Chapter 5

I'm falling. Deeper and deeper into an abyss, an ocean of darkness.

My limbs flail, my lungs burn with a desperate need for air. I kick and thrash, struggling to reach the surface, but it's as if an invisible force is pulling me downward. No matter how hard I swim, the surface seems to recede, further and further away.

All I can see is the oceanic abyss, and the blinking red light of my bracelet is the only source of illumination, a tiny beacon in the vast void of my encroaching darkness.

With a sharp gasp, I snap awake, the echoes of my nightmare still reverberating in my mind, my heart pounding against my chest like a wild drum. My first instinct is to sit up, to breathe, but something heavy is coiled around my arm. My chest feels strangely heavy, as if an enormous weight is pressing down on me.

I blink, trying to make sense of my surroundings. It takes me a few seconds to recognize the luxurious sheets of my new villa bed, the faint scent of sea salt and tropical flowers filling the air.

A heavyweight wraps around my arms, and I stiffen, my heart pounding. But as I turn, in the dim light, I'm met with the sight of the large Kraken lifeguard—Zethe. He's fast asleep, his chest rising and falling rhythmically.

I'm nestled within his tentacles, cocooned in a protective embrace. One of his tentacles is wrapped securely around my waist, holding me close to his side.

Despite the unfamiliar situation, fear doesn't seize me. Instead, an unexpected sense of comfort washes over me. I'm not afraid, despite the surprising predicament I find myself in. Instead, I feel comforted… safe. A strong sense of belonging washes over me. As odd as it sounds, there's a feeling of home, of belonging that surprises me, making my heart flutter in my chest.

I try to piece together what happened. The last thing I remember is going for a swim, feeling the cool water against my skin and enjoying being free from work.

And now… now I'm here, in the safety of my private villa, wrapped in the arms of a Kraken, and I can't remember how I got here.

I glance at the sleeping Kraken lifeguard, at the tenderness in his features and the protective hold he has on me. Questions whirl around in my mind, but for now, in the silence of the morning, I feel at peace.

An inexplicable warmth bubbles up in my chest as I trace a finger over his sleeping face, my mind a whirl of questions and curiosity about what happened.

How did I end up here, in the safety of my bed, with this Kraken by my side?

Whatever it was, something deep within me tells me that I owe him my life…

Lying there, I study him in the dim light, and I marvel at him.

His hair, dark as the deepest ocean, is splayed against the pillow, falling across his forehead. An urge strikes me to brush it back from his face, but I restrain myself, not wanting to wake him.

His chest is a tapestry of hard, powerful muscles, and I can see the faint—almost unnoticeable—swirls of different shades of blues and grays. It's almost like a mesmerizing painting, an abstract blend of colors that flows across his entire body.

The tentacles, dark blue on the top with a purple underbelly and suckers, are a stark contrast to his skin. They're wrapped around my legs in an intimate hold that sends a shiver through me. It's strangely reassuring, considering we've never met, the way their firm but gentle grip reminds me of his presence.

Intrigued, I reach out to touch one, tracing the rim of a sucker with my index finger. It's warm to the touch, its texture a pleasant surprise. It isn't slimy or wet—as I'd expected. Instead, it feels like rubber, pliable and smooth.

Suddenly, it grips my finger, a startling sensation that makes me gasp. An unexpected wave of pleasure rolls through me, a delicious shock that leaves me breathless. The feeling is unlike anything I've experienced, electrifying, stirring something deep within me. The sensation has me holding my breath, a thrill of anticipation humming through my veins.

My heart stutters in my chest.

We've never met, but as I lie here, intertwined with a stranger, I can't deny the undeniable pull I feel toward him.

It's comforting…

And it's as if we were always meant to be together… as strange as it may sound.

"Rey." Zethe's voice breaks the silence, startling me. "You can explore more of me if you want." My heart flutters in surprise, my cheeks heating with embarrassment. I hadn't realized he was awake.

