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

by Terry Bolryder

  He folded his arms. “Nonetheless, it’s my job to protect you.”

  She heard murmuring and looked around to see a crowd had gathered. As the noise rose, she could hear whispers about the king, shouts drawing other people. She grabbed Axel, who was still looking angrily at the guy with his guards, and yanked him toward her. “We have to go. You’re drawing attention.”

  He growled. “I want to make sure he’s taken care of. Him and his friend.”

  “You’re being recognized,” she said, urgency in her voice. “We have to go.”

  He looked up and saw the crowd around them, phones held up everywhere, and his eyes widened. “Dammit.”

  “Let’s get out of here,” she said, ignoring the flash of cameras.

  “Why can’t I just be a normal person, even for a day?” he asked, running his hand through his hair. He snarled as someone put a camera right in Lucy’s face, and he pulled her in against him. Unable to keep people away as they walked, he scooped her up in his arms and walked assertively toward the exit.

  The guard that was still with him helped clear the crowd in front of them. Axel was gracious, not scowling or getting into it with anyone trying to greet them, but it was clear he had one concern and one concern only. Getting them both out of there safely.

  When they finally reached the car, the guard helped keep people out of the way as he put Lucy inside and then got in himself.

  She looked up to see women pressing themselves against the windows, some of them crying. “Your fans,” she said.

  He sighed. “Yeah. You’ve seen the mail.”

  She smiled, trying to lighten the mood as the driver tried to pull out, waiting for people to clear a path for them. “Hey, you’re hot and a royal. That’s a great combo.”

  He eyed her warily. “Really? Because I think it just ruined our date. And hey, you’re not eager to mate me.”

  “I’m not eager to mate anyone,” she said. “In fact, I think it’s probably best if I don’t.”

  “Maybe,” he said.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I just mean you would know, right?” He leaned back and closed his eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. Just still trying to calm down.”

  “From the cameras?”

  “No, from the fact that someone was touching you and you didn’t tell me right away. That you would worry about me more than yourself. I know we aren’t supposed to be officially dating, but it infuriates me that someone attacked you.” He tousled his hair again, looking agonized. “With me right there.”

  “You stopped him,” she said.

  “Took me a minute. But when I saw your face that second time, and then saw his stupid-ass grin, I knew.” He rubbed his forehead. “You forgive me?”

  “For what?” she asked.

  “For not catching on right away.”

  “You did,” she said. “Before that, I wasn’t sure. I’m glad you dealt with it, honestly.” She leaned against his shoulder, and he put an arm around her. It was a position they were starting to sink into easily, out of habit. “I just wish you hadn’t had to.”

  “I’d stand up for you anytime,” he said. “I might not take you to any more amusement parks, though. Not if those kind of fools are there.”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “Bad people can be anywhere. I guess unless you want to stay home alone all the time, you can’t avoid that.”

  “But if I hadn’t been wearing that stupid outfit, maybe they wouldn’t have just assumed they could mess with my date.”

  She frowned. “It’s not about you at all. It’s just two pervs. Get that into your head.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, but his tone was still grumpy.

  “I’m really fine. It was just a light touch.”

  “Not theirs to touch,” he said.

  “Not yours either,” she said. “I mean, we’re not together, Axel. Just enjoying each other.”

  “Right,” he said. “So why did it feel like when he was touching you, he was assaulting my mate?” He grabbed her hand and put it over his chest. “Do you feel that? Why does it feel like it’s going to burst out of my chest when I think about it?”

  She tried to pull back. “Stop thinking about it.”

  “I won’t. I can’t,” he said. “It’s not that easy. I’m supposed to protect you. Regardless of what you think about it. And today, I failed.”

  She ran a hand over his chest as she relaxed into him, hoping her relaxation would rub off onto him. “You’re too hard on yourself, as usual. But then again, I suppose that’s what makes you good. Always assessing yourself. Holding yourself to a high standard. But you didn’t fail today, okay? You helped me and made the right assumptions without me even telling you. And now let’s just let it go, okay?”

