IRIDA

Fuck! I can't believe I just did that! I quickly head to the bathroom in my bedroom and clean up quickly before Lykos is done. I can't help the rush of heat that pools between my legs as I shower at the thought of Lykos naked in my bathroom. I quickly get dressed and sneak into the bathroom he's in, cleaning and drying his pants with a wave of my hand while he's closed in the fogged up glass.

A giggle escapes my lips as I sneak out of the bathroom and head towards the living room. As reckless as I think our little game was earlier, I still don't feel as ashamed as I normally would if it was someone else. I mean, he's supposed to be my mate, right? Still I think it's best we get to know each other better before we move any further. I plop down on one of my large sofas and stare at the star-studded ceiling. I'd made it a point to magically decorate the penthouse to my taste when I moved in. The twinkling stars on the ceiling were among my list of new things I wanted to enjoy. I'd spent enough of my life being extra serious and a only-when-necessary kind of girl. I find my thoughts racing, still reeling from the whole shifter mate thing.

"Hey," my mate's husky voice calls out from somewhere behind the sofa and I almost fall off scrambling to get up.

"Uh, hey yourself," I answer and immediately face palm myself mentally. Jeez! Now I sound like an awkward teenager, I wasn't even awkward as a teenager.

"So, I have to go..." Lykos starts, his hand coming up to rub behind his neck and I find myself interrupting him before he can continue.

"Do you want to eat something before you go? I mean, you probably haven't eaten all day and I'm pretty sure those muscles aren't maintained by starvation," I find myself rambling at him before I even have a chance to think. His stomach rumbles loudly just as he opens his mouth to respond, making him close it, his face flushing.

"Uh, yeah, thanks. If it's not too much trouble," he flashes me a dazzling smile and my belly grows warm.

"Come on, then. I'll warm up some biftekia real quick. I'll be right back," I respond rushing to the kitchen.

I don't want to keep him so I serve the biftekia in a medium bowl for myself and a large bowl for Lykos, using my magic to heat them up quickly. Once the food is nice and warm I take the bowls to the dining room and peek my head into the living room to call for Lykos. We sit across each other and I immediately dig in to avoid the awkward silence. The awkwardness escapes me the moment the creamy potatoes and beef hit my tongue and the flavors burst in my mouth. My eyes flutter closed and a moan escapes my throat before I can stop it as I relish the delicious dish and no more than a second later a low growl fills the room. My eyes snap open, landing on Lykos's darkened ones that seem to watch my lips hungrily.

"Now why'd you have to go and do that?" His voice echoes, low, husky and heavy with lust and my thighs clench together as liquid heat pools in my core.

"Uh, sorry?" I squeak and force myself to focus on my bowl as I bite my lip.

Lykos simply grunts in response before I hear him take a spoonful and start to chew. I release a sigh of relief and continue devouring my meal.

"I see why you reacted that way," Lykos speaks lowly between bites and my face grows hotter. "Did you make this yourself?" He asks and I nod, not trusting my voice. "Damn!" He mumbles under his breath but I catch it, a feeling of triumph warming my belly.

Lykos clears his bowl before me and sits across me, watching me take every last bite shamelessly, unlike the stolen glances between us while we both ate. I find myself shy and flattered at the same time. No one's attention has ever mattered much to me, until him. When I'm done Lykos follows me to the kitchen, insisting on cleaning the bowls and I let him. When he's finished I walk him out to the terrace.

"I just need to let my friends know I'm okay, I'll be back to watch over you just after sunset," he says, gently grasping my hand in his and those tingles burst through my body.

"Y-you don't have to do that," I say as my gaze moves from our joined hands to his face.

"I know, ???????? (little one). I want to. Plus, I get to see you again," he says as his warm hand cups my cheek before he takes a few steps away from me.

