Dr. Luna
The Fairy’s Forbidden Mate Chapter 30

"Everyone understands then? Rhea is to be considered my mate for the time being. Lee will keep an appropriate distance unless behind closed doors."

"So... what happens at night?" Kelsie said with a wry smile. "I mean. If she is pretending to be your mate Titus... wouldn't she be joining you in your room at night?" "Over my dead body." Lee growled out.

"We have to avoid suspicion, Lee." Titus shrugged. He was okay taking Rhea to his room. They could work out sleeping arrangements.

"No, it won't work. I can't accept it. I won't allow her to sleep in another man's room. She will stay up here at night. I want her close to me." Lee's eyes locked onto Rhea's. She was his. He wanted to be near her. "What are those doors over there?" Cody pointed out to the opposite side of the kitchen.

"They are bedrooms." Titus said uninterestedly.

"Right then. So, this is like a big apartment suite? A kitchen, a couple bathrooms, bedrooms, big living room.... Are you getting the picture? What if we all just moved up here? You could say as extra privacy for the adjusting mate and obviously her guardian would come too. And since this place is off limits to everyone no one would ever know what goes on up here." Cody watched the eyes of the men around him. They both were on board with his suggestion.

"Good thinking Cody." Lee praised him. It was a good idea and this way he could have Rhea close.

"I still can't believe that you knew and didn't tell me Cody. You are supposed to be team Rhea." She crossed her arms and pouted grumpily.

"I'm always team Rhea. Always. It is because I am that I kept it a secret. I wanted what was best for you. And I agreed with Leviathan here that you should be the one to choose him. I don't really care about his happiness and wants... no offence." "None taken." Lee responded tersely.

"But your happiness is what matters the most. I know you were confused a bit but it is working out." Cody beamed his signature crooked grin at her that she couldn't help but to return the smile to.

"Ugh. I'm going to smell like a nasty slimy dragon by the time I leave this place." Kelsie scrunched up her nose in disgust.

"Umm, first off. We are not slimy. We aren't frogs. And second off what do you mean by the time you leave here?" Titus raised a questioning eye up to the water horse.

"Obviously, I meant what I said. Dumb reptiles. Let me use smaller words so you can understand. Kelsie. Stay. Here. Rhea's. Friend. Here. Understand? I am not about to leave my defenseless friend to live among you disgusting barbarians without me around to protect her. I see what happens when I am not around." Kelsie pointed at Rhea's neck and gave Lee an accusing look. "No, I'm sticking around to make sure Rhea doesn't get forced into going further than she wants."

Rhea giggled at this. After all, she was the one trying to force Lee into a more intimate relationship.

"Perfect... now the place is going to smell like mossy mold." Cody grumbled under his breath.

"It's better than stale crackers and peanut butter Baloo." Kelsie waved her hand off at him in disinterest.

Lee walked over to Rhea and pulled her into his chest. He felt her lean into his embrace. It was hard to believe that this was not a dream. This was real. She was willingly in his arms and also wanted him. Finally... he felt like his long lonely life was now beginning. "BLECK!" Kelsie covered her mouth. "Sorry... it will just take some time to get used to." She shuddered and turned away from her friend. "So gross." She whispered though everyone could still hear her. "Gosh Kelsie grow up. You aren't five." Cody rolled his eyes heavily.

"I know what a relationship is Cody. But it is like the equivalent of a frog being in love with a rabbit and forcing its nasty slimy self over its lovely soft fur. It's just sickening. Nasty." Kelsie shook the disgust off one more time. "Okay, I am going back to get me some clothes and mentally prepare myself for the long stay." Kelsie abruptly turned and hopped down the hole descending the stairs.

Rhea giggled. "You know how she is Lee. Don't hold it against her."

"I would never. I know how good of a friend she is to you." Lee smiled and nuzzled her head taking in hits of her scent close to him.

"Well, I'm not a fan... but I'm sure I can tolerate her." Titus shrugged and then turned to Cody. "How do you put up with her?"

"Eh, she grows on you. And you learn to tune her out."

"Well, I have a question."

All eyes were now on Rhea. "So... this is sort of a big replaceing your mate party for dragons... so my question is what happens if Titus replaces his mate?"

