A/N: I'm so happy that a lot of readers are enjoying this story so far. Thank you so much for the support, follows, favorites and reviews that you've been giving. Here's the chapter that I owe you guys.

Chapter 9

Lucy's POV

My hands unknowingly clenched around the railings tighter as I saw the guild rankings in the lacrima vision. Tigers Claw were currently second place in the games, not falling far behind from Sabertooth. Their scores were dangerously close. They definitely have something up in their sleeves. What though? After my fight with Haru, it just proved that they didn't fight fair. Thank God none of the Tigers Claw members came to hunt me down when I was injured. But now since I'm standing here, they would be full aware of my presence. That I am still here alive.

"You're going to break the railings if you continue holding it like that." I was brought out of my own thoughts that I didn't realized I was in one. I looked up at the source of the voice and it was none other than Sting. Sting's eyes weren't not on me though, his eyes were focused on the arena as the commentator spoke. He was leaning against the railings with his cheek resting against his palm. My heartbeat started to beat rapidly when I recalled what happened earlier this morning. This handsome man in front of me was mine now. I couldn't help but to blush deeply. I felt I was such a lucky girl. I lightly pat my cheeks hoping to calm myself down. "You alright Lucy?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I chuckled nervously, my eyes fixated on the arena instead but what surprised me was that he gently pulled my head towards him and gave me a peck to my temple.

"Don't worry. Sabertooth will beat them." I blinked several times before looking up at him. He was smiling warmly down at me. I couldn't help but to smile back before leaning forward to give him a quick peck on his lips. I could tell he was startled by my sudden action but I didn't care. It seems he knew that I was feeling worried about the whole situation and he was trying to make me feel at ease. Is this how it feels to be in love?

"Come on, let's go see Yukino and the rest." I wrapped my hand around his before tugging him along with me to the other side. Once we were approaching his guild, I hesitantly let go of his hand and walked towards them.

"Hey Yukino!"

"Lucy!" Yukino ran towards me and crushed me in a bear hug. "It's good to see you up and walking." Yukino pulled away with me as she rubbed the tears that formed at the corner of her eyes. "You don't know how worried we all were."

"Sorry but thanks guys. I'm feeling all better now."

"That's good to know. It was sucky seeing our guild master all sappy." Orga said before putting his arm on my head.

"I agree. It was definitely sad seeing a beautiful girl down." Rufus added in as he grabbed my hand. He was about to give a peck to it before Sting came barging in.

"Alright hold up, don't get too comfortable with her you hear?" All eyes were on us as Sting wrapped his arm around my shoulders, looking confused.

"It looks like you've finally found your mate Sting." Rogue spoke up as he was clearly unfazed by our closeness. Minerva too I have to add. The rest were switching glances between us and Rogue until it seems his words got processed in their brain.

"WHAT?!" Yukino, Orga and even Rufus screamed. I guess they didn't see it coming. Yukino straight away jumped in front of me as she held my hands.

"Is it true Lucy? Tell me if Sting forced you into this."

"What the-" I couldn't help but to giggle upon seeing Yukino and Sting bickering with each other.

"Yes Yukino, its true and don't worry, if Sting forced me in any ways, I'll make sure to call Taurus out to swing his big axe at him." With that, both of us laughed which I managed to sneak a glance at Sting who was wondering what the hell was going on. But that went away when Lector came running to him and Sting immediately picked him up in his arms.

"Does that mean that Lucy's my mom?" Sting looked at me and I didn't hold back in ruffling the top of Lector's head.

"Of course." I smiled warmly at Lector before turning my gaze at Sting. His expression clearly surprised upon my answer to Lector but that didn't mean he wasn't unhappy about. He looked ecstatic and I could even see a hint of blush appearing on his cheeks.

"Oh well, well, well. May we join the party too?" My spine shivered upon hearing that voice all too well. All eyes turned to see the main members of Tigers Claw standing at the corner. "It's a pity that Lucy didn't fall for you Haru. It'll be so much easier to take her." One of his other guild members said. I just clenched my fists at my side as I tried to control my emotions but not long enough, Sting handed Lector over to me as he walked forward.

Bam! He gave a punch to Haru's cheek, sending him flying back. I gasped upon seeing the sudden blow by Sting. Haru didn't fall so easily though. He got up and scoffed while wiping the blood trail from his mouth.

"You lay even one finger on her, I swear. I won't show you mercy this time. I won't hesitate to kill you." Honestly, if looks could kill, it would be Sting's eyes right now. I've never seen this expression of his before. His eyes fierce and deadly but it didn't seem to intimidate him because the next thing we knew, Haru was gone. Not far though because he appeared beside me as he kissed me.

