Page 97 of Taming the Kraken

“Where?! I just got my daughter back. I want her where it’s safe.” Levi clenched his fists. Reiya’s small hand wrapped around his, her eyes fixed on Ken’s.

“I just got my mate back. And this is after her not being able to see my face because of the glass. I understand your concern. But she will be safe at my place. What fool would come into my home? No one. It is well-hidden and protected. And I’ll be there.” Ken looked down at Alexa and smiled. He was keeping his temper under control for her. He really wanted to lash out at the cold-blooded flying serpent. Instead, he wanted to make this less stressful for Alexa. For her, he would behave himself. “It will be safer for Alexa if she is linked to my summon abilities. I’ll be able to teleport to her instantly.”

“After everything that’s happened, I don’t think this is a family decision. I think Alexa needs this.” Mikah winked over at Alexa and listened to Levi’s quiet snort.

“I understand. Selfishly, I want you here with me. But Ken is able to protect you, just like Lee protects me. And I know he would never put you in danger.” Reiya squeezed Lee’s hand and looked up at him. One of the toughest things they had to do now was understand that their daughter was an adult. It was time for them to let go and allow her to make her own decisions.

“Well, before you go, you’re having girl talk with us!” Lucie insisted. “It’s been a while since us girls have been together. Someone go get Raine. She can come up for air for a couple of hours to be with us.”

Brody began coughing and Chasen started laughing. Chasen’s daughter, Destiny, had already taken a mate and was pregnant. He knew all too well the emotions his brother was feeling.

“It won’t be long before you become a grandpa yourself,” Chasen teased his brother.

“I’m too young to be called grandpa,” Brody pouted. His baby girl now had a mate, and it was hard not to be the number one man in her life. They’d always had a fun, close relationship, and he was still adjusting to the newness of it all.

“Young? I’m having specially engraved canes made for your birthdays this year.” Justice grinned widely at his uncle and father. “We should make one for your dad too, right Aedan?” He looked over at his cousin, who had a blank expression on his face. His mind seemed to be somewhere else. He lifted his eyes and nodded with a faint smile.

Alexa looked at her cousin and felt her heart shatter into pieces. She understood the pain of your mate distancing themselves from you. It hurt. You felt like there was something wrong with you … that it was because of you that they didn’t want you. You weren’t enough. Otherwise, they’d be by your side. She knew that look. She didn’t know what was going on in Aedan’s life, but there was some pain there. Luckily, she had experience with it and knew how to help it. And that was to distract yourself.

Alexa swirled her fingers together, forming several white, thick, fluffy balls.Then she unleashed her frigid barrage. Justice, Aedan, and Jasper were soon wearing a layer of white snow on their faces. It dripped down slowly, melting as it hit the ground beneath them.

Aedan looked up at Alexa and a smile reached not only his face but his eyes. “A snowball fight? Like when we were kids?”

“Why not?” Alexa smiled.

“What are the teams? Because these two can’t play. They can only roll.” A cheesy grin spread over Justice’s face as another snowball slammed into his cheek.

“Oops.” Alexa shrugged with a giggle.

“Hit him again, Lex!” Destiny snorted, glaring at her brother. “I’m busy cooking your niece or nephew in here. Have some consideration.”

“I was having consideration. I didn’t call you Stay Puff Marshmallow Man.” This time, Justice dodged to the side, missing the next flying snowball.

“No teams. It should be a free-for-all,” Aedan said and then glared at Mikah. “No teams, Mikah.”

Mikah snorted and shrugged. “I know what a free-for-all is.”

“Oh, you know it, but every time we have one, you end up protecting Alexa.” Justice turned a scolding eye to Mikah.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mikah shrugged, a sly grin on his face.

Ken held her gently, brushing his lips over the top of her head.

“Why don’t you go get Terra and bring her here? I’m sure she would like to participate as well.” Alexa watched as Ken frowned slightly.

“It will take you seconds to grab her and come back here.”

“Terra?” Destiny asked, raising her brow at Ken suspiciously.

“Terra is half demon and half vampire. Ken took her in after the demon war. I don’t think she thinks very highly of herself. She was nervous when we met, thinking I wouldn’t want to be around her. Being around our family is exactly what she needs.” Alexa smiled up at Ken.

Ken grabbed onto Alexa’s shoulders and guided her to Mikah. “Hold onto her and don’t let her go. I’ll be back in seconds.” He listened to Alexa laugh, but Mikah nodded in understanding. He released Alexa into Mikah’s arms as he prepared to grab Terra and flash back instantly.

Alexa watched Ken disappear, and in what was maybe twenty seconds, he was back with a confused Terra by his side.

“What is the rush?” Terra asked, her whole body tensing as she looked up at all the people. She bit her bottom lip nervously, her gaze instantly dropping to the ground.

“Terra! I’m glad you can join us. We’re going to have a snowball fight. It’ll be fun.” Alexa shrugged herself out of Mikah’s arms and grabbed Terra’s hands. She could feel how tense Terra was, her eyes looking up at her anxiously. Confusion washed over her as she glanced around timidly.