Page 8

Before she could respond, three of her colleagues approached, their faces etched with exhaustion and shock. The gangly scientist led the group, his eyes darting between Nereus and Isolde with obvious curiosity.

"Isolde, are you all right?" The man glanced at Nereus with thinly veiled suspicion. "We're setting up at the university's backup facility tomorrow. Everyone's coordinating transport for what equipment survived."

Isolde nodded absently, her attention still partially fixed on the glowing water. "Mr. Varon was just offering to drive me home," she said.

The female scientist—a middle-aged woman with a practical ponytail—gave Nereus an approving once-over. "That's very kind of you. Isolde lives on that little houseboat, you know. Hard to navigate in the dark if you don't know the area."

"I know the area," Nereus replied with absolute confidence. Every inch of the coastline had been part of his territory for centuries.

The woman smiled encouragingly at Isolde. "Go on, dear. You've had quite a shock. Let this nice man take you home."

Nereus suppressed a smile at being described as "nice." His pack would have found that description laughable. He was respected, feared even, but "nice" was never a word associated with the Alpha of the Seafang.

Isolde hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I guess there's not much I can do here tonight."

Nereus watched the crowd dispersing from the destruction site, emergency personnel coordinating their departure with practiced efficiency.

His truck loomed large in the darkness, its black finish gleaming under the full moon.

He opened the passenger door for Isolde, his wolf silently approving as she slid her curves onto the leather seat.

He caught her scent again—salt water and citrus—as he closed her door and rounded the hood. The ocean churned behind them, waves crashing with increasing intensity as Isolde's emotions roiled beneath her composed exterior.

"Your houseboat?" he asked, sliding behind the wheel, his large frame making the spacious cab feel suddenly intimate.

She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself. "Just follow the coast south. There's a small marina."

As he pulled away from the beach, Nereus felt the weight of centuries bearing down on him. How many alpha water wolves had found themselves in this position—trying to explain their ancient supernatural heritage to their newly awakened Luna? None had faced explaining it to a human.

"I need to tell you something that will sound crazy," he began, his voice deep and commanding. "But I need you to listen completely before you dismiss it."

She turned toward him, moonlight catching those blue eyes. "Is this about what you said earlier? That I somehow caused that wave?"

"You did." He kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripping the wheel with controlled strength. "You're connected to the ocean in ways you can't begin to understand yet. Today, when you turned thirty, your Luna powers awakened."

"Luna powers?" Her voice held the precise edge of skepticism he had expected.

"I am alpha and prince of the Seafang pack." He delivered the words with absolute authority, the same tone that commanded wolves across his territory. "I am a waterwolf shifter, and you are my Luna—my destined mate."

The ocean surged violently beside them, waves battering the shoreline as Isolde processed his words.

"You think you're a werewolf," she said flatly. "A water... werewolf."

"Waterwolf," he corrected, his patience wearing thin. He had spent centuries commanding respect, not explaining himself to skeptics. "Look at the ocean, Isolde. Look how it responds to your emotions."

She glanced at the water, now whipping into white-capped frenzy that mirrored her internal state.

"Today is my birthday," she admitted reluctantly. "My thirtieth. But the rest is?—"

"Truth," he cut her off. "Luna females come into their powers on their thirtieth birthdays. The tidal wave, the glowing water around your feet—that was all you."

The truck hugged the coastal road as Nereus made a sharp turn, revealing the marina ahead. Isolde's houseboat bobbed precariously as the water churned with increasing violence.

"Stop the car. I want out." Her voice shook with anger. "I've had enough crazy for one night."

He pulled to a stop at the marina entrance, but kept the doors locked. The ocean was rising dangerously now, waves crashing against the docks with enough force to splinter wood. His wolf snarled at the thought of leaving her here alone and untrained with power that could drown the entire coastline.

"If you believe anything I've told you, you'll come with me," he growled, leaning toward her. "To my home, and my pack. Where you can learn to control this before someone dies."

"Let me out!" She reached for the door handle, her panic rising.

In one fluid motion, he reached across the cab, capturing her face between his powerful hands.

He gently pulled her toward him, claiming her mouth with a kiss that left no room for argument.

Their lips connected with electric intensity, and he felt her initial resistance melt away as the mate bond buzzed between them.

He poured centuries of longing into the kiss, letting his calming alpha pheromones envelop her. It wasn't manipulation—it was instinct and protection. Her body softened against his, her tension draining as his tongue traced the seam of her lips.

Outside, the violent waves began to recede, the water gradually calming as Isolde surrendered to the sensation of their connection.

When he finally broke the kiss, her eyes remained closed for several heartbeats, lips parted and flushed. The ocean had returned to gentle lapping against the shore.

"Now," he whispered against her lips, "look at the water."