Taming Her Beastly Mate
The Lycan Princess Chapter 35

Diana stood next to Aiden as the group gathered together.

“We need to search the area well and see who can be saved and—” Diana nodded her head slowly and everyone knew what she meant. A flash of red hair suddenly appeared in front of her.

“Ike!” Diana yelled happily as she ran over to him. He patted her head with a small smile resting on his lips.

“I guess I should have just planned to stay with you the whole time.” Lycaon chuckled. “Eris has been destroyed. You are no longer in any danger from her.”

“Ike, my dude! How’s it hanging… you guys should really see—” Jamie turned to look at Conner and Kai wiggling his eyebrows.

“Jamie, you’ve got to let it go.” Kurt said as Micah chuckled.

“All I’m going to say is you haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen what the Kraken has dangling between his legs. I’m sure this guy knows what I am talking about.” Micah winked at Lycaon, who cleared his throat.

“Let’s divide up and search for the other pack members. I am sure many of them are afraid. Clover, if you aren’t too tired maybe you can help keep them calm.” Diana watched as Clover nodded her head happily.

“I have plenty of energy left. Guys remember that those we are dealing with have a lot of mental trauma. They may not be too trusting.” Clover looked up at Sion, who nodded his head.

“I’m staying with you,” Sion said as he glanced up at a large building in the distance. “Clover and I will head there first. That is probably the main house where the Alpha kept his… women.”

“I know Colleen’s scent the best. I am going to search for her family. I’m pretty certain I killed her brother… or maybe her father? It was someone who had a similar scent.” Kurt then began to walk towards the houses, lifting his nose in the air.

“Ike, you aren’t leaving yet, right?” Diana asked, and he shook his head.

“Go do what you need to. I’m going to have a look around. Eris may have been into much darker things here. We are certain she kept this pack just so she could harvest their souls. They were a constant power boost to her. The way the onis and hellhounds came out means she was working with demons heavily.” Lycaon looked around as his eyes scanned the buildings. “She was here for so long. I need to see what else she was into. Be careful as you look around.” Lycaon looked at Diana for a moment as she walked away with Aiden. He was relieved to see she was unharmed. Surprisingly, the weird jealousy seemed to have faded. He thought seeing her next to Aiden would make his b***d boil, but it didn’t. He hated to admit it, but maybe he was depending on being around Diana for himself. He loved her and he thought he wanted her to want him. Or maybe he just wanted her to choose him? Because the more he thought about it… he didn’t want her romantically.

It was something Reapus said to him while they were looking for Eris that made him take pause. Reapus asked him how badly he wanted her. He asked how much he craved her intimately. Lycaon didn’t answer him, but the thought had been on his mind ever since. He wanted to hold her close and keep her safe. He wanted to make sure she was happy, and he thought he wanted her to be happy with him. To look at him like she looks at Aiden. However, the idea of being in an intimate relationship was not on his mind. He loved Diana, but he had to admit it was not romantic. He wanted to hold on to her tightly because he was leaning on her. He let his sanity rest completely on watching over her.

She was awake now. She was happy with her mate and Eris was destroyed. He now had some soul searching to do. He would always be there for Diana and her family. He just needed to rediscover himself now. So much time had passed, and it was like he was frozen in time with Diana. He had to relearn the world and himself.

—

Kurt wandered into a house that had weird cables hooked on to the ceiling. The silver cables seemed to travel through the house. A sound below him drew his attention to the basement. He walked down the stairs quietly as he followed the sounds. There was a wide-open room and then a door off to the side. Where there were more cables that were attached to the ceiling.

He walked to the door and opened it. He saw several children all huddled close to a woman who was chained to the wall. Silver cuffs burned her skin as her wide eyes stared at him.

“Please… don’t hurt my children.” She stammered out.

“I won’t hurt you. I am here to help you. My name is Kurt and I think you might be related to my mate… Colleen.” He watched as the woman’s eyes looked at him cautiously. “Colleen lives with me in the Diamond pack.” He walked over to the wall and gripped the chains above the woman who flinched at his movements. One of his powers was that he could disintegrate silver. It was something his mother and grandmother could do. A selkie gift in his family. Within seconds, the chains melted off of the woman. He took a step back as she leaned down to hold her children.

“You are safe now.”

“But the Alpha—”

“Is dead… and so are many of the warriors in this pack. Judging by the scent… your mate was also killed.” Kurt watched as the woman sighed in relief. Her hands trembled as she leaned her head down.

“Thank the gods… is it really over?” She muttered quietly.

