Taming Her Beastly Mate

Diana wasn’t thinking about Aiden as she read over his notes. And she wasn’t thinking about Aiden as she patted the patch of fur, he left her. Maybe working in his office wasn’t a good idea… but at the same time it did give her a false sense of security. She could pretend in the depths of her mind that he wasn’t gone. At least for now… while the scent was still strong.

She sat the papers down and sighed finally glancing up to look at the presence sitting on the edge of the desk.

“I thought you were giving me privacy?”

“I did but I am in charge of keeping you safe.”

“You don’t need me under constant watch. You’ll be able to sense if another deity shows up.”

“Unfortunately, Erebus has found ways to go undetected. Which is why he isn’t dead already.” Lycaon grabbed some papers off the desk, sifting through them. “Now we will have a chance to really get to know each other.”

“Awesome.” Diana said dryly making Lycaon chuckle.

“Let’s start with more friendly names, hmm? You can call me Ike. How about you? Dee Dee? Di? Ana?”

“Diana.” She replied flatly as she tried to read the document in front of her.

“Oh? I have heard Aiden call you Dee… or is that only an intimate name for the two of you?”

Her face flushed as she turned her head sharply to look at him.

“Don’t give me that look. I was just casually checking in on you. You two were the ones who weren’t behind closed doors…” He smirked as he wiggled his brows at her.

She ignored him as she sat aside the papers for the evening. She stood up and Lycaon hopped off the desk. She turned her head to look at him. “Are you going to be following me around constantly?”

“Don’t worry I won’t look while you shower… not that you have anything I haven’t seen before.”

Diana scoffed and glared at him. “It’s unnecessary.”

“Perhaps… but I’d rather go overboard than…” He pursed his lips and stared at her. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save your family… I’m not going to lose you too. Your family was important to me. I mourned their deaths. You… you are precious to me Diana.”

At first, she was ready to lash out… until she looked at his eyes. There was pain there, one that she recognized. Instead, she walked away without saying anything. She heard him following behind her as she opened the door. She walked down the hallway and watched as Sam stepped out of another office.

“Diana.” Sam said nodding his head to her. “I’ll be gone first thing in the morning. I’ll be heading to the Sulfur pack. They are having a meeting among several alphas there.”

“I’m confused. Why are alphas going to the Sulfur pack to meet?” Diana asked, her silver eyes piercing into Sam’s.

“They formed a tight alliance during a time of difficulty. It is something that works well for them, and Wyatt has encouraged them to keep good relations. Especially since he couldn’t be there during their time of need. There is also another situation there that I’m supposed to look into.”

“I see…” She waited to see if he would continue and decided she wouldn’t pry. “Please let me know if there is anything I need to know.”

“If you need anything Adam and Winston are here—”

“Please Pops! If she needs anything Jamie and I are here.” Kurt said jogging up the stairs. Kurt was Sam’s son and Wyatt’s beta. He pushed his dark chocolate hair away from his brown eyes with his fingers.

“Like I said… if you need anything Adam and Winston are here.” Sam chuckled as he looked at Diana uncertainly. He had never interacted much with her before. And it was a bit weird having the lycan deity standing right behind her. Wyatt told him the Lycaon would be staying at the pack and just to act natural around him.

“If she wants advice on picking out Depends, I’m sure she will go to them.” Kurt chuckled and smiled looking at Diana. “Don’t worry Dee, I’ve got your back.”

“Hey! Why does he get to call you Dee?” Lycaon said with a scowl resting on his face.

“Whoa! He talks… I mean I assumed you did but you seem so stoic.” Kurt grinned widely clearly not intimidated by the deity. Lycaon just grunted but continued to look at Diana.

“Is there any business I need to attend to before I retire for the evening?” Diana asked very business-like.

“Are you kidding? This place is so organized it runs on its own. Don’t worry, your work here will be minimal. Go on and take a load off.” Kurt said as he slapped his father Sam on the back. “Mom was making dinner when I left.”

