Taming Her Beastly Mate
Chapter 25

Bella growled as she struggled back to her feet. She slammed her tail down sending a wave of snow and ice towards a shocked Alexis. As Alexis turned her head, she noticed an orange flame hurling towards her. She turned towards it and sent an icy wave back at it, suffocating the flame.

What the heck was all this? Alexis stepped towards Bella unafraid. Shards of ice filled the air as it rained down on Alexis. She snorted and sent a pulsating breeze disintegrating the ice into snow crystals. Ice was her element, and she was almost unmatched when it came to manipulating it.

The air began to swirl rapidly as it had done in the dream. The wind took on a blurring white shade as snow and ice joined together with it. A violent rotating column of air rustled around Alexis. The eerie noise of the slushing wind through the air hummed loudly as it closed in on her. Flashes of an orange hue struck through the grey swirling mess. The hissing wind was fire and ice as the intensity grew stronger.

The wind was powerful enough to make the world bow before it. Yet, Alexis stood firm confidently meeting the danger head-on. Her gaze was steady as she focused in front of her sensing the energy around her. The winds began to funnel above her and with blasts of electricity, it barreled towards her. Alexis narrowed her eyes at the incoming attack. She flapped gusts of wind with her wings as a massive wall of ice clashed with it.

It didn’t matter what all Bella could do. It was obvious there was a clear difference between them in strength and power. Whatever a crystal dragon was it wasn’t a demi-god. Alexis’ ice smashed against the other attack pushing it back into the crystal dragon.

Bella slammed into the ground skidding across the surface. Her mane was tattered and dirty. She tried to stand but her legs shook uncontrollably giving out on her.

“What an amazing difference.”

A loud feminine voice cut in the air around them. Alexis halted in shock as she watched a blue mist leave Bella’s body and took a human form beside her. A woman with long dark blue hair and blue eyes leaned down touching the crystal dragon gently. Her lips pulled downwards as she looked at Bella with concerned eyes.

“Bella, I’m sorry to do that to you. I hope you are okay.”

Alexis watched as Bella shifted back into her human form. She had a timid smile on her face as she nodded up at the blue-haired beauty. She took this moment and shifted back into her human form as well. To say she was confused would be an understatement.

“What just happened?” Alexis finally breathed out. ”Who are you?” The woman with blue hair looked at Alexis and smiled.

“Hello, Alexis. I needed to catch you off guard – I wanted to test your strength. It wouldn’t be a fair contest if I tested you myself so I needed some help from Bella. She is the perfect candidate but she needed a little burst of killer instinct so I took control of her body. With her permission of course. I was curious what made you so… special. Selene certainly thinks the world of you.”

Alexis was gaping at this woman. No way. This couldn’t possibly be…

“I am Shiva, surprise!” Shiva held her hand out and grinned at Alexis.

Alexis inhaled deeply as she stared at Shiva. This was who she needed to see. This was the person who could help Brian! She was sure there were other things that should be going through her mind right now. But Brian took center stage and that is was blurted out of her mouth.

“Can you help Brian?”

Shiva clicked her tongue. “The first words out of your mouth. Aren’t you curious about poor Bella here? Poor dear. That last attack was harsh.” She made a fake pouting face before she began laughing uncontrollably.

“I’m fine. Don’t let Shiva mess with your head. I heal quickly.” Bella smiled up at Alexis. “How are you feeling?”

“I… I feel fine. Actually, I feel refreshed like a burden has been lifted off of my shoulders.”

“That would be the curse. You know the whole windy spinny thing. It purified the curse.” A sly smile reached Shiva’s lips. “Now what are you doing getting yourself involved with those man-boy deities?”

“Aken is my mate. And Erebus… is crazy. He wants me for himself and will kill my family if I don’t do what he says or if I’m with Aken.”

