Page 14 of Howl Me to the Moon (Moonlight Siren Supernatural Cruises #2)

CHAPTER 14

PIPER

T he sun glinted off the waves this morning, casting shimmering diamond patterns across the ocean. The Celestial Lounge on the upper deck was filled with passengers enjoying their breakfast at the outdoor buffet, the scent of fresh coffee and warm pastries mingling with the salty sea air. I was still on a high after spending the night with Rex and waking up in his arms.

We found a cozy table outside where the morning breeze picked up my hair. I pulled off a piece of my croissant, savoring the flaky texture, while still relishing the night before—and this morning. Hell’s spells, I was sore after being with a huge shifter, but it was worth every delicious inch.

“Oh, I’m so hungry.” I scooped up a forkful of scrambled eggs next. “Mmm, delicious.”

Rex murmured in acknowledgment. He had a plate of eggs and bacon, but he didn’t touch it. Instead, he stared off into the distance with a troubled look.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing.” He forced a smile and took a sip of coffee.

Still, he didn’t eat. What kind of shifter didn’t go to town at an all-you-can-eat buffet? Worry started to creep beneath my skin.

I put my fork down, and it clanged against the plate. “You regret it.”

He snapped his head to face me. “No, of course not.”

I studied him. “Then why are you acting so weird this morning?”

He lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “Just thinking…”

“About?” I prodded.

His face contorted, and then he shook his head.

I straightened. "Oh, I get it. You got what you wanted, and now you’re trying to blow me off."

“What? No!”

“Ugh, such a dog.” I snorted. “Fitting.” I scowled at him. “You played me well, Rex Forte, but whatever. I’m a big girl. I’ll move on."

"Piper—"

I gestured at him with disgust. “You didn’t have to go through all the shenanigans to sleep with me. I see how it is.” I huffed as the frustration mounted. How had I not seen this coming? I should have known better. “Now that you got what you wanted, you’re trying to find a way to blow me off. Well, you don’t have to, Mr. Bigshot Rockstar. I’ll take care of it for you.” I stood and tossed my napkin onto the table. “Suck it, shifter.”

He gasped and his mouth stayed open wide. “Piper!” He stood. “Wait. It’s not that—not that at all. It’s the complete opposite.”

Aware of how loud I’d gotten, I glanced around at the pairs of eyes turning in our direction.

"Please, will you sit down so I can explain?"

I crossed my arms and plopped back down in the chair. “Fine. What is it, Rex?” I said, straining to keep my voice low. “You’re freaking me out by not telling me.”

He hesitated. "I’m afraid you’ll freak out if I do tell you."

I gritted my teeth as I glared at him. "One way to find out."

He exhaled. "True. All right, here goes. So, well… something happened when we first met. Do you remember how awkward I was?"

I clucked my tongue. "More than you are now?"

“I’m trying…”

"Go ahead." I motioned with a frustrated wave.

"The thing is… my wolf… my wolf…"

When he didn’t finish, I nudged him. “What about your wolf?”

Rex rubbed the back of his neck. "He knew right away that—that you were the one."

Did I hear him correctly? "The one?"

"Yes," he said, finally meeting my gaze. "My fated mate."

Hex.

Me.

Sideways.

I grasped the half-eaten croissant and twisted it in my hands like some violent origami.

Fated mate?

That was big. Huge.

A helluva lot more than a romance on board. Fated mates were…forever.

Forever? How the funky monkeys could he know that? We’d only known each other for a few days. We’d only spent one night together. We’d only…

I dropped the napkin and stood abruptly, knocking into the table and sending plates and coffee clattering. Fortunately, they didn’t fall to the floor.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t so lucky.

"I gotta go." I rushed away from Rex, zipping past the pool and not seeing the Wet Floor sign until it was too late. I slipped and slid across the deck with a high-pitched squeal, landing on my butt.

Wonderful.

Great. Just great.

"Piper!" Rex called with concern as he raced over.

I raised my hand. “I’m good!” I lied, although I was far from good after that shocking confession and now a sore ass. I scrambled to my feet, desperate to get away from him—and to figure out what this all meant.