Page 42 of Taming the Kraken

Alexa was the fairy princess. She was everything that was light, beautiful and right in this world. He was a deity with a dark and shady past. He was a grotesque killing machine—a creature that could instill fear into the hearts and minds of others. But he wanted her. He needed her. He also knew that now there was no way he could let her go, even if she feared him … and that was a problem. Maybe he really was the monster everyone thought he was.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

“Can’t I just fly us all there? This walking on feet crap is for the bears,” Brian grunted, dramatically dragging his feet as he stepped.

“The pull is real subtle, Brian. I already tried explaining this to you. We’re just going to have to walk.” Alexa listened to Brian groan. She felt Ken’s shoulder brush against hers, sending sweet, intoxicating tingles over her body. She turned to look at him, wishing she could just stay in his arms. But while they traveled, they needed to be cautious, just in case Erebus or his spies were around.

“And how does this all work again? Because you look exactly the same to me.” Brian continued to drag his feet lazily as he looked over at Ken.

“It’s because I’m letting you see me. Anyone else looking will see a different face and features. And my aura is hidden with the crystals so no one can detect it.” Ken listened to a slight scoff coming from in front of them.

“Ah ah ah,” Mikah interjected, turning to smirk at Ken.

“Okay, no one should be able to. I haven’t figured out what is up with Super Bear. I don’t know how he’s able to detect me.” Ken looked over Mikah with a discerning eye. There was something there he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

“I already told you. It’s because I’m her guardian. Your squid brain doesn’t retain much, huh?” Mikah chuckled, flashing a bright, wide grin toward Ken.

“I see that Winnie the Pooh isn’t the only bear stuffed with fluff. Your ability is not because you’re a guardian. It’s as simple as that. Who are your parents? What is known about them?” Ken felt the slight bump from Alexa's arm, and she shook her head quickly.

Mikah shrugged as he looked ahead. “I don’t know. I don’t remember much at all about them. I only remember the torture and the life I lived in the dark.” He turned his head to look at Ken. “Why? What are you thinking?”

“Simple. Both of your parents were not werebears. I can almost guarantee it. You are some sort of hybrid.” Everyone stopped walking and turned to look at Ken curiously.

“Are you certain of that?” Mikah was now studying the deity’s green eyes.

“Yes. I’m surprised the blue iguana never said anything.” Ken watched as Alexa shook her head.

“I don’t think my father knows.”

“He knows, my love. Your father is a deity. I’m sure he knows Mikah is more than just a guardian werebear.” Ken could see Mikah seemed a bit disturbed hearing this. “Little cub, this doesn’t change anything.”

“What else do you think I am?” Mikah asked slowly.

“Now that’s where I’m stumped, because there’s something there that I just can’t put my finger on. But you have an untapped power reserve inside you. You’re much stronger than you let on. I’m curious why you’re hiding it.” Ken watched Mikah’s eyes widen, his lips parting in shock.

“Mikah?” Alexa turned to look at her guardian.

Mikah chuckled and shook his head. “Now you’re the one who has me intrigued.”

“We’ll have a chat about all this later.” Ken turned and looked at Alexa. “It’s only because of his strength that I was comfortable leaving your side.”

“Wait. So how strong is he?” Brian knitted his brows and stared at his friend.

“I’d like to test that out myself. Maybe then I can really get a feel for what you’re mixed with.” Ken shrugged his shoulders and turned to look at Alexa. “Which way now?”

Alexa tilted her head to look into Ken’s green eyes. It was weird having him close to her, but in a good way. She wanted to stay as close to him as possible and talk to him about everything. How was it that now that she had him by her side, they needed to act distant? She would also need to keep pretending to be Brian’s mate around others. This would be awkward to do in front of her real mate.

She glanced from hazel to blue to green eyes. All three important men in her life were all carrying sadness. She could see it. Was this similar to the life energy her mother talked about seeing? She wasn’t sure. But from this, she could almost feel the burdens they were each carrying for their own reasons. Maybe this was the natural camaraderie the men were all feeling? Brian’s, she felt, was about him not being able to have a mate. But she was curious about Mikah and Ken’s sadness.

Alexa finally felt her beasts begin to stir inside her. Yuki was pacing in her mind as her dragon pulsated its strength, like flapping its wings. She wanted to sigh with relief, being able to feel them again, but there was something wrong. She looked up to see the men all had their heads turned, looking in the distance. It was the same direction she could feel herself being pulled.

“That’s where I need to go.” Alexa whispered as she raised her hand to her chest. She lifted her gaze as a burst of warm wind rushed over all of them. Ken moved into her side with his gaze fixed on a figure that was coming toward them.

A young woman with silver hair, gray eyes, and ivory skin stepped into view. She was delicately framed and almost looked like she would break with the slightest touch. But there was a fierceness in her eyes as she looked over everyone.

“I see you brought others. A deity, a guardian, and … a thief.”

Alexa recognized the voice. She stepped out from Ken and faced the young lady. “Bella? Is that you?” She watched the girl nod her head, but she continued to glower at the men.