My Exotic Mate

The Monster Within

Miren

Malik and I have grown close. I know that we’re really good friends and the problem is that I’m starting to develop feelings for him. I’m afraid that we’re not meant to be mates. We attended the wedding together and while it was platonic, it felt like a date. I saw how his eyes sparkled when I appeared in front of him. It was the same way mine did every time I saw him. I’m playing it safe right now, because I don’t want to get my heart broken. Besides Mesai’s the priority and I just need to focus on that.

“Mimi, are you okay?” Malik asked as he handed me a glass of champagne. Mimi was the nickname he graced me with after I saved him. We’ve been spending so much time together, making sure he’s completely healthy and getting his strength back.

I smiled, “Yeah, just thinking.” We were sitting in his living room watching a movie together. Well, he was watching the movie and I was just in my own little world.

“About what,” he lightly nudged my shoulder.

“About the what ifs.” I didn’t want to go into detail because he probably would’ve gotten the hint that I was falling for him.

He leaned closer, which made my heart race even more. I wasn’t sure if he was teasing or if he felt the same way. “And what about the what ifs?” His eyes were hooded as he stared deep into my soul waiting for an answer.

“Uh-nothing,” I broke our gaze.

I tried to focus on the movie, but I could feel his eyes burning into my skin. “Mimi,”his mesmerizing voice immediately made me turn to him. “I know it's something, so just tell me.” I couldn’t stand that he was always able to read me like a book.

“No, let’s just stop talking about it.” He grabbed my hand and the pleasant feeling made me instantly snatched away. My heart shouldn’t beat for him the way it does. “Malik,” I whispered. He was instantly on his feet. Our bodies were so close, I could feel his breath tickling my face. “I can’t tell you.”

A frown appeared on his face. “Why not?”

I shook my head, “It’s stupid.”

“Let me be the judge of that. Come on, Mimi, we talk about everything.” I stood, putting more distance in between us.

“And this is the one thing I can’t talk to you about. Just leave it alone!” I snapped at him. I know he’s probably mated to someone else and I would not be the other woman. I would not set myself up for failure. He laced our fingers, knocking down each brick from the wall I was building between us. God, why did I have to fall for him?

“Okay, clearly you’re upset.”

“I’m not upset!”

He arched a brow as I proved his point. I took a deep breath and relaxed my shoulders. “Look, I’m fine, okay. I will come to you when I’m ready, but for now, please just respect my wishes and let it go.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry for pushing you. You’re my best friend and I really care about you.” Best friend… See, what I mean. I’m nothing more to him. He just friend zone the s**t out of me and it hurts.

I looked up at him. “I-I’m gonna go to bed.”

He gave me a half smile. “Okay, good night.” Out of the blue, he planted a kiss on my cheek. He was so close to my lips that I held in the strength to not turn my head.

I smiled back. “Good night.” As I walked into my room, I closed the door and face planted on the bed.

Marise

I stood in the bathroom looking at myself in the mirror. I looked different. I felt different. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. I woke up with a massive headache, it was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. Kai was still sleeping in the room.

“Good job on tagging the Alpha.” I whipped my head around to see where the voice came from. No one was in the bathroom but me. “I mean he’s a cutie and he’s definitely a beast in bed.”

“What the hell?” I looked back in the mirror. Only this time I saw myself speaking although I wasn’t moving my lips. My reflection looked like me, only darker.

“Mari, Mari, Mari are you confused? It’s me, I’m you. Well, I like to think that I’m a better version, but whatever,” she brushed me off.

“What the hell is happening?” I mumbled. I turned in the water and splashed my face. When I looked back up, the darkness was gone. I breathed out a sigh of relief, but I also noticed that my headache was gone. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

“Mari, are you okay?” Kai asked.

“I’m fine, I’m coming out now.” I opened the door and there he was.

“Good morning, Alpharess.” He leaned in and kissed me.

“Good morning.” He pulled me in for a hug.

He stepped to get a full view of me. “Are you sure you’re okay? Your heart is racing.” I couldn’t tell him what was going on, hell I didn’t even know myself.

“I’m fine, I had a headache, but it’s gone now,” I smiled.

“Yeah for now, but I’ll be seeing you again.” What the hell is going on?

“Who are you?” I asked silently in my head. I wasn’t sure if she was going to answer me in my head since that’s where she is, but she did.