Sam nodded his head and then looked back at Diana. “Would you like to join us for dinner?”

“No thank you. I’ll just grab something small from the kitchen. You can dismiss the rest of the help for the evening.” Diana watched as Sam stared at her. It looked like he wanted to say more but he reluctantly nodded his head. It looked like he understood she just wanted to be alone.

“I’ll see you the following day. I won’t get back until late tomorrow evening. Goodnight, Diana.” Sam said and Lycaon grunted making Sam look at him.

“Princess.” Lycaon corrected and Diana turned and glared at the deity.

“We are on first name basis here. There is no need for royal titles. It is more personal that way.” She turned and smiled at Sam nodding her head for him to continue. “Have a good evening gentlemen.”

“Hear that, Pops? She called me a gentleman.” Kurt teased as he elbowed his father as they walked down the stairs.

Diana watched their interaction with a faint smile on her lips. Kurt reminded her of her brother, Decker. It was both endearing and painful. She had been keeping up a wall since she came to the Diamond pack, not wanting to get close to others. She didn’t want to experience the pain of loss again. However, that isn’t right either. She would still feel the pain if something happened to the Diamond pack. Meanwhile, she was robbing herself of having a home.

Besides, Kurt wasn’t having any of it. Neither was Jamie, Aiden’s gamma. Both men demanded her attention and didn’t give up trying to interact with her. That’s how much they love and trust Aiden. If she was his mate, she was already family to them.

“You sure you would rather be alone?” Lycaon asked with a frown.

“I would prefer to be alone, but it looks like I won’t be.” She turned and looked at him as his lips curled up.

“You don’t prefer to be alone.”

“I’ve been alone for a century… asleep.” She stared into his green eyes as a soft smile rested on his face.

“You weren’t alone.” Lycaon eyes stayed glued to hers. “I stayed there with you. I talked to you. You never liked being alone… especially in the dark. I would keep the torches lit and, in a way, you gave me company too. Talking to you about my failure and frustration… helped. It was a long time before I could get over the death of your family. I should have been there to protect them.”

“How did you know I didn’t like the dark?” She looked at him curiously as a sheepish smile spread over his lips.

“I guess I have always watched over you even back then…” He then cleared his throat. “I mean I watched over Decker too. Did you know he used to play army with his quill pens?!” He chuckled and Diana giggled too.

“He did and he would wage war against his candlesticks.” Diana laughed and shook her head.

“Remember when he took your picture and said it looked like little pigs instead of lycans?” Lycaon laughed.

“Oh gosh yes! I was so mad at him.” A sad smile reached her lips. “I miss him.”

“It’s okay to miss him, Diana. But he is gone… they all are. You can’t stop living because they did. Live for them. And make them proud of the woman you are.”

“I admit… I have been pushing everyone away. But I’m not going to anymore. Aiden… Aiden has been wonderful to me. He is always thinking about me and putting me first. I don’t deserve him, but I am glad I have him.”

“He doesn’t deserve you.” Lycaon snorted folding his arms over his chest.

Diana shook her head. “No, he deserves better. I haven’t been a good mate to him… but I will be.” She looked up at Lycaon and could see his eyes twitch slightly. His lips were pursed together, and he turned his head letting out a sigh.

“He is the one you are meant to be with.” Lycaon inhaled, filling his lungs, and then looked around. “So, what is for dinner? I hope you plan on making me something since you dismissed all the help.”

“Cold meat and cheese sandwiches.”

__

“You don’t have to sleep in the same room that I am.” Diana huffed as she finished drying her hair. He was on her heels all evening. He even stood right outside of the door while she showered.

“Forget it princess. I’m staying with you. I’ll be on the couch.” Lycaon said looking up from his seat.

“Lycaon—”

“Ike.” He corrected with a grunt.

She stared at him for a moment and then shook her head. It wasn’t worth the effort. She wasn’t going to convince him to sleep elsewhere anyway. She walked over to Aiden’s bed and slid under the covers. In her hand, she held the patch of fur he had left for her. She lifted it up by her nose before closing her eyes.