My eyes widen in surprise as I felt a pair of lips on mine. It wasn't the pair of lips that I knew or felt so comfortable with but it was some other lips that was rough and foreign to me. I focused on the person whose lips was on mine and it was none other than Haru. I immediately pushed him off before backing away as I covered my lips, Lector still in my grasp.

"I must say you sure do taste nice." Haru remarked as he licked his lips.

"WHY YOU?!" Sting and Haru were at each other's throat as Sting jumped at him to the ground.

"Sting!"

"Oh my, my, my. Look what's going on at Sabertooth's side." I turned around and saw that we were on lacrima vision. It seems we caught the attention from the commentators. "Isn't that Sabertooth's master fighting with one of the main guild members from Tigers Claw?"

"Oh no, Sabertooth is going to get disqualified from the games." Lector mentioned in worry.

"How come?"

"Master aren't supposed to fight with the guild members. That's against the rules." Oh shit, he's right.

I tore my gaze away from the lacrima vision and saw that the boys from Sabertooth were trying to pull Sting away from Haru. I got to do something about this.

"Hey!" I shouted and waved, seeking the attention of the camera on me. Thankfully, it did and now I was on the lacrima vision. "Why don't you say about letting Sting have a battle against Haru? If that's the case, Sabertooth won't be disqualified right?"

"Ah… I must say that is a very good idea coming from the celestial mage of Fairy Tail." One of the commentator said.

"I agree, it's something that hasn't happened before. What does the audience think?" The audience roared. Some shouting for Sting and some shouting for Haru. It seems they were in agreement with me as well. "Then it's settled! A match between Sting and Haru will be held tomorrow." This was what caused the boys from Sabertooth to finally pull Sting away from Haru and vice versa.

"I finally get my chance to kick your ass tomorrow. Enjoy your last night. I swear you won't get to live another day." Sting threatened as he glared at him fiercely. This time, Haru didn't make any jokes or whatsoever. He just glared back before scoffing and turning around to walk away with his guild mates. I took this chance to run to Sting's side as Lector hopped out from my arms.

"Sting…" I held onto his arm but he flinched away from my touch before he started to walk away. I just stared at his back as he slowly disappeared out of my eye view.

"Lucy, I think you should follow him." Yukino was at my side as she advised me. I didn't reply her as my legs seems to agree with her because they slowly moved on its own, following after Sting. Soon I gave chase as I was losing sight of him. I turned around every corner and ran down every street but I couldn't find him at all. I started to decrease my pace as I looked around and thought where he would be.

"Sting, where are you…" And then the small trail that Sting and I went through the other day came to my sight. He must be there. I followed the trail which led me to the river and I was right. Sting sat by the stream as he looked down, one knee up while his other leg in the water. Quietly as I could, I sneaked up and stood beside him. "Hey."

"Hey."

"You got me worried."

"Sorry."

"Don't do that ever again."

"I can't. When I saw he kissed you, I just wanted to smash his head against the ground." Sting growled as his hands combed through his hair. "I didn't want to hurt you." I took this opportunity to lower myself to the ground and take a seat.

"You'll never hurt me Sting." Sting widen his eyes before turning his gaze at me. "I trust you." And I smiled, hoping I was able to make him at ease too. Slowly, his hand reached up to my face. He held my cheek and I couldn't help but to lean closer to his hold, earning for his touch and warmth. I think he sensed my desire because he closed the gap between us as he sealed our lips for a kiss.

It wasn't the first kiss we shared but today's kiss felt much more demanding and lustful. The other kiss was just simple and sweet. I brought my hands up to his neck while Sting's hands went down to my waist, pulling me closer to him. He pried my mouth open and I didn't object. His tongue went into my mouth and I soon reciprocated. We were battling for dominance and it was getting hot. We pulled away when we both needed that second to grasp for air.

"Lucy…" I couldn't deny when Sting said my name, it was so sexy. I just looked up at him, my eyes half lidded from the heavy action we just did. "We got to stop." My heart dropped. "If we continue any longer, I can't control myself anymore Lucy. I don't want to forcefully tie you with me forever but I want to." I blinked my eyes in confusion at his rationalization. "Argh, this is just so embarrassing." Sting covered his face with his hand. And then I remembered, what Rogue said earlier and what I read up about them before. Dragon slayers' mate are bound together with them for life. If the mate leaves them, they will die and I wasn't planning on leaving him at all. I love this man.

A/N: Oh no, please don't hit me! I know, it sucks to end a chapter with a cliffhanger but I promise you that the next one will be a good one. For now, don't forget to leave a review before you go. Will appreciate it very much(: