Taming Her Beastly Mate
The Lycan Princess Chapter 3

Aiden kept his arm on Diana until they reached the meeting room. Then he let it drop. He knew she preferred it that way. It wouldn’t always be like this… just until she was ready. He winked at her and pushed the door open. His eyes rolled over the room. His father’s officers were there, as well as his Uncle Jason and his Aunt Jin.

“Aiden… Diana… please come in and shut the door.” Wyatt said quietly. His face was taunt and his voice solemn.

“What’s going on?” Aiden asked, glancing back to Diana, who moved to the corner of the room. She always stood there quietly observing the meetings.

“We think it is time we start working on shifting control of the pack over to you.” Wyatt’s eyes moved over to Diana momentarily and then back to Aiden. “When I took over it was in a rush. We want this to be a longer and easier transition. You will be the werewolves king… it is a heavy burden, and you are young. Your mother and I will continue to stay by your side even after you take over to help guide you. To start things out we want to start delegating responsibilities to you… and when the time comes your luna as well.”

Aiden looked back at Diana and gave her a reassuring smile. “Okay, so where do we—” He stopped talking mid-sentence and clutched his chest.

Diana watched as everyone in the room besides Adam and Winston doubled over as if they were in pain. She instantly reacted rushing up to Aiden. Flashbacks of losing her brother raced in her mind as she put her arms on Aiden.

Aiden’s shoulders were heaving as he reached up to clasp his mate’s hand for comfort. Three strong lights from the fairy world had suddenly vanished. His hand was trembling as Diana cupped it with her other hand.

“Aiden.” Her voice was a worried whisper. He lifted his gaze up to her with watery eyes. On the breeze, soft voices rose in song as they mourned their loss.

“It’s my family…” He whispered… “they’re gone.”

Wyatt grabbed onto Freya’s hand and stood up abruptly. “We are going to replace out what has happened. We are heading to Elysium.”

Elysium, the fairy kingdom, where many of Aiden’s family resided. He had royal fairy b***d in his veins, though he would never be an heir nor would his children. It was the women who had the power in Elysium. It was the fairy queen’s daughter who would become the next leader.

Aiden watched as his Uncle Jason, his father’s guardian and brother, stood up with his mate Jin. “We are coming with you.”

“Aiden… we will be back soon to let you know what is going on. Just stay in the house until you hear from me.” Wyatt looked over at his beta Sam and gave him an unspoken order. He then reached for his shard of the black pearl. This was a gift that allowed him to instantly travel to where other pieces of the shard were located.

Aiden met with his father’s gaze for a moment before they entered the portal. He then stood up and grabbed Diana’s hand.

“I’ll be in my office.” Aiden said, not leaving any room for objection. He pulled Diana with him back to his private room and shut the door. Instantly, he pulled her into his chest and leaned his head into the crook of her neck.

He had just lost his great grandparents and close family friend. It was overwhelming. Yet, when he felt Diana’s trembling hand, he felt the need to comfort her.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Aiden.” Diana whispered as she leaned her head against him. She knew that fairies were all connected and that they could sense the lights of their royals and guardians. She felt horrible for the pain he was in. She was trying to be strong and be a support for him. Yet, that moment from earlier triggered a painful memory of her own. And for a second she thought she was about to lose Aiden. She couldn’t go through that again. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.

“It’s okay, Diana. You aren’t going to lose me.”

Her lips trembled when she heard his gentle cooing tone. He was comforting her. He just lost important people in his life, and he was trying to make her feel better. She felt her eyes burning with tears that threatened to spill out. She blinked them away. She needed to take care of Aiden right now.

“Aiden, don’t worry about me. You must be in so much pain…” She looked up at him as his green eyes met with hers.

“Oh Diana…” He reached his hands up to cup her cheeks. “Telling me not to worry about you is pointless. You are all I think about. My biggest concern. I’m numb right now over my family. I don’t know what happened… and I’ll process it later. Right now, let me worry about you. That shook you, didn’t it… what happened in there to everyone?” He pursed his lips as she glanced down away from his eyes.

He ran his fingers through her hair, grasping the back of her neck to tilt it up to him. “You want to help me…” He watched as she nodded her head slightly. Her lips were slightly parted as she looked at him curiously.

“Then comfort me, Diana.” He commanded and clamped his mouth on hers, in a rough hot k**s that would have bruised a normal human.

There was a thirsty need and darkness in his movements that confused her. She felt disoriented as she answered his primal call for her. His hungry lips devoured her, his mouth was fused to hers as his tongue danced with her own. He pulled her firmly into him as his hand cupped her bottom. Diana shivered as she felt the proof of his desire burgeoning against her. A quiet whimper escaped her lips at the arousing sensations he was creating in her.

She wanted to distance herself from him for both of their sakes. Yet, she couldn’t. She needed him and was constantly seeking him out. Just like now… she needed him with a need that went beyond ration. She had tried to will herself away from Aiden so that she could protect him better. But her entire body called her a liar the moment he touched her. She was panting and felt her knees buckling. She clung to him to keep herself upright as she continued to enjoy the demands he was making.

