Taming Her Beastly Mate

“Ever heard of the saying… put a paper bag over it?” Micah shrugged with a small smile. “If Alexis can’t see his face, then…”

Levi tried to erase the smirk that kept wanting to creep over his face. There was nothing funny about what happened to his daughter. But the idea of the Kraken wearing a paper bag on his head with little holes cut out for his eyes… That part had some humor to it if only his daughter wasn’t hurting. The moment he looked back down at Alexis he felt his heart crushed. His lips pulled down in a frown. She had gone through a disturbing experience, and she needed her mate. He watched as his daughter shook her head and she lifted up her chin in defiance.

“I am not going to let this parlor trick control me. I know it isn’t real. He doesn’t need to cover his face.” Alexis said with a clear voice as she pursed her lips together.

“Lex.” Aken’s voice was gentle as he studied her face. He watched as her eye twitched slightly when she looked at him. She shouldn’t have to force herself. “You don’t need to condition your body to get used to this face. Honestly, it’s the last face I want you to feel at ease around. I don’t mind covering my face when I am around you. It will be for the best.”

Alexis listened to the change in the tone of his voice when he said ‘when he was around her’. She inhaled sharply and closed her eyes. “When you are around me? What does that mean exactly?”

“Lex, I’m still going after Erebus. I also need to check on Terra.” Aken watched as her eyes glared up at him angrily.

“But you promised you would be with me every night…” Alexis squeezed her fingers together as she closed her eyes slowly. “Will you?” She whispered out gently.

“Lex…” Aken sighed and looked down. “I don’t think that is a good idea now. Just hear me out. What if you are half awake and see this face.” He motioned over himself with disgust. “It will terrify you. I could sit with you all night with a bag on my head…”

“But his time would be better spent tracking Erebus down,” Levi said forcefully. “I want to join in on the search too. Enough is enough. If Aken and I join forces…” He frowned and looked down at Rhea and Alexis. “The problem is I don’t want him coming for you if I am not here.”

‘Micah can protect her.’ Aken mind linked to Levi. He watched the deity’s blue eyes look at him with confusion. ‘We have a lot to talk about. But Micah can detect Erebus. And he can hold him off. Alexis still has the necklace and I can get to her instantly if she breaks it.’

‘And I can come to Rhea the moment she summons me…’ Levi glanced over at Micah curiously.

‘Actually, there is something else you need to do. You need to find Gaia and talk to her about Micah. If Shiva is correct, Gaia will know about Micah. I’ll explain more later.’ Aken watched as Levi nodded his head and returned his gaze to Rhea.

“Lex… are you in any pain?” Micah asked and watched as she shook her head.

“I’m fine Micah.” Alexis gave him a weak smile. Sure, physically she was fine. But inwardly she was hurting. Why must everything be so rocky when it came to her being with her mate.

“Rhea, can you speak with Bella? I’m going to go and find the Great Sage. Let’s get this set in motion immediately.” Rhea was struggling to leave Alexis. Lee reached his hand out to her in support. Rhea noticed Aken’s pained expression but knew that he needed to talk with Alexis, and this would give them a moment of privacy.

Micah placed his hand on Alexis’ head. “Want me to make you some of my famous tea?” This was his way of asking her if she needed him to stay with her. Because if she didn’t feel comfortable being alone with Aken he would stay by her side. He would guard her against anyone and that included her mate.

“Thank you, Micah. That sounds great.” Alexis smiled at him in appreciation as he ruffled her hair up. She watched him follow her parents out of the room quietly shutting the door behind him. “Aken…”

“Close your eyes and think of me.” Aken’s voice was soft as he walked over to her. He slid down against the wall and wrapped his arm around her body. He need to hold her and she needed him as well. The light sparks tingled between them and he felt the inward relief from touching her. “I don’t want you to open your eyes. I don’t want that sicko’s face to ever be associated with my comfort. Just listen to my voice and breath in my scent.”

Alexis turned her head, concealing it into his chest keeping her eyes closed. She breathed in his relaxing scent and clenched her fingers around his shirt. “This isn’t fair…”

“We will get through this, my love.”

“I know but…” Alexis sighed as she frowned into his chest. “I finally have you. I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”

“I’m here Lex.” Aken placed his chin on her head and inhaled her scent. His fingers slowly traced over her bare arm sending little tingles on the tips.

“I want to feel your lips too. And you promised me-”

“Not with you seeing Erebus’s face. I won’t have you accidentally looking and seeing his face in such a moment.” Aken squeezed her body tighter. “I’m sorry Lex. I’m so sorry. I know you are hurting. I…” He couldn’t stand it. He was right beside her and couldn’t protect her. Erebus kept getting to the most precious existence in all the universe. He kept failing to protect her.

