Page 68 of Taming the Kraken

“Yeah, I’m hungry too. Although I’m really in the mood for a sack lunch.” Alexa smiled, biting her bottom lip. A low groan came from Ken’s chest as Mikah winced.

“Your jokes aren’t funny, Lex. They ruin my appetite.” Mikah shook his head in disgust.

“Funny … they increase my appetite.” Ken peered out through his little opening so he could look at his beautiful mate.

“Keep your tentacles to yourself, Squidward. Not in front of me. I’m getting out of here. I’ll just bring up a tray of food.” Mikah quickly descended down the stairs. When he was about halfway down, he slowed. He balled his hand into a fist and slammed it against the wall. Erebus had touched his princess again … one too many times. His beast was raging inside him. He was trying to control it, but it was finally getting away from him, which was why he’d volunteered to get food. He needed to clear his head.

Mikah descended slowly, taking one step at a time as he tried to manage his breathing. His fingers were trembling, his eyes flickering in color. He felt an uncontrollable urge beginning to take over him. He knew this feeling. It had happened before. He needed to stop it before it spiraled out of control.

Mikah wanted Erebus’ blood to be spilled. But that wasn’t even enough … he was the one who needed to drain it from his body. He wanted to personally rip the deity apart and watch the life drain from his eyes. It was only this thought that could soothe him. He would be the one to kill Erebus.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Ryker rubbed his head and Raine placed her hand on his arm.

“Are you still getting those headaches?” Brian asked, concerned.

“Yes. Lately they’ve been coming more frequently.” Ryker smiled over at Raine and placed his hand over hers. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.” He then turned and looked at Brian. “I understand everything. I’ll keep a close eye on Bella for you.”

“How have things been between you two? I see you’ve given Raine your mark.” Brian watched as a slight blush bloomed across Raine’s cheeks.

“Yes, and we did the acceptance kiss too. I don’t think I’m her father’s favorite person.” Ryker chuckled and winked at Raine. He was fairly certain he’d heard a growl from her father for a split second during the kiss.

“Daddy’s fine. He likes to act tough, but I think he’s relieved that I’ll be living here where he can watch over me. My cousins Justice and Destiny moved away from Uncle Chasen and Aunty Jin already. I guess they’re both missing their kids, and it had my dad worried.” Raine interlaced her fingers with Ryker’s. “I’d say my dad is very lucky that I found you. I think he’s just worried you’ll leave if your memory comes back, and⁠—”

“Raine, we talked about this. All of this.” Ryker glanced up at Brian and then smiled back at Raine. “Whatever my life was before is irrelevant. This is my life now. I have promised upon my flame to stay with Brian and be his person. And—” He reached out and cupped her cheek. “You are my fated mate. If there was someone out there who I was with—” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. It’s only you, Raine. No one else. It will always be you. I’m not going anywhere. And I will never leave you.

“I did talk to her about this before we decided … before I marked her.” Ryker looked back at Brian. “We don’t know anything about my past. I don’t know if there is someone out there waiting for me. It is a possibility. However, I told Raine that there is no turning back for me. My life is here now, and with her.” He turned his head and smiled at Raine. “I love you. I’m crazy about you … maybe even obsessively so.” He chuckled and shrugged. “I’m bonded to you so deeply that I can’t ever be separated from you.” He reached up and traced the mark on her neck.

“What if you marked a chosen mate before?” Raine sighed. “I guess sometimes I worry that, because I’m so happy, something bad is going to happen.”

Brian chuckled. “I think that’s because those are the stories you grew up hearing from all your relatives. It’s okay to relax and be happy, Raine. You know, Ryker is right. A mark on a fated mate won’t fade. And if he had claimed a chosen mate, that mark would have vanished the moment he placed one on you. Our marks are meant to be permanent on our fated mates. If a dragon has marked a fated mate and tries to mark a chosen mate, the mark wouldn’t stick on the chosen one. A fated mark is more powerful. Besides, if Ryker did have someone out there, they haven’t come looking for him.” He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. “I would never stop searching for Bella.”

“You think I’m silly for feeling a bit insecure?” Raine smiled.

“Yes. I’m never leaving you, Raine. I told you I would vow it upon my flame.”

Raine shook her head. “No, I don’t want that. I don’t want you to stay only because you can’t leave. I only want you with me if you want it as well. It’s important to me. No matter how devastated I would be. I don’t want you trapped—” Raine whispered.

“Raine …” Ryker frowned then heard a snort from Brian, and he turned to look at him.

“It would be better for him to be trapped to you, Raine. Because if he ever breaks your heart …” Brian’s blazing gaze met Ryker’s, the promise of fire burning in his eyes.

“If I ever hurt her, I’d want you to incinerate me.” Ryker chuckled, then pulled Raine into his side. He pressed his nose into her black, curly hair and inhaled her scent. “You are my home, Raine. Because of you, my beast is calm. I have to be with you. I’m the one who’s worried … that you will want to leave me. I just hope my past isn’t something that could tarnish you.”

“Ryker, I don’t care about your past. I just want all of you, now and forever.” Raine leaned into him as his lips came crashing down on hers, their kiss desperate as their hands wandered over each other.

Brian cleared his throat loudly. “Um, this is my office. And since I can’t have a taste of my mate right now, I’m quite jealous.” He chuckled and watched the shocked blushes on both of their faces. They had forgotten about his presence at that moment, which made him even more jealous. They were so into each other that no one else in the room existed. He couldn’t wait until he could experience this with Bella too.

Ryker kept his focus on Raine’s lips as the two of them panted inches from each other’s mouths. It had been like this since they’d found out they were mates. He could barely control himself when it came to her. “If you don’t need anything else from me at the moment …”

“Go and get to a soundproof room.” Brian chuckled, shaking his head. Ryker lifted Raine into his arms, carried her out of the office bridal style, and disappeared.

Ryker cradled Raine against his chest as he gazed down at her. She blushed under his hungry gaze, but her eyes stayed locked on his.

“Will you promise me something?” Raine whispered as she lifted her fingers to trace over his lips. He gently kissed her fingers and nodded his head.

“I’ll promise you anything.” Ryker watched as her green eyes stayed glued to his.