9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Mia

I cling tightly to Krakenos's sleek back as he slices through the dark waters, my muscles tense and aching from holding on. The sea's inky blackness envelops us, pressing in from all sides.

My heart races, not just from the alien environment, but from my conversation with Krakenos. His words echo in my mind, drowning out even the rush of water around us.

I've never felt so out of my element, both literally and figuratively. With each powerful stroke of Krakenos's body, I'm reminded of how helpless I am in this vast, unfamiliar ocean—and how much I'm relying on a creature I barely understand.

And yet, it doesn't feel terrible to have him protecting me.

How quickly things changed… Just yesterday, I was a trembling mess at the sight of him. My imagination ran wild with all the horrible things this alien warrior might do to me if he caught me.

Now?

Well, let's just say things have taken an unexpected turn.

I'm starting to feel… God, I can't believe I'm even thinking this… But I actually feel comfortable around him. It's a strange feeling. My guard's been up for so long, it might as well be part of my DNA, yet now…

I keep telling myself nothing's really changed. I'm still dead set on crossing that finish line and busting out of this game show from hell. But, I'd be lying if I said Krakenos hasn't surprised me.

When I told him I needed to focus on survival, I braced myself for the usual bullshit I've heard a million times before. Instead, he just nodded and accepted my wishes.

It's almost laughable. Here I am, millions of miles from home, and the first person to make me feel genuinely safe is a blue- skinned alien who looks like a sexier Creature from the Black Lagoon.

What does that say about me?

Or, really, what does it say about the world I left behind?

Back on Earth, I was always running. From crappy relationships, dead-end jobs, the ghosts of my past that never seemed to quit haunting me. I never felt like I belonged anywhere.

But here, in the depths of an alien ocean with a guy who couldn't be more different from me if he tried, I'm starting to feel… something.

A connection, maybe?

Krakenos is this ancient, powerful being with the fate of his entire species weighing on those broad shoulders of his. Yet when he looks at me, I feel like he's seeing straight through to my core. Like all my baggage, all my hopes and fears, are laid out in front of him.

And the craziest part? He doesn't seem to judge me for any of it.

It's a weird feeling, for sure.

As we slice through the endless expanse of alien ocean, I find myself studying Krakenos from my perch on his back. His sleek blue body parts the waves with an effortless grace that takes my breath away. With each powerful stroke, I feel the ripple of his muscles beneath my thighs, a reminder of the strength coiled within him.

He's a living contradiction—a creature that should terrify me, yet I'm captivated. The play of bioluminescent patterns across his skin is hypnotic, like watching the northern lights dance across a midnight sky.

My mind wanders to dangerous territory.

What if I'm making a huge mistake by pushing Krakenos away?

Could he be more than just another hurdle to overcome? Maybe he's the unlikely ally I never knew I needed—someone who truly gets what it's like to be backed into a corner, desperately searching for an escape route.

I bite my lip, hardly daring to entertain the idea that Krakenos might be the key to something I've been chasing my whole life. That elusive sense of belonging, of having a real purpose, of being part of something bigger than my own messed-up world.

I ignore these thoughts, my gaze drifting to the vast ocean stretching endlessly before us.

Yet despite myself, I find my mind wandering to a future I would have laughed off as impossible just days ago. A future where I'm not constantly looking over my shoulder, running from my demons. A future where I actually matter, where I can make a real difference.

The idea is both exhilarating and terrifying, setting off a swarm of butterflies in my stomach.

But before I can spiral further down this rabbit hole, the water around us suddenly turns violent. Waves crash against Krakenos's sides, and I hold tight, wondering just what is happening.

Krakenos twists his head, and I lean in close, shouting to be heard over the roaring water, "What's going on?"

"A storm approaches—one we'd be fools to challenge. Hold on tight, Mia."

I nod, tightening my grip around Krakenos's shoulders as he surges forward through the churning waves. The water is getting rougher by the second, and I can barely see through the frothy spray that's whipping around us. It's like being trapped in a washing machine set to the highest spin cycle, and I'm feeling more than a little queasy. Even the ever-present camera drones are knocked off course, their flashing lights disappearing in the heavy downpour.

Somehow, not having those little bastards breathing down my neck makes me feel even more adrift at sea. At least with them stalking us, the Host knew where we were. Now, if worse came to worst, would our bodies even be found?

No. Don't think like that.

You're going to make it through this.

Soon enough, I finally catch a glimpse of something in the distance—a small island, jutting out of the water like a beacon of hope. It's not exactly a Hilton Hotel, but at this point, I'd gladly take a deserted rock over the open ocean.

Krakenos swims toward it with renewed vigor, and before I know it, we're dragging ourselves up onto the rocky shore, both of us panting and exhausted. I collapse onto my back, the jagged rocks digging into my skin as I gulp air like a drowning woman. My chest heaves, and I taste the salt on my lips, my stomach churning with what feels like half the ocean sloshing around inside. Despite the discomfort, the solid ground beneath me is a godsend after that aquatic nightmare.

