Power Play [The Mating Games On Ice]

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 1

"Darby, what are you doing? Get back here."

"Jayden, didn't you hear Ricky and his friends? They're going to the Ice Games in Siberia."

Darby said as he buzzed his way as fast as he could to catch up with the small group before they left Councilman Egan's tent area.

"You cannot be serious. We're bugs, for goodness sake. Bugs and freezing weather really don't go well together, Darby." Jayden said as he quickly flew in front of his friend.

Darby loved his best friend with everything in him. They were like brothers and did everything together, but right now Darby wished he could kick the dragonfly's ass. Because unlike his own ladybug wings, dragonflies had four wings that operated with different muscles, they were not only fast, but could do really cool s**t. They had the ability to make sharp turns, adjust their stroke plane with one wing and readjust with another, and they could also hover, like Jayden was doing now, right in front of his flight path to the tent of his future, "Jade, move out of my way."

"I can't let you do this, Darby. You go to Siberia and you're going to die of hypothermia. Come on, think about this. Even if the cold doesn't kill you, your mother will." Jayden stated firmly.

"My mom will understand. I have to do this, Jade, you know how long I have wanted my mate."

All Darby had ever done was think about the possibility of his mate. What would he look like?

At least he really hoped his future mate was a man, otherwise he would have to make some

serious life changes.

"Darby, come on, you can't seriously think you'll find your mate in Siberia? Why the heck would fate be so cruel?" Jayden asked, moving left, then right quickly to stop Darby from continuing forward.

"You know how much I want to find my mate and I'll go to any lengths to get him, even if it means I might freeze my balls off in Siberia.

"Dang it, Jayden, move, before I miss them." Darby begged.

Jayden sighed loudly, "Fine, but I think you're absolutely insane. It's cold as heck in Siberia.

Snow all over the place and damn it, they said it is in Tiksi. That is the one of the coldest places there."

Darby knew his best friend was right, but he had to at least try. He hadn't told Jayden yet, but Darby had recently had a dream. He was being chased by some very crazed dog in the snow and this wonderful beast came out from the woods and saved Darby's life. He knew the moment their eyes met that it was his mate. He just knew it, "I'm going. Tell my parents I'll be back when I can."

Darby faked a left then went right and raced to where he had seen Q go earlier with Ian. "There they are!"

Flying as fast as he could Darby finally made it into the tent where the group was meeting. He was shocked when Jayden whispered, "Please, don't do this, Darby. I don't have any other friends and I don't want the one I do have becoming a insectsicle."

"What the hell does that even mean and what are you even doing here? Go back to your family, before they leave without you." Darby hissed quietly.

"Did you hear something?" Ian asked.

"No, I didn't hear a thing, babe. Maybe you’re just missing Mary and Suzette. Those girls are always chattering, you're just used to it." Colby replied softly.

Ian's voice sounded sad, "I really hate leaving the girls with Mom and Dad. I miss them already."

Colby then said in a suggestive tone, "Oh please, your parents are going to spoil them rotten.

Besides, this gives us just you and me time. Gives me some very interesting ideas."

Ian sighed, "Yeah, I guess. I just hate leaving them so soon. When are our lives going to be normal again?"

"Sweetie, this will be over soon. Then we can go home and raise our kids and be the parents every kid is embarrassed by." Colby replied playfully.

Darby felt himself slip a bit when Cody grabbed Ian to give him a kiss. Darby sure hoped they didn't do more than that. He had heard these guys a time or two and he wasn't into voyeurism.

Besides, the way they go at it he'd end up squished.

Moving higher, Darby could see that everyone was packing up. Q was holding something

wrapped in a fleece blanket and Councilman Egan was talking on the phone. Seconds later Joop walked in with Ricky and their mates.

"Sorry we're late, but Mikey was not happy we were heading to Siberia without him. I don't know how mom did it, but she convinced him she and Kimmy needed him more. So, are you

guys ready to hit the road?" Ricky asked.

"Jotham said his plane is waiting on the tarmac for us. He's still trying to get a hold of the Councilmen in Siberia. Odin and his mate arrived there yesterday. They were heading out to the mating game area the last we heard." Ian explained.

"I finally talked with Krill." Jotham said as he put his phone away and walked to Q, peeking in the blanket then to his little mate. The look of love Darby witnessed had him yearning for someone to look at him like that.

Darby whispered, "This is why I'm willing to freeze to death to find my mate. Look how Councilman Egan looks at his mate. I want someone to look at me that way."

Jayden used one of his wings to slap at Darby, "Well I would love to see what look you're talking about, but you're kind of in the way."

"Hush, so I can hear." Darby rasped.

"Damn it, is anyone else hearing voices?" Ian hissed in frustration.

Everyone shook their heads, Joop laughed saying, "Take your meds Ian, they will all go away."

"Very funny. Hey Ricky, feel like shifting? I think Joop misses your skunk."

Joop stuck his tongue out and cuddled closer to Kahn.

Darby could see Ricky was getting annoyed by his friends but instead of getting angry, he

changed the subject, "I'm glad Councilman Krill finally answered his phone." .

Jotham scoffed, "He called me. He said he didn't buy Odin's story about his mate coming to find his family. I had to explain to him what's been going on. Krill is sending men out looking for possible locations to find Troy. He is going to fill Vagin in as well."

"Move over Darby, I can't see shit." Jayden complained.

"Shush, I'm trying to hear this." Darby replied quietly.

Ian shook his head and Darby almost flew off the man's head. Jayden flapped his stupid wings to keep hold of his spot.

"Ian, what the heck is your problem?" Ricky asked.

"Nothing, I'm just losing my mind." Ian asked.

Joop laughed, "Don't you have to have one to lose?"

Ian turned his head towards Joop, saying, "I swear, when we get to Siberia I am so hiding your thermal underwear. Oh wow, that reminds me. Joth, you did get all our clothing orders in, right?

Because I have to tell you, freezing my balls off in Siberia just doesn't sound like a good time."

"Tell me about it." Jayden mumbled.

"Yes, Ian. Everyone's order was placed a few days ago and should be on the plane when we get there."

"Good because Colby does love my balls." Ian replied in a funny tone.

Colby grabbed Ian again, wiggled his brows, then said "I promise I'll suck them warm before I let them freeze off, baby."

"Okay, that is just nasty wrong. I will never be able to get that visual out of my mind." Joop muttered.

Kahn smiled and hugged his mate close, "I can just do the same and give you a whole new visual."

"Okay guys, we’ve got to head out. Councilmen Krill and Vagin only got the abridged version of our story. We need to get there before Troy ends up taking other shifters for his bullshit experiments." Jotham said.

Darby found it interesting when Q looked at Jotham, and Jotham replied, "Yes, sweetheart, the baby is going to be just fine. Your pouch is designed for thermal care for our child."

"What does he mean? What baby? What pouch?" Jayden asked quietly.

Darby wished his wings worked like Jayden's, because right about now he would slap the crap out of the guy just to get him to be quiet. It was only a matter of time before Ian started smacking his head or something, and that could get them killed. Sometimes it really sucked being a bug.

"Darby, what is Councilman Egan talking about?" Jayden hissed softly once more.

Turning to his friend, Darby rasped, "I don't know. Now, be quiet or go away."

"You know you used to be the nicest guy. Lately you're moody and mean." Jayden said sadly.

Darby felt horrible. He loved Jayden, he really did. It's just that he could be really annoying sometimes. Jayden didn't feel like he would die if he didn't find his mate like Darby did. Like him, Jayden had the sweetest family. He had two brothers, a little sister, his mom and dad that doted on him every step of the way. Darby didn't understand why he didn't yearn for that kind of love like he did.

Darby had always been happy as a boy. His parents were so much in love and loved on each

other all the time. His dad never missed a birthday, anniversary, or a chance to touch and kiss on his mom. They always talked about how special it was when you found your true mate. Feeling the love from the moment of the mating was like no other feeling in the world. Knowing that you would never be alone again until the day you died. Darby wanted that. He needed that and he had been looking for his mate since the day he turned twenty-one. The older he got the more he yearned for that one person to love and be loved by, almost to the point of obsession.

"Darby, I know you would do whatever you could to find your mate, but this is not the way to go. We can make arrangements to attend the council ball. Everyone who is anyone goes to that shindig."

Shaking his bug head, Darby whispered, "No, Jayden. I know I'm close to finding him. Please understand, I have to do this."

Jayden sighed, "Okay, Darby if you are going, then I'm going."

"What? You don't have to go there with me. Why would you put your life in danger like that?

You don't even want a mate." Darby argued softly.

"I never said I didn't want my mate. I'm just not as obsessed about it as you are. Fate will bring him to me when I'm ready. And I am going with you because you are my best friend and if you're going to die of hypothermia, then you shouldn't die alone. Besides, we've always done

everything together. Why should this be any different? Who knows, maybe my mate will be someone out there balls deep in snow." Jayden replied with a false happiness to his voice.

Darby held on tight as Ian moved and it didn't take long until they were boarding the plane and it was moving down the runway and lifting into the air, "Here we go, Jayden. We are on our way to the next round of Mating Games."

Jayden snorted, "Yeah, Mating Games on ice, and most likely our death’s."

If bugs could smile, Darby would be grinning ear to ear, "No, Jayden, this is our path to a new beginning."