“I told you, I’m a better version of you. But if you must know my name, it's Risa.”

Kai was talking to me about what my duties were, but I wasn’t listening. Instead, I was trying to figure out what Risa’s intentions were. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here because a part of you wants me here. Besides, you're not cut for this Alpharess role. Kai needs a queen who is willing to get their hands dirty and let’s be frank, you’re not fit for it. So, I can be the monster within you at least until my true love comes for me.” True love? I was understanding what was happening.

“Who’s your true love? And what are you planning?”

She laughed inside my head. “Oh, look at you being all cute with your authoritative tone. I’m kinda impressed, Mari. Just know that when the time comes, no one will be prepared.” Just like that she’s gone.

“So, do you understand everything I’ve just explained?” Kai asked.

Although I haven’t heard a single word, I still nodded my head.

“Good, so I’m going to get dressed and then we can meet for breakfast. He quickly kissed my cheek as he walked past me to go to the bathroom. I was stuck on what just happened. It felt like I had a split personality. I needed to talk to Miren about this. I quickly got dressed and had breakfast with Kai. We talked about me adjusting to my role, but I was still bothered by the dark version of myself.

He grabbed my hand. “Babe, you sure you’re okay. You seemed distracted.”

I plastered on a smile. “Yeah, I need to see Miren.”

“Ookay. Well she’s at Malik’s. Actually they should be joining us soon.” Shortly after they arrived we all ate. Kai and Malik were talking among themselves as I leaned over and told Miren I needed to speak with her.

“Okay, I have to tell you something too.” I could see that she was bothered by something. After we finished eating I pulled her into a room and closed the door behind us.

“Something crazy happened to me this morning,” I said as I sat on the edge of the bed.

“Like what?”

“Like I woke up the evil side of myself.” I hung my head. “She goes by Risa.”

“Do you think it something to do with the portal?” She asked.

“Maybe,” I shrugged.

Okay, so this evil version of yourself is here. Why?”

“I’m not sure, but she’s planning something and I’m sure it’s dangerous. So I want us to be prepared because she can appear at any time.”

She tilted her head. “So how do we stop her?”

“I’m not sure. But I want you to promise me that if things get out of hand, you do what you have to do to protect yourself.”

“You mean?” Her eyes widened and I nodded my head. “Ye-“

No!” Miren cut me off.

“You must. If I become too dangerous-“

“Mari, you’re not making sense!” Miren argued. “I’m not going to kill my own sister!” She was afraid and honestly so was I, but I needed to be realistic.

“Listen, I know this is hard to hear, but I don’t want to hurt you or Mesai. But I may not be your sister if she succeeds. I’m not even sure if there’s another way to stop her.”

“There has to be and I will find it.” I loved my sisters and wouldn’t want to cause them any harm. I have no clue how unpredictable Risa may be which is why I’m going to have a backup plan.

“Well until we’re sure, this is the plan. Miren, I don’t want to put you in danger. So please at whatever cost protect yourself. God, this is so frustrating!” I put my head in my hands. Unsure of when she could possibly appear again. I know the headaches will be a way to warn me, but I don’t want to underestimate her. “Can you promise that you’ll do whatever it takes to stop me if I hurt you?”

She hesitated and knew she was fighting herself on this, but this is necessary. Tears fell down her face and I immediately pulled her into a hug. I tried to make light of the situation. “Hey, remember all of those times you said you will kill me when we were kids? You may get your chance.”

She scoffed. “Not funny at all.”

“I know,” I sighed sadly. “I’m going to do my best to keep her away.”

“Does Kai know?”

I shook my head. “No and I don’t want him to know. At least until we figure this out.”

Miren looked worried and I couldn’t blame her. My head started to hurt again. The pain was sharp and felt as if my head were about to explode. I can feel something shift inside of me. Miren called out my name, but they only word I could say was go.

“What’s happening?” She asked.

“G-go! R-run n-now!” I could hear her footsteps as she ran out of the room. There were flashes before my eyes and Risa’s voice came to me.

“Really? You’re trying to get rid of me? I’m a part of you, remember so if I go, you go.” I knew she was angry, but I wasn’t going to back down.

“That’s kinda the point!” I winced back as I was hot with another sharp pain. “Tell me what you’re up to?” The pain subsided, but before I knew it, I blacked out.