He looks back at me, shooting a wink and small smile my way before he morphs into a huge dragon. I find myself transfixed as I watch his dragon form. Unlike his wolf, his dragon's scales are a mixture of a dark purple, blue and gold which gleam beautifully in the sun. His strong tail, wings and horns swirl in a magical mix of the colors of his scales but it's his golden fiery eyes that catch my attention. Suddenly my feet are moving in slow tentative steps, landing me in front of him. His huge head dips towards me and he nudges my chest gently with his maw. My hand comes up to stroke the spot between his eyes and a low growl rumbles in his chest.

"I look forward to seeing you later," I whisper, resting my forehead on his before I step back.

Lykos growls and snaps his wings, flicking his tail wildly before he goes towards the ledge and steps off. I find myself giggling lightly as I watch his form soar beyond the clouds. When I finally get myself together I rush back inside, creating a summoning circle in a rush. When Areti's figure appears I'm still pacing back and forth, fidgeting with the strings dangling from my sweatpants.

"Someone's strung!" Areti's voice is dripping with amusement.

"Ma," my voice thick with warning which makes Areti chuckle.

"My, how the tables have turned! Never thought I'd see the day you'd be more serious than me. Tell me, how's your newly found mate?" Areti teases, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively with a proud smirk on her face.

"H-how did you... Never mind. Wait, how much did you see?" I sputter and Areti giggles.

"Ma!" My voice comes out a little too squeaky for my liking, my face flushes with embarrassment and Areti's eye widen. "Don't even think about it!" I growl, narrowing my eyes at her and she raises her hands up in surrender, trying and failing to stifle her giggles.

"Okay, okay! I didn't see much, just glimpses of his wolf when you first met and a shirtless hunk holding you in his arms. Should I have seen more?" Areti teases, a sly grin on her face.

"I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?" I grumble, finally sitting down on a beanbag.

"Nope! It's really nice to see you like this, you know? You never really got to enjoy your life outside of training, hunting, being hunted and causing mischief for me," Areti chuckles.

"I'm glad this is so much fun for you," I grumble again, this time a small smile playing at my lips.

"So? How is he?" Areti asks excitedly, more excited than I've ever seen her about anything.

"He's very interesting, and hot. This mate bond though, I'm finding myself acting like an adolescent girl having her first crush and a touch-deprived woman at the same time. It's... unnerving," I find myself rambling.

"Well, I mean, you are touch-deprived. Never been one for romance and you haven't had space for all that much affection. I say enjoy it, get to know the guy and try not to close yourself off," Areti says.

"That's so not what I expected. I thought you'd be warning me to be careful and trust no one," I blink at her.

"Hey? I'm not an all round grump! It's important to know when to close up and she to open up. From what I've seen on your mate, he's when to open up. That, and I want you to be happy," Areti says.

"Okay," I say as I let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Good girl. Now, go make preparations. I understand you're going to have a visitor soon," Areti smirks and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Don't tell me you're playing facilitator between me and my mate now, Ma," I groan.

"I'm just a justified supporter, ???????? (dear)," Areti giggles and I shake my head. "I want to meet him soon when you two are better acquainted," she adds seriously.

"Okay, Ma. I'll talk to you again later. I miss you all the time," I respond and Areti's face softens.

"Me too, my ?????? (heart). We'll see each other soon," Areti's soft voice echoes, her hand lightly brushing my cheek before she fades away.

I feel more settled now that I've talked to Areti about the new development. I rush downstairs to find Galen and find him in his lab as I'd suspected.

"Hey, Bear," I pant, trying to regain my breath.

"Hey, Birdy," Galen looks up from his work bench, a soft knowing smile painting his face.

"So..." I start, trying to get my words right.

"I know, Birdy. I'm glad you've found your mate. Well, more like he found you but same difference," Galen chuckles and my face flushes.

Even through his laugh I can see his pain and I walk over to him and hug him, resting my head on his chest.

"We'll find her, Bear. We'll bring her back. I'm here now and I'll make sure we bring her home," I say softly and feel the tension in Galen's chest start to unwind as he exhales sharply.

"I- Birdy, that means a lot," Galen breathes.

"Need any help with your potions?" I ask as I pull away.

