Taming Her Beastly Mate
Chapter 16

Alexis sat there staring at the two men. She had just finished explaining everything about the curse and Bella. Brian appeared in deep thought, but Micah looked like he was about to flip the bed over in anger. His muscles were bulging as his face was turning a deep shade of red.

“I’m so pissed. Your father is going to go nuclear. I hope Aken replaces out and he mutilates this a*****e.” Micah growled lowly, piercing Alexis with his eyes. “Don’t you dare go without me.”

“If that was the plan, I wouldn’t have told you.” Alexis grinned, biting her bottom l*p.

“I’m coming too.” Brian finally looked up after being deep in thought. “Maybe Bella can remove my curse too? It doesn’t hurt to ask.”

“That’s a great idea, Brian.” Alexis’ eyes widened. She was shocked she hadn’t already thought of this. Bella seemed like she was good at removing curses, so perhaps she could also assist with Brians’. “I wonder if I should maybe talk to her first. She seemed shy about others.” Bella was doing her a favor and it wasn’t fair to make her feel uncomfortable. She seemed very kind though and hoped if she asked her, she would agree to help.

“Well, we are coming with you anyways. You aren’t going to go anywhere by yourself.” Micah said tersely. “I wonder what exactly this curse will do.”

“She didn’t explain, but we didn’t have a lot of time.”

“When the time comes, we will go and get everything sorted out. Though we should probably take your father with us.” Brian watched her face contort.

The more Alexis thought about it, the more she realized that this was a journey she should probably go on alone. She didn’t want to risk upsetting Bella. She wasn’t sure what to do and needed to give it more time to think it through.

“Well, since your wolf and dragon are out of commission, do you feel like taking a walk? Dragons have been arriving. Let’s go see if it is anyone we know. I know Nick is already out there scoping out the hopefuls.” Brian smirked and raised his eyes up to Alexis.

“So, you are saying you want to go, but as your mate, I should be with you. If I am going to keep up the pretenses I need to be on your arm.” Alexis smiled and nodded her head. He was the one doing her the favor. Even being considerate enough to know he should have her with him on his strolls. Dragons who have taken a mate rarely leave their sides.

They made their way outside and headed in the direction of the guest housing. It is probably hard to imagine how all these dragons come from all over and live there for months at a time. The best way to describe it is to think of it like it is a big cruise ship only on land. There is a building with many soundproof rooms. In this building, there is a dining area and various activities you can do. There are bars and lounges, swimming, spas, libraries, casinos, theatres, sparring areas, and things like that. It was like a fun vacation for everyone.

It was also one of the most anticipated events of the year. The highlight was se.x and replaceing your mate. And for those already mated, it was a special time to visit with their friends and family across the kingdoms. Though dragons were virile creatures and even if they were mated for years se.x was still heavily focused on.

“Hey, is that who I think it is?” Alexis said, pointing in the distance at a young man walking towards them. She looked up at Brian and watched a big smile spread across his face. He picked up his pace to meet the man approaching them.

“Ryker is that you? Man, I thought you were dead.” Brian reached out, pulling the man in and patting him on his back.

Ryker laughed and shook his head. “No, not dead yet. I was hanging here and there floating between tasks. Just swinging in the breeze. But as you can see somehow, I still breathe.”

Ryker was a dragon they found a couple of years ago. He was lying on a cliffside unconscious and badly beaten. When he came to, he didn’t remember anything except for his name. It was clear he was a strong dragon since Brian’s aura never bothered him. But he had forgotten the most basic things about being a dragon. Brian took him back to the palace and the two formed a tight bond together.

Ryker was completely devoted to Brian. Partially because he was the one who found him and because he respected him. There was a chemistry between them, and Ryker seemed to know what Brian was thinking. They could handle tasks quickly and efficiently.

Once Ryker was fully recovered, he was sent to an elite training school for exceptional dragons. He had been gone for over a year now and Brian was hopeful he had completed his training. Before Ryker left, he gave his oath upon his flame to serve Brian with his life. Because of that, he was to be Brian’s right-hand man when he returned. Much like how Reese was to Titus.

“It is great to see you again. So, are you finished? Can you finally come home?” Brian asked eagerly.

“Yes, I just finished up the last of my tasks today. I can now fully take my position next to you. But Brian… I still haven’t recovered my memories. Are you sure it is, okay? I don’t know anything about myself from before.”

“I don’t care about your past, man. You are my friend and now my right-hand man. My captain of the guards when I take over as the king. I trust you. Besides, you also swore upon your flame. It isn’t like you can take that back unless I release you from it. And I never will because I am keeping you around forever.”

“Alexis. Micah. How have you two been?” Ryker asked as he stretched out his hand for a handshake.

