Page 25 of Taming the Kraken

“Actually, my princess, I had a conversation with him last night.” Mikah watched as Alexa's eyes bulged open. He couldn’t help the grin that continued to play on his lips. He knew she would react like this.

“You talked to him? You knew he was here? Why didn’t you wake me up?!”

“You didn’t even wake up when he kissed you. I figured you were too tired and needed your sleep,” Mikah teased.

Oh gosh, he kissed her. She felt her cheeks heat up as her heart began racing. He came to see her again. She smiled and squeezed his shirt tighter to her chest. Oh, gods … he saw her cuddling up with his old shirt. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. What did he think when he saw her? Like she was an obsessive child clinging to a teddy bear. No, the bear was on the other side of the room. I was clinging to the shirt my mate left with my cousin. I’m like an obsessive stalker, collecting items the person throws in the trash.

“Why didn’t he wake me?” she finally whispered.

“He said he wouldn’t be able to leave you if you were awake.” Mikah sat up and held his hand out toward Alexa. “He left this for you. He said that if there is an emergency, to break it and he’ll come to you.”

Alexa stared at Mikah’s hand for a moment before she swung her feet off her bed and walked toward him with her hand open. Mikah dropped a golden chain with a gem attached to it. The gem emitted a gentle warmth that her body recognized immediately. It was familiar and warm. It was Ken. Not him exactly but his essence.

Alexa stared at the beautiful pendant and chain in her palm, lifting it higher. There was a gem in the center in the shape of a heart. She felt her own heart skip a beat as she noticed the writing on the chain. “You’ve always had it.” She raised her hand up to her mouth as she felt a burning sensation in her nose. Tears filled her eyes, then slowly fell down her cheeks. She’d always had his heart. He was letting her know he’d always loved her.

Mikah got up out of bed and wrapped his arms around Alexa. He leaned his head on top of hers and smiled. “He’ll be back, Lex. He promised to come back as soon as he can, even if he hasn’t killed Erebus yet. I put a bug in his ear that he could at least stay with you secretly at night. You can be mates at night like your parents were.”

“Be mates at night and pretend mates in public with Brian. Someone has a sick and twisted sense of humor.” Alexa leaned her head against Mikah’s chest. That was the same thing her mother had to do. The same exact thing. But she would do whatever she had to. All she wanted was to have Ken. Even if she could only spend her nights with him for years, it would be better than nothing. “That was a nice suggestion. Thank you for thinking of me.”

“Anything so I don’t have to sleep in the same room with you and listen to your snoring. Plus this gets me out of babysitting at night.” He chuckled and stepped back from her to see her roll her eyes at him.

“I don’t snore.”

“Sure you don’t, princess,” Mikah smirked and headed toward the door. “Get changed. Oh, and Alexa.” He watched her raise her gaze to him. “I got to see Ken without a shirt on.” He winked at her and walked out of the room.

Alexa snorted and looked down at the gem. She wanted to give Ken something the next time she saw him too. And somebody better be waking her up next time or she would go on a sleep strike. That was a thing, right? She walked up to the mirror and clasped the necklace around her neck. The warmth of the gem rested on her skin. It felt nice. It was like having a piece of Ken with her.

“I understand the situation.” Xander’s lips pulled down as he let out a sigh. “I just don’t know how to explain this to Brian.” The sound of laughter filled the room as Brian walked in.

“Dad, you don’t have to act like I would be heartbroken hearing this. I hate to tell you two this.” Brian looked between Levi and Xander. “But Alexa and I were only pretending anyway. We were never going to go through with the marking. The moment my lips touched her neck, Mikah was going to create a diversion so that I wouldn’t actually mark her.”

“Brian!”

“What did you expect, Dad? You were asking me to mate with my sister. We aren’t blood, but I can’t change how I see her or feel about her. Not even over time. My problem isn’t her problem. I’ll figure it out.” Brian turned and looked at Levi. “I have no problems continuing to pretend to be Alexa's chosen mate. This will give me an excuse to stay close to her so I can protect her too. I can’t believe that bastard was here. Do you want me to keep Alexa with me at night?”

“Mikah moved a bed into Alexa's room. Much to her chagrin. Brian, I appreciate this. You’re a good man.” Levi looked up at Xander and could see he still looked concerned over his son’s future. “I promise. Once I don’t have to worry about Erebus, I will concentrate all my time on a solution.”

“Maybe Ken might know of something. He may even know of a way to get to Shiva, right?” Brian shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t stress about this, Dad. I’m going to go see my sleeping beauty and let her know it’s time for some practice drills.”

“Oh Lex, the necklace is beautiful. Simply breathtaking. And what a sweet gesture.” Reiya could see her daughter was glowing over it. “I like that emergency feature. I wonder if your father can give you something similar as well.” She looked down at the ground, trying to take in a controlled breath. “I wonder if Erebus has similar crystals to what Ken has.”

“Don’t worry. Even if he does, I can sense him. I was able to sense Ken. I can always sleep in the same bed with her if that would make you feel better,” Mikah suggested innocently.

“You aren’t sleeping with my mock mate. What would the neighbors say?” Brian grinned as he came up from the stairs.

“Brian.” Alexa smiled brightly at him as he walked over to take a seat on the sofa across from Brody and Chelsie.

“I wasn’t able to sense him at all.” Brody frowned and rubbed his chin.

“That’s because you’re getting too old,” Mikah teased and listened to him snort.

“Mikah’s skills and strengths have always been a bit different from the rest of the guardians we’ve known.” Reiya would have to discuss this more with Lee. She wondered if there was a way to get around the crystals. Even if it was just Lee. Someone else besides Mikah who could sense an intruder.

“I told your father I didn’t mind continuing to be your mate. Well, pretend mate. So, like it or not, I’ll be stuck to you like glue.” Brian watched Alexa play with a chain around her neck, one he hadn’t seen before. “What is that?”

“Lover boy left it when he visited last night,” Mikah said with a grin.

“Oh, my love rival? Let’s see it.” Brian hopped up and walked over to Alexa. He grasped the chain delicately so he could study it. Alexa’s cheeks flushed when he saw the shape inside and began to read the words. “Oh, my heart. That boy is good. Well, that’s a knock-out punch for me.”