Page 73 of Taming the Kraken

“Well, I have to know who the bachelor chooses now,” Mikah said, clicking his tongue in fake exasperation. He chuckled and threw a shirt over at Ken. “Sorry if it’s too big for you.”

Alexa felt her eyes burning. At first, it was both eyes, and then it shifted to one. With the fiery sensation, the sounds around her began to muffle.

Ken rolled his eyes and put the shirt on. He walked over to the bed and had just sat down next to Alexa when Mikah turned his head sharply toward the bed.

“Alexa!” Mikah yelled, running over.

Ken looked down at her, noticing her fists squeezed so tight her knuckles were turning white. Once again, Mikah was able to sense a difference in Alexa before he did.

I’m there with you, my treasure. Can’t you feel me? I’m right beside you.

Alexa sat up and held her hand over her eye. Grabbing the mask, she ripped it off, ignoring the two men beside her, and jumped off the bed to head to her dresser, where there was a mirror. She looked at herself, her mouth gaping. Her one eye was glowing red, not unlike the red-eyed man from her premonition. What is this?

“Alexa!”

Alexa heard Mikah’s concerned voice. She closed her eyes and took in deep, relaxing breaths to keep Mikah calm. She was pretty sure he hadn’t seen her eye, so she covered it with her hand and began to rub it lightly.

“I’m fine. It’s just burning a little bit. I think I’ll take a shower before bed.” Alexa forced a smile as she held her composure.

“Something felt weird—” Mikah studied her as he stepped closer to look at her. Ken was behind Alexa, trying to stay out of her view.

“Mikah, look at me. I’m fine. It was just burning, but it stopped.” Alexa grabbed some clothes out of her drawer and smiled at Mikah. “I’ll be back.”

“I’m coming—” Mikah started as Alexa laughed.

“Are you going to join me in the shower? I think Ken might have issues with that. Right, my love?” Alexa heard Ken hum in acknowledgment.

“I can join you, though,” Ken added.

“I don’t want to interrupt bro bonding time. Besides, you have some more measuring to do, right?” Alexa smiled, biting her bottom lip. She could feel his heat behind her, and honestly, she would love to watch water droplets run down his rock-hard chest.

“Lex,” Mikah said in an accusing tone.

“What, Mikah? You can’t expect me not to feel a bit self-conscious, right? I’m going to be cuddling with my mate all night long. I want to make sure I’m fresh and clean. Excuse me and my feminine habits.” Alexa smiled and shook her head, then turned on her heels. “I’ll be back, boys.” She emphasized the boys part as she opened the door to the bathroom.

“Leave it open, Lex,” Mikah said as he narrowed his eyes at her.

“My door?” she asked, and he snorted.

“Both doors. I’m sitting outside the bathroom door.”

She shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’ll leave it cracked,” Alexa said indifferently as she made her way to the shower. She could feel the two presences following behind her as she continued to hold her composure. She pushed the door shut to a crack and turned on the shower. The steam soon began to fill up the room and Alexa removed her hand from her eye.

She stared into the mirror, studying herself. Her eye looked normal again, but the voice returned. With its hissing whisper, her eye began to glow red.

You aren’t interested in your mate. You want someone else in your life.

Alexa scoffed. The power of suggestion? Really? Who the hell do you think I am? I can’t be manipulated. What trick is this? You can’t win a woman’s heart the normal way, so you try to brainwash one? That won’t work on me.

Really? You don’t think it will work? I wonder how long it will take. I⁠—

Power encircled the voice, strangling the sound out of it.

What is this? Erebus choked out.

This is the strength of the fairy princess. You cannot exist in my head. But thanks for leaving me a way to reach you. This is just what I needed. Alexa smirked and focused on the string connecting them. Meanwhile, she froze the door, layering the ice on the inside to create a thick inner barrier, making sure no one could break it open easily.

Alexa seized the magical string and felt her beasts growl in approval. They pushed their strength into her mind, and she sent out a devastating blast of power through the mental connection. She smirked as she felt the explosion connect, and the link was severed.