DAVINA
I awake in his arms, and my heart warms. He didn’t leave me like last time. He has his legs wrapped around me as well as his arms. I look at his face, and it looks peaceful and beautiful. Even the sound of his light snore is cute. I try to untangle myself to go use the bathroom, but he grips me tighter.
“Where you running off to?” his voice is even deeper and sends a vibration down to my toes.
“I need to use the bathroom Landon, and you have me all tangled up,” I say, trying to remove his legs with no success.
“My fierce lioness you will not get me to move unless I want to move.” He laughs, even with his eyes closed.
“LANDON!” I yell.
“Ok, Baby it’s too early for all that yelling. Are you cooking breakfast?”
As I push off his bed and as I am walking to his bathroom, I turn and look at him strangely.
“I thought your mom cooks for you.”
“She called much earlier and thought you should since you’re staying here.”
I walk into the bathroom confused some, but it’s ok. I can cook breakfast; it can be like payment for staying. Then I smile to myself thinking of last night, payment for staying can’t be breakfast. Landon and I are becoming more than just friends, and playful flirting has led to full blown possessiveness I have over Landon. I think if I see that Wendy female again and she smirks about Landon being hers I might do something dangerous like claw her eyes out.
When I’m finished with the bathroom, I decide to do a quick shower and dress. When I get to the kitchen, Landon’s mom had started coffee pots and even had eggs out on the counter waiting for me.
The table is packed with Landon, Mrs. King, James, Oren and his wife, along with some others I’ve never seen.
“I’m getting started now.” I simply say.
“I’m starving had a long night,” Landon says, drinking his coffee.
Everyone looks at me with a big smile including his mom. Then she walks over to me and speaks.
“I’ll help you, so you can do this next time by yourself. Landon will love to have you cooking for him.” She says with pride.
I ignore the fact that she’s basically saying I’ll be cooking for her son for a while. As we are cooking, she informs me that Landon likes his eggs scrambled but still a little runny with lite cheese and pepper. These little things she made sure to inform me in detail about Landon’s likes and dislikes when it comes to food. Usually, I would get annoyed with all the instruction, but she keeps smiling at me and the pride in her voice concerning cooking for Landon is sweet.
When the food is done, and it’s all laid out, Landon pushes out the chair next to him. I walk over to him, and I can feel all the eyes on me, but no one was angry about Landon having me sit with him.
We all eat and laugh, and even Oren’s wife pulls me into the conversation. Landon and his brother James tell silly jokes. Every now and then Landon will rub my leg. It feels so natural before I would have jumped, but now I accept his touch in front of everyone.
Later that day, Landon invites me on a walk through the town. Now that I have a chance to see the town my nerves are getting the best of me. Not only is Landon introducing me to the people, but he’s become very affectionate with me, and I’m sure this will not stop in front of his people.
“Davina, it’s ok. You need to make friends and not be afraid of being around the people no one will hurt you.” Landon says, annoyed.
“Landon, your people, expected you to come back here and pick a mate not bring a rogue lioness to town and then start sleeping with her and prance her around town as your girl,” I say, feeling concerned.
“My people will accept you I bring into the pride because they know I will always protect them, and as for mating someone. I’m not mating right now, but that doesn’t mean you are not mine, and everyone should know it, or the single lions will want you trust me,” Landon counters.
Landon is not going to take no for an answer. His mind is made up about walking through the town. Reluctantly I walk to the door and open it.
“Well, come on you big baby, I want to get this done and over with…”
“I’ve been waiting on your pretty ass, Davina.” Landon walks past me and takes my hand with him.
As we both start down the stairs, people instantly notice and are speaking.
“Hi, Landon nice to see you out, Davina.” A lady says. Landon told me her name is Frances.
We continue and stop at the park where he is pulled down to the ground by a ton of cubs. He let them lick and crawl all over him. The affection he shows them is beautiful. He soon pulls me down to the ground with him, and the cubs all start licking and playing with me. I loved all the attention. They didn’t judge me all they wanted was another play toy with them. Landon and I stayed there for a while, then got up with grass stains on our clothes. As we are walking down the road. I see more couples coming onto their porches waving to us. Landon starts introducing me to more and more people. Most are receptive to me with some giving a fake smile and laugh as they speak. I know if Landon was not standing next to me, they would have snubbed me for sure.
