection.

“Damn. He is working with an original demon. Shit.” Aken gritted his teeth as he looked at where Erebus had vanished. There wasn’t a trace that he could follow. But the teleportation he used wasn’t one a deity would use. It was one a demon would use. This was bad. This could only mean one thing. Erebus was making the change and switching sides. Soon he wouldn’t be a deity at all, but he would become an original demon.

The ice fell and Aken took in a deep breath, breathing in the intoxicating scent of the young woman in his arms. This was a moment he had dreamed about. Every waking moment he had been thinking of actually touching her and holding her. Hell, even this moment invaded his dreams. The moment had finally come but he couldn’t enjoy it. He reached his hand up and cupped her cheek. Gods, touching her was amazing.

“I know we have a lot to say to each other. And we can talk about it all later. But first I need to replace him and kill him.” His thumb traced over her cheek leaving a trail of electric sparks. “I’ll kill him so he won’t ever be able to touch you or your family.”

“You’ll come back to me, promise?” Alexis’ voice came out as a whisper.

Aken leaned forward, brushing his lips against her forehead. “I can’t let someone else mark you now, can I? But for now, pretend to be the dragon’s mate until I catch Erebus. Just don’t let the dragon mark you.” He breathed in deeply through his nose taking in her sweet scent up close. “I wish we could relish in this moment longer. Gods, how did I ever think I could stay away from you. I-” He glanced up and nodded. “Looks like the cavalry is finally arriving…late.” He looked back into her blue sapphire eyes and brushed his thumb over her cheeks. “I’m sorry I haven’t been where I should have. I love you, Alexis.”

“Aken.” Alexis wanted to say so much but she didn’t have time to say everything. She needed to yell at him and hold onto him until she was satisfied. Yet, there wasn’t time for anything. A moment later, her father, Levi, showed up.

“It is about time you showed up. Where the hell were you? Erebus was here. We could have lost her.” Aken spat out in annoyance. He gripped onto Alexis’ shoulders, inhaling her scent one more time before he reluctantly pressed her into her father’s arms. “Keep her safe. I am going to kill this menace. Then I’ll be back for what belongs to me.”

“Now wait a minute,” Levi growled.

“I’ll see you soon beautiful,” Aken smirked and winked at Alexis, then vanished. Leaving Alexis there still in shock over everything that had just happened.

“That damn bastard. Alexis, what the hell happened here?”

Alexis smiled and looked at the area where Aken had just been a moment ago. A lot had happened. But most importantly, she finally got to meet Aken. Being in his arms was everything she knew it would be. And… he wanted her too. He told her he loved her. She didn’t have a chance to tell him she felt the same, but she would. She felt the connection deep inside. She belonged to Aken. She was the Kraken’s mate.