Protector of the Pride (Lions of Pride Island Book 3)

by Terry Bolryder

  He was wearing Bermuda shorts and one of those embarrassing, oversized Hawaiian tee shirts, plus sunglasses and a fake beard. Unable to resist, she reached over and jerked off the beard.

  “No,” she said. “Just no.”

  Today she was wearing a cute pink sleeveless tunic that skimmed her curves and led to denim shorts that showed off her curvy legs. Plus, comfortable sandals that gave her a bit of a heel. Axel had eyed her appreciatively when he first saw her.

  He frowned as she dumped the fake beard in the trash. “That was expensive.”

  “And not worth it,” she said. “You might not mind looking like a tramp, but I have to look like your date.”

  He looked down at his clothes. “I was going more for tourist.”

  “Um, no,” she said. “You failed.”

  He shrugged. “I fail a lot with you, yet you still keep me around.”

  “Maybe that’s because you succeed at the things that really matter,” she said, putting a hand in his and leading him toward the admissions counter.

  “Like what?” he asked.

  “I’m not going to shower you with compliments today,” she said. “Your ego’s big enough as it is.” She looked over her shoulder at the guards. “Are they following us all day?”

  He nodded. “Just in case. I don’t think anyone will recognize me, though. I mean, I don’t go out much anyway, and my brothers are more in the news. Contrary to popular thought, I just work all the time.”

  “I know that,” she said. “Maybe after you take a mate and officially take the throne, you can revamp your public image a bit.”

  “Maybe,” he said in a deep voice, his hand squeezing hers.

  It was a pleasant, sunny day, with a nice cool breeze as they paid admission and went into the park. It wasn’t very crowded because they’d just opened for the season and most schools weren’t out yet. But there were teens and young adults and even older couples around.

  It was just one of the places to go in the summer when you lived on the island.

  “Where do you want to go first?” he asked.

  “Fire dragon,” she said.

  He frowned. “Cain said that one is dangerous. Old.”

  “That’s what makes it fun,” she said. “It’s so rickety. You kind of feel like you could die at any moment.”

  He raised an eyebrow as she tugged him down the main street toward that area of the park. “You don’t see the problem with that statement?”

  “I said it feels like you could die. Not that you actually could.”

  “Hmm,” he said. But he let her pull him along.

  “Hey, Lucy,” he said as they reached a short line that wound around to the Fire Dragon.

  She turned around to look at him and could tell from the serious look in his eyes that he had something to ask her that was important. “What is it?”

  “I just… Have you thought about the possibility that you could be my mate?”

  She blinked as they moved a little forward in the line. Of all the things she’d been expecting to come out of his mouth, that was not one of them. “Uh…”

  He took one of her hands and pressed it to his lips, drawing her closer toward his warm, tall body. He lowered her hand to their side again now that they were close. “I mean, if you were picked, would you want to?”

  She bit her lip. “Would I have a choice?”

  “Of course,” he said, but his expression cooled. “No one would force you. When the oracle picks someone, it’s our job to win them over. Not to let anyone force them.”

  “Good,” she said, feeling reassured. For a moment, she’d felt total panic. But why was he asking? Was he thinking it would be awkward?

  “Would you need to be forced to pick me?” he asked as they took a few more steps forward to close the gap in front of them. “Would it be so bad?”

  “Stop it,” she retorted. “It wouldn’t be that. It’s just that I never really pictured myself mated. I’m a free agent, you know? And there are a lot of… responsibilities.”

  “And they wouldn’t be worth it?” he asked, too serious.

  She sighed and tugged him forward. They were almost to the ride. “Come on, Axel. Let’s just have fun today. Don’t ruin it by worrying.”

  He tugged back on her hand, stopping her with serious gold eyes that twinkled in the sunlight. “Some things are worth worrying about,” he said. “Some things we have to worry about.”

  “You, not me,” she said stubbornly, because she couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. “I told you I just want to have fun while we can. I never said I wanted anything else.”

  “After last night, I guess I just thought maybe you did.”

  “Your assumption,” she said, dropping his hand and moving forward in the line.

  It hurt her slightly to do so, but it also hurt to discuss this when neither knew if it would be a possibility. She’d honestly never thought it was possible. Why would the oracle choose someone with her lineage?

  She liked having no past and no future. It made things easier. And sure, giving up Axel would hurt like hell, but she was prepared for that.

  She wasn’t prepared for all of these complicated questions about mating the future king.

  She faced away from him and felt his hand on her arm.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I won’t bring it up again. I just… I’ve been thinking about it and wondered if you had, too.”

  “I haven’t.” She lied.

  “Okay,” he said tightly. “Let’s just enjoy the day, then.”

  “Yup,” she said tersely.

  “Did I lose the right to hold your hand?” he asked, staring down at her as they nearly reached the person who would assign them seats on the ride.

  She exhaled slowly. “Maybe. But if you want, we can kiss at the top of the roller coaster. I like the thrill.”

  His eyes widened slightly, and he grinned. “I’m game for that.”