“That sounds like Erebus.” Shiva clicked her tongue again and shook her head. “This is why I found myself a nice little bubble to keep out the other deities. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work on Selene. And your sea beast will be able to creep his way in here eventually. However, Erebus can’t come in here, so you are more than welcome to stay here with me. Platinum white lunatic won’t be able to replace you here.”

Alexis looked between Shiva and Bella. “How do you two-”

“Know each other?” Shiva waved her hand dismissively. “I collect rare creatures. I love them. They intrigue me. A crystal dragon is about as rare as they come. They are like the avatar of dragons. They can do it all. Wind, fire, earth, lightning, water, purify, ice… I mean they are incredible. So, I brought Bella here with me. This way I could keep her safe. I don’t need another Scorio mishap.” She gave Alexis a disgusted smile.

“Please Shiva, Brian has nothing to do with what happened. And if you get to know him-“ Alexis began but Shiva interrupted her. It seemed like Shiva loved to talk and hear her own voice.

“I said I would. So, I will. I was going to fix the situation anyways.” Shiva sighed and dramatically threw her head back. “But I am going to make one demand.”

“I’m listening.” Alexis watched as Shiva met her with her cool blue eyes. A sadness washed over them as her lips tugged downwards. “Take Bella with you and protect her. She is lonely and should be under the watchful eye of your father, the dragon deity.”

“Shiva no I’m fine.” Bella shook her head biting her inner l*p.

“Shh, it’s okay. Of course, you are lonely. You know how to replace me. I’m not going anywhere. Go and see the world and if you don’t like it, you can always come back. And if you do like it, you can still visit me whenever you like. You will always be able to enter here.” Shiva reached out and patted Bella’s hand. “When you love something, you should set it free. I have kept you caged for too long. Not another word. You will go with the demi-god unless she wishes to stay here too?”

Alexis smiled and shook her head. “Thank you but I can’t live here.”

“Suit yourself.”

Alexis smiled and tilted her head to the side. “You are nothing like they described you.”

“Or maybe I am. But it just depends on who it is.” Shiva suddenly scowled and let out a loud g***n. “Speaking of depending on who it is…” A thunderous explosion was heard and seconds later Aken appeared through a strange c***k with Micah and Brian following behind him. The c***k disappeared the moment they all stepped through it.

“Oh Aken. I’m so glad you made it…” Shiva huffed out rolling her eyes.

Aken’s green eyes immediately found Alexis. He sighed in relief to see her looking unharmed. He could feel his body relax as a small smile reached his lips. He walked over to Alexis and wrapped his arms around her.

“I was worried about you…” He breathed out lowering his head into her neck. “Are you alright?” He inhaled her scent and let the warm tingles embrace his body. If there was something that would be his undoing, it would be her. He couldn’t think clearly when it came to her. He panicked and reacted.

“I’m fine.” Alexis leaned her head into his chest and wrapped her arms around his torso. Erebus couldn’t see them here. She was going to hold him close and enjoy his touch. Her mate senses were going crazy as his scent blanketed her. Small sparks of electricity caressed her skin. Her heart rate picked up beating against her chest as if it was screaming to the world.

Aken lifted his head up and cupped her cheeks with his hands. He studied the little details of her face and leaned forward to brush his lips against her forehead.

“Now that is adorable.” Shiva began giggling in hysterics. “A real live Beauty and the Beast. Oh gosh, it’s too much. I can’t breathe. My sides.” She snorted as she laughed gripping her stomach.

Alexis watched as Aken turned to look at Shiva sharply, but she quickly reached up placing her hand on his cheek. His eyes came back to rest on hers and she smiled up at him. “My Beast.” She reached up on her tiptoes and lightly brushed her lips against his. She watched as his eyes flickered down at her with so much emotion and love.

Shiva snorted loudly as a fit of giggles echoed off the ice walls. “My dear, you can’t mean that? Have you seen his creature?” She shuddered and shook her head. “This…” She waved her finger in a circle pointing at Aken. “Is only part of who he is. His grotesque beast is the other. You just can’t look at him the same way once you’ve seen it.”

