Landon
As I watch her change, I notice how beautiful the dark orange in her coat is. I turn and look at the others who are standing with their mouths open, I’m sure wondering about how deep the orange and brown is in her fur.
When Davina takes off running the need to chase her takes over. I get down on all fours, and I can feel the fire running through my body like a damn has broken. It doesn’t feel hot, at all to me, just soothing. I raise my head up to the sun, and it’s the best feeling ever. Soon I’m changed into the king a lion king. My fur is not burning yet, as I want to show Davina how it happens.
I take off towards her, and it’s not long before I catch her scent and can see her in the distance. She’s fast, but I’m faster, Davina probably thought she would be able to out run me, but she doesn’t know that I’m guided by the sun. It gives me power and strength. I’m not like other lions I’m the Zodiac Leo.
When I finally catch up with Davina, I bump her slightly, and she rolls over and then stands back up quickly. She steps back slightly, but then she comes closer. The tips of my fur are red all over.
“Davina are you ready to see,” I say, communicating with her using my mind. She steps back like she’s afraid. Davina must have never used this skill or don’t know how.
“You can speak to me too, just think of something, and I will hear it,” I speak again.
She tilts her head at me then comes forward some.
“What are you, Landon?” She asks.
“I’m the ruler of my pride and bear the gift of the sun.”
“What does that mean? Are you a god or something?”
I roar with laughter. Then allow my body to become flames, my entire fur is engulfed with red and orange flames hanging off me, my eyes become a bright light and give me sight into Davina’s structure as a lioness.
“It will not burn you, Davina,” I say, hoping she remains calm.
Davina turns and takes off at full speed, and I chase her down. She runs, and I chase.
I find her hiding behind a tree roaring at me to stay back.
“Davina, be calm,” I command. She looks from side to side in fear, but then I can see her calming.
“Landon your fucking on fire, please stay back I don’t want to die.”
“I would never hurt you, and just so you know I feel a strong need to protect you.”
“You left me in the bed by myself last night, are you not compassionate?” She sounds hurt even sending a mental message. She roars again at me, and now I feel bad for leaving her alone. I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings, but clearly, I have.
“I’m sorry, please forgive me, my intentions were not to hurt you, but because I’m unmated my body doesn’t rest unless I’m alone until I mate with my queen.”
She doesn’t respond she just lowers herself to the ground. I lower myself in front of her, and we stare at each other for a while.
“Davina do you have any idea who your parents are? The color of your coat with the deep orange is like mine.” I say, curious.
“I don’t turn into fire if that’s what you wondering, and no I can only remember certain things about them, and even that is broken flashes.”
“Fair enough, would you like to go back to the house.”
“Yes, can you fly us back?”
“No, but I can make you feel like you’re flying if you want to play.”
She narrows her eyes then takes off running back towards the house. I give her a good head start before I take off after her. When we arrive at the house, there’s no one waiting on the porch except my mom.
Once we are back in human form, Davina walks onto the porch, and mom hands her her clothes. She looks at me and smiles and gives me my pants to put on.
“Landon I need to speak with you,” Mom says.
Davina looks at us both, but hurries away into the house I’m sure to process what she’s seen.
“Mom is something wrong?”
“Oh no, I don’t think so, except I think Davina is more like you and she doesn’t know it.”
“When I asked about her parents she says, there’s no memory.”
My mom looks out into the field and then looks at me with concern.
“I looked in the books, and it says, that a female cub will be born with a gift from the sun as well, her fur looks like she could be the one.”
“I ran with her and didn’t see any sign of her being a Zodiac lioness.”
“That’s because you’re only thinking of one thing. If Davina is the one then Landon, she’s your mate, and your cubs will become the most powerful rulers ever.”
“Wait, I’m all for ruling the world, but I’m not mating anyone, yet. I will not be pressured.”
My mom gets silent, and I regret raising my voice at her. I know she means well. I get down on the ground and crawl over to her, resting my head in her lap. As she rubs my head. I begin to hum and relax. It’s always been the way I’ve said I’m sorry to my mom.
She doesn’t say any more about Davina being some special lioness, and I’m glad. After a short time, we both go in the house, mom says her goodbyes and decides to leave.
I look towards where my rooms are but decide I need to walk around and see my people some. I step outside, and it’s beautiful, little ones are playing. I see the park where some couples are sitting out eating together. It’s truly a beautiful sight. Everyone is waving and smiling at me as I walk by. I soon come to my brother James’ house. There is a lot of people on his porch including Wendy. I plan on ignoring her. As I step on his porch, everyone stands, trying to give me their seat. I decide on the seat next to James.
“You done running with Davina?” James asks, handing me a beer.
“You know that already, stop interfering James,” I reply.
Then I hear Wendy whispering to a few other females. “He’s only playing with the rogue, I will be his mate.”
“Anyone who becomes my mate will not be rude to anyone I bring to my home and my pride,” I say loudly.
Hoping this would end Wendy’s nonsense, but it only gives her courage to keep speaking about it to me.
“Landon, whether you take a mate now or much later, you can’t possibly see yourself with someone who has not ever been with a pride. The respectable thing to do for your pride is to pick a female that has been here serving all your needs and desires.” She raises a brow at me.
Wendy has always had a big mouth, but she’s getting out of hand. Yet, as I look at the females around, they all seem to be nodding in agreement. I glance at James, and he’s trying to hold his laugh in. My brother and I both have had our turn at Wendy, but that’s not my problem with her, she has decided that she is the only one capable of being a suitable mate for me.
“Wendy, when the time comes for me to pick a mate I think we’ll go back to the tradition of the Mating Fight. That way the one who is strong enough to pin down the other gets to have me.”
