Chapter 2

Chapter

Two

JAY

T he elevator doors close, cutting off my view of her. My mate. My omega.

Zora.

I inhale deeply, savoring her lingering scent. Jasmine and sea salt, with the undercurrent of her arousal… so strong it makes my tentacles ache. They writhe under my skin, desperate to fully come out, wrap around her soft curves and never let go.

But first, I need to make sure I have access to her.

I pull out my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I find my agent’s number.

“Sam? Yeah, it’s me. I need you to call the resort. Tell them I want a personal concierge for my stay. They had someone at the reception named Zora. I want her.”

I can practically hear Sam’s eye bug out through the phone. “Jay, you can’t just-”

“I don’t care what you have to do,” I interrupt, my voice low and firm. “I’ll buy the fucking resort. Whatever it takes. Make it happen.”

I hang up before she can argue further. My tentacles are restless, sensing my agitation. I need to calm down before I lose control and shift right here in the hallway.

Reaching my suite, I slam the door behind me. Finally alone, I let my control slip. My tentacles burst free, all eight of them stretching and curling in the air. The cool air of the room feels good against my overheated skin.

I catch sight of myself in the full-length mirror and pause. My eyes are glowing that electric blue that marks me as a kraken in rut. My bronze skin is flushed, a sheen of sweat making it glisten. The intricate tattoos that map my transformation swirl and shift, responding to my agitated state.

I strip off my tank top, tossing it aside. My muscles ripple with the movement, tensed and ready for action. Ready to chase, to claim, to mate.

Grabbing a bottle of water, I drain it in one long gulp. Droplets escape, trailing down my chin, my neck, my chest. In my mind, it’s Zora’s tongue following that path, and a groan escapes me.

I pace the room, my bare feet silent on the plush carpet. My tentacles leave damp trails on the expensive furniture, but I couldn’t care less. All I can think about is her.

The way her eyes widened when she saw me. The quickening of her pulse, visible in the delicate hollow of her throat. The scent of her slick, so strong I could almost taste it on the air.

One of my tentacles brings itself to my nose. Her scent still clings to it from when I took the key card. I inhale deeply, a rumbling purr building in my chest.

Mine.

My phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. It’s Sam.

“It’s done,” she says, sounding resigned. “The hotel manager appointed Zora Williams to be your personal concierge for the duration of your stay.”

A feral grin spreads across my face, sharp and predatory. “Perfect. Thanks, Sam.”

I hang up, satisfaction coursing through me. Soon…

A knock at the door snaps me out of my thoughts. I inhale sharply, a slow, predatory smile spreading across my face as I recognize her scent.

My new “personal concierge”.

I head for the door, not bothering with a shirt or hiding my tentacles. Let her see what she’s getting into.