Taming Her Beastly Mate
Chapter 9

Alexis stood looking out over the balcony. It had been a week since she became the intended chosen mate of Brian. The dragon party wasn’t a party in an actual sense. It was a mating party. A time when the dragons from all across the kingdoms gathered. They all stayed together for one month, two months, and sometimes three months. It really just depended on what was planned out. It was a time designated for dragons to replace their mates, whether chosen or fated. And they had an acceptance k**s given publicly for all those higher ranking. It was their custom to have their dragon deity, Leviathan, oversee the union and give it his blessing.

Things between her and Brian had been the same. Brian was a bit anxious about the upcoming event. To be honest, she was too. She made a point to go out the first night and tell the darkness what was being planned. She hoped he had heard her, but even if he hadn’t that night, the whole kingdom was buzzing with the topic now. Everyone knew that Brian was taking their deity’s daughter as his mate and was excited about how strong their kind would become.

“Lex.” Rhea walked out next to her daughter, looking down at the preparations. “You know I don’t want to force this on you. I was just thinking that this would be the best way to get the Kraken’s attention.” She put her arm around her daughter’s back and let out a quiet sigh. When she first heard of the idea, she was completely against it. However, after thinking more about it, this was a good opportunity. If there was a time Aken would show up, it would be before the acceptance k**s.

“If he doesn’t come for you, this will give you an opportunity to move on. None of us expect an instant connection. Even after you are marked it will probably take time. If he wasn’t a close family friend, your father and I would never agree to this. It is only because of who it is.”

“Mom, I understand. I realize what it is you are all thinking. Brian and I have discussed this all week. In the end, this is something between us and not anyone else.” Alexis turned her head to look at her mother. “If Aken doesn’t show up, there is no way I can refuse the mark at the last second, is there? No one would allow it.”

“I’d allow it. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. You are my first and only concern. I’ll take you to Elysium if I have to. I really don’t care who it upsets.”

Alexis smiled and shook her head. “You worked so hard to bring the relationship together with dragons and fairies. I can’t do something that would put a wedge in there again.”

“Sometimes bridges need to be rebuilt again with a better foundation. You don’t need to worry about politics. At the end of the day, your father is their deity and they won’t turn their backs on him.” Rhea reached up tucking her daughter’s blonde strands behind her ear. “I do think that you and Brian could be happy together. If you can’t have your fated mate, I couldn’t imagine a better chosen mate.”

“I know mom. If I have to give up on Aken completely, I know that Brian will always be good to me. I don’t know if Brian and I can ever connect on an intimate level, but I know we would always be good to each other. We trust one another.”

“That part would come with time. Trust me, love will blossom when it is taken care of and watered properly. Right now, Brian still has others he can be around. But eventually, that will change. That will be a very lonely time for him and he will need you. It might be hard, but that is when he will need you the most. Though he may try to push you away out of his own pain.”

Alexis nodded her head slowly. It was unacceptable for something like this to happen to Brian. At least Micah should always be able to be around him and her parents should be able to as well. But one day, his own parents may not be able to be around him. It was heartbreaking for something like this to happen to Brian. Titus was innocent and so was Brian. It wasn’t like her family to not keep trying. There had to be something they could do for Brian. However, a curse from a deity isn’t exactly the same as a witch’s curse. Still, she felt like they owed it to Brian to exhaust every possible solution. Even if it was a long shot.

“I feel like there is more we can do for Brian’s situation. It seems like nothing else is even being looked at.”

Rhea smiled and squeezed her daughter into her for a half hug. “I love you, sweet girl. I feel the same way. We just want to take action and fix it. And research is still being done. But your father said that Shiva is the only one who can fix this.”

“Well, can’t he at least try to contact Shiva? There must be a way.”

“Maybe one day there will be. We won’t give up. But there isn’t a fast solution to this.” Rhea went to turn to leave but then stopped. She turned her head slightly with a small frown. “Lex, if Aken doesn’t come you will be expected to move into Brian’s quarters.” She watched her daughter’s eyes widen and she quickly waved her hands. “Now we aren’t saying you have to do anything. But the prince’s marked mate should be sleeping in the same room as him. But we can put a sofa bed in there.”

Alexis shook her head and turned back around to look out over the tents being put up. “It doesn’t matter because it’s not going to happen. Aken will come.” She was convinced he would show up. He watched

Rhea looked at her daughter sadly, nodded, and returned back inside. She was also hoping that Aken would come out. In fact, she was banking on it as well. A fated mate was one thing, but a fated soul mate was another. Alexis and Aken were bound together on a deeper level. One even greater than what she had with Lee. This worried her because she was afraid of how Alexis would handle it if Aken doesn’t show up.

“My fairy, there you are.” Lee reached out, wrapping his arms around Rhea and pulling her into his chest. He held her close in the quiet hallway and leaned his head down into her neck.

“He would have gotten word about this, right?”

“Yes, all the other deities know. And with this much talk going on he would have gotten word of this. But Aken is clever. He may put this to the test thinking it is a trap to lure him out. It might take him until the last second to appear.”

“What if he doesn’t?”

“Then we both agreed and know this is best for Alexis. This is something that can benefit the children mutually. Brian will need a mate and Alexis will need to let go. Of course, it would be easier if the damn a*****e would show up and reject her.”

