Page 152 of Taming the Kraken

Erebus charged toward her and released his energy in a wide arc. Alexa raised her sword in a defensive stance as his energy swung down toward her, the energy tearing through her arm. She took a step back and dodged the full blow. She then twisted her body and lunged forward with her sword. The icy sword shattered, and his energy ripped through her skin. She could feel her blood dripping down her face, and her clothes were torn into shreds.

Alexa winced and staggered backward, raising an icy shield as she tried to regain her composure. She was losing blood and fighting a losing battle. Erebus’ power was still greater than her own. He was stronger, faster, and an experienced fighter. She was bleeding and her body was growing weaker. She might be smart and resourceful, but that wasn’t going to cut it. She needed to win. She needed to defeat him. She couldn’t go down like this.

“Your love is no greater. It is shallow, fleeting. It means nothing!” Erebus yelled as his dark energy smashed against her icy barrier. “What do you know of love? You’re practically a baby. You don’t even understand it. It makes you weak. It is cruel! Love is the reason for suffering in this world.”

“No,” Alexa breathed as she narrowed her eyes on him. “That isn’t what love is. You’re the one who doesn’t understand it. You’ve been blinded by your own selfishness. You are a slave to your emotions. You think you know love, but you don’t. You are a coward. Your love is a lie.”

Erebus lifted her necklace and waved it at her. “This is your love. It is meaningless. It is insignificant. And it is fragile. It can be destroyed.” He squeezed the gem in his hands, and it shattered. He sprinted forward, slamming against the wall of ice. The ice shattered, and fragments flew in all directions.

Alexa clutched her side and prepared for his assault.

Something hit Erebus from the side, hard enough to take him off his feet.

The lightning flashed. Thunder roared. Erebus’ body rolled across the ground as someone attacked it mercilessly. Familiar warm arms cradled Alexa, and she breathed in the scent of her mate.

“Ken.” She lifted her head and smiled. He looked over her with worry as he cupped her cheek.

“Are you alright?” Ken’s voice was warm and soft. Alexa’s clothes were in tatters and covered in blood. If the necklace hadn’t broken when it did … he couldn’t even think about it. His heart ached as he looked over her wounds. This was unforgivable.

“I’m hurt, but I’ll be fine.” Alexa leaned in and he crashed his lips against hers. It was a possessive, frantic kiss that was everything she needed. She felt her body responding to him, and even her healing was accelerating in that moment.

“You should have summoned me right away. I’ve been so worried. I could have lost you. I love you so much.” He lowered his lips to hers again, tenderly this time. Ken pulled back and turned his gaze to Erebus. He held Alexa close but gently against him as he watched the bear relentlessly attacking Erebus.

Erebus’ body rolled along the ground as Mikah kicked him across the earth. Erebus finally managed to get to his feet. Blood trickled from his mouth as he brushed it aside hastily with his hand.

“How dare you hurt my princess!” Mikah growled. “I will kill you for touching her!

Erebus began to laugh maniacally. “You can’t kill me. If you kill me now, I’ll live in the nembrant glass. My soul will just wait to take over another body. No, it’s actually safer for you to let me live than to kill me.”

“And how does that fit in with your plans? You’re the one who’s a pawn now.” Alexa watched as Erebus eyes flicked over at her. His eyes traveled to Ken’s hands on her and his lips curled up in disgust.

“You linked yourself to that necklace!” Erebus’ chest heaved angrily as a menacing look filled his eyes.

“Looks like you couldn’t destroy love after all. Instead, you set it free.” Alexa smirked as she watched him tremble in anger.

Erebus glared at Ken. “You shouldn’t have happiness. Why should you get what you want? You don’t care about others! You only care about yourself. You are selfish. You deserve to live a life of loneliness.”

“Geez, all this because he dyed your hair white? Seems a bit extreme.” Mikah scoffed and Alexa cleared her throat, making him look at her.

“Why don’t you say what this is really about?” Alexa looked up at Erebus, whose eyes narrowed on her with contempt.

“Wait … what this is really about?” Ken looked down at Alexa and then back up at Erebus. “What is she talking about? Say it!”

Erebus shot a blast of dark energy toward Alexa angrily. Ken pulled her slightly behind him and effortlessly blocked the attack. At the same time, Mikah launched himself back into Erebus.

“I don’t care what you’re linked to. You’re going to die today. And then I will find every piece of nembrant glass and destroy it,” Mikah growled as his deadly fight with Erebus began.

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR

Erebus spat out a mouthful of blood and sand as he lifted his head up from the ground. The titan was so much stronger than he’d imagined. Yet, he couldn’t focus on the fight. He kept glancing over at Ken and Alexa. Ken wasn’t even bothering to fight. Instead, he was staying next to HER. It was bad enough that Ken chose her. Now he was even too good to fight against him. He wasn’t even given the decency of facing Ken in battle.

He grabbed a fistful of sand in his hands as he clenched his teeth together. He was never good enough for Ken. Even now, he wasn’t even worth Ken’s time. He pushed himself up to his feet and sneered at Mikah.

“You’re stronger than her, you know? How does it feel to be beneath her? That your existence is nothing compared to hers?” Erebus watched as Mikah quirked his brow at him.

Mikah looked at the man, dumbfounded. “What are you talking about? All I want is to protect her. My existence is meaningless without her. I am nothing without her.” He narrowed his eyes at Erebus and let out a low growl. “What is your problem with my princess?”

“I don’t understand. Why her?” Erebus finally turned and looked at Ken. “Is the mate pull that powerful that it left you no choice?!”