Page 29

She glanced at Nereus, his strong profile illuminated by the afternoon sun. His hands gripped the steering wheel with that casual confidence that still made her heart skip beats. Even after all this time together, the sight of him sent delicious ripples of awareness through her body.

"I still can't believe you did this," Isolde said, gesturing toward the horizon where the new research station gleamed white against the coastline. "You didn't just rebuild it – you made it three times better than before."

His mouth curved into that half-smile that never failed to make her insides melt. "The old building was inadequate for what you needed. This one has proper equipment, proper funding..."

"Proper sight lines from your territory so you can keep an eye on me?" Isolde teased, nudging his muscular thigh.

He captured her hand and brought it to his lips. "I don't need buildings for that. I'm always aware of exactly where you are now."

The possessive edge in his voice sent a shiver of delight up her spine. Three months ago, such dominance would have irritated her to the core. Now, it felt like safety – like home.

"Thank you," she said more seriously. "Not just for the building, but for everything. For using the pack's resources to help build relationships with the human world. I know it goes against centuries of tradition."

"Traditions change." Nereus's thumb traced circles on her palm. "You changed them."

The admission made her heart swell. She still marveled at how much their lives had intertwined.

Her shifts into wolf form had become smoother and her water powers more controlled.

The pack that had once regarded her with suspicious eyes now looked to her with respect – their Luna who bridged two worlds.

"I'd buy you a hundred research stations if that's what would make you happy," he said, his voice dropping to that deep timbre. "I'd make friends with every human on this coast if it pleased you."

Isolde laughed, the sound floated away in the wind through the cracked window.

"Lucky for you that's not necessary." She leaned closer, breathing in his scent – ocean salt and something distinctly, intoxicatingly Nereus.

"Just being with you makes me happy. Our life together in the castle, leading the pack – that's everything I never knew I wanted and more. "

His gray eyes darkened as he glanced at her, then back to the road. "The ceremony today will go well. Everyone's eager to see what you've helped create."

Isolde felt a flutter of nervousness mixed with pride.

The new marine research station wasn't just a replacement – it was a bridge between worlds.

Her colleagues had no idea that their new benefactor was an ancient waterwolf prince, but the facility would serve both human research and provide valuable data to help the pack better protect their ocean territory.

"I've come a long way from the woman who accidentally unleashed a tidal wave on her birthday," she mused.

Nereus chuckled, the sound rumbling through the truck cabin. "You've come fully into your power. As I always knew you would."

His hand slid from the gearshift to her thigh, a casual possessive gesture that sent heat pooling low in her belly. Even with the grand opening minutes away, Isolde found herself wishing they could turn around and race back to their private beach.

"Later," Nereus murmured as if reading her thoughts. "We have all night to celebrate properly."

The promise in his voice made her cheeks flush. Some things hadn't changed – the magnetic pull between them remained as powerful as that first electric kiss on the beach.

Isolde soon stepped out of his truck, her eyes drawn immediately to the gleaming glass and steel structure of the new marine research station.

The November sunlight played across its surface, reflecting the ocean's movements in a way that made the building itself seem alive.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of it—a phoenix risen from the destruction she'd unwittingly caused three months ago.

"It's perfect," she whispered, more to herself than to her mate.

Nereus's warm hand settled at the bottom of her back, his touch sending a familiar tingle up her spine. Even through her fitted charcoal dress, his heat radiated into her skin.

"Ready to show it off, Dr. Morgan?" he asked. The formal title was for public consumption—at home, he rarely used anything but possessive endearments that made her blush.

She straightened her shoulders, feeling the weight of dual responsibilities. To the humans gathered here, she was simply Dr. Isolde Morgan, marine biologist. None knew that beneath her professional exterior beat the heart of the Luna of the Seafang pack.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, forcing confidence into her voice though her stomach fluttered with nerves.

As they approached the crowd waiting at the entrance, Isolde noticed Nereus checking their surroundings with sharp, precise movements of his head. Always the protector, always the alpha, even among humans who had no idea of his true nature.

