Taming Her Beastly Mate

“I’ve never seen her like that before.” Micah sighed as he lowered his head into his hands. He was upset, but surprisingly, things weren’t out of control. He glanced over to look at Bella curiously. “Why is your touch calming?”

“She is developing her skills as a mood manipulator. But she has a long way to go. She can’t make you happy but she can calm down anger. Which is perfect in this case.” Shiva spoke for her as she sat on an icy throne she created for herself.

“You have quite the power at your disposal young man.” Shiva pursed her lips together and then nodded her head. “You’ll do. I hate waiting.”

“I’ll do for what?” Micah turned his head towards the deity and then glanced at Bella, who only shrugged. He watched Shiva shaking her head as she stood up walking over to Brian.

“I was going to have Aken hold the dragon but you can do it. Do you think something like this is as easy as snapping my fingers?” Shiva looked over at Micah and then at Brian. “Scorio isn’t a curse. It came from the birth of elements and is heat itself. What you feel as your aura burning out of control is not at all what you are feeling. It is the element sealed inside of you trying to break free.”

“You can’t control an element that is sealed away from you. What I did was allow scorio to exist inside of a barrier. This way your lineage would have the power trapped inside of them but not be able to control it. A punishment. However, I don’t see why you should have to pay for your grandparent’s sins.” Shiva studied Brian’s face to see if he was able to connect the dots.

“When you release the seal, I will have full control over scorio?” Brian asked and Shiva clicked her tongue in agitation.

“There is no scorio anymore. You will have complete control of the element though. It is already yours but now you will have access to it.” Shiva tapped her chin. “It’s a good thing Bella is going with you guys. You may need her help to control your emotions too. If you accidentally slip up you could easily incinerate someone.”

“I don’t want that much power.” Brian thought back to the dragon he caught on fire accidentally and that was with the element sealed. What if he hurt someone like that again only worse?

“You don’t have a choice. You already have it. You are going to have to learn to live with it. I can’t change that but can let you have control over it. It will take time…” Shiva frowned as she saw his troubled face. This wasn’t a power hungry young man and she felt guilty over the evil she had caused him.

“It will be okay Brian. You will learn to use this power and it will lead your kingdom to greatness. Give yourself space from others as you adjust.” Shiva’s eyes soften and she gave him a small smile. “Keep only those strong enough around you for now. You will adapt soon. Even if it takes a year that is nothing to a dragon. You will be welcome here anytime as well. It’s the least I can do… I was angry. I’m sorry.” She cleared her throat and shook her head slightly. “Don’t get used to such things because I am never wrong.”

“I’ve only heard her say that word a handful of times.” Bella said in a shocked voice. “Consider yourself lucky.”

“Perfection doesn’t have to apologize that’s why.” Shiva snorted and then looked over at Micah. “Well boy?! Get over here and hold him.”

“I don’t want to hurt him.” Brian said and this time Shiva cackled!

“Don’t be silly. You aren’t a match for him. To him, it will be like being kissed by a sunbeam while he lays out on the beach.” Shiva snickered. “The one who will need the most help now will be yourself. Your body will need to rapidly adjust and you’ll need to be able to react to the new power to control it. But this is the best place for it.” She watched his eyes dart over to Bella and she clicked her tongue.

“You don’t have to protect that one. She may look adorable and delicate but that’s all part of her charm. It’s true she lacks killer instinct but she can easily hold her own… even against you.” Shiva motioned with her hand at Brian’s shoulders as she looked at Micah. “Hold him here and don’t be a baby about the heat that will come through.”

“You aren’t someone to give me orders.” Micah growled and she tilted her head giving him an annoyed side look.

“Don’t you want me to help your friend?” She gave him a forced fake smile. “That’s what I thought.”

Micah wrapped his arms around Brian holding him in place. And Brian turned his head to the side with a cheesy grin.

“You could at least take me out to dinner first.” Brian listened to the snort from his friend as he chuckled lightly.

“Prepare yourself… this is going to hurt…bad.” Shiva said in a terse tone. She focused her gaze on him as she slowly broke the barrier inside of him.

At first, Brian felt like a warm burst inside of him. Beads of perspiration began popping up on his skin and for the first time ever he felt his skin burning. His flesh turned red as molten lava poured through his veins searing his insides. The heat began to radiate over him and he felt Micah’s grip on him tighten. He didn’t realize it but his body was now squirming and struggling against the intensity of the heat. He grit his teeth and slammed his eyes closed as he battled against it.

“Micah, step away from him,” Bella spoke out in an authoritative concise voice they hadn’t heard before. She walked up to Brian and wrapped her arms around his torso as Micah stepped away. The sound of sizzling hissed in the air as clouds of steam emitted from the two dragons. He leaned into her, wrapping his arms around her body. His head rested on her shoulder as his chest heaved up and down. She sent another cooling layer of frost over him and another hissing sound echoed in the air.

Brian rested his head on her shoulder as his body recovered from the draining event. He took in heavy staggering breaths before his body froze. A slight scent tickled his nose and he turned his head into Bella’s neck. He inhaled very slowly and his eyes flickered with his beast. It was like a fog had been lifted and everything became clear.

“Mine!” He breathed into her neck.

Bella jumped back startled but he kept her captive in his arms. She looked up at his eyes and licked her lips nervously. His eyes flickered between hazel and gold as they stayed glued to her. She shook her head slightly and tried to step away again. He looked at her confused and slowly let his hands drop from her retreating sides.

“I’m sorry.” Bella shook her head. “I think you’re confused.”

