22. Rehn

TWENTY-TWO

REHN

W hen Rehn finally pulled his lips away from Leila, he couldn't let the rest of her go.

His fingers laced with each other as he tightened his grip around her waist to bring her closer.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She nodded, but there were tears in her eyes.

"Hey, why are you crying?"

"I'm not. I mean, I am. I'm just… Thank you for saving me again."

He stroked her cheek and smiled.

"I didn't really save you. You seemed to have that handled. I just did the dirty work."

She choked out a chuckle and leaned her face into his palm. "Still, thank you."

Now was the time to tell her. He couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Leila, I need to tell you something."

"I know," she interrupted. "I should have said good-bye to you myself."

"Well, yes, but that's not what I was going to say." He lifted her chin and looked into her deep brown eyes. He saw his whole life there and it was time she knew that. "Since I met you, I knew something that I've kept from you. I was scared that it would frighten you away from me."

Leila's forehead furrowed.

Rehn took a deep breath.

"You're my fated mate. And before you say anything, I want to explain. For me, a shifter, we have fated mates. Someone we are destined to be with. Our animal needs that person in our lives. But, for a human, or non-shifter, you don't have the same reaction as we do. Maybe something, but not as strong. I didn't want to scare you away by telling you that. I wanted you to want to be with me on your own accord." He had never felt so vulnerable in his life.

Leila remained quiet for a moment.

Rehn had seen Idris standing at the door while he waited for Leila to say something. Anything.

Finally, she did.

"So, you need to be with me?"

"Well, yes and no. I'm not going to keep you against your will. It will just be very hard, next to impossible really, to keep my distance."

She smirked at that.

"I don't mind that."

His heart pounded feverishly in his chest. His bear roared a victory.

"You don't?"

Instead of answering, Leila kissed him slowly and deeply.

"I want to be with you, Rehn. I just didn't think you wanted that with me. You're a king and… I just thought?—"

"Well, then stop with all of this thinking." He kissed her again.

They were starting to get carried away when he felt her hand push hard against his chest.

"I'm sorry. I need to control myself," he panted.

"No, no, it's not that." Leila seemed equally exhilarated. "I think I just realized something. You said fated mates can affect the partner?"

"In a manner of speaking. You may have felt something for me, but not like if you were another shifter. It would also enhance any shifter powers—" He realized where she was going with this.

"Hang on, are you talking about your magic?"

She nodded, biting her lip.

"If it can enhance abilities, it can enhance my powers. Right? That's why I have been able to use time manipulation… because you've been around me! And why I got so used to the surge of power within me while I was staying with you. It was continuous. It didn't come back until you were close to me or else I wouldn't have been able to do what I did."

"I'm glad I could help," he said with a soft smile. He took her hand in his and added, "You know, if it helps sweeten the deal, you'll have that extra magic always, whether I'm around or not, if we were to be mated officially."

"Tempting," she teased.

"Not only that," he whispered as he kissed her wrist softly. "But we would be able to know where each of us was, sense if we were in danger, and speak telepathically to each other."

"Oh, so you would be able to know what I was thinking about right now?" she asked with a coy smile.

Rehn felt himself harden as his bear yearned to claim her.

"That we should give this a real chance?"

She stepped closer to him. Closing the gap. Her breasts were pressed against him and he felt the heat of desire radiating off her.

"I think so."

Rehn was conflicted with how happy and turned on he was while only a mere moment ago, his mate was in danger.

"And just so you know, I did feel something as well when we met. It was very… distracting," she whispered as her finger traced his abdomen.

"You have no idea," he quietly groaned into her ear.

Their lips were a breath away before?—

"Eh-hem."

Rehn had been so caught up in their confessions and lust that he had not noticed the party that had gathered at the door.

Tressa, Chaniel, Idris, and a few other faculty members were standing there watching them.

Leila looked embarrassed and pulled away.

"Oh, Director, I'm so sorry. We were just?—"

"Leila, do not apologize," Tressa said, making her way over, the others in her wake.

The tall director wrapped Leila up in her long arms as if comforting a daughter.

"You have been through enough. I don't know what happened, but based on the state of Xanthus's body, I hope it's safe to assume he was the true mastermind behind the attack?"

Leila straightened herself up and addressed everyone in the room.

"It's true. He admitted everything to me once I was down here. I thought we were going to a private study of his, but he wanted the same thing Drystan wanted."

"To go back in time? Why?" Rehn asked.

"He believed that the natural order of things had been affected due to unnecessary events in history. He wanted to ‘make it right.' Honestly, it all sounds so crazy to me."

Rehn noticed Chaniel nodding in agreement, but Tressa was shaking her head.

"I'm a fool for not seeing it sooner. It makes sense. There are many people out there who believe that sorcerers should be the almighty power. That there is a natural pyramid scheme to our lives. I often forgot how old he was and what beliefs might be instilled in him."

"Everything is always clearer in hindsight," Rehn offered. "Everyone seemed to be rather swooned by him."

Tressa turned to the king and smiled. "I'm just glad you and your man were able to figure out the truth before it was too late. Who knows the kind of butterfly effect that would have come from Xanthus's meddling."

"I want to know why he let Drystan escape just to harm you if he needed you," Rehn mentioned as he stepped back to Leila's side.

Even though the threat was past, he still felt the need to protect her. He always would.

Leila's voice was quiet. "He said he thought me being frightened would trigger my powers."

"So he threatened your life?" Rehn growled.

If Xanthus hadn't been dead already, he'd kill him.

"We know he was wrong though," Leila said.

"How?" Tressa asked, interrupting the two.

Rehn saw Leila begin to blush so he answered for her.

"Our bond."

Tressa's eyes widened while Idris smiled behind them all.

"She's your mate ?" Tressa asked, shocked.

"My fated mate to be exact," Rehn answered proudly.

"It's true," Leila peeped up. "I felt it myself, even though I didn't know what it was. But it's our bond that enhances my powers, not fear."

Tressa smirked. "Ah, so love , not fear, rules over all."

Rehn got nervous when he heard her say love . He knew he loved Leila, but he had just told her about being mates. Was love too heavy right now for her?

Thankfully, she seemed unfazed by Tressa's comment.

"Leila, I'm going to need a full statement from you and King Rehn as soon as possible. That way everything is still fresh. You two." She snapped at the two men with her. "I need you to dispose of Xanthus. We will make a public announcement telling the truth about him, but not until after certain things are handled. We don't need an uprising. He was very well respected after all. This is going to come hard to the community."

"Well, we have proof. We can help you with the public announcement," Rehn offered. He usually wouldn't get involved with the politics of others. He had enough on his plate. But he was feeling generous and it would help Leila. So, he saw it as a win-win.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. That would be helpful." Tressa looked around. She was satisfied with what was being done around her, so she clapped her hands together.

"Now, if you don't mind, let's get the statements so you two lovebirds can be on your way."

"But what about my classes here?" Leila asked as they followed Tressa out.

"Don't worry about it right now. You aren't fired. This is just an extended leave to help you get settled in your new life." The director turned and gave them a genuine smile. "I'm happy for you, Leila. Now come!"

As Rehn and Leila followed Tressa up what was once a daunting staircase, he felt a tiny cold hand slip into his.

He looked down at the tan hand and smiled squeezing it.

Together, they walked into the beginning of the rest of their lives.