"Thank you, Birdy but I've got it. I need something to do," Galen's response makes me frown and I look at him, really look at him.

"Bear... What happened? And don't even think of saying it's nothing," my voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.

"I saw her again. I don't know how much more of this I can take, Birdy. It kills me that I haven't been able to do much," Galen sinks into the seat behind him, taking off his glasses and burying his face in his hand.

"Did she say anything?" I ask as I gently place my hand on his shoulder.

"The usual, screaming for help mostly. Something about Pandora but that part wasn't so coherent... Wait," Galen's face lights up like he just got an idea and he shoots up from his seat, rushing towards his study.

"Wait, what, Bear?" I jog after him, trying to keep up with his long strides.

"There's always been this rumor of a group of mages who turned dark who use a kind of Pandora's box to drain power and magic from magical beings and people who have magic," Galen rambles absently as he picks a book and starts flipping through the pages.

"What's that got to do with-"

"Got it!" Galen yells before I can finish my question. "Here it is! The group is called Skot�di. They use the box to draw out and store magic and power from those with magic, magical beings and mundanes before they can reabsorb it for themselves," Galen reads out loud.

"Mundanes? What the hell are they absorbing from mundanes?" My brow furrows in confusion.

"They suck their souls into the box. Souls are raw power," Galen answers, staring out the window. "Birdy, I think this is the group that killed your parents and the royals of the other factions," Galen turns to me with a grim look on his face.

"What are the other factions?" I ask.

"Well there's the Fae, the Magi, the Healers, the Shifters, the Warriors, the Psychics, the Light and Shadow Wielders, the Intellects and the Mundanes. You are a descendant of both the Fae and the Magi. Your father was Magi royalty and your mother was Fae royalty," Galen answers and I feel my chest tighten.

"H-how? What happened to the Magi and the Fae when my parents got together?" I ask.

"The Fae and the Magi made a treaty. It wasn't easily accepted at first, it wasn't part of tradition for royalty of different factions to marry but your parents refused to marry others for the sake of keeping tradition. It was quite inspiring really," Galen answers. "Plus, haven't you noticed how animals flock to you? How easily you connect with and wield the elements? How much stronger your magic is compared to other Magi?" I take deep breaths as I let the information sink in.

"I- Does that mean they created the monsters they used to attack them?" I ask, feeling my blood roar in my ears and my body go numb.

"Some of them, yeah. But I also think they simply figured out a way to bring creatures from other realms and control them. From what I've heard, they have a penchant for gaining control over other realms and conducting cruel experiments on magical beings," Galen explains and I find myself gravitating to the nearest seat.

"Birdy, I'm sorry-" Galen starts but I don't let him finish.

"No, Bear. It's okay. I needed to know this. It makes sense now why I've always had ugly monsters hunting me," I shake my head as the pieces come together and I feel white hot rage burn in my veins. "I've been hunting their minions for long enough. I think it's time I go straight to the source," I growl.

"Birdy, it's too dangerous. You can't go up against them by yourself. What if they take your magic? That process usually leaves people dead," Galen's face is filled with concern.

"I won't be by myself. Plus, I'm more powerful than they expect me to be and I have a secret weapon," I give Galen a tight smile.

"Well, if you're declaring war on the Skot�di then I'm backing you up," Galen says.

"Bear, no offense but you're a healer," I give him a pointed look.

"Ouch, Birdy. First of all, you might need a healer when you're going to war. Secondly I know how to fight and lastly my potions can do more than just heal. I have a feeling my potions and your magic can make a deadly combination," Galen protests and I give him a small smile.

"I don't want to see you get hurt fighting my battles for me," I say, reaching for his hand.

"It's my battle too, Birdy. They've got my girl trapped in some kind of hell and I can't have that," Galen sighs, squeezing my hand.

"Okay, Bear. Show me. Let's try out those magical potions," I smile up at him, standing up and heading to his lab with him trailing behind me.

"This should be fun," he says sounding excited and I smile. His excitement is much better than hopelessness so I'll take it.