Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

Levi

T he blare of an alarm jolts me awake, its harsh sound cutting through the peaceful silence of the early morning. A soft, feminine groan nearly makes me flail before the events of the night before come rushing back. Rose. My Rose.

She makes a whining noise, nuzzling into my chest as I try to locate the source of the noise. I realize my phone is in my pants pocket, which I’d hastily discarded on the floor last night. Carefully, I lean over the side of the bed, stretching my arm out to snag the leg of my shorts. Rose clings to me in her sleep, making the task more challenging. I manage to fish out my phone and quickly silence the insistent alarm, quietly apologizing to her. The sudden quiet feels almost as jarring as the noise.

I take a moment to savor the feeling of Rose in my arms, her soft curves pressed against me, her hair tickling my chin. Her scent surrounds me – a hint of her shampoo and something uniquely her . It’s intoxicating, and for a moment, I’m tempted to forget about my responsibilities and stay here, wrapped in this perfect cocoon of warmth and contentment.

But duty calls. With a reluctant sigh, I carefully extricate myself from Rose’s embrace, trying not to wake her further. The room’s cool air hits my skin as I slip out of bed, a stark contrast to the warmth I’ve just left behind. I tiptoe around the room, gathering my clothes from where they were hastily discarded last night.

As I pull on my shorts, I feel eyes on me. Glancing back at the bed, I catch Rose watching me with an admiring stare, her eyes heavy-lidded but unmistakably appreciative. A bolt of masculine pride courses through me, tempered by a wave of affection for this beautiful, captivating woman.

I’m glad it’s still dark enough that she can’t see the scars crisscrossing my back. They’re a reminder of the secret I must continue to keep. For a moment, I imagine a future where Rose and I are truly serious, where I know I can trust her completely. In that future, I’d tell her about my other self and show her who I really am. The thought is both terrifying and exhilarating. But for now, I want to preserve this bubble of happiness we’ve created, to enjoy these moments of simple human connection before complicating everything with the truth of my dual nature.

Once dressed, I approach the bed, drawn to Rose like a moth to a flame. I lean down and press a soft kiss to her lips. “I’ve got to go,” I murmur against her mouth, reluctant to pull away.

“When will you be back?” she asks, her voice husky with sleep.

“I’ll be out most of the day,” I admit, running my fingers through her tousled hair. “But I’ll be back in time for our sunset sailing cruise. I’m looking forward to it.” The thought of spending the evening with Rose on the water brings a smile to my face.

Rose’s eyes light up at the reminder. She yawns, stretching like a contented cat. “That sounds perfect. I think I’ll do some painting today, maybe get some food in town. It’ll be nice to relax before our evening adventure.”

I nod, already anticipating the feel of the evening breeze and the sight of Rose bathed in the golden light of sunset. “It’s a date then. I can’t wait to show you how beautiful the coast is at twilight.”

A blush spreads across her cheeks at my words, and my heart swells. How did I get so lucky?

“I’m looking forward to it,” Rose says, a shy smile on her lips.

“Have fun today,” I tell her, stealing one last kiss. “I’ll be thinking of you.”

With a final goodbye, I force myself to leave, exiting Rose’s houseboat and heading home. The cool morning air helps clear my head, but I can still feel the phantom warmth of Rose’s body against mine.

I quickly drop off my things. Then, without hesitation, I strip off my clothes and slip into the water. The transformation is instant and familiar – my body elongates, extra limbs sprout, and my skin changes texture. In moments, I’m in my scout form, my tentacles stretching out in the cool water.

I set off toward where the fishing boats troll, my powerful limbs propelling me through the dark, pre-dawn water with ease. The ocean is pitch black at this hour, the sun more than an hour away from rising, but I navigate it with ease. The inky deep envelop me, welcoming me home like a midnight embrace. Usually, this darkness, this immersion in the vast, silent world beneath the waves, is where I feel most at peace, most myself. But today, even as I glide effortlessly through the lightless water, my thoughts keep drifting back to Rose, to the warmth of her smile, the softness of her skin, and the way her eyes light up when she laughs. Her memory is a beacon in this dark underwater world.

As I reach the fishing area, I push those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. I spend the day as usual – helping chase fish into the nets, ensuring other sea creatures don’t get caught where they shouldn’t, and making sure the nets don’t snag on anything beneath the surface. It’s work I’ve done countless times before, a dance I know by heart.

As I guide a school of fish toward a waiting net, I wonder what Rose would think if she could see me now. The memory of saving her from the storm flashes through my mind. She hadn’t seemed terrified then, but that might have been the shock of almost drowning that kept her from reacting like most humans would. Would she be as calm if she saw me again in my full kraken form? Would she be fascinated? Or would the reality of what I am finally sink in, and would she see only a monster?

The thought sends a pang through me. Part of me hopes that her lack of fear during the rescue wasn’t just shock or a knock to the head, that maybe she could accept all of me. But another part warns me not to get my hopes up.

I shake off these distracting thoughts, refocusing on my work. I can’t afford to be preoccupied when one wrong move could tangle a net or harm the marine life I’m here to protect. Still, as I continue my tasks, I can’t help but wonder: if Rose saw the real me, would she be horrified that she shared her bed with me last night?

The day wears on, the sun climbing high in the sky above the water’s surface. Usually, spending the day in my kraken form, enjoying the vast expanse of the ocean, fills me with a sense of contentedness and purpose. It’s where I belong, and I can be my authentic self without fear or self-consciousness.

