Chapter 4

The once serene sky morphs into an ominous gray as a sudden storm brews, ruining what was to be a calm evening. It wasn't in the forecast, and its abrupt appearance sends a ripple of alarm through me.

I turn to Zero. "Call for assistance to secure the resort," I order, my voice barely audible over the growing roar of the sea. There's a sense of urgency in the air, palpable as the wind picks up.

The Birdman flock scatters, taking flight into the safety of the trees. The Catman model gathers his belongings in haste, making a swift exit, his tail puffed out. The werewolf pack living on the resort jumps into action, helping to gather the lounge chairs and umbrellas, securing them against the storm's wrath, their faces set with determination.

As I scan the beach, my gaze catches on a pair of flip-flops and a beach towel left abandoned near the chairs. A pang of worry hits me as I recall the resort's first human guest, Rey. I peer into the distance, but there's no sign of the woman.

My gaze shifts to the choppy waters, where something catches my attention that should not be there. The faint outline of a figure struggles against the waves, her brown hair and purple bikini a stark contrast against the dark sea.

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut.

It's Rey, the resort's first human guest…

I failed Svea by not keeping my eye on her under my watch.

Without a second thought, I dive into the tempest, determined to reach her before the sea claims her. My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline fueling my swift movements.

There's only one thought on my mind: Save Rey.

Without a moment's hesitation, I dive beneath the monstrous waves, my tentacles propelling me against the harsh current. My protective underwater eyelids slide over my eyes, shielding them against the swirling debris and saltwater.

With the strength and finesse of a creature of the sea, I swim powerfully against the storm's waves, each stroke taking me closer to Rey. My tentacles work in perfect harmony, propelling me through the water with rapid efficiency, navigating its depths with an ease that few creatures possess.

Every twist and twirl of my body, every flick of my tentacle is an art form, a dance with the ocean I've perfected over years.

I scan the underwater chaos, desperately seeking any sign of Rey. The world underwater is a realm of distorted shadows and muted colors, the storm above churning the sea into a frothy chaos.

And then I see her—sinking deeper into the tumultuous embrace of the sea, her figure hazy, her arms splayed out around her like a starfish. Alarm slams through me as I notice her body motionless, her wristband flashing urgently.

A surge of fierce determination shoots through me and I jet toward her with all the speed I can muster. My arms wrap around her gently but firmly, pulling her body to mine. With a powerful thrust of my body, we break through the surface, gasping for air in the storm-ravaged night.

My body thrums with an unexpected energy where it connects with Rey's, a sensation so profound it seizes my breath.

I realize something I once thought was intangible for me—it can only mean one thing: She's my fated mate, the one the Moon Goddess chose for me.

My chest heaves as I gasp for air, but my eyes never leave Rey, my concern solely focused on her safety.

A sensation like no other courses through me, a raw, potent energy that makes every cell in my body buzz with electricity. The sensation is strongest where my skin touches hers—a symbiotic vibration, a shared heartbeat.

But that reality brings with it a chilling realization. She had been in danger, and I hadn't known, hadn't been there in time to prevent it. My mate, my other half, could have been lost to me before I had a chance to know her, to love her.

A wave of guilt washes over me as I replay the past few hours in my mind. How could I have let the first human guest of the resort almost drown under my watch?

The repercussions of such a disaster would have been unthinkable. Not only wouldn't there be a way for our reputation to recover, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I allowed my fated mate to die before I got to know her when I should've been paying better attention.

Shame coats my being, and I tighten my grip on Rey protectively. Her eyelids remain closed, but the steady rise and fall of her chest provides a measure of relief. She's alive, clinging onto me with a strength that's surprising and heartening. Her fingers dig into my skin, each puncture a comforting sting, a reminder that she's here with me.

The storm rages around us, the blackness of the night punctuated by intermittent flashes of lightning. Thunder reverberates in the distance, the gusty wind howls in my ears, and monstrous waves crash all around us. The only constant in this chaos is the rhythmic blink of her bracelet—a beacon in the darkness guiding us toward safety.

I tighten my hold on her and mutter a silent vow to her that I will not let her go, not now, not ever. No storm, no sea, no force of nature will stand in my way.

I am a Kraken, the protector of these waters, and I will not let Rey be claimed by the stormy sea.

As I keep Rey close to my body, the skies overhead roar to life, while Drax, our fierce Dragon, swoops down from above. He is a sight to behold, an electric storm beast known for his raw power and control over the elements. His mighty roar reverberates through the sky, sending a clear signal to everyone at the resort.

"Need a lift?" Drax calls out, wings beating against the onslaught of the storm.

I shake my head, not ready to let Rey out of my grasp. The thought of Drax dropping her, however unlikely, sets my nerves on edge. "No, we're fine. I've got her."

Despite Drax's immunity to lightning, Rey doesn't share that attribute. I wouldn't risk her getting hurt. Drax, understanding my concern, decides to assist differently. "I'll shield you then," he promises.