"Dr. Morgan! Mr. Varon!" The new facility director, Dr. Hammond, bustled forward, his round face flushed with excitement. "Everything is prepared for the ceremony. We can't thank you enough for this extraordinary gift to the scientific community."

Nereus nodded, his public persona perfectly calibrated—generous benefactor, wealthy businessman with environmental interests. Only Isolde could see the predator beneath the tailored suit.

"The ocean deserves our best efforts," he stated simply. His hand hadn't left her back, a subtle claim that sent a rush of heat through her blood.

The dedication ceremony itself was mercifully brief.

Isolde stood beside Nereus as a plaque was unveiled: "The Varon-Morgan Marine Research Facility.

" Their names linked together permanently in gleaming bronze.

The symbolism wasn't lost on her—a public marking of territory that mirrored the more intimate claim Nereus had made on her body and soul.

After the applause died down, Isolde led the first tour group through the facility.

She pointed out the state-of-the-art laboratories, the expanded rescue facilities for injured marine life, and the massive data center that would process information from monitoring stations throughout the Seafang territory.

"And this," she said, opening the doors to the crown jewel, "is our observation deck."

The guests gasped as they entered the glass-enclosed space that extended out over the water. Below their feet, the ocean stretched endless and blue, the afternoon sun highlighting every ripple.

"The glass is specially treated to allow maximum visibility without disturbing marine life," she explained. "We can observe natural behaviors without interference."

"This must have cost a fortune," one of the city council members whispered, glancing at Nereus who stood slightly apart from the group.

Isolde followed her gaze. Nereus was watching her, not the ocean, with a piercing intensity that made her heart skip a beat. There was something different about him today—something beyond his usual possessive confidence.

"No expense was spared," Isolde agreed, trying to maintain her focus on the tour. "Mr. Varon believes in investing in the future of our oceans."

As the group moved on, Nereus caught her arm, holding her back for a moment.

"You're magnificent in your element," he murmured, his eyes darkening slightly as they swept over her. "Watching you share your passion with them—" he shook his head slightly "—it reminds me why the Moon Goddess chose you."

"Careful," she teased, though heat bloomed in her cheeks. "Someone might hear you talking about moon goddesses."

His lips quirked upward. "I can't wait to show you how a proper alpha honors and celebrates his Luna's achievements."

His words sent a rush of anticipation through her body. Whatever was making him act so mysteriously today, Isolde had a feeling their evening would be memorable.

Isolde's heels clicked against the observation deck's polished floor as she guided the last tour group through the new facility.

Her dress hugged her curves, professional yet flattering—a balance she'd struck more confidently since becoming Luna.

Through the glass walls, the sunset painted the ocean in ribbons of amber and rose gold, creating a stunning backdrop as she finished her presentation.

"The sensors embedded along the coastline will give us unprecedented data on marine migration patterns," she explained, gesturing to the digital map glowing on the interactive display. "We'll finally be able to track how climate shifts are affecting local populations."

Struggling to maintain her professional demeanor under their penetrating stares, Isolde asked the group, "Are there any final questions?"

Before anyone could respond, Nereus strode forward, parting the small crowd with nothing more than his presence. People naturally moved to accommodate him—an unconscious recognition of apex authority that even humans couldn't ignore.

"Dr. Morgan," he said, using her formal title though his voice warmed with the intimate timbre that made her pulse quicken. "I believe I have a question."

Isolde's breath caught. This wasn't part of the program. "Mr. Varon, perhaps we could address any concerns after?—"

"I'm afraid this can't wait." The corner of his mouth twitched upward in that subtle way that always signaled he was about to upend her world.

The group fell silent, attention riveted to the imposing man who'd funded the magnificent facility around them.

Isolde recognized several board members, prominent scientists, and even a reporter from the local paper among them.

Whatever Nereus was planning, he had chosen a moment with maximum witnesses.

He stepped closer, close enough that she could catch hints of his scent—ocean and earth and something primally Nereus that made her inner wolf stir.