“We are gathering the survivors together. We would like to talk to who remains on what you wish to do. If you want to remain in your pack here, or come to the Diamond pack. We can help you and will help you all heal.” Kurt then looked at the children. “Hey there kiddos. I’m your Uncle Kurt.” The kids quickly shifted their gaze away as soon as he looked at them.

A sad smile reached his lips as he looked at the terrified children. What atrocities had they been subjected to? They were accustomed to watching their mother bound in chains all their lives. The psychological damage was so severe it would take time for them to be healed. The kids were young, but with a strong support system, they could rise above the trauma and live a life of peace and joy.

Kurt kneeled down to their level, slowly reaching out a comforting hand towards them. To his surprise, the youngest child, a little girl with big brown eyes, reached out to grab his hand.

“Uncle Kurt?” she whispered, her voice small and timid.

“Yes, sweetie?” he replied gently, giving her hand a soft squeeze.

“Are you going to take us away from here?” she asked, her eyes filling with tears.

Kurt’s heart broke at the sight of the tears welling up in her eyes. “Yes, if that is what everyone wants. We won’t take you away if you don’t want to leave, but we can guarantee your safety and help you heal. Would you like that?”

The little girl nodded slowly, clinging onto Kurt’s hand as if he was the only source of comfort in her life.

Kurt smiled softly at her. “Then let’s get you and your family out of here. You’re safe now,” he said softly, as the little girl took a timid step towards him. He gently lifted her up and hugged her closely. “What is your name?”

“Effy.” The little girl glanced back at her mother.

“She was given the letter F as her name by her father since she was not a son. I call her Effy.” The woman’s eyes were sad as she cast her eyes downward.

“What is your name?” Kurt asked, looking at the woman.

“Minnow. My mother called me Minnie. My mother changed our names when our father wasn’t around. Colleen’s name was Cull. My father had wanted to kill her when she was born but the Alpha wouldn’t allow it. He said we needed females.”

Kurt felt his insides rage as he held his composure. He didn’t want to scare them more than they already were. He took a deep breath to calm himself and looked at Minnie with compassion. “I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. But you don’t have to be afraid anymore. We’ll take care of you and your family.”

Minnow looked at Kurt with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

“Thank you.”

Kurt nodded and slowly made his way towards the door, holding Effy in his arms and motioning for Minnow and the children to follow. As they walked up the stairs, Kurt couldn’t help but think about the horrors that had taken place in this house. The twisted minds that had orchestrated such atrocities were beyond his comprehension. He stepped out into the sunlight and watched as Minnie’s eyes watered as she stared at the sun.

“I haven’t been outside… in so long.” She whispered, looking up at the clouds.

Several pack members had been gathered. Conner was waiting there with them while the others were still out searching through houses.

“Don’t do it. Look, I’m leaving. I don’t mean any harm.” Jamie said as he backed out of a house with his hands up. Novalie was right behind him.

“Impure! Mutts! Infidels! You are unworthy!” A woman screamed.

“Please, we are not here to hurt you.” Novalie said in a calming voice as the woman stepped out.

“And you’ll never get the chance! Remember who we are!” The woman screamed as she looked at the other pack members. “We are the pure chosen children!” She yelled as she plunged a silver dagger deep into her heart. She collapsed instantly as Novalie screamed. Jamie rushed up to the woman as his face twisted in pain.

“Damnit.” He cursed between clenched teeth. Behind the door a toddler waddled outside. He was barely walking. Novalie quickly scooped the child up and took him away from the scene of his dead mother.

“Some won’t allow themselves to be saved,” Minnie said calmly. “They have been brainwashed to this way of life. I might have been bound and chained… but I never stopped fighting. I want better for my children and for myself.” Kurt watched as a tear trickled down her face as she held her children’s hands. Her face looked determined as she looked up at the sun. “Whatever this pack decides… I am leaving with my children. Can I live where Colleen is? I haven’t seen my younger sister in… a very long time.”

“Yes, you can come with us. You can meet your nephew, Sully. He is just a baby but the cutest little guy.”

“You have a son together?” Minnie asked, looking at him with a smile.

Kurt paused and smiled. “Sully is my son even if he isn’t my b***d.”

Minnie nodded her head as she looked at Kurt. “I’m glad my sister found someone to take care of her. Thank you for that.”

“Your sister is my everything. There is no thanks necessary.”

__

“I tried… I know I was helping their mood and fears… so why—”

“Clover, don’t do this to yourself.” Sion lifted her in his arms, cradling her to his chest as they walked out of the large house. They were all dead. Every single one of them. They took their lives instantaneously. As if it was rehearsed and planned. Clover was talking with them, and it looked like it was going over well. Then in an instant they all stabbed themselves in the heart. Every one of them at the same time. There was nothing that they could do. “This was their choice.” He said, glancing back at their souls that now remained there in shock.

