Chapter 1

"Welcome to Starlight Resort." The woman with the brown hair smiles warmly and extends her hand to shake mine. "A place where our extraordinary monster staff tends to your every need."

"It's nice to finally meet you," I say, swallowing the nervousness that has taken hold of me. "Is it really okay for me to be here? I mean… aren't we the only humans here?"

I try to maintain a casual demeanor, my voice calm, but my eyes reveal my nervousness. They dart back and forth, unable to resist the captivating sight of the resort's exotic creatures.

Zoe chuckles and adjusts her glasses, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Rey, honey, trust me. The resort is an inclusive place. Everyone's welcome. These monsters" —she sweeps her hand around to indicate the guests—"are here for the same reasons we are—to relax, have fun, and maybe find a little romance."

"I came here for an escape," I correct her, looking at Eli, who is staring at us with an amused expression as he carries my rainbow pineapple-print matching luggage with both arms. "The last thing I want to do is cause trouble while mingling with the resort's staff and guests."

She nudges me with her elbow and winks, an action that has me blushing.

"Oh, you're definitely in for a treat! Now, you're going to love this." She takes my hand and leads me away from the pull up driveway, peering over her shoulder at the Orc limo driver. "Eli, could you please put her luggage in her villa, so it's ready for her when I'm finished showing her around?"

"You don't want to repeat what happened to you, do you?" He chuckles, deep and rumbling, and gives us a wide grin. "It won't be a problem. I'll do it right away and notify Svea that you have her."

"What happened to you?" I ask, my gaze shifting between the two of them as I try to decipher their hidden meaning. "Should I be worried?"

"There's nothing to be concerned about." She waves her hand as if trying to wipe my worries away. "Just know that everyone here will take care of you if you ever need help."

Eli grunts. "If that's what you're calling what happened—"

"Hey!" Zoe glares at him. "Unless you want all the details about my love life with your best friend, we're not going to talk about how Sage and I met—"

"No!" Eli shudders and turns away. "I don't need to hear what the two of you do when you're alone. As it is, I have to be cautious about going too deep into the gardens…"

"No one informed me that this resort was dangerous…"

"It isn't!" Zoe takes both of my hands in hers and gently shakes them, drawing my attention to her and locking her brown gaze onto mine. "Believe me. Eli is just jealous that the resort's gardener and I are together, and he can't have him all to himself."

"Ah!" I nod. "I see. Some guys can't stand anything getting in the way of their bromance."

"Exactly!" She grins. "Anyway… Don't listen to him; instead, recall what I told you over the vidtablets. This resort is completely safe, and it is packed with fun and exciting activities for you to enjoy!"

"I can't wait to see if the brochures and reviews are true."

"Let me show you around to prove it." She lets go of my hands and leads me down a stone path that leads to a large beach with soft white sands. "This is the main beachfront of the resort, where you can swim safely under the supervision of our lifeguards."

My heart thrums in my chest as I take in the pristine waters, lapping gently onto the shore. There's a rush of cool wind that carries the tang of the salty sea, refreshing and calming.

And then, my eyes land on him.

A Kraken surfaces from the water, shaking his head and spraying a shower of droplets in his wake.

Standing tall against the cerulean waters, his skin a swirling mix of deep blues and purples that matches the ocean itself. Eight powerful tentacles ripple beneath him in the water, a sight straight out of a smutty monster romance novel.

He turns, and our eyes meet. His gaze is sharp and intense, almost predatory, and something deep within me stirs at the sight.

My heart thrums in my chest as I take a step closer, unable to tear my eyes away from him.

"Oh… That's Zethe. He's our head lifeguard. The best we have."

My cheeks warm as I realize I've been caught staring for far too long. I tear my gaze away from Zethe and clear my throat. "Really?"

"Absolutely," she confirms. "He's saved countless lives. Despite his intimidating appearance, he's gentle, kind-hearted, and responsible. A true leader amongst the staff."

"Right, that… that makes sense to have a Kraken for a lifeguard."

"He isn't the only one. There are plenty more, including a few other aquatic monsters—like Merfolk who stay along the waves—but they aren't as mobile on land as Kraken are."

