Page 12

TEN

NEREUS

N ereus's jaw tightened until it felt like his teeth might shatter. The wolf inside him paced restlessly, torn between pride that his mate was asserting herself and frustration at the complexity of their situation.

"A human Luna changes everything for whom?" She stepped closer, seemingly unaffected by his dominating presence. "For you? Your precious pack politics?"

Nereus inhaled sharply, catching her scent—ocean spray and something uniquely her—that caused his wolf to howl with need. "For all of us. The council will question it. Some will reject you outright."

"Because I'm human?"

"Because they fear what they don't understand." He moved impossibly closer until mere inches separated their bodies. "Those who accept the truth will worry that you lack the strength needed to protect our territory."

"I destroyed a research station with my mind," she countered, tilting her chin up. "How's that for strength?"

A smile tugged on his lips despite his frustration. "Uncontrolled power isn't the same as strength."

"So teach me."

The simplicity of her demand struck him. Centuries of life, and he had never encountered someone who challenged him so effortlessly. His wolf reveled in it.

"We will discuss your training." He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering against her soft skin. "But first, it's your birthday. I had the chef prepare something special."

"I'm not hungry." The stubborn set of her mouth told him otherwise.

"I'm sure your stomach disagrees." He placed his palm against her back, guiding her toward the table. "Salmon benedict. Your favorite, I believe."

Her eyes widened. "How did you?—"

"I just knew." He pulled out her chair. "The mate bond has its advantages."

She hesitated before sitting, her gaze sweeping over the elaborate spread.

"Eat," he commanded, then softened his tone. "Please."

She picked up her fork, eyeing him suspiciously. "You can't just order me around because of some mystical wolf connection."

"I don't order." He sat across from her, pouring fresh orange juice into crystal glasses. "I lead. There's a difference."

She took a bite, a small moan of appreciation escaping her lips that sent heat flooding through his veins.

"Fine. It's delicious," she admitted.

"Happy birthday, Luna." He raised his glass to her, satisfaction coursing through him as she reluctantly clinked her glass against his.

His wolf settled, momentarily content to see her eating, accepting his provision even while her questions remained. The council's reaction could wait. The implications of a human Luna could wait.

He watched her from across the terrace table, sunlight bathing her blonde hair in golden hues that reminded him of treasures lost to the sea centuries ago.

Her curves were outlined perfectly in her simple blue blouse that enhanced the color of her eyes and made his wolf growl with possessive hunger.

"I really need to go back now," she insisted, setting down her fork with the stubborn determination he was quickly coming to recognize. "My colleagues will expect me to help with the cleanup. It's my research station too."

"And risk causing another tsunami when someone inevitably upsets you?" he challenged, one eyebrow raised. He leaned forward, his voice lowering to a rumble. "You haven't controlled your powers for even an hour yet."

The slight flush that crept up her neck signaled both irritation and awareness of his proximity. His wolf preened at the effect he had on her.

"They'll wonder where I am," she countered, her eyes flashing with defiance that made his blood surge. "They'll think I don't care."

He considered her for a moment, admiring the loyalty she showed to her human colleagues. He had rarely encountered such fierce dedication among those not bound by pack oaths.

"I have a better solution." He pulled his phone from his pocket, his thumb sliding across the screen with practiced efficiency. "One that keeps you safe and preserves your standing with your colleagues."

Her eyes narrowed skeptically. "Which is?"

"Watch." He pressed a number on speed dial, activating the speaker function and setting the phone between them on the white linen tablecloth. The ocean breeze carried the scent of her curiosity to him as the call connected.

"Mayor Stevens," came the formal response after two rings.

"Craig, it's Nereus Varon." He kept his eyes fixed on Isolde's face, watching her reaction. "I'm calling about last night's disaster at the marine research station."

"Mr. Varon! What a surprise. We were just discussing emergency funding options."

Nereus straightened, his posture commanding even through the phone call. "No need. I'm announcing full financial backing for both cleanup and complete rebuilding of the facility."