  She told her heart to stop pounding every time he smiled and focused on getting to their seats on the coaster. He looked perplexed as he pulled down his restraint, far too big for the seat he was in, and she suppressed a grin at the sight of his broad shoulders barely fitting.

  She pulled hers down easily and smiled over at him. His eyes held a tenderness that worried her.

  She’d finally pulled the softer, caring side out of Axel. Finally located and brought out his heart.

  The problem, she knew as the car slowly clicked up the long hill before the drop, was she might have to break it.

  But as he leaned in just before they went over the ledge and locked his lips with hers, and she felt her stomach drop as they started to fall and pull back, she knew she would probably lose her heart as well.

  At least it would be even.

  Axel was enjoying the day even more than he’d thought possible. Lucy looked smoking hot. He didn’t have to deal with the confounded dragon problem. He didn’t have to think about things at the castle because Cain was there.

  He didn’t even have to think about the oracle.

  Just the sunny day and the mate by his side. He put a hand to his face at that. He was saying that internally more and more often, and he knew it was trouble. Especially when Lucy had looked like a deer in headlights when he’d asked her about mating.

  Maybe he should have clarified it sooner. Or maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference.

  Either way, despite their hot, thrilling kiss on the roller coaster and the fact that she held his hand through the rest of the ride and that they’d been happily bantering the rest of the day, something was different. A little off.

  He tried not to let it bother him as they stopped to eat lunch.

  “Well, no one has recognized me yet,” he said, lowering his glasses for a moment to look around.

  “Nope,” she said, pushing his glasses back on. “Let’s not mess with them.”

  His two security guards were seated a few tables away, eating fried chicken out of a basket. He’
d chosen a chicken sandwich, and Lucy picked a burger.

  Plus, sodas.

  “So what do you want to do next?” he asked, checking his watch. “Gotta make the best out of the day. After this, it’s back to the grind for the rest of the week.”

  “Don’t I know it?” she said. But still, it seemed like her mind was elsewhere.

  “Did I bug you earlier?” he asked. “If so, you can forget it. I know what this is and what it isn’t. You laid that out at the start. I promise not to make it awkward anymore. Just stop looking like that.”

  “Like what?” she asked innocently, tucking a dark curl behind her ear. Her green eyes were shadowed as she looked down at her burger.

  “You’re good at hiding emotions, Lucy. But not that good. I can tell you’re bothered. You don’t have to think about mating me if it’s that hideous.”

  “It’s not that at all,” she said. “I just wasn’t prepared to think about it, and it keeps creeping into my thoughts. But I don’t have any control over it, and one thing I try to do in my life is not worry about things I can’t control.” She sighed. “Which is hard now that you’ve brought it up.”

  “Oh. Sorry.”

  She waved a hand. “It’s fine. It’s just… things are complicated now, and I’m wondering if I’ve made a mistake for both of us. I really did just intend to have fun and help you out in winning your mate.”

  He set down his sandwich and glared at her. “Seriously? You sure about that? Because what happened between us happened fast. Fast enough to imply that maybe both of us have been holding back too long. Or at least thinking about it.”

  She bit her full lower lip, and he felt his body respond. Everything she did made his body respond.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe I did have ulterior motives. It’s possible.”

  He gaped. “Ulterior motives?”

  “Like maybe I did want to offer to teach you only because I wanted to spend time with you. You’re hot. But I wasn’t thinking about mating.”

  He set down his napkin and stood up. “More fool me, then. Because I was thinking about you, too. But not just about sex.”

  ‘That’s all it was to me,” she said. “You’re hot. I have needs.”

  He paced in front of the table, feeling uncomfortable. “And now? Is it still just about needs?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know, Axel. This isn’t what things were supposed to be like. I can’t tell you. And why are you even asking me this? You have no idea who the oracle could pick. Yes, things are happening fast. And yes, being with you feels like a little piece of heaven. But I don’t see why we both can’t just enjoy it and stop thinking bout the inevitable crash.”

  “It doesn’t have to be inevitable,” he said. “Not unless you’re against mating me.”

  “But you can’t control if I’m picked,” she argued. “So maybe until we figure all of that out, we should just stay to the initial promise. And not get feelings.”

  He stared at her blankly. Not get feelings? Did she think he would make out in the lake with just anyone? This had meant something to him.

  “You’re special, Axel,” she said, looking up at him. But he got the feeling she was just placating him. “But it’s just… not for me.”

  He sat down on his bench again. Disappointment waved through him, but it wasn’t the first time something bad had happened. It wouldn’t be the last.

  And she was right. He needed to be more mature. He needed to take it slow. He needed to not get caught up like a schoolboy reliving his lost youth.

  He would lead his country. His people needed him. Even being here at the amusement park, what had he been thinking?

  He stood again. “I think we should go back.”

  “I’ve hurt you,” she said, regretful.

  “No,” he said. “You’ve been realistic. I’ve been in some kind of fantasy land. You see, when my dad died, I lost my childhood. I wasn’t a man yet, but I had to be after that day. I missed out on those reckless teen and college years. I had to be a dad to my brothers, a strong face to the families who would challenge us.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “And I still have to be that.”