Suddenly, the idea of sharing this resort with monsters doesn't seem so daunting. Everywhere I look, my eyes feast upon a myriad of attractive creatures, each one possessing a unique allure that ignites a flame of excitement through my veins.

"Maybe," I whisper, my gaze drifting to the Kraken lifeguard once again. "This trip won't be so bad after all."

Zoe chuckles, patting my hand. "Come on," she says as she guides me toward another pathway. "Let's check you into your private villa. Eli should have put all of your luggage in it by now."

But as I follow her, I steal one last glance at Zethe.

This vacation might be more interesting than I initially thought.

As Zoe leads me past the nearby Relaxation Lagoon, I can't help but stare in awe. There's a multitude of Merfolk lounging about, their scales glittering under the water and catching the sunlight like precious gems. The sound of the nearby waterfall that feeds the pool echoes in my ears, adding a soothing ambiance to the already peaceful scene.

"You'll never run out of things to do here," Zoe assures me, her voice laced with an obvious adoration for the resort. "There's something for everyone, including our many sunbathing locations to enjoy reading, working remotely or just trying to get a tan. As you see, everywhere you look, there's a breathtaking view."

We continue our walk, and I'm amazed at the beauty of the place, the lush greenery, the cascading waterfalls, the vivid hues of the creatures all around me.

"We have some of the best restaurants and bars in the region, not to mention dancing areas that can keep you partying all night," Zoe explains as we pass a variety of restaurants and bars filled with monsters of all shapes and sizes. The tantalizing aroma of diverse cuisines wafts through the air, stirring my appetite. "And if you're more of a relaxation kind of gal, we've got spas and massage parlors where serenity is the rule, beauty salons that promise a transformation beyond belief, and quiet cafes that offer a reprieve from the crowd."

As we continue walking, we leave the buzz of the central resort area behind, venturing down a pathway bordered by tall hedges and exotic tropical flowers into a quieter part of the resort.

"And here are the private villas," Zoe continues, a gleam in her eye. "Each has its own entry and beachfront porch."

They're breathtaking. The architecture blends seamlessly into the environment, using natural materials that offer a rustic charm amidst the lush greenery.

They face the ocean, each one boasting a private beachfront porch. The rhythmic crash of the waves against the shore is a soothing backdrop, one that I find immensely calming.

"You have complete privacy here," Zoe informs me, her hand sweeping out to indicate the villas. "Each villa is secluded, with fences and natural plant barriers between each one, so you can enjoy your own little piece of paradise without interruption or prying eyes."

The villa Zoe guides me to is charming, its door painted a soft blue that reminds me of the sky on a bright sunny day. It's a little way away from the others, tucked away amidst a grove of palm trees. The private beachfront porch looks inviting, with a hammock strung up between two palms.

"This is where you'll be staying."

"This is beautiful," I breathe, the words slipping out in awe.

"Wait until you see the inside." Zoe chuckles, handing me a keycard bracelet. "And keep in mind that there's more to this resort than meets the eye. If you ever need assistance, simply press the button on your wristband and someone will contact you right away. Or go to one of the resort's emergency stations, and the resort's safety and security team will rush to your aid."

"Thank you for escorting me here."

"It's my honor." She nods, grinning. "Now, if you connect your vidtablet to the villa's system, it will upload the resort's map, as well as all of the events, activities, and menus for our establishments that are currently being offered for your week-long stay."

"You really did plan everything for me." I spin the wristband around my wrist, taking in the two buttons and the mini-screen on the bracelet that displays the time. "What do you think I should do first?"

"Explore your villa and get a feel for what it has to offer." She presses her glasses up her nose even more. "And then you can do whatever your heart desires"

"Perhaps I'll put on my swimsuit first, then check out the beachfront."

"Maybe even a certain lifeguard?" She winks at me and pats my shoulder. "Remember that this resort is all expenses paid, and the entire staff is here to cater to your every need. Feel free to ask for something, and they will gladly assist you."

"It won't hurt to look around…"

"Enjoy your stay," she says as she walks away with a wave, leaving me standing on my own private villa's porch. "Remember that you're on vacation. Have fun."