Page 134 of Taming the Kraken

Reiya walked over and pulled Alexa into a hug. “I know your heart hurts, my sweet daughter. But we will do everything we can to get Mikah back.”

Alexa looked over at Justice, who had an amused look on his face. “What?” She asked him.

“Oh nothing … just thinking is all.” Justice’s lips curled upward.

“About?” Lucie asked as Derrick rubbed her shoulders.

“Well, just curious to see how Nita does being the guardian of Alexa. She is used to being the guardian of a place. A place that isn’t disobedient, stubborn, or runs away. One that doesn’t get into trouble.” Justice looked over at Nita. “Now you’ll see what a challenge they actually are.”

“Hey!” Lucie snorted as she shot daggers at her cousin.

“You know it’s true, Luce. And I know you can hear your husband agreeing with me.” Justice looked up at Derrick, who chuckled quietly behind Lucie.

“He’s right,” Derrick said slyly as he slid his arms around Lucie, gently rubbing her baby bump. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“You better say that,” Lucie teased.

“Whether I say it or not, you already know how I feel.” Derrick kissed her cheek and pulled her into his arms. “Come on. I know your feet are sore. I’ll massage them for you.” He kept his arm around her as he guided her out of the room.

“Yes. I’m off duty!” Justice rolled his shoulders back and stretched his arms upward. “Time to find Aedan and beat him at some games.”

“Such a tough life …” Nita scoffed quietly.

“One of the perks when they have a mate. Trust me … they don’t want you around during private time anyway.” Justice winked at her as he walked out the door.

“Alexa,” Reiya said, and her daughter shifted her focus back to her. “I have some things to tell you about Mikah.”

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE

Erebus teleported to the clouds right above the cloaked army. That way he could watch their movement and be ready.

Damn that witch. What did she know? Nothing! She had no idea how it felt for the person you admired to never look your way. And when he did, it wasn’t because you were special. You were the butt of his jokes.

No one could ever understand how it felt. An eternity of wanting someone you couldn’t have because they didn’t want you. It was enough to make someone jaded over one lifetime. But this … was infinite. This pain … it would never stop.

In the beginning, his feelings were sweet, and he treasured them. He told himself he was content just being close to the Kraken. At least this was how he felt at first. Then he told him to call him Ken. It was another level of closeness, and he found himself wanting more. The years rolled by, and nothing changed between them. Ken liked to tease him, but he never closed the gap. Still, even Ken’s teasing was attention … and he didn’t mind it. At first.

It’s impossible to understand what it’s like to always be watching and wanting someone who never reciprocates. Not once. Erebus wasn’t who he wanted. He was completely overlooked. As if Ken was too good for him. In Erebus’ eyes, Ken was actually too good for him, but he hoped they could have something together. That maybe Ken would turn around and really see him.

One day, Ken gave him a gift. It was a special shampoo. He remembered being so happy. Ken had finally noticed him. He’d given him a present. He remembered how it made him feel. How his heart had beat faster … how just looking at Ken had made him blush. He was so excited he couldn’t wait to try it out.

He recalled how stupid he’d been. How he’d excitedly showered, getting ready to see Ken. Like the lovesick fool he was. But his heart broke that day.

Having finished getting ready after the shower, his heart skipped in anticipation to go see Ken. He’d walked up to the mirror to make sure his hair was perfect. He remembered looking at his reflection and just staring in shock. His hair … his hair had been dyed completely white. He reached up and touched his locks, running his fingers through them … tears began to stream down his face. It was a prank. A cruel joke that had played on his affections. Did Ken know how he felt and used it to manipulate him?

He remembered frantically trying to redye his hair, but the effects of the magic were permanent. Even with new hair growth, the color remained white. And Ken laughed …

It was all a joke to him. Couldn’t he see? Did he really not know how he felt? It was then that Erebus began to drown in the cruel reality that Ken would never want him. He’d put Ken up on a pedestal and no one could bring him down or replace him. Sure, there were others, but they weren’t Ken. Erebus couldn’t bring himself to tell Ken of his feelings after that incident. Would it even matter? It would be another thing for him to tease him about.

The pain of knowing he couldn’t have Ken was indescribable. At first, he tried to fight it. But as time passed, he became bitter. He couldn’t stand not being able to have who he wanted. When he’d caught Ken talking to a dryad named Ivory, he immediately claimed her. He took on a harem that could never really satisfy him. But they were women that Ken couldn’t have now.

Ivory started to make him feel again, though. The beautiful dryad was his and not Ken’s. And for once, he started to feel like he had worth. Maybe with Ivory, he could find a path to healing. Of course … it wasn’t to be.

He found Ivory visiting Ken late one night. She was completely naked just standing in front of him. Ken’s eyes traveled over her in a way that he would never look at him. Ivory had betrayed him by going to another man, but not just any man. Ken! He was furious, and in his rage, he killed Ivory. It was never about Ivory, though. She was now dead because of Ken. A poison began to spread inside him that he couldn’t stop. This was the moment he began to turn evil. He became a twisted monster of envy. And he vowed that one day Ken would see his worth.

He’d felt the contempt radiating through him, and he promised himself he would destroy Ken. He wanted him to know what despair felt like. He wanted him to know what it was like to want someone so bad and not be able to have them.

This was why he wanted Alexa. He wanted her to look at him, to desire him. Because he knew it would hurt Ken even more. But she’d refused him too. That didn’t matter. So long as Ken couldn’t have her …