“I can.” Alexis smiled up at him as she rested her hands on his body.

His green eyes stayed captured with hers. No one else existed but her. He had never felt this way before in his life. My beast… if only she really meant that. She didn’t know what his monster looked like. Could she really look at him the same? What about after hearing about all of the things he had done in the past?

Yet, her blue eyes shined up at him. In her eyes, he felt like he was… safe. Safe from being judged and finally belonging to someone. He knew he could never deserve her, but he needed her. He needed someone to look at him the way she was. She made him feel like he had worth. He leaned his head down resting their foreheads together and closed his eyes.

Micah stood there watching Alexis and Aken together. This was a weird moment for him. He was happy for her, but he wasn’t sure how he fit. Usually, he would have gone to Alexis immediately to calm his beast. She was his life. His purpose. But right now… he never thought he would feel like he didn’t belong near her.

Micah was her guardian, but her mate was a deity. Aken could protect Alexis better than he could. He didn’t hold romantic feelings for Alexis, but he was possessive of her in a protective way. Yet there was something aggravating him. He could feel his anger rising as he struggled to manage his control. He felt an icy breeze swirl around him. And for a moment he thought it was Alexis. He glanced up to see sharp blue eyes fixated on him.

Shiva clicked her tongue and shook her head she pointed at Micah pursing her lips together. “And you are?”

“I’m her guardian,” Micah replied tersely.

Shiva squinted her eyes shut and shook her head. “How. How. How. How.” She repeated quietly while she tapped her chin.

“Okay, I want to know what is going on here exactly? And why did you attack us? I thought you were going to help Alexis?” Brian growled narrowing his eyes on Bella.

“I-I-I-I uhm…” Bella stuttered in shock not familiar with an aggressive reaction. Her grey eyes looked at his angry hazel eyes as she took a timid step back.

“Brian it wasn’t her!” Alexis pushed back from Aken to shout over at him. “We can explain but Shiva has agreed to help you.” She wanted to make sure he didn’t do anything dumb and then Shiva refuses to help him.

“Really? The hag agreed to help?” Aken asked quirking his brow up looking at Shiva. He followed her fixated gaze to Micah why was she looking at him like that?

“I’m curious about your life… guardian. At what age were you discovered as a guardian? Where were you living?” Shiva listened to the indignant snort as Micah turned his head away from her. “Okay well now I’m not asking. Someone tell me about this… guardian.” She hesitated as to what to call him.

“He was five years old when he was discovered as my guardian. After he lost his family in the demon war he was captured by dark elves and kept as a slave.” Alexis looked from Micah to Shiva. “Why?”

“He’s been around your father?” Shiva arched her brows up as she ran her tongue over her teeth.

“Of course. Micah is my brother. He is unofficially an adopted member of my family.” Alexis looked up at Aken to see he was studying Shiva intently. She glanced back as the goddess frowned pursing her lips together.

“Loch Ness, we need to chat.” Shiva gave him a fake smile. Aken frowned and glanced down at Alexis. “Seriously? Nothing else can come in here.” She raised her brows expectantly.

Aken muttered some incoherent words under his breath. He had a feeling whatever it was she was about to say was going to make him angry. He squeezed his arms around Alexis and brushed his nose in her hair. “I shouldn’t be long but if you need me call for me. I will hear you.” He pressed his lips against her head breathing in her comforting scent. He then turned and shrugged his shoulders. “Well lead the way.”

Shiva vanished and a second later Aken disappeared as well. Leaving Alexis, Brian, Micah, and, Bella in the room alone.

“Well, this is a good time for us to all get acquainted since Bella will be coming to live with us.” Alexis bit her bottom l*p and smiled as she noticed both Brian and Micah’s exasperated expressions. “Let’s start with proper introductions.”