Alexis giggled and walked into him giving him a hug. “We are closer than just shaking hands, right? We’ve been well. But look at you? You have really filled out. Looks like they put you through some intense training.”

Ryker chuckled and blushed in embarrassment. “Well, I may have matured a bit too.”

“Ryker, it is good to have you back. How are you feeling? Does it feel good to be back?” Micah asked, searching the man’s eyes.

“I wasn’t sure at first how it would feel coming back. But this is the closest place I have to a home. It feels good to be somewhere familiar. And even better seeing all of you again.” Ryker looked around and his brows furrowed. “Speaking of all of you, where is Raine?”

“She is in Elysium. She should be coming back anytime.” Alexis watched him look between her and Brian.

“The word on the street is you two are taking each other as mates?” Ryker raised his eyes up and down. “I guess I missed a lot.”

Brian cleared his throat nervously and chuckled. “You have no idea how much you’ve missed.” He wanted to explain to him the situation, but not now. It would have to wait until they could come clean with their relationship. The more people who knew, the more likely their secret would get out. For now, they were trying to keep it between the four dragon kingdoms and their close family.

“I’m happy for you two. Congratulations.” Ryker grinned widely at Brian.

The conversation quickly took off from there. Ryker told Brian about all the things he had been doing. He explained how intense his training was and how hard it was for him at the academy. Ryker was a dragon of unknown origin and was commonly treated as a deserter or rogue. And being a powerful dragon didn’t seem to help one bit.

“Come on. Let’s go and replace my father. I want him to officially declare you as my captain.” Brian turned and looked at Alexis, who nodded her head for him to go ahead and go.

“I actually am feeling a bit run down. I think I really need that nap.” Alexis felt Micah’s arm land on her shoulder. She glanced up at him to see him giving Brian some sort of silent male talk. Honestly, she was really tired. She thought the feeling would pass, but instead, she was feeling more drained.

Brian walked up to Alexis and pulled her into his arms. He lowered his head down to her neck and inhaled her scent. It was important to keep up appearances. “I can come with you. Let me walk you back.”

“Don’t be silly, Brian. I have Micah with me. I’m just going to go rest. I’m not going anywhere.” This was a bit strange for Alexis. Especially when her whole body screamed for Aken. But this was necessary. Dragons are possessive creatures and affectionate with their mates. They needed to put on a convincing show for everyone. Especially because they had no way of knowing who worked for Erebus. There could very well be traitors among them.

“LEX!!”

Alexis smiled widely and turned at the sound of her cousin. Raine was running towards her waving. Her black curly hair was bouncing around her body as she ran up in excitement.

“Raine! I am so glad you are back. We have a lot of girl chat we need to catch up on.” Alexis embraced her cousin tightly. She felt her cousin tense and jolt a bit in her arms. Alexis pulled back to see Raine looking at the ground in confusion. “Raine?”

Raine felt like she was being blanketed by a strange sensation. One that was pulling her and overwhelming her. She lifted her gaze up to Alexis and then looked around her. What was this feeling? A smokey aroma invaded her senses, making her feel a deep sense of longing inside her. Then her eyes met with his. And it was like the alarm finally sounded clearly. He was hers. He was her mate!

Alexis followed her cousin’s gaze, which was glued to Rykers. He was also staring at her possessively and almost greedily.

“MINE!” Ryker growled lowly and slowly walked up to Raine.

Alexis’ mouth parted in shock. She then looked back at Brian who looked to be equally surprised. Raine and Ryker were just standing there inches apart from one another. Neither one of them closing the gap between them.

“I understand if… you don’t. I don’t know anything about myself. And-” Ryker started but Raine raised her hand up placing her fingers on his lips. A smile spread over her face and his lips twitched upwards slowly. No words needed to be spoken. The evidence in their eyes was obvious.

“Brian, I guess you have time to walk me to my room now.” Alexis bit her bottom l*p and smiled. Raine and Ryker needed time alone now. They needed to talk and work on the next step for them. Which is usually marking and several rounds of mating. So, they were both going to be busy for a bit. Unfortunately for Alexis, her meeting with her mate didn’t go this way.

As they walked away, Alexis noticed a peculiar smile on Micah’s lips.

“What are you smiling about?” Brian asked, noticing it too.

“Oh, I was just thinking of how Cody is going to react when he replaces out his baby girl has found her mate.” Micah grinned and looked over at them.

“I think he should be thrilled. Especially because she met a mate that keeps her in the West Dragon Kingdom.” Alexis watched as Micah shrugged slightly. “You forget that mom and Aunt Kelsie are here to keep Cody in line.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” Brian chuckled.

Alexis glanced back once to see Raine and Ryker walking away together. She was happy for her cousin. She couldn’t wait until she could also have her fated mate by her side.

Hopefully, it would be soon.