Brian chuckled. “This is not something I am confused over. Everything else that is going on sure. But I see you. I can feel it. Why couldn’t I feel it before? But now…”

“You got close enough to really take in her scent that’s why.” Shiva shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Honestly, you are the dragon here. I shouldn’t have to teach you about mates. Gosh, do I need to have a s*x.ual education lesson too? The pickle goes in the jar hun.”

“Shiva I don’t-” Bella whispered out but Shiva interrupted her.

“Of course you don’t sweetie. Your dragon isn’t ready yet. Usually, his dragon wouldn’t have known until you were. But being that close to you after that boost enhanced his senses. And all it would take would be one whiff of your scent for him to know.” Shiva walked over to Bella and then turned to give Brian an intense icy stare. “We won’t have a problem here, will we? You will refrain yourself until her dragon is ready. Or at least until she is…”

Brian’s eyes were still glued to the intense grey eyes of his mate. “How old are you?”

“I’m almost nineteen,” Bella whispered out quietly and Brian nodded his head.

“Dragon senses develop at all different ages. The mate sense can pop up anytime after the age of seventeen to as late as their early twenties.” Brian inwardly g*****d. What if she didn’t feel the mate pull until she was in her twenties? He almost whimpered at the thought. But he would never do anything she wasn’t ready for. Now that his beast recognized her everything was getting stronger. The scent was now heavier and the pull was becoming intense.

The new power flowing through Brian’s veins suddenly didn’t mean anything. His entire focus had now shifted to the delicate young woman in front of him. It was like he was centered to her as his body pulled for him to be closer. His beast thrashed against him wanting his mate.

Micah sighed and folded his arms over his chest. “I guess I am yesterday’s news now. No more late night trysts for me.” He bumped his shoulder against Brian as he teased him.

“Are you sure we are mutual mates?” Bella looked up at Shiva.

Shiva snickered and covered her hand over her mouth. “Why? Don’t you want him? Not good enough for you Bella?”

Bella gasped, mortified and she quickly turned her gaze to Brian. She shook her head no furiously. “That’s not what I am saying at all. Oh… I’m sorry. It’s just I don’t… Shouldn’t I at least feel something?”

Brian smiled as he looked at his mate’s flustered face. “No. That is just the way it works with us. You can see someone one day and then the next they are your mate. But it is rare that we would not be mutual mates. That usually only happens when a dragon finds another species as its mate. Not two dragons. I guess it has happened but it is fairly rare.”

“Do you feel uncomfortable now? You know they can really use your help with controlling their moods. Both of them.” Shiva looked at Bella curiously. These sort of situations interested her as if it was a game.

Bella smiled shaking her head she looked over at Shiva. “I don’t feel uncomfortable. I will make sure I help them when it is needed. I guess… I’m confused. I’m not sure what is expected of me now or how I’m supposed to act.”

“Just be yourself.” A soft smile spread on Brian’s face. “That’s it. You don’t have to act differently. Nothing is expected of you.” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked up at the ceiling. “Just no dating other guys because that will trigger one of these flaming episodes we don’t want. I can’t promise I wouldn’t turn another man to ashes if they touch you.” He cleared his throat as Shiva giggled madly.

“Now that’s true love right there. Turning anyone who touches you to dust.” Shiva snickered and then waved her hand at Brian. “He is right though. You’ll need to be careful not to provoke his anger because mates can trigger emotions easily.”

“I don’t know why you have to overcomplicate this.” Micah rolled his eyes and everyone looked at him. “Date her. If she doesn’t feel the mate pull then go about it the human way. Court her. I’m sure she wouldn’t be opposed to a man doting on her.” He winked at Bella and her lips twitched upwards.

“Like a dinner and a movie date?” Bella asked in childlike excitement.

Brian felt his chest flutter. Could she be any more adorable? “Anything you’d like. Micah is right. This would be a great way for us to connect… for now.”

“Of course, there is one problem.” Micah tapped his chin. “Deity psychopath. You have a role to play.”

“Don’t worry I’ll continue to play my part. I will protect Alexis no matter what. All that means is Bella and I can’t act like mates in public. Which won’t be a problem for her since she doesn’t feel the pull.” He let out an airy chuckle. “But I can still date her behind closed doors.” He looked up at Bella. “I want to know you. I want to know everything and for you to know me.”

“Awww. It must be so nice to have someone wrapped around your finger like that. Use that power girl!” Shiva grinned and then looked over at Brian. “Speaking of using power… this is the perfect time for you to get acquainted with yourself. With my ice magic here as a safety net.”

Brian blinked and looked over at Shiva. He just wanted to focus on Bella right now. He wanted to hold her in his arms or at least be close to her. But she didn’t feel the mate bond. Which was worse torture than the pain he had just gone through.

“Well? Let’s see it. I know you can feel it surging through you. Focus on calling it forward and sending it back. You must learn to control it. And you need to learn this now before leaving. You have to be able to retract it back in case you have an outburst.” Shiva moved over to her icy throne and raised her brows up at Brian.

Brian stood there for a moment as he struggled to bring his new power forward. Micah walked past him and smirked as he leaned his head to his ear.

“Just think about another man slobbering on your mate’s neck,” Micah whispered in an inaudible breath.

That did it. A red aura surged from Brian, sending a rippling ring out from him. Micah crossed his arms in front of his face as he pushed his own aura out to protect himself. The two rushing energies collided and a massive gust of warm wind swirled angrily around them.

Shiva leaned up on her seat as a crooked smile slowly spread over her lips. “Interesting.”