“Wait.” One of the souls called out, making Sion pause. He turned his head to see one of the souls staring down a hallway. “The children… please take care of our children. They are locked in the room below this hall.”

“Clover… down this hall search for a door that leads downstairs. The children are there.” Sion said quietly as his mate instantly hopped out of his embrace to sprint down the hall. Sion stared at the souls as he let out a sigh. “Why did you do it?”

“We didn’t have a choice. It was as if we were being controlled.” One of the souls said. Sion furrowed his brows together as he thought about this. Clover should have seen it if that was the case. She can sense those types of auras.

“Sion, I found them.” Clover yelled.

“I’d like to speak with you some more before I send your souls along—”

“I’ll handle this one.” Reapus said as he suddenly appeared with Shiva. “Shiva—”

“Already on it.” She said as she froze the bodies, encapsulating every part of them in ice.

“Clover didn’t sense anything strange—” Sion began as Shiva shook her head.

“She wouldn’t. Not yet at least… but she will be able to detect things like this in time. This is a different case, it isn’t the work of nembrant glass.” Shiva looked down the hall. “There are a lot of children there. Your mate needs your help guiding them out. Reapus and I will clean this up.”

“I’ll discuss this with you later.” Reapus said, as Sion nodded his head, leaving to go to Clover.

“I’ll teleport their bodies out of here, so the children don’t see them.” Shiva whispered as she vanished along with every trace of b***d and the bodies.

“So, Eris wasn’t acting alone. She was using him.” Rogio said, suddenly appearing above Reapus.

Suddenly, bodies appeared around the room as the rest of the deities arrived, along with Shiva who returned. Aken stood there holding Alexis next to him protectively.

“I’ll kill it.” Aken shrugged as Levi sighed.

“You can’t do that to it. Besides, that would really upset the others.” Levi snapped, as Aken snorted.

“See that’s the difference between all of you and me. I’m not afraid to piss off anyone to do what needs to be done.” Aken turned his head sharply to look at Levi.

“Aken.” Alexis placed her hand over his arm as she looked out at the others. “Does this mean whatever did this has a deity behind them? Someone you aren’t willing to upset?”

“Not deity… deities.” Levi looked at his daughter with a small frown.

“It’s complicated.” Gaia whispered. “The creature isn’t bad…”

“But it isn’t good either.” Lycaon pursed his lips together as he lifted up a small sack. “Looks like they were bribing it with gems.”

“I’m confused.” Alexis looked up at Aken, who smiled down at her sadly.

“Think of hypnosis. You don’t even realize you are hypnotized, but something triggers the response. They were triggered to respond to the news of their Alpha’s death by killing themselves. That creature shouldn’t exist.” Aken listened as Shiva clicked her tongue.

“It doesn’t mean any harm. It was being used.” Shiva snapped out angrily.

“How many just killed themselves because of it? Yeah… it’s harmless.” Aken scoffed.

“Alexis, the Mimic is like a child. An intelligent creature with the mind of a little kid. It isn’t evil and it isn’t good. It just is. He loves gems and pretty stones. I call him Raven because that is what he reminds me of. He was bribed to put those thoughts in their minds, but he didn’t mean any harm. He just wanted the gems.” Shiva looked at Alexis, who shook her head in confusion.

“So why does the Mimic have a connection to the deities?”

“Raven is a discarded child of the deities. He isn’t a demigod. He is the product of two gods. He just needs someone to take care of him, but he vanished a long time ago. I was going to take him in… but then things happened, and I left. When I went searching for him later, he was gone.” Shiva shook her head as she looked around.

Clover and Sion came down the hallway escorting a dozen children with them. She was holding two toddlers in her arms while Sion was carrying another.

“Raven would only look like one of those small children.” Shiva frowned as she nodded in their direction.

Alexis gasped and then turned, swatting at Aken. “He’s only a little child.”

“My love, that little child can be dangerous. He might look like a child, but he is very old.”

“He just needs to be looked after.” She hissed as he chuckled, nodding his head.

“Alright my love. I am sorry.”

“Did anyone record that? I just heard the Kraken apologize.” Rogio grinned as he looked over at Aken.

“I’m going to replace him and when I do, he will live with me.” Shiva said as Reapus stepped next to her.

“Us. You mean he will live with us.” He smiled at her as she nodded her head.

“We just have to replace him.” She whispered as she looked at the timid children walking into the room.

“Well… I don’t think he vanished. There is a good chance the demons have him.” Rogio said and instantly clamped his mouth shut seeing the pained look in Shiva’s eyes.