Isolde's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. The reaction satisfied something deep within him. Providing for his mate was encoded in his DNA.

"That's incredibly generous, sir, but?—"

"I'm not finished," Nereus cut in smoothly. "My sovereign territory values scientific research, especially concerning our shared waters. These scientists are our neighbors, and their work deserves our respect and full support."

He caught Isolde's soft intake of breath, her sea-blue eyes now studying him with newfound intensity. His wolf preened under her scrutiny.

"I'll be sending my construction and environmental teams today. I want the scientists consulted on the redesign—whatever equipment upgrades they need, whatever facilities would enhance their research—it's theirs."

The mayor sputtered grateful acknowledgments while Nereus maintained unwavering eye contact with Isolde. Her expression had softened into something that made his chest tighten unexpectedly.

"One more thing," Nereus continued, his voice lowering to a timbre that brooked no argument. "The scientists should stay away from the site for now. My team needs unimpeded access for salvage operations, and there are safety concerns. Please ensure they understand this is for their protection."

The subtle emphasis on the word "protection" was meant for Isolde. His Luna needed to understand that every decision, every command he issued, was ultimately to keep her—and by extension, others—safe from harm. The sudden wave of possessiveness that swept through him was almost overwhelming.

Her fingers reached across the table, not quite touching his hand but close enough that he could feel the heat of her skin. The implicit acknowledgment of his efforts made his wolf rumble with satisfaction.

"I'll make sure everyone knows," the mayor assured him. "The research staff will be thrilled by your generosity."

Nereus ended the call and pocketed his phone with a satisfied nod. The wolf inside him prided itself on having provided for his mate and removing obstacles from her path.

"Wow," Isolde leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. "That sounded incredibly suspicious, you know. 'Keep the scientists away' and all that talk about sovereign territory. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were doing something shady."

Her teasing smile unleashed a warmth in his chest that surprised him. His wolf responded to her playfulness, seeking more of it despite the serious circumstances.

"Humans always look for conspiracy where there's merely efficiency," he replied, his lips quirking upward.

"Speaking of humans, why doesn't everyone know you can transform into a giant wolf? The mayor just called you 'Mr. Varon' like you're some normal billionaire businessman."

Nereus stiffened, his spine straightening automatically. This was dangerous territory—the question of secrecy that had protected his kind for millennia.

"That's... complicated." He shifted, reaching for his coffee cup and taking a deliberate sip to avoid her penetrating gaze. "The relationship between shifters and humans has a long, often bloody history."

"You're avoiding the question," she pointed out, leaning forward with those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through his defenses.

"With good reason." His voice dropped an octave, suddenly all alpha. "What matters now is your immediate situation. The organized cleanup is standard procedure for disasters—humans do it all the time. And frankly, I don't give a damn what rumors circulate about my motives."

He stood, walking around the table until he loomed over her chair. His shadow fell across her upturned face as he placed both hands on the armrests, caging her in without touching.

"My top priority is you, Isolde. Getting those powers under control before you accidentally kill someone. Helping you understand what being Luna to the Seafang pack means."

Her scent filled his lungs, and it took every ounce of his centuries-old control not to bury his face in the curve of her neck.

Her shoulders squared beneath her blue blouse. "Well, since I apparently don't have a job to go to anymore, I guess I have some free time."

"You'll have plenty to do," he said firmly. "Meeting the pack. Learning your responsibilities. Most importantly, mastering those water powers before another wave destroys more than just buildings."

Her eyes suddenly flashed dangerously. "You know, you're extremely bossy for someone I just met yesterday. Do you always dictate every moment of a woman's day, or am I getting special treatment?"

"I'm alpha," he growled as if that explained everything—which to him, it did.

"No, you're controlling," she fired back. "And honestly? It's a little creepy."

The words hit him hard. His wolf reared back, howling in outrage. In three hundred years, no one had dared speak to him with such disrespect—such a fundamental misunderstanding of his nature and position.

He stepped away from her so quickly that her hair fluttered from the movement. His jaw clenched so tightly, he felt a muscle jump in his cheek.