Taming Her Beastly Mate
Chapter 21

Terra’s hazel eyes sliced through the dark as she navigated in the unfamiliar terrain. The ground was rocky with fissures of steam erupting everywhere. It was naturally hotter here, but the heat didn’t bother most demons. The demon realm was accessible for her, but she wasn’t familiar nor comfortable being there. But it was a part of her that she couldn’t deny. The scent of brimstone and iron stung at her nostrils. Her eyes watered slightly from the potent stench.

She glided across the fissures of steaming lava with her flash like speed. She didn’t know where she was going. She was just trying to replace Aken. She wasn’t sure but she was guessing he would be trying to watch the original demons. This could be where Erebus was so a great place to start.

She steadied her breathing and controlled her aura. She needed to stay focused to wipe it from being detected. She stared at a spiraling dark cave located behind a lavafall. Yeah, it wasn’t a waterfall but flowing lava.

This would be incredibly dangerous, but she had to risk it. She wasn’t exactly a welcome member of demon society. If she ran into the wrong demon there, it could be trouble. But she had to replace Aken no matter the cost. With a firm resolve, she crept past the intense searing heat and slipped into the dark. There would be many upper level demons here as well as original demons. She needed to be on high alert.

She silently stalked the darkness and melded with it. She reached an area that had a small opening. It was a small ledge that looked down upon a modern-looking great room. The cavernous area was well kept and clean. There was furniture and two fireplaces that raged on both sides of the room. On one of the chairs, someone in a hooded black cloak sat down between two other demons.

Terra watched in silence as someone walked into the room. A mountainous man confidently entered through one of the openings. The ground below him concaved slightly under his colossal weight. His arms were massive, and his body was easily twice the size of everyone else there.

“My lord…” One of the demons beside the cloaked figure stood up.

“Do you have what I want?” The towering man growled as he faced the cloaked person.

The figure rose to their feet and removed the cloak. Long gray straggly hair spilled out from the hood. A woman with dull lifeless skin lifted her gaze upwards, revealing black soulless eyes.

“Lord Taric.” The woman rasped out with a slight bow of her head. “You haven’t given me what I want for me to give you what you want.”

“Who the hell do you think you are talking to? I can easily destroy your existence!” Taric growled out at the indignant woman.

A loud cackling sound came from the woman as her dark eyes fixated on the demon.

“Do you think I fear death, demon?! I’ve already died. There is nothing to fear there. Let’s face it, right now you need me more than I need you. So don’t act like I am indispensable, because we both already know that isn’t true. But kill me again if you wish. It makes no difference to me. I’ll just come back again.”

Taric snarled, baring his teeth at the woman. “You damn witch.”

“Not quite a witch anymore. I used to be one before I died. The leader of the most powerful coven.” The woman clicked her tongue as she hissed in a bitter tone.

“I can’t believe we wasted the Alabaster crystal on you.” Taric sneered at the woman in disgust. “Just do what I need. Get it done.”

“This isn’t a task that can be done overnight. I need time. You will have to wait for those results.”

“JUST DO IT!” Taric roared. “Get the b***h out of here!”

Terra watched the two demons escort the woman out through another set of doors. Hands came around her mouth as a voice entered her mind.

Terra, what the hell are you doing here? You left Alexis?!

She turned her head to see angry orbs staring down at her.

Aken, it’s Alexis. Erebus sent her a message. He told her to let Brian mark her or else he would kill one of her family members.

The angry green eyes widened and turned dark with rage. His eyebrows furrowed as his face turned a deep shade of scarlet. His lips parted as he bared his clenched teeth. His nostrils flared as fury flowed through his veins like molten lava. That damn bastard. He glanced down as he watched the demon Taric sit down on the couch. He was so close… but he couldn’t wait around any longer. He needed to go to Alexis.

Let’s get out of here. Aken growled mentally to Terra.

Micah kept glancing between Alexis and Brian. There was an aura of awkwardness between the two of them over what had just happened. Alexis and Brian’s bodies were more tense. They were unnaturally keeping their distance as they walked along in silence.

