Page 31 of Siren’s Kiss & Feral Beasts
KAI
I break through the surface, feeling the contradicting cool breeze and the heavy scent of smoke infiltrate my senses. It’s overwhelming; thick and choking. Even with most of the ship swallowed by the sea, the smell clings to the area as I float in my human form.
My wolf is resting. Amused. Content. Relaxing. He’s all but taking a nap while the low, rhythmic pull of oars carries over the waves. Longboats move closer, my pack members staring as they pull up beside me.
They’re fighting back grins.
“Our Alpha rises from the deep,” Torren calls out, his tone laced with amusement. “Thought our luna might’ve drowned you.”
A chorus of chuckles rings out. Obnoxious and contagious; I flip them off.
This causes them to laugh harder, the vessel rocking now, and I’m fighting back my own grin as I pull myself up.
It’s made worse when my movements almost tip us over, and I’m half tempted to push my gamma and his brother overboard as I plant my bare feet on the slick wood.
“I’m kind of proud of her,” Otto interjects, lip curling at the corner. “She destroyed our alpha’s ship, tricked the mermaids, and pissed off their bitch of a general in the process. Fucking brilliant.”
“I second that.”
“Me too,” a chorus calls out in unison, and my beast goes from sleepy to ruffled. He growls low in my chest—the warning clear. Mine.
“Keep talking, and I’ll make you swim behind my ship.”
“What ship?” Maleth asks, brows furrowed. I point behind us. Our pack’s biggest ship looms on the horizon, flanked by twenty or so other ships.
They slice through the dark waters, black sails straining against the wind—a declaration of war. The Five Seas have answered. Wolves from every pack, from every corner of the waters I rule, sail beneath banners that snap like whips in the night.
This year’s hunt will be different, I’d sent word out with the change in the rules. Blood will not be spilled for dominance or tradition.
This is for honor. For loyalty. To protect our people.
For our luna.
I’m coming for you, love.
Shots ring out, followed by the thunder of small cannons. The sky ignites, each boom a pulse through my chest. The hunt has begun.
Maleth, who’d been standing to my left, leans closer. His voice low. “Once you find Severus, and he’ll be on that boat, I’m claiming my kill. Following.”
I tilt my head. “Following?”
“He’ll run.”
“How do you know that?”
Maleth’s silver eyes sharpen, his stare meaningful. Respectfully, he meets my eyes, needing me to understand why . His truth. “Because my father is a coward, Alpha. He’s not a fighter, but an opportunist. And once that opportunity slips from his cold, dead fingers, he’ll save his ass.”
“He doesn’t get away, Maleth.”
Placing his hand over his chest, he nods his head. “You have my word. He will die.”