Page 90 of The Dragon's Gambit
“Hey, where is your grizzly bear?” Lee asked, just now realizing his absence.
“He’s, um… well, he asked Chelsie to be his mate, and she agreed. So she should be well marked about now. Actually, I know she’s marked.” She looked at Xander. “I felt it during our lunch today. I can feel a mental connection to her now. I think she’s now my guardian, too.”
“Hmmm … now that is interesting. Is that how it always works?” Xander had no experience with guardians at all, and didn’t know how it all worked.
Reiya shook her head. “No, actually. Guardians usually don’t take mates, since it can cause problems with their charge. Or so we’ve been told. I disagree, though. In fact, I encourage it. I don’t see why they can’t also have someone special. And with Brody, the fact that it’s Chelsie is even better, because she was already protective of me, and she understands the relationship. There’s nothing to get jealous over or anything. It’s their personal choice, and I’m proud of the choice he made.”
“Wow … talk about commitment. So, I guess this means you’re stuck with Brody and Chelsie as guardians now, huh? Of course, you’re stuck with me now, too, and I’m not your guardian or anything … well, not officially.” Xander was protective over Reiya, too. So, while it wasn’t his title or anything, he still considered her someone to protect.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m happy with you guys. I can’t tell you what it means to have you all as part of my life. Being with you all makes being away from home a bit more bearable every day.” While there wouldn’t be a day that went by that she wouldn’t miss her family, she was at least happy here. The constant longing was getting drowned out by the overwhelming love and acceptance she felt. She could alwaysvisit her family, but this … this would be her home. She was happy. It felt like the pieces of her life puzzle were starting to come together. She was meant to be here. She was meant to be with Lee. She was meant to be near Xander, too. Something inside her pulled her to him. She wasn’t sure what it was, though. Just that she felt content being with him.
“Sounds like my princess finally accepts this place as her home.” Lee smiled down at her lovingly.
“I accepted you as my home, Lee. My home is with you.” Reiya leaned into his warmth. He was her biggest comfort. She couldn’t imagine not being with him now.
“Let’s hope you always feel that way.” He kissed the top of her head and rested his chin there. Deep inside, he was still worried. He was worried that the mate pull would rip her from his arms. And honestly, he didn’t know how he would handle it. He could never let her go. He needed her. For the first time, he needed someone else.
Please … let her always be mine.
Chapter 60 Mark me, Reiya
Xander led Reiya back toward the room where they had the food fight. Lee followed behind them, savoring the view of his mate while there were no eyes around.
Xander pushed the door open, and several sets of eyes landed on them. Reese and Dex were standing off to the side. The old man and his granddaughters were nowhere to be seen. However, Weston and Mason were now present in the room. All the men looked nervous, and their eyes darted over to the three who had just entered. They were nervous about what was going to happen. It was now showtime for Xander.
Xander started laughing. “What are you guys all nervous about?” He turned to Levi and Reiya. “You didn’t think we’d be fighting, did you?”
Dex looked at Reese and then back at Xander. “You aren’t mad at him?”
Xander laughed. “If it was anyone else but Levi here, then I would be. But he didn’t mean anything by it. And I know my girl here didn’t enjoy it.” Xander looked up at the unconvinced eyes. “You know, Levi here is like a brother to me. I trust him. We have a solid relationship. He isn’t just our deity to me. He’s also close with Reiya, too. He tries to keep his distance in public, so others don’t get the wrong idea.”
Lee walked up and put a hand on both Reiya and Xander's shoulder. “These two are family to me.”
“Well, I could have told you that much. I could tell you three were close from the first day I met Reiya.” Ruby walked in from a side room where she had gone to get a couple of drinks. She turned, looked at Mason, and smiled. “I had never seen those two so close with anyone else before. I remember how shocked I was. I knew then that she must be someone special to both of them. I just didn’t realize how special she would be to me as well.” She handed a drink to Mason and leaned into his side. “I tried to tell you boys that everything between them would be fine.”
All the men in the room finally relaxed. Reiya felt Lee’s hand slide away from her shoulder. She missed his touch instantly.Though, as his hand slid away, he managed to delicately run a finger down her back. It sent a small shudder through her, and a small smile spread on her face.
Xander then continued, now that he saw everyone was relaxed again. “I blame the old man and his granddaughters. Speaking of his granddaughters ...” Xander turned his attention to Weston. “We have a problem that you need to deal with. Otherwise, Levi here will.”
Weston’s eyes flickered up to Lee nervously. “What seems to be the problem with my cousins?” He looked over at Ruby, since she was the one closest to the girls.
“Reiya here has told us that they alluded to one of them sleeping with Leviathan here, and that the other one would be as well. And that he would be taking one of them to be by his side. They even had a shirt of his they presented as evidence.” Xander watched Ruby’s shocked eyes.
“Are you sure, Reiya? You didn’t misunderstand them?” Ruby knew that her cousins could be bratty, but she couldn’t believe they would do something so blasphemous.
“I heard it, too. What Reiya said is correct. I was standing right beside her when they told us that. I could also smell Leviathan’s scent on the shirt they had. It was clearly his,” Reese said, coming forward as a witness to what Reiya had said.
“Obviously, Levi here did nothing of the sort. That also means they went down a restricted hall in order to obtain a shirt of his. Then, with what they’re claiming … I don’t need to stress to you how serious this issue is.” Xander gave Weston a pointed look, and he nodded in understanding.
“I’m terribly sorry. Please accept my deepest and most sincere apologies. I will handle this situation accordingly.” Weston bowed his head slightly to Lee, who nodded back.
“Wow … that was the most royal-like I have ever seen Weston.” The words just slipped out, and Reiya clasped herhand over her mouth in embarrassment. Everyone looked at her, and then the cascading sounds of their laughter filled the room. She even heard Lee and Xander chuckling beside her. How she wished she could just bury her head in Lee’s chest right now.
“I love how honest she is,” Dex snickered, looking at Weston. “She already has you pegged.”
“Hey, I may play around a lot, but I take my duty seriously.” Weston smirked at Reiya and then shook his head. “I guess this is payback for all my inappropriate jokes.”
“What inappropriate jokes?” Xander immediately sobered and pinned his gaze on Weston.