“I should have grabbed a snack before we left.” Micah chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. Neither Brian nor Alexis acknowledged him as they navigated farther and farther away from the dragon kingdom. “Oh, come on you two. We can’t keep this up the whole way. Perhaps we should talk about the elephant in the room.”

Alexis and Brian both stopped and turned their heads sharply pinning their gaze on Micah.

“Alexis and I are both trying not to think about it, Micah.” Brian shook his head in annoyance.

“If we could just pretend it didn’t happen for now, that would be great.” Alexis inhaled sharply and then glanced up meeting her gaze with Brian’s. They met each other’s gaze for a moment and Brian rubbed the back of his neck.

“I’m not sure what I should say now. I think I am supposed to say something about the acceptance k**s making me all hot but it didn’t. I felt-“

“Repulsed?” Alexis blurted out and then clasped her hand over her mouth. She regretted using such a harsh word because she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

Brian chuckled and nodded his head. “It’s okay Alexis. It was nauseating. I was afraid I was going to puke.”

“Oh my gosh me too! It was the most vilest thing I have ever experienced.”

“Thank gods it wasn’t just me. I mean you are beautiful, Lex, but-”

“Right, you are a handsome guy, Brian. It’s just-“

“Gross.”

“Gross.”

They both said in unison and then began laughing heartily.

“See? Now isn’t that much better? No no no no thanks necessary. I know I am amazing.” Micah smirked and looked between the two. “Look, you both have already talked about this. You already knew going into it how you would feel. You don’t have to pretend to feel differently to spare the other’s feelings.”

“Saying it is one thing. But then afterwards… I mean that is an intimate moment. And should have had meaning behind it. It felt wrong to feel so repulsed by it.” Brian squinted his eyes closed as he shook his body in disgust. “Gods, and to think our parents wanted us to have kids together.”

“Yeah, that’s not happening.” Alexis chuckled dryly and winced her face like the idea itself caused her pain. It was honestly a moment she wished she could block out of her mind. If there was a potion that would just erase that memory, that would be great. The feeling of his hot lips and tongue against her neck… She cupped her hand over her mouth as she gagged loudly.

Brian chuckled. “Don’t worry my mate the feeling is mutual.”

“I’m sorry Brian.” She glanced up at him with watery eyes and a tired smile on her face.

“Hey don’t. I was never the one meant for you. It’s okay. This is why we talked about all of this before. You know communication is the right direction for a healthy relationship.”

“So is s*x,” Micah said with a devious smirk resting on his lips.

“Micah!” Alexis clicked her tongue, twirling her wrist, shooting ice daggers at him. Well, she didn’t want to hurt him, so they were soft snow daggers that smashed against his skin. Still, her point got across. She giggled as Brian laughed while they looked at Micah.

Micah chuckled and brushed the white cold snow off of his body. “I’m just glad to see real smiles on your faces.” He looked at Alexis and Brian. He felt better now that the awkwardness was finally gone.

A faint smile rested on Alexis and Brian’s faces as they both looked at each other. The acceptance k**s affected them both more than they had thought. But it was in a negative and awkward way. No matter how much they discussed it before, it was different after it actually happened.

“Thanks Mikey. I guess we both needed to get out of our own heads a little.” Alexis walked up to Micah and wrapped her arms around him. “You really are the best.”

“I know. I told you that already.” He smiled and patted her head.

The sound of the wind fluctuated slightly. A light scent of something unfamiliar rose in the air. Brian began scanning the area as Micah tucked Alexis into his side protectively. There was the sound of leaves rustling and another gust of wind bringing another scent.

There were strange knocking and clicking sounds that began to sound around them. It started off quiet but then began to grow louder and louder.

“What in the hell are they…” Brian breathed out as tiny gold lights began popping up around them. Only they were not lights but eyes. Eyes that were now starting to move closer and finally stepping out into the open.

“Oh. My. Gods.” Alexis gasped as her mouth gaped open in shock.