  He nodded and squeezed her hand with his. When they finally were able to pull out of the parking lot and onto a main road where they could accelerate, he let out a relieved breath.

  What a day.

  When they pulled up in front of the house, Axel knew their problems at the amusement park weren’t over. He could almost see Cain’s “I told you so” expression as he stormed down the front steps to meet them.

  Lucy stood slightly behind him, and Axel sighed as he faced his brother with folded arms.

  “The phones have been ringing off the hook,” Cain said. “‘Future king on date with possible mate.’ ‘Axel Hunt out with new mistress.’ ‘Axel Hunt attacks bystander over mystery woman.’ It’s everywhere.”

  Axel put a hand to his forehead and stepped out of Lucy’s way. “You might want to head inside.”

  “No,” she said, folding her arms. “I’m your secretary. Don’t forget that. If there’s trouble, I’ll deal with it, too.”

  “And there was a call from the oracle,” Cain added.

  “Already?” Axel inwardly groaned. “Shit.”

  “She wants you to call on her. Alone.”

  Lucy fidgeted. “I’m sorry if I got you in trouble.”

  “No,” Axel said. “I can fix it easily. But I’ll need to head out now.” He looked at Cain. “Can you stay until I get back? Make sure Lucy is okay?”

  Cain nodded. There were other staff around, but Axel wanted someone he would trust with his own life, just in case paparazzi came around. Or worse, aggressive alpha lions wanting to challenge him for Lucy, thinking mistakenly that she’d been announced as his mate.

  He’d always known when that happened, it would be important to move fast, because as the last son, he’d have more challengers than any other if they had the time to come after him.

  He groaned as he turned to Lucy and gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll check in on you when I get back.”

  She nodded.

  “She’s sending someone to get you,” Cain said. “Go get changed out of those ridiculous clothes, and they should be here.”

  Axel nodded and, with a last look at Lucy, charged up the stairs to his room. The sooner he got this sorted out, the sooner he could start working through the rest of the mess at home. Calling newspapers. Correcting things. Making appearances if needed.

  He’d always been so private that he’d underestimated the people’s interest in his social life. He’d have to feed them more info if he wanted to keep things like this from happening and everyone drawing the wrong conclusions.

  Not that they were. When he’d laid out that guy at Funland, he’d been every bit the angry lion avenging his mate. He’d felt it down to his bones. How dare he touch her? How dare he put hands on his mate?

  He was furious enough to kill. But he was also a leader and couldn’t afford to let it throw him like that. Not when there was nothing he could do to the man at this moment.

  But he vowed not to let anything like that happen to Lucy again. Not on his watch.

  He jerked on a tie and tightened it angrily, trying to get the image of her scared face out of his mind. He’d have to be calm and clearheaded when he went to see the oracle. Otherwise, this wouldn’t
work at all.

  She’d see how much he cared, and he didn’t know how badly she’d react to him giving his heart away when he wasn’t allowed to yet.

  He sighed as he quickly checked himself out in a mirror. Classic black suit with a blue tie. His hair was a little mussed, and he pushed it back into place as well as he could. Then he took the steps two at a time as he heard Cain shout that his ride was there.

  He skidded to a stop as he saw the man at the entrance, who looked unlike anyone he’d seen before.

  He had long, dark hair, rough and waving over his shoulders. A forbidding posture, broad shoulders. He was, well, giant. There was something ruthless about the way he held his strong jaw, the cold glare in his dark eyes.

  And though his clothes were a bit odd, if simple and leather, the weirdest thing was a collar around his neck made of some kind of high-tech metal. He eyed it with disgust for a moment. Was the oracle keeping pets?

  The man glared at him. “I’m no pet, stupid.”

  Axel took a step back in shock. Then narrowed his eyes and walked straight to the other man, holding his ground. They were similar heights, though the other man had a much coarser, darker presence. And was larger.