  “And I’m here to help you,” she said. “Just not as a lover. Not a real one.”

  “Just someone who can hang out with me and have sex, then, until I find my mate?”

  She nodded. Her eyes were so beautiful. “Let’s finish the day,” she said. “You deserve one full day off. But let’s go back to the teen thing. Let’s have that day at the amusement park.”

  His eyes shuttered, and he exhaled roughly. “Okay.”

  The sun was setting as they stood in line for the Ferris wheel, a giant contraption that carried riders high above the ground to see around them for miles. Semi covered, with safety railings around it and a circular bench of seats meant for snuggling.

  Axel couldn’t wait to get up there with her. As their car arrived, a light-blue one, the attendant held open the door, and Axel helped Lucy in and then stepped in after her.

  It moved jerkily forward once they were secured and carried them slowly up into the air. Lucy, her forehead damp from sweat and face glowing from a good day, looked out over the landscape.

  “Do you see this?” she asked, leaning with one arm on the railing.

  He did. He forced himself to look away from the sight she made with her cute, curvy legs tucked under her and watched the sunset in the distance. Just pink and orange clouds on a blue sky. Still early yet. “It’s beautiful.”

  Then he sat back against the seat and relaxed. In his head, worries about work were already starting to come back in. He startled when he felt her come in against him and lifted his arm so that she could snuggle in. Putting his arm back over her just felt right.

  If he ignored everything they’d talked about today, he could just feel comforted and calm. But he couldn’t ignore it. It made too much sense. He told himself that there was only one thing he could do. Shut off his heart and just enjoy this while he could. She was right; whatever happened in the future, he couldn’t do anything about it.

  “So what happens when we get back?” she asked.

  His throat was tight. “I think maybe we should slow things down.”

  She was quiet at that.

  “I know it’s been fun. We’ve been living in a different world these past few days. But you’re right, about everything.”

  “I know,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder. “But I don’t want to be.”

  The corners of his mouth turned up in a smile he didn’t mean. “Yeah.”

  He looked out at the landscape, the mountains in the distance catching the pink colors of the sunset. There were beautiful scenes like this from the castle every day, but he’d never thought to watch them.

  After this, he vowed he would. He might not be able to keep Lucy, but he could keep the things she’d opened up in him. He just had to open up next time to someone who wanted him to.

  They stayed like that until the ride ended, bringing them back to the ground. Axel hated the moment she sat up, pulling away from him, and stepped out of the car.

  Back on the ground and back to reality. He was the future king, and she was his secretary.

  Nothing more, nothing less. No matter how much his heart screamed, Mate!

  9

  They were headed for the gate, security trailing them again, when Lucy felt something behind her.

  She squeaked and turned around, seeing two men leering behind her. Had she just felt something on her butt? Axel looked at her curiously, and she shook her head. She must have imagined it. She didn’t want any trouble.

  She looked at the security guys. One had just taken a phone call, and while they were still following, there were quite a few people between them. Perhaps after a long, peaceful day, they weren’t so intense about staying right on top of them.

  Reluctantly, she turned back to facing forward and, only a few steps later, felt her butt touched again.


  This time she was sure. She looked subtly over her shoulder, trying not to draw Axel’s attention. People like this pissed her off, but she didn’t need to get the king involved.

  And she had a feeling he definitely would get involved if he knew what was going on.

  Still, she couldn’t let the leering idiots behind her get away with it.

  Axel looked at her with narrowed eyes and then looked behind her. The situation seemed to click, and rage flitted across his face briefly before he turned around.

  Before she had a chance to even scream, Axel plowed his fist through the man’s face, knocking him onto his ass. Then he turned to look at his friend threateningly, and the friend just ran.

  The man he’d knocked down looked up in offense. “What the hell, man?”

  “Keep your dirty hands to yourself,” Axel snarled, rising to his fully intimidating height.

  “Or what?” the other guy said, standing up, wiping his split lip. “You can’t prove anything. You just assaulted me.”

  Axel’s face was full of homicidal rage. “You assaulted my date. Apologize before I make you unable to.”

  The guy sneered. “How do you know she wasn’t asking for it? Stuffy guy like you. Cute thing like that—”

  He didn’t get a chance to finish because Axel hauled off with a very un-princely left to the face that sent him flying. This time, he didn’t get up, and Axel’s security guys were running toward them. One pinned the guy on the ground and called for backup, and the other came toward Axel, who put a hand up as he walked forward.

  The guy on the ground looked up blearily.

  “Apologize, fucker,” Axel demanded.

  The guy just blinked, too dazed. Lucy ran forward and grabbed Axel by the arm. As she pulled him back, his glasses, which had already been knocked loose by the impact, fell off his face and smashed on the ground.

  He didn’t seem to care. He pulled his arm back. “Why didn’t you tell me what they were doing?”

  “You’re the heir apparent. I didn’t want you to make a scene.”

  “What kind of ruler can I be if I don’t protect those in my charge?”

  “I’m not in your charge,” she muttered. “I’m your date.”