Page 54 of Taming the Kraken

“You don’t have to protect that one. She may look adorable and delicate, but that’s all part of her charm. It’s true she lacks a killer instinct, but she can easily hold her own, even against you.” Shiva motioned toward Brian’s shoulders as she looked at Mikah. “Hold him here, and don’t be a baby about the heat that will come through.”

“You aren’t someone to give me orders,” Mikah growled, and she tilted her head, giving him an annoyed look.

“Don’t you want me to help your friend?” She gave him a forced, fake smile. “That’s what I thought.”

Mikah wrapped his arms around Brian, holding him in place, and Brian turned his head to the side with a cheesy grin.

“You could at least take me out to dinner first.” Brian listened to the snort from his friend as he chuckled lightly.

“Prepare yourself. This is going to hurt … bad,” Shiva said tersely. She focused her gaze on Brian as she slowly broke the barrier inside him.

At first, Brian felt like something warm had burst inside him. Beads of perspiration began popping up on his skin, and for the first time ever, he felt his skin burning. His flesh turned red as molten lava poured through his veins searing his insides. The heat began to radiate over him, and he felt Mikah’s grip on him tighten. He didn’t realize it, but he was now squirming and struggling against the intensity of the heat. He gritted his teeth and slammed his eyes closed as he battled against it.

“Mikah, step away from him,” Bella said, her voice authoritative, something they hadn’t heard before. She walked up to Brian and wrapped her arms around his torso as Mikah stepped away. A sizzling hiss filled the air as clouds of steam emitted from the two dragons. He leaned into her, wrapping his arms around her body, his head resting on her shoulder as his chest heaved. She sent another cooling layer of frost over him, and another hissing sound echoed through the room.

Brian continued resting his head on her shoulder as his body recovered from the draining event. He took in heavy, staggering breaths before his body froze. A light scent tickled his nose and he turned his head into Bella’s neck. He inhaled very slowly, and his eyes flickered with his beast. It was like a fog had been lifted, and everything became clear.

“Mine!” he breathed into her neck.

Bella jumped back, startled, but he kept her captive in his arms. She gazed up at him and licked her lips nervously, his eyes flickering between hazel and gold as they stayed glued to hers. She shook her head slightly and tried to step away again. He looked at her, confused, and slowly let his hands drop from her sides.

“I’m sorry.” Bella shook her head. “I think you’re confused.”

Brian chuckled. “This is not something I’m confused about. Everything else that’s going on, sure. But I see you. I can feel it. Why couldn’t I feel it before? But now …”

“You got close enough to really take in her scent, that’s why.” Shiva shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Honestly, you’re the dragon here. I shouldn’t have to teach you about mates. Gosh, do I need to give a sexual education lesson too? The pickle goes in the jar, hun.”

“Shiva, I don’t—” Bella whispered, but Shiva interrupted her.

“Of course you don’t, sweetie. Your dragon isn’t ready yet. Usually, his dragon wouldn’t have known until you were. But being that close to you after that boost enhanced his senses, and all it would take would be one whiff of your scent for him to know.” Shiva walked over to Bella and then turned to give Brian an intense, icy stare. “We won’t have a problem here, will we? You will restrain yourself until her dragon is ready. Or at least until she is.”

Brian’s eyes were still glued to the intense gray eyes of his mate. “How old are you?”

“I’m almost nineteen,” Bella whispered, and Brian nodded his head.

“Dragon senses develop at all different ages. The mate sense can pop up anytime after the age of seventeen to as late as early twenties.” Brian inwardly groaned. What if she didn’t feel the mate pull until she was in her twenties? He almost whimpered at the thought. But he would never do anything she wasn’t ready for. Now that his beast recognized her, everything was getting stronger. The scent was now heavier and the pull was becoming intense.

The new power flowing through Brian’s veins suddenly didn’t mean anything. His entire focus had now shifted to the delicate young woman in front of him. It was like she was his center, and his body wanted to be closer to her. His beast thrashed against him, wanting his mate.

Mikah sighed and folded his arms over his chest. “I guess I’m yesterday’s news now. No more late night trysts for me.” He bumped his shoulder against Brian, teasing him.

“Are you sure we’re mutual mates?” Bella looked up at Shiva.

Shiva snickered and covered her mouth. “Why? Don’t you want him? Not good enough for you, Bella?”

Bella gasped, mortified, and she quickly turned her gaze to Brian, shaking her head furiously. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. Oh … I’m sorry. It’s just … I don’t—shouldn’t I at least feel something?”

Brian smiled as he looked at his mate’s flustered face. “No. That’s just the way it works with us. You can see someone one day, and then the next, they’re your mate. But it would be unusual for us not to be mutual mates. That usually only happens when a dragon finds another species as their mate. Not with two dragons. I guess it can happen, but it’s fairly rare.”

“Do you feel uncomfortable now? You know, they can really use your help with controlling their moods. Both of them.” Shiva looked at Bella curiously. These kinds of situations intrigued her, as if they were games.

Bella smiled, shaking her head as she looked at Shiva. “I don’t feel uncomfortable. I’ll make sure to help them when it’s needed. I guess … I’m confused. I’m not sure what is expected of me now or how I’m supposed to act.”

“Just be yourself.” A soft smile spread across Brian’s face. “That’s it. You don’t have to act differently. Nothing is expected of you.” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked up at the ceiling. “Just no dating other guys, because that will trigger one of those flaming episodes we don’t want. I can’t promise I won’t turn another man to ashes if they touch you.” He cleared his throat as Shiva giggled madly.

“Now that’s true love right there. Turning anyone who touches you to dust.” Shiva snickered and then waved her hand at Brian. “He is right, though. You’ll need to be careful not to provoke his anger, because mates can trigger emotions easily.”

“I don’t know why you have to overcomplicate this.” Mikah rolled his eyes and everyone looked at him. “Date her. If she doesn’t feel the mate pull, then go about it the human way. Court her. I’m sure she wouldn’t be opposed to a man doting on her.” He winked at Bella and her lips twitched upward.