Page 18 of Taming the Kraken

“Yeah, but Ken will come. So try not to overthink that, okay?”

Brian chuckled dryly and shook his head. “Try not to overthink it? My favorite fairy, you understand what type of performance this is, right? It’s hard not to think about it and the consequences afterward.”

“But you trust me …”

“With all my heart.”

Alexa smiled and reached out to grab his hand. “Then there’s nothing to worry about, my temporary love.”

Brian laughed and pulled her in for a warm embrace. “Lex.”

“Hmm?”

“For what it’s worth, I hope he does come for you. You deserve to have whatever you want. I don’t think he deserves you, though.”

“Who does deserve me?” She looked up at him and watched a crooked smile reach his lips.

“I don’t think there is a man out there who deserves you. At least not one I’ve met.”

“Well, you haven’t met Ken.” Alexa bit her bottom lip and smiled up at him.

Brian shook his head and smiled. “You know, sweetheart, you may meet Ken and be completely disgusted by him. You’ve only been told he’s your fated mate. You may not like how he looks or how he talks. What happens if there’s no attraction? What if you don’t feel the sparks with him?”

“I’m not asking for a perfect mate. I just want my mate and my fated mate at that. He was made for me. I don’t need to know any more than that.” She watched a small flicker of sadness reach Brian’s eyes, and she quickly bit her tongue. Here she was, spouting off about her fated mate when it might be something Brian would never have. She could be his only chance at having a mate.

“But my Uncle Brody and Aunt Chelsie are not fated mates. Just look at those two and how crazy they are about each other. It just goes to show you can have a deep connection with someone who isn’t your fated mate. Those two were obviously made for each other.”

“You know, Lex, when my aura started getting stronger, my biggest fear was that it would be too strong for my fated mate. I tried to push that thought from my head, like it was silly to even think that. And now, that is exactly what I’m being told. That my fated mate will not be able to be near me. I’m still adjusting to this news and wrapping my head around it. But I’m not going to let it bring me down. I’m going to keep fighting for my future. Even if I have to hunt down Shiva myself.” He looked at her and placed his hand on her head. “So don’t give me those eyes. I don’t want you to feel sorry or bad for me. And when Ken comes to claim you, I don’t want you worrying about me. Okay?”

“I won’t. I won’t worry about you because I’ll be right beside you fighting for a solution. And together, we will find one.” Alexa reached up and pulled his hand off her head. “But for now, you have a battle to fight in the game room, and your opponents are all claiming victory.”

“Of course, we both know there can only be one left standing when all this is finished.” Brian flashed a mischievous grin.

“The real question is, which one will it be?” Alexa tapped her chin thoughtfully.

Brian chuckled. “I guess now is the time to show you my true strength as the Dragon Prince of the West.” He tucked her arm around his and led her down the hall.

Alexa smiled and bumped into his side playfully. No matter what, she would always be there for Brian. There had to be a solution out there, and they would find it. And who knows, maybe Ken would know of something. She would ask him when he came for her. Because he would, right?

“What would you do, huh? If you wanted to be with someone so badly that it was tearing you apart piece by piece. I don’t know what this is going to do to me. I can’t take it. It’s slowly killing me to stay away from her. But damn it, what if something happens to her because of me? I can’t lose her. This takes me back to the fact that I can’t have her. This is hell.” Ken set his jaw as his chest heaved angrily. He had never experienced such torture as he was now. He loved her. He needed her. But he didn’t want to risk losing her. He was spiraling right now. The thought of another man claiming her as his mate was bringing him waves of anguish … and anger.

“Have you ever thought that you’re letting Erebus win? By staying away from her, you’ll destroy yourself. This is exactly what he wants. I’m going to speak freely with you.” Terra braced herself as she prepared to yell at a deity who could crush her in a millisecond. “What the fuck are you doing?! You are a damn god. Take your mate and protect her, and quit being a dumbass. Once she is claimed, it’ll be too late. You can figure the other stuff out later. But right now, there is no later. She is about to be marked by another.” She flung her arms out and glared at him. “Don’t lose her. Don’t lose your light, or darkness will claim you. What are you waiting for?”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Alexa watched her friends play games late into the night. She took part too and they rotated in and out through the group, each one taking turns winning a match. The guys were still out for blood, but Alexa was calling it a night. Plus, with Raine gone, it was all guys in there, and the macho male talk was reaching snooze level.

“I’ll walk you to your room.” Mikah listened to her laugh, and she shook her head.

“I’m perfectly safe, Mikah. Keep playing. Goodnight, boys.” Alexa patted Mikah on the head before she made her way out of the room.

Soft light spilled down the passage, and a couple of guards were scattered down the hall. She greeted each one with a small nod of acknowledgment, finally making it to the door that would take her upstairs. It was a long staircase that would lead her up to where her family stayed. Brody, Chelsie, Raine, and Mikah all stayed up there too. It was like their own private house, separate from the castle. Her father had demanded his privacy long ago, and this place was given to him.

She slowly walked to her room, quietly shutting the door behind her. She made her way over to the far end of the room to her closet. Once inside, she moved things around until she found what she was looking for. It was a clear bag specially designed to contain scents. She opened the bag and pulled out a shirt, holding it up to her chest. Leaning down, she took in the smell.

This was the shirt Ken had put on her cousin Lucie when he rescued her from Erebus. Lucie had given the shirt to her, and she’d kept it safe ever since. It still had remnants of his scent on it, but it was starting to fade now, even with the special bag. It was only a matter of time before the scent disappeared forever.

“I swear I’m going to slap you upside the head when I see you. Why do you have to be such an idiot? I would rather spend one day with you than a thousand lifetimes without you.” She buried her head in the shirt. The small, sweet traces of his scent tickled her nose and calmed her insides. Just hints of his scent could do this to her. She could only imagine what being in his embrace would feel like.