At some point, we come to James’ house, and it’s filled with people on the porch and off. I spot Wendy off top and Landon must have too because he tightens his hold on my hand. I look up at him with fear in my eyes. He leans down and kisses me softly on the lips.
There are some clapping, but most of the females all gasp loudly.
When we finally get close to the porch, a path is made for Landon to get on the porch, a seat is given up for him, but not for me. Landon then speaks.
“I will not tolerate disrespect from anyone, Davina is my lady so if a seat is given to me you better automatically give her one unless I say otherwise.”
The female that was sitting on the seat jumps up and goes to the corner with her head hanging down low.
Landon waits for me to sit and then he sits down. The silence among everyone is scaring me.
Then James breaks the silence.
“Well, I’m glad you have Davina as your lady, she knows how to cook really good.” He says, smiling.
Landon and James give each other a high five and I laugh. After a few seconds, I feel eyes upon me. They are like daggers. It’s Wendy and a few other ladies.
Wendy has the nerve to growl lowly, but it didn’t get past, Landon.
“Did you just growl Wendy?” He snaps. His voice is loud, and she takes a step back.
“Yes.” Her voice is low and a little shaky.
Landon stands, and it’s like he becomes the ruler instantly. He has no more laughter in his voice.
“Get over here right now!” he snarls.
Wendy slowly comes up onto the porch and with him standing, she lowers herself to the ground on all fours.
“You better start explaining fast.”
“You announce this rogue…”
“WATCH HOW YOU SPEAK!” He roars.
I can see everyone is giving him respect including James. His face is emotionless, and he too looks like he’s waiting for an answer as well.
“I’m sorry Zodiac Fire King.”
“Now tell me why you disrespected Davina.”
She swallows loudly and then starts to speak in a very hushed tone.
“You promised a fight to become your mate, and I’m afraid that if you are announcing her as your female, then it’s only a matter of time before she becomes your mate. This not only takes back the word you the king said, but it leaves us the females of your pride without a chance to become the queen.”
I look at Landon, and he looks like he’s thinking. I know he didn’t agree to something as barbaric as a fight to have him as a mate because if he did, they can have him. I’m not fighting these females over Landon. He and I are…are a couple, and I like being his lady. I close my eyes and pray he didn’t agree, but then he speaks.
“Wendy if I decide that Davina will be my mate you and any other female will have your chance to defeat Davina and become my queen, but until then she’s my lady, and you will respect her like you respect me, or you will not be able to even fight for me.”
“Yes, I understand. My apologies Davina. Welcome to the pride.” She says, the words kindly.
Soon everyone is back talking and laughing Wendy, and a few other females leave. Landon avoids eye contact with me the entire time. I’m sure it’s because fighting for him is never going to happen. I don’t want to be a queen anyway. I’m not groomed or even know what a queen to the pride does. Even with James and Landon telling silly jokes that make everyone else laugh.
I find myself only smiling, but thinking how much easier it would be if I just left. That way the others can fight for the spot of being queen to the pride. I like Landon more than I thought I would, but this is too much. I’m sure I can get my job back at the diner and my room back at Mrs. Riter house. Life was so much easier back then.
James invites us into his house, and we eat and watch movies until late into the day. When night comes, Landon and I head back to his place. Our walk is silent. I look at the sky, and the sun is setting so beautiful.
When we arrive at Landon’s house and as soon as the door is shut. I start talking.
“I’m not fighting for you Landon, and why didn’t you tell me that is what it takes to become queen.”
He sighs like he doesn’t want to hear it, and walks to the sofa and takes a seat.
“Usually it’s not done like that, but the other day when I went over to James’ some of the women felt intimidated with you being around. I promised a fair chance to become queen.”
“So you let Wendy trick you into having females fight for you, well I will not be one of them.”
“Listen come sit with me please.”
I’m standing, looking at him furiously, but my body betrays me , and I walk over and sit with him on the sofa.
“Landon nothing you say will change my mind.”
“Look, maybe I should have thought before I said that out loud, but as the ruler of this pride, I can’t take it back. It’ not like I want females fighting over me, nothing could be further from the truth, but I do like being around you, and I’m not sure where this would lead…what if I do choose you as my mate, you mean to tell me you can walk away just like that?”
I look at him, and with a heavy heart, I tell the truth.
