Page 39 of Surrendered to Mate

I nod, even though she can't see it, and start walking towards the water. As the waves lap at my feet, I cast one last look back at Faye.

She's watching me, her expression a mix of anger and worry. Those golden-brown eyes of hers are practically burning holes into my back. For a moment, I consider staying, telling her it's not worth the risk. But the pull of the magic is too strong to ignore. It's like a siren's call, tugging at every fiber of my being.

Taking a deep breath, I steel myself for what's to come. The cold water laps at my feet, sending a shiver up my spine. With one last glance at Faye, I plunge into the sea, the icy waves enveloping me. As I dive deeper, leaving her alone on the shore, I can't shake the feeling that I'm making a mistake. But it's too late now. The magic calls, and I must answer.

I dive deeper into the murky depths, the magic pulsing stronger with each powerful stroke. I quickly use my magic to force air into my lungs, making sure that I can keep going without the limitations.

The water around me grows darker, colder, but my vrakken senses allow me to navigate with ease, my eyes piercing through the gloom like a predator in the night. Every movement feels fluid, effortless, as if the sea itself is guiding me deeper into its murky depths. The chill doesn't bother me. My flesh feels immune to such discomforts.

The pulse of the ancient power grows more intense, an irresistible pull guiding me towards our goal. It's intoxicating,this raw magic, and I can feel it seeping into my very bones. My entire body thrums with anticipation, every nerve ending alive with the promise of untapped power.

The further I descend, the stronger it becomes, pulsing through the water like a heartbeat. It's almost overwhelming, this primal energy, and for a moment I wonder if even I, an ancient vrakken, can truly control such force.

As I descend further into the murky depths, the seafloor finally comes into view, a barren expanse dotted with strange, bioluminescent creatures I've never encountered before. Their eerie glow casts dancing shadows across the ocean floor, creating an otherworldly landscape that both fascinates and unnerves me. The pressure at this depth would crush a normal being, but my vrakken body barely registers the discomfort.

And then I see it – the gate. It looms before me, a massive structure of twisted metal and stone, far larger than I had imagined in my wildest dreams. It's covered in pulsing runes that glow with an eerie, otherworldly light, each symbol seeming to whisper secrets of unimaginable power.

The sheer magnitude of the gate is overwhelming, dwarfing everything around it. I can feel the ancient magic radiating from it, calling to the power in my own blood. This, I realize with a mix of awe and trepidation, is what we've been searching for all along.

My heart races as I approach, the magic now thrumming through my entire being, setting every nerve ending on fire. I reach out, my pale fingers just inches from the surface of the gate, anticipation building to a fever pitch.

But just as I'm about to make contact, the water around me explodes into chaos. The sudden violence of it catches me off guard, and for a moment, I'm lost in a maelstrom of bubbles and debris.

A massive tentacle, easily as thick as my torso, whips out of the darkness, narrowly missing my head. I spin, barely dodging another strike as more tentacles emerge from the gloom. The creature reveals itself – a colossal, monstrous thing with a bulbous body and countless writhing arms.

Its single, massive eye fixes on me, glowing with malevolent intelligence. I try to swim away, but the beast is faster than I anticipated. A tentacle wraps around my leg, yanking me back with terrifying force.

And I know I'm fucked.

19

FAYE

Ipace along the shoreline, my eyes fixed on the churning waves where Cassius disappeared. The sun beats down on my skin, but I barely notice the heat. My heart races, each beat a reminder of the time slipping away.

"Come on, pretty boy," I mutter, kicking at the sand. "What's taking so long?"

The magic from the tablet thrums through my veins, a constant reminder of our connection. It pulls me towards the water, urging me to follow him. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to dive in after him.

A mynah cries overhead, making me jump. I scan the horizon, searching for any sign of Cassius's return. Nothing but endless blue meets my gaze.

My stomach twists with worry. What if something's gone wrong? What if he's hurt? The thought of losing him sends a jolt of panic through me.

"Dammit, Cassius," I growl, kicking a piece of driftwood. "You better not die down there."

I close my eyes, focusing on the pull of the magic. It's there, a faint pulse beneath my skin, but it feels... wrong. Strained. Like something's interfering with it.

My eyes snap open. Something's not right.

I take a step towards the water, then another. The waves lap at my feet, cool and inviting. Every instinct screams at me to go after him, to make sure he's okay.

But I promised I'd stay put. He made me swear not to follow.

I grind my teeth, torn between my promise and my fear for his safety. The magic pulses stronger, more insistent. It's trying to tell me something.

I'm about to take another step towards the water when a chill runs down my spine. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I whirl around, instincts screaming danger.

A blur of white and platinum blonde slams into me, knocking me off my feet. I hit the sand hard, the air rushing from my lungs. Before I can catch my breath, a hand wraps around my throat, pinning me down.

---