I gasp, pulling my hand back quickly as if burned, embarrassment flushing my cheeks. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

His large hand quickly closes over mine, halting my retreat. His touch sends a jolt of electricity through my body. It's somehow comforting, and so incredibly warm.

Our eyes meet, and I'm caught in the depths of his gaze. They're a beautiful ocean blue, calm yet hiding a storm of emotions beneath the surface.

"You don't ever have to be sorry," he assures me, his voice low and soothing. "I'm the one who should be sorry," he continues, his voice strained with regret. "I failed you today. I had a brief lapse, forgetting that we had a human guest here… I didn't notice the brewing storm in time to call in the swimmers. I failed in my duty as a lifeguard…" His voice drops even lower, resonating deep within my chest. "… and as your fated mate."

The words hang in the air between us, leaving me stunned.

"Fated mate?" I echo, my heart skipping a beat at the term. The shock must be evident in my voice because he looks up, his gaze meeting mine once more. "Is that why… is that why I feel so… safe?"

"Yes," he confirms, his voice a whisper in the dimly lit room. "That's why you feel so… safe with me. And why I already feel so protective of you. We are bound by the Moon Goddess herself."

I know what fated mates are, it's not an unfamiliar concept. It's essentially what humans call soulmates, the inexplicable tether that snaps into place the moment two beings lock eyes on each other.

The way that speed dating still thrives despite the rise of dating apps, because the digital world just can't replicate that instant spark, that magnetic pull, that feeling of belonging you get when you meet the right person in person.

And, somehow, even though I know next to nothing about Zethe, my soul recognizes him. It recognizes his touch, his voice, his scent… his very essence.

It knows he's safe, it knows he's home.

"How did you know?" I ask, breathless, my eyes wide as I search his. His body tenses beside mine, a clear sign that he's taking my question seriously.

"How could I not?" he counters, his gaze soft yet intense. "Can't you feel it? The electricity between us, the pulse that binds us together?"

I came here for a vacation, to relax and unwind.

Not to find love… or whatever this is.

Just 'cause he says we are fated mates, doesn't mean we're automatically in love. Even though this isn't love, it doesn't mean I can't enjoy the sensations from it.

"But I… I didn't come here for this," I protest weakly. "I came here for a vacation, to escape the stress of my life. Not whatever this is."

His gaze never wavers, his expression serious but patient. "Won't you give me a chance? Give us a chance?"

His plea leaves me breathless. Despite everything, I find myself considering his words. After all, they say love finds you when you least expect it.

And in an exotic resort, surrounded by gorgeous monsters, I can't deny that anything could happen.

This feels like one of those summer beach romance movies. I'm just waiting for the camera crew to jump out and tell me this is all staged.

"This is all too much," I mutter, gently shaking my head. As the words fall from my lips, they taste wrong.

As if understanding my inner turmoil, Zethe sits up, his muscular body casting a long shadow over the bed. He reaches out with strong, sure hands and captures my own, gently cradling them.

His eyes hold a depth of emotion that takes my breath away—regret, longing, hope.

"I'm sorry, Rey," he whispers. He swallows visibly, his gaze intense. "I'm sorry I failed you. As a lifeguard… and as your fated mate. I've waited all my life for you and now that you're here… I can't bear the thought of losing you."

His heartfelt confession twists something in my chest. I see the guilt etched in his features, the way his hold tightens around my hands as though he's afraid I'll disappear.

I grip his hands tighter, my heart aching to comfort him.

"Zethe, there's no need for guilt. We both made mistakes and we can't change the past. Let's focus on moving forward together. I don't want any lingering guilt or reminders of what happened between us. I want to fill the rest of my time here with positive experiences."

His dark eyes hold mine, looking for confirmation, hope flickering within them. "Does that mean… you're willing to give us a chance?"

A small smile forms on my lips as I meet his hopeful gaze. "I leave in six days. You have that long to make me fall in love with you."