But today is different. Today, all I can think about is Rose. Her laugh, her touch, how she looks at me like I’m special. I feel an inexorable pull to return to her, to spend every possible moment together. The thought of her departure sends a sharp pang through me, and I remind myself to focus on the present.

As I guide another school of fish into a waiting net, I spot a sea turtle drifting dangerously close to the mesh. I use my tentacles to redirect the curious creature away from the net’s opening, guiding it toward safer waters. Watching the turtle swim away, its flippers propelling it gracefully through the blue, I imagine what it would be like to share this part of my life with Rose. To show her these hidden wonders beneath the waves, the delicate balance we maintain, and to let her see all of me – both man and kraken. The longing I feel is almost physical, a tightness in my chest that not even the pressure of the deep ocean can alleviate.

I watch a pod of dolphins swim past, their playful chirps echoing through the water. They seem to sense my presence, a couple of them breaking away to swim curious circles around me. I reach out a tentacle, gently brushing against one’s sleek side in a silent greeting. As they swim off, I can’t help but envy their freedom, their ability to simply be without hiding or pretending.

The sun finally passes its peak, signaling the end of my day at sea. The fishing boats start to turn back toward the harbor, their holds full of the day’s catch. I do one last sweep of the area, ensuring no nets or debris have been left behind and no creatures are in distress.

As I begin my journey back to shore, my thoughts again turn to Rose. I imagine her having spent the day painting, her brow furrowed in concentration as she captures the beauty of Lublin Harbor on canvas. I wonder if she’s thought of me as much as I’ve thought of her. The anticipation of seeing her again makes me pick up speed, my tentacles propelling me swiftly through the water.

Nearing the marina, I slow down, cautious of being seen. But as I approach, butterflies take flight in my stomach. There, sitting on the deck of her houseboat is Rose. She’s working on a drawing just as I’d imagined, a glass of wine at her side, the soft glow of the afternoon sun illuminating her features. I stop, mesmerized by the sight of her.

Suddenly, Rose’s phone rings. I can’t hear the other person, but Rose’s voice carries clearly over the water.

“Heather! Hi!” Rose’s face lights up as she greets her friend. “Oh my gosh, you won’t believe how much fun I’m having!”

Rose’s laughter rings out, light and carefree. “I miss you too, and Purl, of course. But don’t worry, I’ll be back soon enough.”

I know I should move on and give her privacy, but I linger, captivated by the animation in Rose’s face as she chats with her friend.

“Oh, Heather, it’s been incredible,” Rose continues, her voice brimming with excitement. “Yesterday was perfect – I had the most amazing beach day.” She pauses, and when she speaks again, I can hear the smile in her voice. “ Yes , Levi was there.”

My pulse thumps at the mention of our day together, and I swim closer, eager to hear more.

“Yeah, Levi and I… we had a moment,” Rose says, her voice softening, becoming warm and intimate. I can hear the smile in her words. “No, I’m not giving you details! Don’t be nosy!”

I float closer until I’m practically under the houseboat’s stern, careful to stay hidden beneath the water’s surface. Rose laughs at something her friend says, and the sound makes my hearts swell.

“Seriously, you’re terrible!” Rose giggles, and I can imagine the blush spreading across her cheeks. “But… okay, fine. It was… magical. That’s all I’m saying!”

I feel a rush of warmth at her words, remembering our time together on the beach and after. Her description of it as ‘magical’ thrills me.

“He’s… he’s extraordinary. I’ve never met anyone quite like him. It’s not just that he’s handsome – though he certainly is,” she says with a slight giggle. “But he’s also incredibly kind and thoughtful. He seemed reserved at first, but now that I’ve gotten to know him… He always seems to know just what to say or do to make me feel comfortable. And once you get to know him, he’s really fun, too – we laugh so much together. But what really gets me is the way he looks at me. It’s like… I don’t know, like I’m the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen. He makes me feel seen in a way I’ve never experienced before.”

I feel a rush of warmth at her words, flattered and touched.

“Part of me doesn’t want to leave, you know? But… I don’t know. It’s complicated.”

Suddenly, Rose straightens in her chair, her eyes scanning the water. For a heart-stopping moment, I think she’s spotted me, but that’s impossible. I’m well hidden beneath the dark surface.

“Heather, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you soon, okay?” Rose ends the call abruptly, standing up and slowly approaching the edge of the houseboat deck.

I remain perfectly still, my hearts pounding. She cannot see me, but her gaze seems to be fixed precisely where I am submerged. The intensity in her eyes makes me wonder if she somehow, impossibly, senses my presence.

Rose stands at the edge of the dock, her gaze penetrating the dark waters with an intensity that makes my hearts pound. I am caught in a fierce internal struggle, torn between the overwhelming urge to surface and reveal myself, and the deeply ingrained instinct to remain hidden. The reminder that she’s leaving soon crashes over me like a cold wave, tempering my desire to expose my secret. It would be unwise, I tell myself, no matter how tempting the idea. Unable to bear the weight of her searching eyes, I slowly sink deeper into the murky depths. My tentacles curl protectively around me, their familiarity a comfort as I settle onto the silt-covered marina floor. Nestled in this hidden sanctuary, I watch Rose’s silhouette ripple above me, my eyes never leaving her. I wait, barely daring to move, wondering what she’ll do next and fighting the hope that she might somehow sense my presence.