"There," Krakenos's deep voice cuts through the howling wind. His webbed hand points to a dark opening in the cliff face. "We can take shelter there until the storm passes."

I try to respond, but all that comes out is a weak cough. Saltwater dribbles down my chin, and I wipe it away with a shaky hand. My legs wobble as I push myself up, feeling like overcooked spaghetti. Each step feels like I'm wading through quicksand, but before I can topple over, Krakenos's strong arm wraps around my waist, steadying me.

I lean into him, grateful for the support even as my pride bristles at needing it. But right now, I'm too damn tired to care about looking tough. I just want to get out of this storm and collapse somewhere—anywhere.

The cave's damp and musty smell hits me as we enter, but it's a vast improvement over the chaos outside. I slump against the rough wall, watching through bleary eyes as Krakenos springs into action. His powerful blue form moves with purpose, muscled arms effortlessly shoving aside boulders that I couldn't budge if my life depended on it.

I watch, still catching my breath, as Krakenos moves deeper into the cave. He starts gathering armfuls of what looks like seaweed and other aquatic plants, arranging them into a makeshift bed against one of the smoother walls. The sight of him fussing over my comfort, his powerful hands delicately arranging the greenery, is so absurd I almost laugh. But the ache in my muscles reminds me how desperately I need to rest, and suddenly that pile of seaweed looks like the comfiest bed in the world.

As he works, I find my gaze lingering on his scales. I know I shouldn't be staring, that I shouldn't feel this… fascination.

But I can't look away.

He's so oddly gorgeous.

I shake my head, trying to clear these confusing thoughts.

Still, I was raised to have manners. "Thank you," I say once he's finished, and I lower to the soft bed, letting out a relieved sigh at just how comfortable it is.

I shift my gaze to Krakenos, only to find his dark eyes already on me, softened in the cave's dim light. "Of course," he says, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

He settles on the opposite side of the cave, his massive form somehow graceful as he lowers himself to the ground. The storm continues its assault outside, waves crashing against the rocky shore with furious intensity.

I close my eyes, trying to lose myself in the rhythm of the rain and surf. Maybe if I focus hard enough, I can trick my body into thinking I'm back home, listening to one of those fancy white noise machines. But sleep eludes me, my mind racing with the day's events and the alien presence mere feet away.

I keep glancing back at Krakenos. The bioluminescent patterns on his skin pulse gently, casting an otherworldly glow across his features. My gaze traces the strong line of his jaw, lingering on the delicate fins that frame his face. Scales shimmer along his broad shoulders and powerful arms, a mesmerizing blend of fish and man that shouldn't work but somehow… does.

He's beautiful in a way that defies explanation, and I'm torn between fascination and the very rational urge to bolt. This is the creature that's supposed to… what? Mate with me? Save his people? The thought sends a jolt of panic through me, but it's also tinged with something else I'm not ready to examine too closely.

Suddenly, he locks eyes with mine. I jerk my head away so fast I nearly give myself whiplash, my cheeks burning.

Great. Caught ogling the fish-man.

Way to be subtle, Mia.

I glance back at Krakenos, catching the faintest curve of his lips. My stomach does a little flip.

"You know," Krakenos begins, breaking the tense silence, "I never expected to find myself in such a… unique situation."

I snort. "What, holed up in a cave with a chick from another planet? Totally mundane Tuesday for me." The words tumble out before I can stop them, and I wonder if he'd even get sarcasm.

To my surprise, a low chuckle reverberates through the cave. "No," Krakenos says, his obsidian eyes locking onto mine. "I never expected to feel… drawn to someone outside my own kind. For so long, other races were merely potential threats or conquests. Yet with you…"

My heart thunders, and I struggle to catch my breath. So it's not just me feeling this bizarre connection.

"Yeah," I murmur, my voice barely audible over the crashing waves outside. "I get it. I never thought I'd be here either, feeling…" I trail off, unable to put words to the confusing cocktail of emotions churning inside me.

Attraction? Curiosity? A desperate need for something comforting in this insane situation?

I swallow hard, acutely aware of Krakenos's presence across the cave, his bioluminescent patterns casting an otherworldly glow in the darkness that I see even as I look away.

Krakenos nods, his gaze never leaving mine. "It's strange, isn't it?" he muses. "How the universe can bring two people together, even in the most unlikely of circumstances."

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat at the intensity of his gaze. It's like he's seeing past all the walls I've built up over the years to protect myself from getting hurt. And instead of running away like I normally would, I want to let him in, to see where this connection between us might lead.

