Page 33

The shifters had brought over crates of supplies before dinner and stacked it in the common room, which was helpful.

The rest of the gear was brought up from the basement tech offices.

Things like tactical radios and other communications devices.

The weapons were in the armory and would be the last items added to their setup, but everything would be ready before the men sought their beds that night.

Zeke joined his friends in their near-silent ritual of checking over their equipment and making sure everything was set up to his liking.

He’d made a quick run up to his room to get his tactical vest and some other things he’d be wearing, then spread it out before him as he sat around the large table with his friends.

Quite a few of them had chosen to sit at the big table in one corner of the large room.

Others had set themselves up on couches or easy chairs, and a few were on the floor, working quietly.

There was a buzz of anticipation among the men.

It had been a long time since they’d gone out as a unit, and they all felt the anticipation of the test they would face the next day.

Zeke was excited, but also cautious since he knew there was no way to stop Celine from being at the center of the action.

His instinct to protect her was at war with his respect for her abilities and right to justice.

He wished she would let him take care of the mage for her, but he suspected it wouldn’t be that simple.

His thoughts spun around in circles as he added each piece of equipment to his gear. He’d been at this for more than an hour, but he couldn’t really bring himself to stop just yet. He was working off his nerves, trying to center himself and make certain he was prepped and ready for the next day.

Zeke adjusted the straps on his tactical vest for the third time, knowing damn well they didn’t really need any more adjusting.

Everything was in place, as it had been for the past hour, but sitting still wasn’t his favorite thing to do.

The low-level hum of the barracks common room was broken by quiet words from the man who moved to sit next to him.

Zeke didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

“You’re still here,” Dan said, his voice carrying that familiar edge of amusement as he sat. “Figured you’d be getting some extra shuteye before showtime.”

Zeke let out a quiet huff, meeting Dan’s gaze. “Could say the same about you.”

Dan shrugged, leaning casually against the back of his chair like they weren’t heading into a life-or-death situation in a few hours. “Sleep’s overrated before missions. Too many ghosts in my head.”

Zeke nodded, understanding all too well. The silence stretched between them, not uncomfortable, but heavy with unspoken thoughts. Dan was the first to break it.

“She’s got you twisted up,” he said, his tone softer now, lacking the usual teasing. His sharp gaze pinned Zeke with unnerving accuracy. “Celine.”

Zeke’s jaw tightened, but Dan raised a hand before he could respond.

“Relax. I’m not here to give you grief. Just…

I want you to know we’ll all be watching out for her.

Don’t get sidetracked from the task at hand.

She’s a shifter. She can handle herself, or they wouldn’t allow her on the mission.

Plus, she’ll have big, scary Santini at her side.

The guy’s a legend among the SEAL Teams.”

Zeke exhaled slowly, the weight of Dan’s words settling in his chest.

“I’m not planning on being stupid. I know she’s got a lot of people watching over her,” Zeke muttered, though he wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince Dan or himself.

Dan’s lips quirked, the smirk returning just enough to lighten the mood. “Good. Because I’d hate to explain to Hal why you got yourself killed on what should be a relatively easy mission.”

Zeke shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Dan clapped him on the shoulder, firm and grounding.

“Seriously,” Dan added, his voice dropping. “Don’t wait too long to tell her what’s in your heart if what you’re feeling is as serious as I think it is. We don’t get many quiet moments in this line of work.”

With that, Dan turned and disappeared down the hall, leaving Zeke alone with the echo of his advice. How the hell did Dan know that Zeke was in love with Celine? He didn’t think he’d been that transparent. But, hell if the man wasn’t right. Shit .

Zeke got up and stowed his gear, ready for tomorrow. After that, he didn’t waste time. Dan was right, and Zeke knew Celine wouldn’t be able to sleep either.

It didn’t take long to find her. The moonlight guided his steps toward the beach where the light wind carried the briny scent of the sea. She stood near the water line, arms wrapped around herself, staring out at the dark waves. He approached quietly, but she spoke without turning.