Aiden kept his arm on Diana until they reached the meeting room. Then he let it drop. He knew she preferred it that way. It wouldn’t always be like this… just until she was ready. He winked at her and pushed the door open. His eyes rolled over the room. His father’s officers were there, as well as his Uncle Jason and his Aunt Jin.

“Diana…” He m****d as he held her to him tightly. His other hand took a firm grip on her butt. It slid around them, to press against the junction of her thighs. She gasped as an electric shock sizzled through her. Aiden kissed her hard again as he rubbed her through her jeans. The scent of her arousal filled the air, which only made him harder. His bulge was pressing painfully against his pants.

“Diana…” He m****d as he held her to him tightly. His other hand took a firm grip on her butt. It slid around them, to press against the junction of her thighs. She gasped as an electric shock sizzled through her. Aiden kissed her hard again as he rubbed her through her jeans. The scent of her arousal filled the air, which only made him harder. His bulge was pressing painfully against his pants.

“Aiden…” Diana muttered breathlessly as his tongue assaulted her own. She was drowning in a sea of the most potent desire she had ever felt before. Her body was alive with sensations that were taking control of her. Soon she wouldn’t have the will power to fight it off.

“Gods Diana…” He pulled her bottom l*p between his teeth as a low throaty growl rippled through his throat. He moved his hand against her pants as he peppered k****s down to her neck. He teased her skin, nipping at her earlobe. The sound of her m**n echoed in his ear, and he came back crashing into her lips. Frantic. Urgent. He needed her to consume his thoughts and bring him peace.

It took everything she had to pry herself from his lips. She pressed her cheek against his chest as she tried to reel in her emotions. She could hear the pounding of his heart. A ragged hitch that matched her own. His arms wrapped around her as she held him close to her. Inwardly, she knew she loved him. She knew she could never let him go. While her brother was dead and never got his mate… she was still alive. And though she felt guilty… she couldn’t deny wanting to be one with her mate any longer.

“Diana…” He said in a husky voice that quivered with his desire for her. He was in pain from the loss of his family. Diana was what he needed to mend the burning wound in his chest. He just wanted to get lost in her and forget the agony.

She lifted up her head to look into his eyes. Green pools that beckoned her closer and threatened to drown her. She reached her hand up to brush over his cheek. She was ready to tell him she loved him, and she had a good idea where things would lead after she did. It was important for her to voice it to him first. She wanted him to know how she felt. She was still mending but if he really wanted her, she wanted to be his.

“Aiden, I—”

“It seems like you two are getting along.”

Diana snapped her head up at the familiar voice. Lycaon was leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. She glared at him and straightened up to face him. Aiden had his hand resting on her waist.

Lycaon was the lycan deity. Diana harbored some ill feelings against him because he spared her life while everyone else in her family had died. Though recently, that has dwindled some. Now that she was replaceing happiness with Aiden. However, she had a feeling that Lycaon being there meant something had happened.

“You don’t look like you’ve missed me? You know I used to visit your family all the time. We had a good relationship together.” Lycaon said as he looked at Diana’s silver eyes that pierced into him.

“What do you want?” Diana said in a clear authoritative tone.

“I am here to watch over the Diamond pack. Well, more specifically you, Diana.” Lycaon said as the door opened to Aiden’s office. Wyatt walked in, his eyes moved to Lycaon and then to Aiden.

“You have to come to Elysium. Erebus is threatening to kill our family in order to get his way. The fairy kingdom is the safest place for us—”

Diana felt like Wyatt’s voice became muffled as she focused on his previous words. She was seized with fear. She couldn’t lose Aiden. Whatever she had to do to protect him she would. She made sure she controlled her breathing. She had to make sure, for just a few moments, she gave the performance of a lifetime.

“Okay, we will go to Elysium.” Aiden said, holding onto Diana’s side.

“It is important that Diana stays here. The Diamond pack needs one of their leaders. I can guarantee her safety but her safety alone.” Lycaon said looking at Diana.

Aiden let out a dark chuckle. “I am not going anywhere without her. If Diana is staying, then I am staying!”

“You can’t Aiden. You would be someone Erebus would focus on going after.” Wyatt said pleading with his son. “Diana will be safe. Lycaon can protect her.”

“I won’t be parted from her!” Aiden growled.

Diana took in a strong breath. “The Diamond pack needs a leader. I can be that leader for them. I was born to be a leader. I can assume this role naturally.”

“I’m staying with you.” Aiden said, turning into her.

“I can’t promise protection to you both,” Lycaon said, as he leaned away from the wall.

“Aiden, you need to go to Elysium, where you will be protected by the barrier. I can handle things here.” Diana felt her stomach squeeze in fear. She had lost everyone in her life already… she couldn’t lose Aiden. She wouldn’t survive it.

“I know you can handle things here just fine… but I need to be with you.”

She stared into his green eyes, looking at him with unwavering determination. “No. You will go to Elysium.” He began to object again, and she quickly cut him off. “I need time apart from you. I need time to think clearly so I know what I should plan for the future.” She didn’t mean it. It hurt like hell to say it, but she needed to get him to go where it was safe.

“Diana…” Aiden whispered with a frown. She wasn’t fooling him. He knew she was just trying to protect him. He knew her. He understood her. She was his mate after all. However, inwardly he admitted that if she clung to him, he could never leave her. If she shed a tear, he couldn’t tear himself away from her.

“Aiden, I need you to go to Elysium.” Diana said, feeling each word stab her in her heart. Her nose burned as she fought off the tears. It hurt so much but she had to protect Aiden. Even if it meant lying. Even if it meant she would be lonely without him. Even if her whole body screamed at her to follow him. Lycaon was right, the Diamond pack needed a leader to guide them. They would feel antsy if their leaders and future leaders abandoned them. Leaving the alpha prince’s mate behind was a sign of goodwill and trust.

Aiden reached out to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. He bent his head down to look into her silver eyes. He knew she was trying to push him away right now. She lost everyone she loved. It was one of her biggest fears. No matter how brave she tried to be he knew how hard this was on her. And how afraid she was of losing him. She needed him though; he often comforted her in the middle of the night. Who would soothe her back to sleep? It broke his heart to leave her.

“Aiden, Erebus could attack at any time. We have to go. Diana, I’m entrusting the pack to you. Sam, Adam, and Winston will be here to help you. Sam will go to the Alpha meeting tomorrow in my place…” Wyatt looked at the young woman who nodded her head at him. She had a natural leadership aura about her. And he felt better knowing she would be watching over the pack. Though, he couldn’t help but feel concern for Aiden. He couldn’t get a good feel on how Diana felt about Aiden. Hearing that she needed time away from his son made his heart hurt for Aiden.

“How long will I be gone?” Aiden asked, his eyes still glued to Diana’s.

“Until Erebus is taken care of…” Wyatt answered, watching as Aiden closed his eyes. It wasn’t ideal… but there was nothing they could do.

Aiden stepped away from Diana. He turned and walked to his desk, grabbing out some scissors. He turned away from them, as his arm partially shifted for a moment before it returned back to normal. He fumbled his hands together and then walked back to Diana. He reached his hand up to cup her cheek as he stared into her brave silver eyes. This was going to be hard for the both of them, but his concerns were of her. She knew others in the pack, but she was always with him. They hadn’t been apart since the moment he found her. At night, they stayed close. Even if it meant him sleeping on the couch in her room. His stoic princess needed him, maybe more than she was ready to admit, but he knew.

“I’ll go… for you. You won’t be able to reach me there. Cellphones don’t work in Elysium…” Aiden pursed his lips together. “I’ll always be thinking of you.” He moved in and kissed her lips tenderly, relishing in the sweet tingles that washed over him. It was something he never did in front of anyone because of how shy Diana was. However, he couldn’t leave without kissing her goodbye.

“I love you Diana…” She felt his hot breath against her lips as she clenched her teeth trying to hold herself together. She felt him shove something in her hand, closing her fingers around it. “I’ll come back to you as soon as I can… sleep in my room while I am away. That way you can feel close to me if you need me…” He paused and breathed in her scent one last time.

Aiden stepped back; his eyes still glued to hers as Wyatt put his hand on his son’s shoulder. She watched his green eyes as Wyatt pulled his son into the portal, disappearing a moment later.

Her lungs burned as she tried to swallow the lump in her throat.

“You did well, Diana.” Lycaon said, staring at her, then nodded his head. “I’ll give you some privacy.”

Diana felt like her body was vibrating as it hit her. She didn’t know when she would see Aiden again. Her nose burned as the tears trickled down her face. She opened up her hand and her bottom l*p quivered. He had tied a patch of his silver lycan fur together. She lifted it up to her nose as she breathed in his scent.

A cry escaped her throat as she collapsed to her knees. She buried her head in her trembling hands as she began to sob. She was ready to start her life with Aiden but protecting him came first. She looked at his silver fur in her hands and she bit her quivering l*p. He was still thinking of her first. He was thinking of her pain and wanting to comfort her. She wished she would have done the same for him. Her sweet Aiden. The man she couldn’t help but love.

She took in a deep breath and rose to her feet. She walked over to Aiden’s desk and sat down pulling out the papers he had been working on. She wiped her eyes and began to read over the documents. There was only one way she could think of to get through this separation. She would bury herself in pack work. So that Aiden could be proud of the job she did while they were away.

She took in a slow breath and nodded her head. Maybe this was a good thing. She needed to learn to do things without depending on others. She always had her brother before he died and then she always had Aiden.

She stacked the papers neatly in front of her and smiled as she looked over Aiden’s notes. She traced her fingers over his writing, keeping a small smile on her lips. At least he was safe.

“Okay.” She said out loud. “Let’s get to work.”