“Can you get the lights?” She mumbled. She wondered how Aiden was doing. She tried to pretend he was just out with the guys or that he was on patrol. But it was hard to trick yourself when you knew the truth. What was hurting the most was the unknown. How long would she have to be parted from him? How long before she could tell him he was everything she wanted and more? Inwardly, she cursed herself for not claiming him earlier. She wasted so much time. And if she learned anything… time was precious. Every moment should be treasured because you never know when it could be your last.

Aiden… I’ll make you proud. Before she fell asleep every night she would usually think of her family. And that she wanted them to be proud of her. For the first time, she was thinking of making Aiden proud. She squeezed the patch of hair and nuzzled her cheek into it. Using his scent to embrace her in sleep.

Lycaon stared at the sleeping girl. He watched her a lot… he always watched her. Painfully, he realized he had been watching her too much. From the young fiery girl who fascinated him to the brilliant brave woman she is today.

He moved his fingers and a paper appeared in his hands. He smiled as he stared at the drawing a little girl had made. It was supposed to be of the lycan kingdom and their deity. He let out a silent chuckle. Decker was right… they looked like pigs. He laid the paper down at his side as he looked back at Diana.

She had a future and a destiny. She had a mate. As much as it pained him to admit it… she wasn’t his. He ran his hand through his hair as a soft sigh escaped from his lips. He told himself if she continued to struggle, he would take her away. He would take care of her and give her the comfort she needed. He realized that he had been hoping for that.

He kept checking on her while she was at the Diamond pack. Each time she was getting closer and closer with Aiden. He felt physically nauseous when he caught them making out in the hallway. It was because he realized, the dream he had kept hidden, was gone.

She was never his to have. She was never his to hold. But she is his to protect. Even though he hated it… he knew Aiden was the one for her. Countless years he had spent on this earth… and she was the one who captured his heart. Someone whose destiny didn’t intertwine with his own.

He never meant to develop feelings for her. It just happened as he watched the sleeping beauty. He told himself it would be better once she was with her mate. It wasn’t. He couldn’t will these feelings away and he couldn’t act on them.

The only thing he could do was be there for her. He could be someone who would protect her and support her. He could still be a part of her life… as a friend. He wasn’t the type of person who would break up the mate bond. Aiden and Diana were part of an important future.

He waved his hand and the drawing vanished. With a sigh, he stood up and walked to the far side of the room, standing in the balcony doorway.

“I know you are here.” He growled into the darkness quietly.

“Have you told her yet?” A voice asked quietly.

Lycaon turned his head and glared at the man. His eyes were hidden by the lid of his cowboy looking hat.

“No.” Lycaon said tersely.

“No?” The man let out an airy laugh. “Should I?”

“This isn’t your concern.”

“You went through a lot of trouble for her. Seems weird that you haven’t told her yet.”

“Don’t you have souls to collect?” Lycaon snarled. “You do your job. And leave me to do mine.”

“Is that what you are doing? Your job?” The man chuckled and tilted his hat up to look at Lycaon. The man pursed his lips together and finally removed his hat, sifting his hands through his blonde hair. “I think you are making this harder on yourself. It would be best to distance yourself.”

“What do you know?!” Lycaon turned his green glare upon the man. “How has distancing worked for you?”

“Touché. It is hell either way.” The man sighed, “tell her soon. It might be a shock if she figures it out on her own.”

Lycaon nodded his head. “I don’t know if she is ready to know… but I suppose you are right.” He glanced behind him as he watched Diana stir slightly. “Time for you to go, Reapus.”

“I’ll be around.” Reapus said putting his hat back on and vanishing into the air.

Lycaon walked back inside, quietly sitting on the couch. He leaned his head in his hands as he contemplated what he was going to do. Her heart was so fragile right now… it could go either way.

Reapus was right though, soon she would figure it out on her own. He had planned something for her… but now he wasn’t sure if it had been the right thing to do.

He leaned his head back, exhaling quietly. Soon. He would need to tell her soon.