“Then I should start making plans, no female would dare fight me I’m the best.” She says, confidently.
“I want to hang out with my brother without all you females especially you Wendy gnawing at his feet for attention,” James says.
Wendy looks offended and walks off the porch and switches down the way. Once she’s out of sight, James starts laughing. After that, I got to hear about all the problems that have been going on while I’ve been away. Including how the elders have said I must take a mate to remain the ruler. I hear about the new births and even how some of the members of the pride have returned home with skills to help our community thrive, like obtaining nursing degrees and teacher certificates and even some scientists.
As I sit and listen about everyone it brings me joy at all the good news I’m hearing. No ruler likes to hear bad things about their pride. A few even told me that Wendy is teaching a relaxation class. After a few hours with my people, I decide to go back home where Davina is, I think how inconsiderate it was of me not to invite her. She should be around the people she would have loved it, well except Wendy’s comments, but after that, she could have had a feel of how the community works together.
When I arrive home, I smell food. My mouth waters as it smells delicious. I walk into the kitchen and Davina is sitting eating at the table. She has a steak bigger than my hand with potatoes and bread with butter.
“Oh, that smells good and looks even better. Where’s mine?” I ask.
“Oh, I didn’t make you any.” She says as she takes another bite.
“Davina, very funny, now where’s my food I’m hungry too.”
She looks up at me with narrow eyes and then speaks.
“You left me alone in the bed after our sexual encounter last night, you left me in the house, after our run together. I figure you are always leaving me alone I might as well eat alone.”
I feel bad now. I should have asked her to go with me. She has a point I shouldn’t expect her to do something for me if I’m not being the gentleman I know I can be.
I walk over to the fridge and pull out a carton of milk and grab the biggest bowl I can find, and pour an entire box of cereal into the bowl using all the milk. I take a seat across from Davina and she has a smirk on her face.
“It’s not steak, but at least I can sit and eat with you,” I say.
She smiles and continues to eat her steak slowly teasing me. I look away and eat my cold cereal. It’s my own fault for not taking her with me if I expect her to join my pride she needs to be around the pride. They will become family to her, and from what I can tell she needs family…she needs me if I’m honest.
“So, Landon the fire lion, when did you first set…I mean when did the fire first happen?” She asks.
I knew this conversation after our run would come up, but I’m confident about who I am.
“It happened the third time I changed, but I was prepared for it because when I was born the spiritual advisor told my father, I would be a zodiac fire lion.”
She looks at me like I’m speaking Greek.
“Zodiac fire lion, wow! So, are you saying you were raised knowing you were different?”
“No different, but special. I’m the only fire lion right now. The last one was hundreds of years ago.”
“You sound really proud, borderline bragging.”
I stop eating my cereal and look at Davina. She is serious about what she says, and maybe she’s right about me bragging about being a fire lion, but no one outside my family would say that to me. I think I like her candor.
“Davina, being proud of who you are is an amazing feeling. Once you truly accept that you are a shifter and part of my pride, I think you will be much happier.”
She chuckles and finishes her steak.
“Well, Landon King fire lion, I’m going to watch a little tv because my special gift is relaxing after I eat.” She says, pushing away from the table.
I drink the left-over milk and sit at the table pondering what to do next. I want to be with Davina again tonight, but after her clearly spelling out how I hurt her feelings that might not happen. I go to the tv room where she’s curled up on the sofa with a blanket and looking the most relaxed I’ve seen her. Maybe she’s right her gift is relaxing, but if my mom has anything to do with it, she’s going to try and make Davina my mate and a firm lioness.
I watch as Davina walks out of the kitchen and my eyes go straight to her ass. Her ass has bounce to it and makes me want to chase her…I quickly get up from the table, and I am behind her in no time.
“Landon, why are you following me?”
“Davina, it’s almost instinct would you believe that?”
“Hell no, because you left me in the house alone for hours, if I knew how to leave this place I would have been gone.” She snaps.
“I would come after you and Davina I would find you.”
“You have plenty here that would kill for your attention why are you so focused on me?”
I look at her, and I’m not sure why I can’t get Davina from under my skin.
“If I’m honest I’m not sure, but I know I love being around you, and I think you feel the same about me, or you wouldn’t be so angry about my stupid mistake that will never happen again.” I plead.
“That sounds like an apology from the fire lion, could the ruler really be trying to say sorry?” She smirks.
“Yes, I am trying to say sorry, now say you forgive me.”
“Demanding an apology? Landon…”
I don’t give her time to say another word, my mouth is on hers, and we are kissing in the hallway now. Using my body, I back her up against the wall and cover her body with mine. I deepen the kiss when she opens her mouth moaning. My hands slip behind her, and I get a handful of her ass.
Our hands are all over each other. It’s like I’m drawn to Davina and can’t seem to get enough of her. I pick her up in my arms and carry her to my bed. Softly I lay her down, and she’s panting and looking at me like the way I feel. I need her, and she needs me.
Our clothes are off, and we are kissing and fucking it’s raw and pure. She’s moaning, and I’m groaning from all the heat and passion flowing between us. It doesn’t feel like we’ve just met, but like we’ve known each other forever. She pushes me on my back and climbs on top of me and begins to take me on the ride of my dreams. I’ve never felt so out of control in my life, but I love every moment. My thoughts are all over the place, I can barely keep my eyes open as she continues to come down my shaft over and over again.
We both find our release at the same time and let out a passionate roar. The only thing left is to fall asleep. I can’t leave her and will never let her go. I’m not sure if she’s my mate, but as of now, she’s definitely mine.
I pull the covers over both of us, and she curls into my chest letting out a sigh. I kiss her forehead, and we both sleep together all night.