“That’s what gives me hope. He hasn’t rejected her yet. He must want her, right?”

“Rhea, he might be afraid it will be too hard to reject her. Plus, he is afraid of Erebus replaceing out. I don’t think we can hang on him not rejecting her as hope. Honestly, Brian is a better guy than Aken is. I told you about his past.”

“I don’t think that is who the Kraken is anymore. He shouldn’t get judged by who he was. The half-demon Abaddon did some horrible things in his past. But now he is reborn and an adorable bear cub. Though I couldn’t imagine being an adult stuck in a child’s body.”

“Think of all the things you knew about but would have to miss out on.” Lee winked and grinned down at Rhea, who giggled up at him.

“Yes, things like that would be tough, I think. But he seems to be adjusting well. My family is coming to visit later during the dragon party. They don’t want to come during the first week since it can be a bit crazy. Especially with dragons replaceing their mates.”

Lee nodded his head and pursed his lips together. “You know I have to oversee the acceptance k**s. I don’t think I can watch that with my own daughter.”

Rhea giggled and looked up at him. “Just close your eyes then. No one will be looking at you. But hopefully, you won’t have to. With any luck, Aken will realize this is his last chance and come.”

Lee g*****d and scowled.

“You are not going to like anyone she takes as a mate. No one will ever be good enough for Alexis. But Aken is her fated mate and we both know he can protect her.”

“On that you are right. He is very formidable in battle. He is one of the rare deities that actually has experience with killing another deity.” Lee knew that Aken was strong enough to protect Alexis. The problem would be when Alexis wasn’t around Aken. It was the same problem with him. He could protect Rhea and Alexis but it was the moments they weren’t around him when they were most vulnerable. Sooner or later they would replace Erebus. But until they did he was a threat to Alexis. It was a chance they couldn’t take.

Lilly the fairy queen and Lucy the other fairy princess both had the same premonition about Alexis. And that was that she would be killed by Erebus. Since then a lot had happened though. Erebus was under the impression that the fairy princess Lucy was Alexis. He kidnapped Lucy, holding her in a tower. It was Aken who found her and saved her. This further convinced Erebus that Lucy was THE fairy princess, unaware that for the first time ever there were two. When the fairy magic sensed the danger of losing their princess, it awoke in Lucy. Lucy’s father is the son of the fairy queen, Lilly. Because of this, she was chosen to carry on in the event of Alexis’ death.

Premonitions can change. The demon war was proof of that. Dragons became the allies of the fairy’s and helped fight in the war. Demons did not take over Elysium and instead, they fell during the war. Rhea changed the future. The first vision she had never happened. She won the dragons over and became friends with the four dragon kings and mated to their dragon deity. There was a good chance the premonition about Alexis was already changed. But everyone was still cautious over it just in case.

“Rhea! Levi!” Cody yelled from down the hall as he waved his hand. “Weston and Jade have arrived.”

“Oh yay!” Rhea clapped her hands together. “I’m glad they were able to come already. It’s going to be like old times again.”

Lee chuckled. “No fruit fights this time.”

Rhea clicked her tongue and grinned up at him. “Well, if you are afraid you might lose this time my love, I can spare you.” She listened to his warm light chuckle.

“You just love trying to provoke me, don’t you?”

Rhea bit her bottom l*p and raised her shoulders. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“Titus and Lila are already with them. They are in the fellowship room. Are you two coming?” Cody tilted his head and nodded in the other direction.

“Should we let Alexis know they are here?” Lee asked. At the same time, rushing footsteps were heard coming from the other direction.

“Nick is here!” Alexis squealed as she dashed past her parents.

“I think she knows.” Rhea giggled as she intertwined her fingers with Lee, walking down the hall together.

Alexis sprinted through the castle. She saw Brian, Micah, and Raine talking with two other people. One of them was Jared, who looked a bit irritated. She imagined he was well aware of the mating situation. But it was the other young man that Alexis had her eyes on.

“Nick!” She squealed.

“Sexy, Lexy!” Nick reached his hands out and lifted Alexis up spinning her around. “Damn, you get more gorgeous every time I see you. I hear you are taking Brian as your chosen mate. You know, I’m pretty sure you would have a much better time with me. Think about it.”

“How could I rob you from all the dragon ladies who will be after you during the dragon party? I could never do something like that.” Alexis teased playfully as her parents walked up.

“Nicolai, it’s been too long young man. You really should come and visit more before you take on the heavy burden of the crown.” Rhea arched her brows up at him and folded her arms over her chest.

“Aunt Lila and Uncle Titus were already scolding me over it. I promise I will visit more.”

“Good. Make a point to do so.” Rhea giggled and looked past them at the closed door. “Jade and Weston in there already?”

“Yep, mom and pops are in there with Uncle Titus and Aunt Lila.”

“You kids have fun but stay out of trouble,” Cody said as he opened the doors letting Rhea and Levi walk in first. He followed behind them and closed the doors.

“Well, he said to have fun first. And we need just a bit of trouble for that.” Alexis grinned as she listened to Micah’s low growl. “Don’t worry Micah, it will be fun trouble that you will participate in as well.”

“Great. Can’t wait.” He snorted and rolled his eyes.

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