  “You’re a dragon?” He was glad Lucy wasn’t around anymore, because he didn’t trust this person at all.

  “What tipped you off?” the man asked in a harsh voice with a hint of a sneer. This was not someone Axel wanted to see without the collar.

  “You can read minds,” he said. “But you’re not any of the silver dragons I know of. And I’m in touch with them all.”

  “I’m the new model. Well, the old model. Your old crone made a mistake when she woke us. But she’ll see.” He grinned cruelly. “But in the meantime, you’re to come with me, as she ordered.” He touched the collar. “Not much I can do about it for now.”

  Axel suppressed a shiver. What the hell had the oracle done? He knew they needed backup, but this person seriously didn’t seem to be the answer. He stepped past the other man, keeping a wide berth.

  He could fight a dragon if needed, but he didn’t want to. He’d had enough violence for one day. Part of his job was avoiding it whenever possible.

  And as long as it didn’t involve Lucy, he could control it.

  “I’m Isaac,” the man said, walking out to a huge Jeep out front. He extended a hand, but Axel didn’t take it. “Fine, then.”

  Axel jumped in the backseat. “Let’s go.”

  “I’m not going to bite,” the dark-haired man said as he started up the car. “I can’t.” He flashed his teeth, and Axel gave him another weird look. He didn’t understand what was going on at all, but he intended to ask the oracle when he got there.

  “Just take me to the oracle,” Axel said. “I don’t need small talk.”

  “Bad day, right?” Isaac said with a grin. “My kind of day, really, beating up an asshole.”

  “I get the feeling your enjoyment of beatings isn’t limited only to assholes,” Axel said warily.

  “Maybe,” the man said. “I do enjoy destroying things. Almost as much as I enjoy wenches.”

  Axel winced. What the fuck? Was this man from the middle ages?

  “Your wench is perfect. Sweet, curvy. Except, from what I hear, you aren’t allowed to pick her.” His grin widened, showing sharpened incisors. “If you want, I’ll pick up where you left off.”

  Axel clenched his hands into fists. He couldn’t afford to get riled up. He also knew this douche with a collar had zero chance of getting to Lucy. Over his dead body.

  He stayed silent. He’d had a lot of douchebags try to provoke him over the years, he wasn’t going to let them now. He leaned back against the seat, taking long, relaxing breaths and retreating into his mind. “Let me know when we’re there.”

  10

  “Of all the people I expected to be in this situation, I never thought it would be you, Axel.”

  Axel looked up from his chair as the oracle entered the room. He’d been waiting for several minutes, and when she appeared, she had Isaac the Neanderthal right beside her. Looking much more reserved with her right there.

  She had a hold on him all right.

  Axel glanced at the collar again. “What are you doing with him?” He’d never known her to chain anybody. She had tremendous power, but he’d never seen her use it that way.

  “I’ll explain that in a minute,” she said, taking a seat at the desk in front of him. “After you explain what you’re doing as future king.”

  Axel sighed. He leaned back in the too-small chair, wondering if there was even a way to explain it. He’d just done what he wanted to, damn the consequences. He folded his arms.

  “Axel,” she said, her voice placating. “I know you. You want to do what’s right, always. You’re a good man. So tell me what’s going on that I had to hear about you punching a civilian while you were out in public at an amusement park, wearing Hawaiian clothes.”

  “Not much to answer,” he said. “You have most of it.”

  She tucked her hair back. She could change her hair color and style at a whim and often did. Today it was dark purple. But her eyes were the usual misty gray, startlingly sharp and youthful despite her aged, grandmotherly face. Like she could see right through him.

  It had always felt that way to Axel, anyway.

  She stood out of her chair and walked around him. Her office was filled with beautiful, antique wood furnishings. Timeless, just like her. She put a hand on his shoulder. “Axel, you’ve always been my responsible one. My rock. So what happened?”

