Page 22 of Kiss for My Kraken (Fairhaven Falls #8)
“We were taught that the world outside Haven was corrupt. That Others were abominations, creatures of the devil sent to tempt and destroy humanity.” Her voice caught. “I believed it all. How could I not? It was all I knew.”
He bit back a growl, but he didn’t interrupt.
“I told you they arranged a marriage for me—with a man named Jedediah Thorne. He was one of Elder Mathias’s most devoted followers.
Jed started visiting our home, bringing small gifts, talking about our future together.
He was… intense. Always watching me, correcting me, telling me how he would shape me into a proper wife. ”
This time he couldn’t suppress the growl, his hands tightening instinctively on her.
She touched his cheek. “It’s all right, Sam.
I got away from him. But there’s something else.
I told you I ran away the night before my wedding.
But the wedding wasn’t the only reason I ran.
” A shuddering breath escaped her. “I overheard Jed and Elder Matthias talking. They were planning something—a cleansing, they called it. They’d discovered a small community of Others living in the next county.
They were going to drive them out. By any means necessary. ”
A tear slid down her cheek.
“All my life I’d been taught to accept and obey but that was the last straw.
That was the night I ran. As soon as I was away from them, I contacted the county sheriff’s department.
They promised me they would protect the Others, but I didn’t stay to make sure.
For the first year, I moved constantly, always afraid they’d come after me. And now they’ve found me.”
“They are not going to take you,” he vowed, rage turning his voice to ice.
The thought of Nina—his Nina—trapped in a place where hatred and control were masked as righteousness made his chest constrict with fury. The thought of another male presuming ownership of her made his tentacles churn the water beneath the surface, responding to emotions he could barely contain.
The river around him responded to his mood, currents shifting, growing more turbulent. Small eddies formed where there should be none. A fish darted away, sensing danger.
She is mine now , he thought fiercely. Mine to protect. Mine to cherish.
He would never let them take her. He would tear apart anyone who tried.
For a moment, he allowed himself to picture it—rising from the depths in his warrior form, his tentacles seizing her enemies and dragging them beneath the surface, watching as their self-righteous hate dissolved into terror as the river claimed them.
The fantasy pleased him, but he knew she wouldn’t want that. She needed protection rather than vengeance—and that he could provide. That he would provide.
He watched as she pulled herself together, and his admiration for her resilience only deepened his resolve. No one would hurt her again. Not while he drew breath.
“Do you want to go to the island?”
She hesitated, then shook her head.
“No. I’m not going to let them destroy the life I’ve built here. I should get back to the tavern. Ozzie’s still there and Ben will be worried. I think I should tell him what’s going on.”
He nodded, reluctant to let her go but knowing she was right. Ben needed to be informed, as well as other people in the town. The more eyes watching out for these intruders, the better.
“I’ll follow and watch you from the river.”
She smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I know you will.”
As she turned to go, his instinct for self-preservation, honed over years of hiding, urged him to retreat to the depths, to his island, to safety. Revealing himself was dangerous. Always had been.
But the alternative—Nina alone, vulnerable—was unthinkable.
He was willing to risk everything for her—his security, his solitude, even his life. The realization should have terrified him. Instead, it filled him with a strange sense of peace. As if he’d finally discovered what truly mattered.
He slipped beneath the surface, following the familiar path downstream towards the tavern, keeping pace with Nina as she walked. He waited long enough to watch her hurry inside, then nodded to himself. Good. Ben would look after her while he took care of something else.
He headed downstream to the River Cafe, studying the occupants on the outside deck.
If necessary he would reveal himself completely, but fortunately he spotted the sheriff having a late lunch with his pretty redheaded mate.
He slapped the water lightly and Eric immediately looked up, his werewolf hearing easily picking up the sound.
Eric murmured something to his mate, then strolled casually over to the railing that edged the deck.
“Sam,” he said quietly. “This can’t be good. You don’t usually show yourself at this hour.”
He rose higher in the water, enough to let his head emerge completely.
“Nina’s in danger,” he said simply, and Eric’s gaze immediately sharpened. “Ben’s new cook?”
He nodded, not surprised that Eric knew of her. It was a werewolf thing—keeping track of all inhabitants under their protection.
“What kind of threat?” Eric asked, bending closer.
Sam explained as concisely as he could, sharing what Nina had told him about Haven’s Grace, Elder Matthias, and Jedediah Thorne. Eric listened without interruption, though his posture grew increasingly tense.
“I saw them in the square today, and politely suggested they move along.” Eric bared his formidable fangs. “They left, but if they’re the zealots you say they are, they may be back to get her.”
“They will regret it,” he promised, and Eric laughed without much humor.
“Yes, I suspect they will. Let me make some calls and get some backup. Some of my pack will keep an eye on things at the tavern.”
His shoulders relaxed slightly. He appreciated the sheriff’s immediate acceptance of the situation.
No questions about whether Nina might be exaggerating, no suggestions that she return to face her accusers.
Just immediate readiness to protect one of his own.
The wolves would help keep her safe. They understood the importance of protecting those in their care.
Because that’s what Nina was now—one of Fairhaven’s own. And Fairhaven looked after its residents.
“They hate the Others,” he added. “They see us as demons.”
Eric bared his fangs again. “If they try to hurt one of us, they’ll get demons all right.”
“Good.”
He started to submerge, anxious to get back to Nina, but Eric held up his hand, studying him for a moment.
“She’s not just Ben’s new cook, is she?”
“No. She’s my mate.”
In spite of everything, pride filled him at the announcement.
“About time,” Eric said, and Sam blinked. “You’re a good male. You needed someone to share your life with. The Halloween Festival is this weekend,” Eric continued, frowning. “The town will be full of strangers, which makes it harder to spot troublemakers.”
He hadn’t thought of that. The annual Halloween celebration brought visitors from all over, especially now they had an active marketing committee to promote the town.
“Perhaps Nina should stay away,” he suggested.
“Or perhaps that’s the safest place for her. She’ll be surrounded by friends, in public. These types usually prefer to operate in shadows, away from witnesses.”
“I’ll be there too,” he decided, the words out before he’d fully processed their implications.
Eric’s eyebrows rose. “You? At the festival?”
Although he’d watched from the river, he’d always avoided the town’s celebrations, uncomfortable with crowds and attention. But things had changed. He had changed.
“For Nina,” he said simply.
Eric studied him for a long moment, then nodded. “I’ll make sure there’s access for you. The river platform by the square should work.”
“Thank you.” He began to sink back into the water, then paused. “Eric. If they try to take her…”
“They won’t,” the sheriff said firmly. “Not in my town.”
Sam held his gaze, needing him to understand. “If they do. No limits.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Eric said quietly. “But I understand.”
With a final nod, he sank back into the water. The river felt different to him now. It had always been his home, his refuge, his sanctuary. Now it was something more. It had brought him Nina, and it would help him keep her safe.