Beneath a Flaming Sky - Book Three (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Ten

Mia POV 

After living in the curse world for four years it was strange not to dream. From the moment I’d closed my eyes to when I pried them open the morning after, I didn’t dream. It was just darkness. My eyes stung from crying myself to sleep as I dragged myself from beneath the sheets and to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, the icy droplets cooling my eyes. A glance in the mirror above the sink made me wince. My eyes were rimmed angry red, my eyes bloodshot, my hair a matted mess and my skin pale as snow. With a tired sigh I made my way to my wardrobe where I slipped on a sports bra and workout shorts before I put my sneakers on and made my way down the stairs and out to the front of the house.

“Mia!” Amelia waddled towards me, her hands softly stroking her belly. She pulled me into a tight hug as Luca smiled behind her. When Amelia pulled away from the hug, Luca threw his arm over my shoulder and we began walking towards the training grounds.

“I’m surprised your not still lost in dream world.” Luca commented as we walked, his other hand in Amelia’s.

“Well considering I’ve been stuck in a dream world, literally, for four years, I’m keener on spending my time in the real world.” Luca nodded, squeezing my shoulder lovingly. As we approached the training grounds the scent of cinnamon assaulted my nose making Scarlet perk to attention. He was here. I couldn’t see him, but he was here. I must have stiffened at the new scent because Luca came to a stop, turning towards me with a questioning look on his face.

“You ok, sis?” His voice was laced with concern, but I knew I couldn’t tell him what was wrong. If he knew that my mate who practically rejected me was here, he’d lose his mind. I knew he’d find out eventually, but I was hoping to get the rejection side of it over with so Xander would be far away when he did find out. I shook my head and smiled.

“It’s nothing. Just weird to be back is all.” With a shrug we walked over to where Carter, the pack trainer, was standing. His face lit up as we approached and he tugged me into a bone crushing hug, that I returned with vigour. Carter had grown up beside Seth, Luca and I and was very much like a brother to me. I’d missed him in my years away. Pulling away from the hug we pressed our foreheads together like we used to as kids. It was a very deep sign of affection that the group of us shared with each other and even as adults we still did it.

“Glad you’re back.” He said, his tone genuine. “With Amelia out of commission I don’t have a worthy sparring partner anymore.” I laughed as Luca let out an insulted ‘hey!’. Amelia kissed his cheek with a cheeky smile.

“Come on, babe. You know it’s true.” Luca’s eyes fell lovingly on his mate as he pulled her closer to his side, as best he could with her pregnant belly in the way, and kissed her passionately, making me gag jokingly. Carter and I laughed as Luca glared and we made our way to the front of the group to stretch.

As I stretched my arms above my head, I let my gaze shift over the training ground, till they fell on both a welcome and unwelcome sight. Standing beside Nimue, leaning against the equipment shed, was Xander in all his glory. He wore loose basketball shorts and a tight Grey shirt that hugged him tight in all the right places. Scarlet purred hungrily in my head and I had to force her back down before she did something stupid. My ogling was interrupted suddenly by Luca’s voice beside me.

“Who’s the newbie?” He asked, his eyes flicking between me and them. I coughed and turned my gaze from them and continued to stretch.

“Um, the woman is Nimue. She’s the dragon that gave me her dragon fire and that summoning horn I keep on my bedside table.” I bent over to touch my toes.

“I know Nimue. I met her last night. Who’s the guy?” I was hoping he’d drop it, but I should have known better.

“That’s Xander... He’s her brother.” I left it at that, not needing to iterate what he was to me.

“Ok. What is he doing here?” I glanced up at my brother from my stretch and contemplated how to answer. Oh, you know. Xander is here because he came with his sister and I ended up being his mate. And now his sister won’t leave and so that means he won’t. You know. The usual. Yeah right. Luca would go ballistic if he knew Xander was my mate who didn’t want me, who was a few feet away from him.