  He was silent, still processing his thoughts.

  “And does it have anything to do with that sexy secretary I sent you a few months ago?”

  He sat up straight. “I knew it. You sent her. I—”

  “I wouldn’t make any assumptions if I were you,” she said, going back to her seat. A little chill ran up Axel’s back as she watched him with those gray eyes. “I didn’t say she was your mate. I haven’t told you who it is yet.”

  “Then when will you tell me?” he asked.

  “That’s for me to know and you to find out,” she said.

  Axel heard a snort from Isaac and gritted his teeth together. “Now, are you going to tell me who that clown is?”

  “One of the original dragons,” she said. “We were keeping them on ice. This one is from the medieval period.”

  “That would explain his talk of wenches. But why?”

  She shrugged. “Just exploring our options. Don’t worry about it for now. I’m still working out the kinks.”

  Axel looked at the collar. “I’d say so.”

  She grinned. “Back to you. What are you doing? And don’t avoid my question again. It wouldn’t be wise.”

  Axel dropped his hand onto his knee. “I’m sorry. I’m just exploring something. Lucy and I are attracted to each other, and she pointed out that even when I am assigned a mate, I don’t exactly know what to do with her.”

  The oracle leaned back. “I’m not averse to you dating. I never was. My one concern is that you would defy me, think that you could know better or seek to contradict my orders.”

  He swallowed. Would he defy her for Lucy? He wasn’t sure.

  “I hope you would understand the consequences of that,” she said.

  “I would,” he said. Losing the country. Losing everything he and his brothers had worked for. Everything he’d never asked to handle, but now treasured because he always had. He couldn’t just let that go.

  But after today, he knew he couldn’t just let Lucy go either.

  “Couldn’t you just make her my mate?” he asked impulsively.

  She sat up straight, glaring at him. “Are you suggesting I bend my complex assessment based on my gift of prophecy so that you can mate with someone you think is hot? No, I don’t think so.”

  “That’s right,” Isaac muttered from his position at the back of the room. “You aren’t exactly big on letting people do what they want.”

/>   “Say that again when you aren’t at risk of burning villages,” she snapped, shutting the other man up.

  Axel tried not to grin and failed.

  “Wipe that grin off your face, asshole,” Isaac called out.

  Axel stood. “You will not address your king like that.”

  “You aren’t king yet,” she said. “And you won’t be if you don’t stay in line with what’s expected of you.”

  He gritted his teeth, frustrated. “I have been acting as king since my father died. And I will act that way until I am removed from the position. And until I give you reason to do that, I expect you to not let your employees insult me.”

  He also still hadn’t forgotten Isaac’s crude comment about Lucy. He doubted he and the other man would ever get along.

  “Apologize,” the oracle said.

  The man frowned. “No.”

  She raised a finger, and he twitched.

  “I’m sorry,” he said bluntly.

  Axel sat down again. “No problem.” Then he looked at the Oracle. “I’m not going to cause problems with you. And I’m going to call the press and fix things up.”

  “We already have our PR people on it. But you can’t screw up again.”

  “I won’t,” Axel said. “I’ll keep it inside the castle.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Given that I could pick a mate for you any moment, isn’t that a little reckless?”

  “She knows I’ll do anything for my country,” Axel said. “Besides, she doesn’t want me. So you have nothing to worry about.” He stood. “Was there anything else?”

  She shook her head.

  He jerked a thumb at Isaac. “I expect a report on what’s going on here. You may be our prophetess, but I’m still responsible for safety and keeping tabs on the dragons. If you are going to go forward with… whatever this is… then I need to know.”

  She waved a hand. “All in good time. I think you’ll see the wisdom in it soon enough.”

  He frowned. “Okay. But if it’s all right with you, I’m going to call my driver to bring me home.”

  She shrugged. “It’s fine, Axel. Everything will be fine if you just do what you’re supposed to.”