Alexis left Aken’s side to walk up to the little children. “Hi little ones.”

“Where is momma?” A little boy asked with big tears of fear trickling down his cheek.

“Your mommas had to go away. I know it isn’t the same, but you’ll be taken care of.” Alexis could see the distress in their eyes. It was odd. These children were the Alpha’s children. She would have thought that out of all the children they would have been treated the best.

“Do we have to give our lives to the Luna there for food too?” A little boy asked as Alexis gasped.

“The Diamond Luna would sometimes eat one of us. She said we would live on inside of her.” An older girl said.

“Never. You are not food to be eaten. You will be loved and safe.” Alexis watched as the children blinked at her quietly.

“Lex!” Aiden said as she turned smiling.

“And this guy right here will be your Alpha. He is a pretty incredible guy.” She said as she walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around him as he lifted her up.

“You and Micah showed up just in time.” Aiden said as he sat her down gently. “We were coming to replace you. Everyone who remains wishes to come to the Diamond pack.” He said, looking at Sion and Clover as Diana walked in with Micah. Micah was holding a child by his shoulders. He was snarling and growling, looking completely feral.

“I found this one in a hole. It looks like they just lowered food to him. He doesn’t talk… but he does bite.” Micah chuckled.

“Clover, we thought you could communicate with him.” Diana said as she took one of the toddlers out of Clover’s arms.

“Yes, I’ll try my best. Sion, take him so we can go someplace quiet.”

Sion handed the child he was holding over to Alexis and then proceeded over to the aggressive child. “Easy there. We aren’t going to hurt you.” He took the child in his arms and felt the pink ribbons inside of him move over the child. At that moment, the child’s body seemed to relax.

Alexis watched the two until they left and then turned to look at Diana. “We haven’t gotten to know each other but let’s plan something fun. Maybe a party at the Diamond pack?”

“I would like that,” Diana said quietly, as she looked at the child in her arms. He was still in diapers and would most likely not remember anything from the Children of the Moon. These children would need good understanding families to bring them into their homes. Luckily, there was an abundance of families at the Diamond pack who would do just that.

“What a crew,” Aiden said as he looked at all the children. “They are siblings, so they should remain together.”

“That’s a lot for a family to take on suddenly.” Diana whispered as Aiden nodded his head.

“It is, but I think there might be some families willing to take on a family of this size. I want them to go into families. We don’t have an orphanage at the Diamond pack anymore. We decided that all children found would become part of one of our families.” Aiden listened as Alexis hummed in approval.

“That’s for the best. I think an orphanage would only make them feel like an outsider. On the other hand, with so many of them and after what they have been through, they will need extra attention. Two parents may not be enough.” Suddenly Alexis smiled. “But two parents and grandparents would do the trick.”

“That is exactly what I was thinking. We have a few families that live in big houses with their parents. One of them was never able to have children. I know they have enough love to give all of them.” Aiden said as a tight high-pitched whistle came from his mouth. A fairy messenger zipped into the room, and he began to give his message to it.

During that moment, Diana walked over to Lycaon. She reached to her tiptoes and whispered into his ear.

He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he began to process what he had just been told. His index and middle finger massaged the space between his eyebrows.

“Yeah… I know.” He looked at her confused face and smiled. “I know these things.” He then nodded to Shiva and instantly a golden scepter appeared in his hands. He slowly lowered it and handed it to Diana. “I know this holds a lot of memories for you, but I hope mostly fond ones. I made some adjustments to it so that it can never be used for evil again. I promise I will visit often but if you ever need me… use the scepter to call me.” He watched as her silver eyes watered up as she pursed her lips together in a tight smile.

“Thank you, Ike.” She whispered as Aiden came to her side. “This was my parents’.” She held it out to show him as Lycaon cleared his throat. She looked up at him as he motioned over to Aiden.

“What is it?” Aiden asked as Diana smiled at him.

“Okay, I was going to tell you, but your mother told me not to.” Diana chewed on her lips and then shrugged. “I’m pregnant.”

Aiden stood there quietly with his mouth slightly agape. He then shook his head with a chuckle and wrapped his arms around Diana. “We don’t have to keep all of the traditions; some are meant to be broken.” He laughed as he looked over at Levi, who nodded his head in agreement.

“Are you mad?” Diana whispered as Aiden brushed his lips over her forehead.

“No, I am so full I could burst with happiness. Thank you… for sharing your life with me.” Aiden leaned down and kissed Diana deeply, pouring every ounce of love he had for her into the k**s. He pulled apart and gazed into her sweet silver eyes. “Let’s go home.”