“Mia!” Nimue’s voice had me spinning so fast my neck would have snapped if I weren’t a shifter as a smiling Nimue approached with a glowering Xander close behind. They came to a stop in front of Luca, Amelia and I and I felt my heart leap into my throat as Xander’s amber eyes fell on me, their intense fire setting aflame the yearning in me. I averted my gaze and turned to smile at Nimue.

“Nimue. I hope you are both settling in ok.” Nimue nodded, her gaze shifting across the training grounds.

“Indeed we are. This place is unbelievably beautiful. Isn’t it brother?” Her elbow connected with his ribs making Xander glare at her which she ignored.

“I’m glad. If there’s anything you need don’t hesitate to ask.” Our conversation was cut short by Carter calling everyone’s attention to him and readied everyone for the morning run. Luca gave Amelia a lingering kiss that had the little green monster in me flaring to life. But I quickly pushed it down and reprimanded myself. Luca and Amelia went through a lot to be with each other and they deserved happiness. Just because my mate is repulsed by me doesn’t mean I have to be jealous of others happiness.

I took off on the run, catching up to Carter with ease. Even after four years I could keep up with the best of them. Xander and Nimue left us all in the dust however as they beat us back to the training grounds, barely out of breath. Next came the push-ups, the sit-ups, the burpees, and the weights. And even after all that we still had sparring to do. The reason we were the strongest pack in the county was because we trained the hardest and we worked as a team.

“Alright everyone, partner up. Nimue! Let’s see what you’ve got.” Carter said, challenging Nimue. With an amused gleam in her eyes and a smirk on her lips she followed him to some open space for sparring. Everyone paired up leaving Xander alone without a partner.

“None of my warriors have any balls to take on a dragon?” Carter asked with a shake of his head, disappointment in his eyes. Xander scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest, causing the muscles in his arms to bulge.

“You mutts wouldn’t be able to handle me anyways.” He muttered beneath his breath with a pretentious smirk on his lips. I felt a fire fuel inside me, a desire to prove him wrong.

“I’ll give it a go.” I announced stepping forward, all eyes on me. Carter smiled proudly before stepping back to where Nimue stood awaiting their sparring match. My eyes fell to Xander who’s smirk was still present on his lips as I stepped in front of him.

“I won’t go easy on you just because you’re a girl.” Were his pretentious words. Scarlet bristled at his words and gave a small growl, but on the outside I just smiled.

“Good. That’ll make it was more rewarding when I kick your ass.” I replied back. We circled each other, eyes watching for every move. He was the first to attack, his fist flying past my face as I dodged it. Again we circled, until he attacked again, another punch soaring past my face. I didn’t give him a chance to retract it though as my hands wrapped around his wrist and flipped him over my shoulder, his back hitting the ground hard. My foot pressed into his neck as I twisted his wrist into an uncomfortable hold.

“Yield.” I stated simply. He just smirked, irritating me further. With a grab of my ankle he tugged, and I was landing face first in the grass. Before he could grab me again, I rolled away and jumped back up to my feet. His smirk was still there as he rose to his feet also and I wanted nothing more than to smack it off. So that’s what I did. I stepped forward quickly, using his smugness to my advantage and swung my leg around, connecting it with his face. Blood flung from his open lip as I shoved him further back with my foot, making him stumble. His gaze flew to mine as he wiped the back of his hand against the already healing cut, his irises raging with fire. Bring it on you overgrown lizard. I thought to myself.

The next few minutes, but what felt like hours, were spent exchanging blow after blow, kick after kick. We both drew blood but didn’t yield but we were both growing tired. I gave a punch, exhaustion making me slower than before and Xander took the opportunity I gave him. His hand wrapped around my wrist and he twisted my arm behind me, pulling my back almost flush against his body if it weren’t for my arm. His other hand wrapped gently around my throat as his hot breath fanned against the sensitive skin of my ear.

“Yield.” His voice was nothing, but a whispered growl and it had sparks flashing through my veins, along with his skin brushing against mine. I felt my brain start to falter, his proximity weakening my resolve. He smelt so good. He felt so good. I wonder how he tasted... a slight twist of my arm had me wincing, my lustful thoughts vanishing as he brought me back to attention. His first mistake. His nose brushed against my neck until his lips were pressed near my ear.

“Yield.” I could hear the smirk in his voice and knew he wouldn’t expect my next move. I slumped a little as though giving up before I snapped my head back. The back of my skull connected with his nose before my freed elbow collided with his ribs and my foot his groin, and I could hear all of the men present grab at their groins and audibly groan in sympathy. He collapsed to the ground, clutching at his precious area, his nose gushing with blood as I placed my hands on my waist and smirked.

“Yield.” I stated and walked away to the drink station where I drained an entire water bottle before saluting Carter and Luca and walking off to my bedroom for a shower.

Moments after my door closed it was swung open again and slammed shut as my intruder stormed in. I turned to the angry dragon, his eyes full of rage and his face covered in blood. I threw the wet face cloth at him as I prepared the bathroom for my shower.

“Low blow, mate.” He hissed as he wiped his nose of blood. I just smirked as my gaze fell to his through the mirror.

“All’s fair in love and war.” I remarked as I opened the mirror cabinet and pulled out my toothbrush. When I closed it, he was closer behind me than before and his heat radiated against my back. “Why are you here Xander? Go away and lick your wounds.” Xander’s jaw tightened as I spoke, and his eyes began to glow as glowing scales imprinted around his eyes showing his dragon was close to the surface. With a huff of smoke and a soft growl he stormed out, leaving me alone with my heart pounding in my chest. His closeness to me had done things to my body that I wasn’t proud to admit. His eyes made me feel things other than hate, which made me angry with myself. Why couldn’t he just reject me and save us both the pain? With a resigned sigh I turned to the shower, turning the water on, and hopping under the hot stream of water when it heats up, letting it wash away all of the knots and aches my muscles held.

The shower did little to clear my mind, or my desire of my mate. Instead as I washed my body, my luffa brushing against my body caused tingles as I thought of him. With an angry growl, I threw the luffa to the ground and rinsed myself off before storming out of the shower, grabbing my towel, and wrapping it around myself. How was it that this man both excited and frustrated me at the same time? I knew he was a good-looking man, more than good looking, he was scrumptiously delicious. I collapsed on to my bed, the towel still wrapped around me and stared up into the roof.

Every smirk that stretched across those kissable lips of his had my stomach tightening with desire. Every word he spoke, his thick Scottish brogue made my knees weak. He did things to my body without even trying and yet I seemed to disgust him. It made my heart ache to know my mate didn’t want me and that all I could do is want him. How could the goddess do this to me? How could she choose one for me who didn’t want to be with me? Who was disgusted by me? Tears burned my already sore eyes as they slipped out. A knock at my door had me sitting up, clutching at my towel as I reached for my dressing gown. Slipping it on I went to go answer the door.

My mum stood in my doorway, her eyes full of concern and I flung myself into her arms as tears stung my aching eyes. Her arms around me brought me comfort that nothing else could. She pulled back from the hug slightly and led me into the room, where she sat with me on the bed and let me rest my head against her shoulder as she stroked my hair.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Her soft voice asked.

“There’s not much to talk about, mum. My mate doesn’t want me. Simple as that.” I lifted my head from my mums’ shoulder to look in her eyes as I spoke.

“It’s never that simple, sweetheart.” She stared at me with her eyebrow raised and I shook my head.

“Mum...” she shook her head to stop me speaking.

“No, honey. Listen. People’s feelings are not always what they seem.”

“That’s true mum. But he’s made his feelings noticeably clear to me. I just wish he would reject me already so I can get on with my life.” I stood from the bed and walked into my closet where I dressed for the day in a pair of jeans, a band t-shirt, and flats. Exiting from my wardrobe I found my mum standing beside my bedside smiling down at the photo I keep there of myself and Luca when we were 16. When she saw me exit my wardrobe, she placed it back on the bedside and walked towards me. Her hand stroked my cheek softly as she smiled at me.

“Do not give up on your mate just yet. Fight for what you deserve.” With those last words she gave me a kiss on my cheek before leaving my room. I watched her leave, her words swirling around in my mind.