Page 59 of Taming the Kraken

“I had Brian and Mikah with me.” Alexa watched as her father glanced up at Ken. His eyes clouded over. She looked up to see Ken’s looked the same. They were mindlinking. She watched her father nod his head, but he seemed to be deep in thought.

“At least you had them with you. Perhaps we should have some practice drills on how to deal with wrathens in the future.” Levi watched as Alexa snapped her head up to Ken, her brows knitted.

“You didn’t have to mention that part,” she hissed, kicking his foot.

“Sorry, my love. I am new to this communicating thing. You’ll have to educate me on what exactly I’m allowed to say to your father.” Ken smirked at her, his sarcastic tone making her purse her lips.

“So, Bella is Brian’s mate?” Reiya asked, changing the subject.

“Yes! She’s a crystal dragon and can do everything. She lived with Shiva all this time. She’s really incredible.” Alexa talked animatedly about her new friend.

“How will that affect things with you and Brian?” Reiya asked, and her daughter shook her head.

“It won’t. We’re still going to put on an act for now.” Alexa watched as her mother frowned.

“I mean, I appreciate that, but it isn’t fair to Brian. He doesn’t need another dragon trying to move in on his mate, what with her not feeling the mate bond.” Reiya glanced up at Lee.

“I’ll have Ryker with her to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Brian said with a smile as he came back up the stairs with his parents. Lucky for him, his parents were at the bottom of the stairs on their way up to meet with Levi and Reiya. “Don’t worry. I want to protect Alexa. Then Dad and Levi can handle the public aftermath afterward.”

Xander chuckled. “Thanks for that. So? Where is she? I want to meet the new princess.”

“Mikah took her to her new room to protect her from Daddy’s wrath.” Alexa giggled as a sheepish smile reached her father’s lips.

“Well, smart move. We all know how oversensitive Levi can be,” Xander teased, grinning widely at the deity.

Levi chuckled and shook his head. “You grow up and become a father and suddenly you think you’re full of wisdom.” He watched Xander’s gaze shift to Ken. “Xander, Lila, I would like to introduce you to the Kraken, Alexa’s mate.”

“It’s about time I can finally put a face with the name.” Xander smiled and nodded his head toward Ken. “I think we’re going to need to expand the castle with all of these growing families.”

“Actually, after Erebus is taken care of, I’ll be taking Alexa with me,” Ken said innocently, not realizing the reaction he would get. The room stilled, an earth-shattering silence filling it.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

After being shown her room, Bella and Mikah returned and looked over the tense situation in front of them. “Aaannnnnd we came out too soon. Hey, I like my squid deep-fried and battered, just so you know.” He chuckled lightly and then swallowed and looked over at Bella. “Tough crowd.”

“There’s plenty of room here. We can even have a separate living quarter prepared. I don’t see any reason why you would need to leave.” Xander knitted his brows and pursed his lips.

“Indeed. As much as you change your mind on things, maybe you should give things more than a day before you decide something like that.” There was a lethal threat in Levi’s voice that wasn’t missed by anyone in the room. But Ken held his stare confidently and gripped Alexa tighter.

“Everything I’ve done has been for her protection. I’m not ever changing my mind. She is mine.” He looked down at Alexa and smiled. “And I’m hers.”

“You don’t have to decide on anything right now. And of course, that decision is for the two of you to make.” Reiya quickly decided to speak up, knowing how possessive the males in her life were. She felt Lee tense and she gently nudged him with her elbow. She knew he didn’t like this news. It was bad enough Alexa belonged to someone else now, but it was even worse to know that she would be leaving them. However, there was nothing strange about this. She left her family at Alexa’s age. And Lucie and Destiny had already left their parents as well. This was part of finding your mate in life.

Levi looked at Ken as his gaze gave a threatening promise.

Ken looked at Levi’s serious eyes and couldn’t help the small smirk that spread over his lips. He wanted to laugh. Seriously? Did the wet mud puppy think he was going to live in the room next door? He wasn’t sure if these walls would be soundproof enough for how he wanted to spend their time. Plus, if they stayed locked away for days, how would he really feel about it? Every time they slept in late, everyone would know why. When he brought ice cream and chocolate syrup to their room, they would know he was having fairy a la mode.

There was also the selfish part of Ken that didn’t want to share her for a while. He wanted it to be just them. Sure, Mikah and Terra would be there too, but they weren’t the type to pull Alexa away from him. The dragon kingdom was too busy of a place. There was always something going on, like the party right now.

But this was only what he was thinking. If Alexa wanted to stay, then he would oblige her. Her opinion was the only one that mattered. Ken looked down at his beautiful mate. She was looking at her parents as she leaned deeper into his side.

“Whatever we decide, it won’t be until after Erebus is taken care of. And at this rate …” Alexa looked up at Ken and smirked. “We won’t ever be leaving.”

Ken chuckled and shook his head. “Are you taking a jab at my skills?”

Mikah snorted. “If she isn’t, I will.” He shrugged his shoulders as Ken turned his head to look at him. “I’m not pointing fingers … okay, actually I am. You still haven’t caught him. Who knows if you will be able to catch him at this rate.”

“I’ll catch him. And when I do, I’m going to make him pay.” Ken frowned. “I’m sorry that his grudge against me ended up involving you and your family.”