I shift my body closer to him, trying to find a comfortable position on the cold, hard cave floor. The silence between us feels oddly cozy, like we're sharing some secret hideout. Which, I guess we kind of are. I keep sneaking glances at Krakenos, studying the way his bioluminescent patterns pulse softly in the dim light. He's still the most alien thing I've ever seen, but there's something almost mesmerizing about him now.

The storm howls outside, but in here, it's just us. No running, no terror-fueled adrenaline. Just… existing. It should be a relief, but my brain can't quite shut off.

"Hey," I blurt out, breaking the silence. Krakenos glances at me, and I swallow hard. "What are the odds Mr. Whiskers is gonna come crashing through that cave entrance?"

Krakenos tilts his head, confused.

"Vornas," I clarify. "You think he's still out there, looking for us?"

A smile plays at the corners of Krakenos's mouth as he shakes his head and turns his gaze to the cave walls. "If I've learned one thing in my many seasons competing against him, it's that he hates water."

I laugh at that. "Sounds like most cats I know."

Krakenos tilts his head, confusion etching his features. "‘Cats'? Is that a beast similar to him on Earth?"

I nod, then pause, realizing the comparison isn't quite accurate. "Well, he's cat- like , for sure. But cats walk on all fours. And they don't speak. Well, except to whine for food."

"Sounds preferable," Krakenos muses, a glint of humor in his eyes. "But to answer your question, there's no chance he'll catch us in this biome. He'll be at least a day behind, as he'll need to build a raft. His people can't swim for the life of themselves. And the chances of him finding this little island without sonar…" He trails off, letting the implication hang in the air.

"That's how you found this place?" I ask, realization dawning on me.

Krakenos nods, and I realize that without him, I'd still be lost at sea. But knowing that Vornas won't pose much of a threat in this ocean biome is a relief, and a small weight lifts off me.

As silence falls over us once more, I turn my gaze to the opening of the cave, watching the storm rage on with a newfound sense of calm. It looks like we're going to be here for a while, waiting out the tempest in the safety of this rocky haven. But somehow, the prospect doesn't seem as daunting as it did before. Not with Krakenos by my side.

"So," I say, breaking the silence as my curiosity gets the better of me. "What was it like growing up in your world? Before the plague happened, I mean." I shift slightly, turning to face him more fully, searching his exotic features.

Krakenos looks at me, a faraway expression crossing his face. "It was a different time," he says with nostalgia and a hint of sadness. "My people were prosperous, and our kingdom was thriving. My father, the king, was a wise and just ruler, and he taught me everything he knew about leadership and responsibility. He showed me the importance of putting our people first, of making difficult decisions for the greater good."

He pauses, lost in thought, and I find myself leaning in slightly, eager to hear more. There's something captivating about the way he speaks, the depth of emotion that lies beneath his words.

"I remember one time, when I was just a young prince, my father took me on an expedition to the forbidden depths of our oceans. He showed me the things that lurked in the shadows of our world—the things that we had to protect our people from. He knew I'd never understand until I saw the beasts for myself, just as he didn't believe his father when he was a young prince. It was a rite of passage, in a way, a test of courage and resolve."

I nod, trying to imagine the kind of monsters that could frighten a being as powerful as Krakenos. "That must have been terrifying."

He nods, his gaze distant, lost in the memories of his past. "It was. But it was also a lesson in the importance of strength and courage. My father showed me that a true leader must be willing to face their fears head-on, to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

"Your father sounds like a great man."

Krakenos smiles softly, pride and sadness on his face. "He is. And I can only hope to live up to his legacy."

I reach out tentatively, placing a hand on his arm in a gesture of comfort, feeling the warm, smooth texture of his skin beneath my fingertips, before returning my hand to my lap. "I'm sure you will," I say, offering him a small smile of encouragement.

As Krakenos's words fade, a comfortable silence settles between us. The storm outside continues its relentless assault, but in here, I feel a strange sense of peace. It's short-lived, though, as Krakenos suddenly rises to his feet, his movements fluid and graceful despite his imposing size.

"I should check on the storm," he says, and I watch as he moves toward the cave entrance, his silhouette stark against the flashes of lightning that illuminate the turbulent sea beyond. For a moment, I'm struck by how otherworldly he looks—a creature of myth and legend, standing guard at the threshold of our sanctuary.

I watch Krakenos's silhouette against the stormy backdrop, my mind still processing our conversation. There's so much more I want to ask him, but my exhaustion is taking over. I try to fight it, but my eyelids are getting heavier by the second.

Scooting back against the cave wall, I can't help but feel a little safer with Krakenos keeping watch. As I start to doze off, I catch one last glimpse of him standing guard at the entrance.

My last coherent thought before sleep takes over is how surreal this whole situation is. Who would've thought I'd end up feeling somewhat at ease in a cave with an alien prince during a raging storm?

Yet, somehow, it feels right.