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Svea breaks the tense silence, her grin almost mischievous as she clasps my shoulder. “It’s the Moon Goddess’s will,” she simply states, her voice filled with certainty. “But before anything else, we must allow Eaen to check her. We can’t risk moving her without knowing her condition.”
As Eaen hovers over Rey, using his advanced scanner to assess her condition, I can only watch with bated breath, my tentacle still firmly wrapped around her arm. The familiar tingle races through me as I take in the sight of her, lying there, while Eaen hovers over her, a med scanner in his hand. Even in her unconscious state, she clings to me, and I find a strange comfort in her touch.
Casting a glance toward Drax, gratitude welling up inside me. “Thank you, Drax,” I say. “For shielding us.”
Drax offers a gruff nod in response, his gaze remaining on the turbulent sky above. “Just doing my duty,” he says simply. “Glad I could help.”
Taking a deep breath, I turn my attention back to Rey, guilt gnawing at me. “I’m sorry, Rey,” I say, even though I know she can’t hear me. “I failed you. It was my job to keep everyone safe, and I didn’t…”
Svea squeezes her reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Zethe,” she says gently, “Sometimes, things just happen. We couldn’t have predicted this storm. What we can do now is learn from this and make sure it doesn’t happen again. More lifeguards, perhaps even merfolk on duty when we have human guests.”
I consider her suggestion and nod, finding some comfort in her wisdom, my gaze drifting back to Eaen, who is still absorbed in his work. “How is she, Eaen? Do we need to take her to the resort’s hospital?”
“No, you got to her in time,” Eaen reassures me, his voice calm. “There’s a minuscule amount of water in her lungs, but it should clear out as she rests. She’ll need to be monitored until she wakes up. Make sure she gets a lot of rest and drinks plenty of water. We’ll need to do a check-up later to ensure she’s not dehydrated.”
My chest swells with a mixture of relief and worry. My tentacles tighten around her instinctively. “I’ll take care of her,” I assert, my voice resolute. “It’s my fault she’s in this situation. She’s my fated mate. I have to look after her.”
My gaze meets Svea’s, seeking her approval. “Can I… Can I take some time off to be her caretaker? To guide her?”
Svea’s surprised eyes meet mine, then soften. “I think that’s a good idea, Zethe,” she agrees. “You’ve been working nonstop lately, and it’s about time you took some time off. This might be the perfect opportunity.”
I turn to our medic, my heart in my throat. “Eaen, would it be safe to take her to her villa? That’s where her things are, and she will probably want to get dressed when she wakes up. It would be more comfortable for her, being surrounded by her belongings.”
Eaen gives a nod, indicating his agreement. “Yes, it’s safe. But you should be careful not to jostle her too much.”
“I’ll escort you to her villa. You’ll need help,” Zoe offers, Sage nodding beside her.
“And I’ll keep her safe from the storm,” Drax adds. “I know how vulnerable humans are to the elements when they aren’t prepared.”
“Thank you,” I say as I scan the crowd, touched that coworkers and friends came to my aid after I sent the alert. “I appreciate each and every one of you.”
“We’ve got this.” Zero nods and takes a step alongside his sister. Even though I’ve known them for years, I can’t get over how similar they were, despite being opposite genders. They are the same height and have the same emerald green skin and long black hair, but Zero has a slightly muscular body and Svea has more sleekness. “Don’t be concerned about us or the resort. Just look after her.”
“I’ll stop by in the morning,” Svea adds with a soft smile. “And send over some soup and an electrolyte sports drink for Rey to consume when she awakens.”
I nod my thanks and carefully pick up Rey, cradling her against my chest and securing her with one of my tentacles that I keep wrapped around her arm, encircling her body in a protective hold. The sensation of her warm, delicate body against mine stirs an unfamiliar feeling within me—a mix of concern, affection, and overwhelming possessiveness.
We move away from the beach, the terrain becoming a blur as I focus on keeping Rey safe and secure in my arms. Zoe and Sage lead the way, their forms moving swiftly through the resort’s walkways, the storm howling around us. Drax follows closely, his wing held high above us, acting as a shield against the merciless onslaught of rain and wind.
With each step toward Rey’s villa, I feel the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. I will care for her, protect her, and when she wakes, I will tell her she’s my fated mate.
That’s a promise.
I need to reassure her that she is safe and that I will not let anything happen to her. And hopefully, she will accept me as I am, a kraken.
Moving through the resort during the storm is a surreal experience. The usually vibrant and bustling place now appears eerie, the storm transforming it into a realm of shadows and echoes. The trees sway dangerously, their leaves rustling against the roaring wind. Lightning illuminates the path ahead of us, followed by the ominous rumbling of thunder.
Holding Rey—my fated mate—in my arms feels surreal. Each beat of her heart against my chest stirs a rhythm within me, an intimate symphony that no one else can hear. I can feel her breath against my skin, a gentle reminder of her vulnerability. The primal need to protect her, to keep her safe, consumes me entirely.
“Sage,” I find myself saying, my voice barely above a whisper. “Does it… does it get better once we’ve become official?”
Sage chuckles, a sound full of warmth and understanding. “Much better, Zethe,” he replies, his voice carrying a hint of wisdom.
Zoe glances over her shoulder, her gaze meeting mine. “The rush of the connection, it’s addicting,” she shares, her eyes glinting with a kind of happiness I long to experience with Rey. It offers me hope. “She won’t be able to get you out of her head, filled with a desire to learn everything she can about you.”
CHAPTERFIVE
REY