There was long silence between the men. Lee continued to gently hold onto Rhea. He couldn't ask Titus to continue to pretend that she was his mate if he replaces his own. It would be too cruel. He couldn't imagine if the situation was reversed. If he was protecting Titus and having to pretend to have another mate in front of his own it would be t*****e. No. He wouldn't and couldn't do that to Titus. If that meant that he had to go public with Rhea, then he would and hope the other deities wouldn't replace out. Or that they would at least be lenient.

"We wouldn't be able to keep up the farse if Titus replaces his mate. I would not risk a wedge getting formed with his new mate because he was protecting me." Lee answered confidently.

"Just because Titus wouldn't be her mate doesn't mean we have to say who her mate is." Cody answered thinking this seemed logical.

"No, we don't. There would be speculation for sure. And they would be wondering who I was covering for. In either case, Rhea still falls under my protection though. Regardless of whether she is my mate or not. She is my special guest and is privy to being treated as such." Titus nodded slightly deep in thought.

Rhea stood there quietly. If the deities discover that Lee had taken her as his mate, then they would take him away. How could she rescue him from there if they did take him? What was the ace that Grandpa Sage was talking about? She needed to talk with him. He would talk with her and tell her what she needed to know. Well, at least she hoped he would. She knew Lee would never tell her if there was a way but could put her in danger. If something happens to Lee, she wanted to know if there was any hope of saving him. Even if it meant she had to renounce him as her mate she would do it. She couldn't bear for him to be held captive because of her. Even if it would crush her to refuse him, she would do it if it meant to save him. She could handle being miserable if it meant his freedom.

"You're awful quiet." Lee gently rubbed Rhea's shoulders. He could tell that she was deep in thought. Her skin on his fingertips felt soft and it made him think greedily about her. About how soft the rest of her body must also be. He wanted to be alone with her and spend some precious time with her. He just needed to figure out how to do it with the beast within him. His animal nature demanded him to fully claim his mate. To take her as his own. To fill her with his seed. This was natural and he was denying it for now. A small flicker in her eye calmed everything down though. He could see a small trace of worry there. Immediately his protective instincts were kicking in. He wrapped his arms around her deeply and waited for her to speak.

"I just hope nothing goes wrong." Rhea whispered out with a small smile that she was hiding behind.

"Awe Rhea, you better not be starting to worry over there. You know things will work out. They always do." Cody grinned and walked over to the bag that Titus had brought up. "What do we have to eat in here."

"Oh yes! I am hungry too. Don't eat everything Cody. I need some sort of nourishment too." Rhea leaped towards the food. Cody grabbed the bag and held it up playfully over her head.

"Say it Rhea. Say it first." Cody chuckled as he swayed the bag just out of reach.

"Ugh, Cody quit being a pain."

"No, not that."

"FINE! For the sake of me not starving to death. You're the best guardian ever. There, happy now." Rhea mumbled out begrudgingly.

Cody lowered the bag and did a playful bow as he handed it to her. "Your food princess." The other men chuckled as Rhea stormed off with the bag of goodies. She took a seat on the couch in the great room and sifted through the bag. She found a yummy meat bun and excitedly pulled it out from the bag. "You guys can have the rest. I have all I need." Cody waltzed over and snatched the bag shooting her a cocky grin as he walked away. Rhea took a bite into her food. Her brows furrowed over having to eat humble pie in order to get her food. She heard the gentle step near her and then felt herself being hoisted up into the air.

Lee chuckled as he held her against his body. "Let's go out and sit on my balcony so we can talk." He looked down at the ball of adorableness in his arms. Even her pouting was cute. Everything had seemingly happened so fast between them. It really just seemed that way. In reality, both of them had been in love with the other for quite some time now. Still, this was new. Their relationship was new. He had also had the mate tug with her. He wanted to spend some time with her alone. He wanted to build the comfort level in their relationship.

He effortlessly carried her into his room and shut the door. Then he headed to where the ceiling windows were on the far side. There was a sliding door that led out to a balcony that had a stone bench with two small end tables sitting there. He sat down but kept Rhea on his lap. He was enjoying being close to her and for once he wasn't feeling guilty about it.