Alexis felt his fingers dig into her slightly as his voice trailed off. This was the moment she felt the pang of guilt. She could hear the pain in his voice. He was hurting too… he was hurting for her.

The corner of Alexis’ lips curled up as she traced her fingers over his chest. “You know… you could always blindfold me.” She giggled when she heard him choke on his spit.

Aken chuckled and nuzzled his nose into her hair. “My love we will bring the blindfolds in later. But now isn’t the time for them. I want you to see me pleasure you. I want my face ingrained into your mind during those moments. And I want to see the passion in your eyes.”

“I’m sorry Aken. I’m not usually so… well like this. It’s just-”

“Shh. My love, I like you like this. Please be vulnerable around me. Show me all parts of yourself. I want to know when you are hurting. Don’t ever hide it. Let me mend your heart when you need it. You can be strong and fierce just never hide your pain from me.”

“Aken…” Alexis gnawed on her bottom l*p. “I’m apprehensive over Erebus.-”

“I’m sorry. I am so sorry I keep failing to protect you. I’ll work harder. I don’t want you to live in fear of him getting to you again-”

Alexis chuckled and shook her head into his chest. “I’m not worried about that. I am worried about you. It seems he is well prepared. He is playing a game now. I am afraid you will fall into his trap that he is cleverly setting up by blinding you with your rage.” She felt the slow rising of his chest as he stayed quiet.

“You don’t need to worry about me. Thank you, my love, for pointing that out to me. You are right. Erebus is trying to provoke me. He is placing down the breadcrumbs for me to follow. It isn’t that I am finding them all of the sudden. It means he is letting me find them.” Aken sighed in irritation. Erebus was very clever, he would give the bastard that. He knew he could trigger Aken by provoking his rage. He would need to change up tactics now. “Thank you for your level thinking. I was letting him lead me around. Tonight, I will stay here. I don’t have to stay in your room, but I’ll keep an eye on things.”

“Please stay in my room. We will work it out. I’ll sleep better with your scent close to me. I’ll wear a sleeping mask. Will that work? That way you can keep your face free.” Alexis listened to the small protesting in his voice so she switched to a dirtier tactic. “I will be really sad if you don’t stay with me.” She listened to his rich chuckle as he leaned his forehead into her hair.

“Are you trying to manipulate me?” Aken was grinning as he moved his nose in her hair. He breathed in her scent as he brushed his lips over her head. He loved her so much. He couldn’t describe the pain he felt that something happened to her under his watch. If something happened to her there would be no point in him existing. As far as he was concerned, his life would forever be connected to her fate.

“I’m just stating facts,” Alexis replied innocently as her lips curled upwards.

There was a slight knock at the door and then it pushed open. Micah walked in holding a cup of steaming tea and a brown paper bag in his other hand.

“I made something for each of you.” Micah grinned as he held up the brown paper bag with a small slit in the front for sight.

“Is it just me… or is he enjoying this?” Aken lifted his head up and frowned, looking at the bag.

“You don’t have to wear that.” Alexis quickly said, but Aken held her head against his chest and with his other hand grabbed the bag.

“It’s for the best, my love.” Aken scowled at the paper bag before he put it over his head. He released Alexis, who finally turned to look at him.

Alexis reached her hand out and laced her fingers with Aken’s. Behind her, she heard a slight snort and glanced back to see Micah’s face completely red as he struggled to hold in his laughter.

“It’s Frodo BAGgins.” Micah belted out loudly through his rolling laughter. “I need a phone. We are going to need pictures of this later. When you two can appreciate the humor.”

Alexis smiled and then turned her head back to Aken. “I can’t wait until this is a memory we can laugh about.” He squeezed her hand and nodded his bag head making Alexis snort.

“Looks like some of us can laugh about it now.” Aken chuckled. They might have a rocky start with all the bumps in their relationship. But Micah was right… one day these moments would become memorable to them. They would laugh about these flashes of their lives. As a deity, Aken knew far too well how short this moment would be compared to their eternity together.

“Say cheese!” Micah chuckled. “Aken you are going to have to give me more to work with.” He listened to the low growl. “Perfect!” He said as he began taking multiple pictures as the brown bagged face man lunged for him.

“Run! It’s the headless horseman!” Micah laughed as he continued to dance backwards and take pictures.

Alexis smiled as she watched Aken chase after Micah. Micah had the right idea. She wouldn’t be sad. She would find a way to just enjoy having Aken around. He was still here with her. She had his voice, his scent, and the heavenly sparks between them. One day, this will be a distant memory. A fun story that she can one day tell her future children about… one day.