Finally, we reach the shore. Zero and his Orc guards are there, their solid figures a welcome sight amidst the chaos. His older sister, and resort owner, Svea is waiting, her worried gaze flicking between me and Rey. Beside her stands Medic Eaen, a Birdman with vibrant feathers who serves as our resident healthcare worker. Nearby, Zoe huddles with her mate, Sage, the Naga Head Gardener, their faces etched with concern.

As Drax lands, he unfurls his wings, creating a makeshift canopy to shield us from the pelting rain. The crowd surrounds us as I carry Rey ashore, their concern palpable in the air.

"We need to check her vitals," Eaen speaks up, stepping forward, his medical scanner in hand.

My fingers tangle in her damp hair, pushing the soaked strands off her face as I lay her gently on the sand. My eyes soften as her hand refuses to loosen its grip on one of my tentacles. The sight fills me with a sense of pride. Even in her unconscious state, she seeks my comfort, a profound connection already forming between us.

As Eaen studies 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.

"What happened?" Svea demands, her eyes wide with worry.

Guilt gnaws at me as I confess to Svea. "I was overseeing the security preparations for this week's fireworks. I… I didn't notice the storm brewing. I lost track of her."

Zoe steps forward, her eyes wide as she kneels beside Rey's prone form. "I came as soon as I got the emergency alarm from her wristband." Water droplets trail down her fogged glasses from the rain as she looks at Rey's hold on my tentacle and then up at me, her eyes as wide. "Is she… is she your fated mate? Is she the one?" she stammers, her voice a quiet tremor amidst the storm.

I simply nod, clearing my throat before I speak up, unable to hide the truth.

"I believe she is," I admit, my hand instinctively moving to rest over my chest, over the strange sensation stirring within me. "There's a heaviness here that wasn't before. Our skin… it tingles wherever we touch. And I… I feel an undeniable pull toward her. An unexpected possessiveness."

Sage, who had been watching the scene unfold, finally moves to wrap his tail protectively around Zoe. His green eyes meet mine, reflecting a deep understanding. "That's exactly what I felt when Zoe tripped over my tail," he shares, a knowing smile on his face. "I was drawn to her in a way I'd never experienced before. And I knew I couldn't leave her."

I stare at him, my mind racing to process his words. "I… I feel the same," I admit, my gaze returning to Rey. "But… how can this be?"

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. "It appears our deity has blessed yet another human-monster pairing at our resort. We can only hope that this incident does not scare her away."

A lump forms in my throat, a grim reminder of the fear that had gripped me when I pulled Rey from the water. My tentacles tighten instinctively around my drink as if it's a lifeline. "I can't lose her, not now, not ever," I confess, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Svea nods, her gaze softening. "Zethe, you cannot control the future. All we can do is hope her injuries aren't severe and make her feel welcome, safe, and cared for when she wakes up."

Thank the Moon Goddess that I have been granted a second chance.

I am not about to waste it on doubts.

"I'll do everything in my power to care for her and make her feel at home when she wakens," I vow, meeting each of their gazes. "I will make up for my mistakes and make it up to her."

I've spent my entire life waiting for my fated mate, and I'm not going to make the same mistake again.

Casting a glance toward Drax, gratitude welled 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 tomorrow to ensure she's not dehydrated, and nothing develops overnight."

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 around the resort so something else can happen to her?"

Svea's surprised eyes meet mine, then soften. "I think that's a good idea," 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. "Yes, it's safe. But you should be careful not to jostle her too much." He gazes at his scanner once more and then opens his medpack and grabs a pulse oximeter, placing it on her index finger. "The tiny amount of water in her lungs should go away naturally over time, but I want you to keep an eye on her oxygen levels and check them often. If her condition worsens, and she has trouble breathing, please don't hesitate to contact me."

"Understood." I peer down at the small device and watch the steady flicker of the light as it updates her readings. "What would happen if that's the case?"

"Then if I can't take care of her at my clinic, I need to strap her to Drax here." He gently pats the storm Dragon. "And he would have to jet her to the nearest human hospital so they can give her the treatment she needs."

"Pray to the Moon Goddess that I caught her in time that none of that will be needed," I mutter, combing back Rey's hair as she gently squeezes the tentacle she still has in her hands in response, sending another jolt of electricity through me. "If there isn't anything else I should know, I'll take her to her villa so she doesn't get cold. I'll stay over and watch over her throughout the night, to make sure she doesn't worsen. After she wakes and gets ready, I'll make sure to bring her by, first thing, so you can do a check up."

"It's for the best," Eaen replies as he closes his medpack and glances over Rey once more. "I didn't see anything else amiss, so that's all we can do for her at the time being."

"Thank you for rushing over."

"I was just doing my duty."

"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, shifting his wings to cover her more. "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 are, 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. Both totally different than their younger brother Eli, who is the softer orc from their family. "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 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.

Moving through the resort during the storm is an eerie 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 and looks at Zoe. "Much better, Zethe," he replies, his voice carrying a hint of teasing 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."