“Yes I could, everyone that has supposed to love me has walked away from me without remorse. I may want to be with you, but fighting for you is something I will not do. I don’t believe in it, no one ever has fought for me.” I didn’t realize this would make me so emotional, and all choked up, but it did.
“Please Davina, don’t cry. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. Let’s relax and not think of fights, but let me be clear I will fight for you, and I’ll never let you go.”
I lay my head on his chest and sobbed. I want to be with Landon, but he comes with a lot of rules. I need to take a bath and think of how I’m going to leave here.
“I want to take a bath after all that rolling in the grass I’ve got dirt in every place on my body.”
“Do you want me to come join you?” He moves closer. I look up at him and as much as I want to take a bath with Landon, right now is not the best time.
“I want to take a bath alone…this time.” I tease.
He starts kissing my neck, and I know this is a way to convince me to take a bath with him. I feel my body wanting to submit to him, but I push him away.
“Landon King, are you trying to seduce me?”
“If it gets me in the water with you, yes I am.” He smirks.
Just as I’m about to give in when there’s a knock at the door.
“Saved by the knock.” I laugh.
Landon goes to get the door, and I start toward the rooms.
“Wait, Davina this won’t take long , ” He says, opening the door.
“I think we need to talk.” His mom walks in holding a huge book.
I keep walking, and I turn as I walk in the room and see Landon’s eyes are still on me.
I run my bath water and pour in some of my bubbles I like. I get in the tub and sink in taking a deep breath and exhaling. I close my eyes and start thinking about Landon, the fight, and the idea of leaving. My heart aches with the thought of being away from him.
He makes me laugh and makes me feel loved, something I’ve never felt is love, and Landon has shown me that it could be a good part of life instead of something I thought of as being a burden.
I’m not sure how long I’m in the water, but it begins to chill, and when I reach up to turn the water back on so it can warm up, Mrs. King is standing there smiling at me.
“Oh, is something wrong, Mrs. King?” I stumble over my words.
I’m not sure if she’s here to tell me I’m not good enough for her son, or if Wendy went and told her a lie after Landon yelled at her, all I know is I’m scared shitless.
“Oh no, precious you can stay right there, I’ll turn the water on hot for you.”
I don’t say anything, I’m in shock and confused at this moment.
After she lets my water heat up, she turns it off and sits on the edge of the Jacuzzi tub. I look at the bubbles too afraid of what’s going to happen.
“Davina, I’m about to say something to you, and it’s going to sound crazy, but it’s true.”
I frown and look at her.
“What could you possibly say to me that will sound crazy?”
She gives me a huge smile, and then starts talking.
“Well, after you changed into your true form, I been doing some digging of the prophecy that I’ve known about for many years even as a child. Your fur that deep orange and the deep brown color with the specs of red on your tail has never been seen, but told about. A lioness will be born to be mated to the Zodiac fire lion, and she too will be a fire lioness.” My mouth is open now, but no words come out. “It goes further and says that her parents will abandon her because of her fur, she will have fate bring her to the Zodiac fire lion. I’ve already told Landon, and I’m so happy to welcome you to the family my daughter.”
I climb out of the water naked not caring that she’s in the bathroom with me.
“I’m not sure about your prophecy or what you’ve been told, but your son said the females in his pride will be fighting for him, does that sound like I’m his mate? And another thing if my parents abandoned me because of this bullshit, then I’m glad I didn’t know them,” I snap.
I walk into the room and find Landon sitting on my bed, well his bed since this is his home.
“You had something to do with this didn’t you because I told you I’m not fighting for you,” I yell.
Landon stands and comes to me.
“Davina, I’m in shock just like you are, I had no idea about this prophecy, but you have to admit everything makes sense,” He pleads.
“Makes sense? Landon, I was abandoned for this prophecy if this is true, no parents no family, nothing. Am I supposed to jump for joy, Oh and not to MENTION I’M NO ZODIAC LIONESS!” I scream.
All of the emotion I’m feeling starts taking over, and I’m in tears, screaming and want to do nothing, but escape this. My family left me alone in this world, and I’ve struggled for a long time, but it was supposed to be like this for me, while Landon lives this perfect fucking life. Fuck him and this prophecy. I can’t do anything, but roar…for all the pain, for my parents leaving me, for Landon finding me, and most of all for knowing this could be true.
The next thing I know, everything is going dark, and the last thing I see is Landon picking me up.