“Can’t sleep?” Her voice was soft, carried away slightly by the wind.

“Nope,” Zeke replied, coming to stand beside her.

For a while, they stood in silence, the ocean’s rhythmic pulse filling the void between words. He glanced at her profile—the determined set of her jaw, the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

When she finally spoke, her voice was tight.

“I can’t believe that justice might finally be within my reach. I’ve wanted to know what happened for so long, and now that I do… And she’s so close… I want her dead, but I’m afraid I’ll mess up somehow, and she’ll escape.” Her words were clipped, her fingers tightening around her arms.

Zeke didn’t hesitate. He reached out, letting his hand brush against hers, grounding her.

“You won’t mess up,” he said quietly. “Because you’re not facing her alone.”

Celine turned to look at him then, vulnerability shimmering just beneath the surface of her gaze. The wind tugged at her hair, a wispy halo in the moonlight, and Zeke felt something shift inside him. Like everything in his world had just aligned.

He cupped her cheek, giving her every chance to pull away. She didn’t. Her gaze held his, steady and sure, even as her breath hitched.

When their lips met, it wasn’t rushed. It was slow, deliberate. A promise forged in the quiet before the storm. He deepened the kiss, filling it with everything he hadn’t dared to say yet, until the wind and the waves were nothing but background noise to the pounding of his heart.

When they finally pulled apart, Celine rested her forehead against his, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“We all better come back in one piece, Zeke. I have plans for you tomorrow night, after this is finally over.”

Zeke smiled, his thumb brushing lightly along her jaw. “Right back at you, babe.”

They stood like that for a moment longer, drawing strength from each other before turning back toward the buildings. He walked her all the way to her barracks on the other side of the island. Leaning in to kiss her before they got too close where they’d be easily seen.

“How about I come get you in the morning?” he asked, gazing into her eyes in the dim light of the moon.

“I probably won’t get much sleep tonight, and I’m usually up well before I need to be out the door.

I’ll come get you, and we can walk together to the boat ramp.

Or would you rather I keep my distance?”

She stepped closer to him, pressing her body against his. “I’d rather spend the night in bed with you, but then, we’d both be in sorry shape for the battle ahead.” She reached up to kiss his jaw, then worked her way around to his lips.

“I like the sound of that,” he quipped when she drew back and smiled up at him. “I’d like it even more if it wouldn’t put either one of us in danger. We both need to be sharp tomorrow, and it’s going to be hard enough to rest as it is.”

“I know.” She placed her hand over his heart for a moment, then drew away slowly.

“But to answer your question, I’d love it if you picked me up on your way to the boat ramp.

My grandfather will probably want to check me over, but I’m not hiding our friendship, Zeke.

Sneaking around doesn’t feel right, and the other shifters will understand.

And even if they are concerned, or whatever, they can just keep their opinions to themselves.

We’re grown adults. We can manage our own affairs.

Question is, what will your friends think? ”

“They’ll give me shit,” he said at once, smiling to soften his words.

“It’s what we do. But they’ve all seen you.

It’s pretty obvious to them that I’ve been interested in you for a while.

They may tease me about it, but they like you, and they won’t say anything to make you uncomfortable if they know what’s good for them.

” His smile broadened with a lethal edge, and she laughed in response.

She kissed him once more, with longing, before she stepped back and walked the rest of the way to her barracks building. She waved once before going inside, and he stood there until he saw the light go on in her bedroom. Then, he turned to go, making his way back to his own lonely bed.

Zeke met no resistance when he opened the door to the shifter dorm the next morning before dawn. Everybody was already awake and preparing for the day, and there was an electricity in the air. Zeke went directly to Celine’s room and found the door already open.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching Celine secure a small blade at her hip. She moved with quiet efficiency, but he could see the tension in her shoulders.

“You ready for this?” he asked softly.

Her head snapped up, those sea-glass eyes locking onto his. “I’ve been ready for a year.”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I didn’t mean just the fight.”

For a heartbeat, neither of them spoke. The weight of what was ahead—the danger, the vengeance, the unknown—settled between them.