It's Dark Within

Troy and Lexana

        Troy found Lexana standing at a table, sitting there staring down at it like it was going to tell her the answers to the world’s problems. Seeing her like this made his heart hurt. Anytime he had seen Lexana around she was laughing or had a smile plastered on her pretty face. Now though, she looked miserable. He wasn’t sure if it was because of the situation, or maybe it was true about her mother twisting her into this ‘perfect’ person. Well, either way he was going to find out.

                With a deep breath in his lungs, he went over to her. Within a second Lexana knew he was there. He was her mate and a direct descendent of a powerful Alpha, it was hard not to notice him. He watched her whole chest drop, like just seeing him relieved tension within her.

                “Lexana, we really need to talk.” He started off with.

                She nodded. “Yeah, I think we should.”

                He never sat down, just leaned against the table in front of her. “Happy birthday.”

                Lexana’s eyes shot up to him, a tiny smile pulled at her ruby red lips. “Thanks, Troy.”

                “Did you have a feeling that we were…” His voice trailed off. This was harder than he expected it to be.

                She shook her head. “Not quite. I thought that Jack was going to be my mate, but still the scent was off. I think it was your sister’s scent on him that made me think it was him. You four scents are not that different. All of you smell like nature. Callum, refreshing mountain air. Senan, fresh cut grass. Christelle, calming rain. You, smell like the earth itself. When I saw you at breakfast, that’s when I knew it was your scent and not Jack’s. So, when my mother…embarrassed me a while ago…I wanted to tell her. I know in my heart that Jack is your sister’s mate, and as the time ticked closer to midnight your scent became intoxicating. It was all I could smell. That’s when I knew for sure, that you were going to end up being my mate.”

                Tory listened attentively, getting lost in Lexana’s essence. He knew this was going to happen. That’s why he wanted to know what to say to reject a mate so he didn’t get attached, but this Lexana was a completely different person. No one was around, and she could just be herself. It was impossible to not melt against her. He was told from a young age that the mate bond was impossible to deny unless rejected, now he knew why.

                “How do you feel about this? About me?” He asked, trying his best to not stare at her lips.

                Lexana gulped down the lump in her throat. “I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t really know you that well. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t interested. You’re my mate, and I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. Someone to take me away from my mother, someone to see the real me, someone who will teach me to be a better person. How do you feel about me?”

                “If were being honest, then at first I wanted to reject you.” He said, knowing his words were going to slice into her as it would for any mated pair. He watched Lexana wince a little, but maintained most of her composure. “I’m twenty-four, and you just turned eighteen. I’m older and your mother hates my family with a passion, especially my little sister. I figured you were going to want nothing to do with me. I was actually shocked when I got here and the bond hadn’t been severed from you.”

                She shot up out of seat. “I could never-“

                With a huff she cut herself off, looking away like she had been defeated. Without thinking about it, Troy reached forward and cupped the side of her face to pulled her to him. For a moment nothing existed, just the two of them and it was perfect.

                “Could never what?” He teased, watching her face turn pink.

                Her eyes fluttered from his face then down to his lips. “Could never reject you. I’ve wanted your attention for a long time, since me and Ell were kids. To me, there is no one I rather be with.”

                Troy smirked, leaning down to place his lips over hers. Lost in each other, right where they wanted to be.