Page 14 of The Kraken Games

And there, sprawled lazily at the table, was… was…

Her breath hitched.

Akraken.

Not just any kraken, either. Luna knew by the tingle down her spine, the sudden dragging heat low in her belly, that this was…thatkraken.

The one she’d eyeballed in the water that day.

Her heart stuttered, then re-started at double the pace, thrumming hard against her ribs.

“Good gods,” she heard Marrick mutter beside her. “That’s got to be him.”

Luna stared, her mouth dry. It appeared her intuition had been right.

“We might as well go and check him out. Look casual, don’t draw attention. Best if he doesn’t notice you, or me.”

Luna bit her lip and sidled alongside Marrick, hiding a little behind him. As they got closer, she noticed the guy sitting with him was Shen, the games convener. Yep, there was no mistaking it, this was a planned publicity appearance—probably the first of many. And they were already garnering a crowd. You had to give it to Shen, Sweet Clams was a good place to start.

A few young monsters were holding up their mobile phones, taking photos. The guy smiled and her heart stuttered all over again as he posed.

He was so gorgeous he fucking stole your breath away.

Krakens were a stunning species in their human form, and Luna wasn’t immune to their charms. Those long-slanted eyes, the high cheeks and strong jaw, their look both ethereal and commanding. Easily as stunning as fae. And if their facial features weren’t enough, there was the fascinating color of their skin. Kraken shifters came in subtle to strong shades of iridescent blues. Shen always stood out, his turquoise skin nowshimmering in the sunlight, but this… this soft blue of the younger kraken was mesmerizing.

It was said that a kraken’s color shifted to a deep blue when sexually aroused. Not that she’d seen that, but now… okay, she was curious.

More than curious.

Suddenly he raised his head, and through the crowd he saw her. His gaze homed in, their eyes locking, a sudden tension running through her body.

Luna felt her spine sparking, shooting electricity to every nerve ending from her scalp to her toes.

And damn it, to that place between her thighs that she thought she’d switched off.

Oh, no way—she couldn’t want to fuck her foe. Could not so much as think of tempting him into anything but a fight to the finish line.

Shit bags. Whether she liked it or not, she was hot for this kraken.

Immediately, illogically and totally HOT for him.

Her body’s reaction was so alarming, she literally ducked behind Marrick, who turned his head and frowned at her.

“I said don’t draw attention,” he growled.

“Sorry, I—let’s go somewhere else.”

“We can’t now. Shen’s spotted us.”

“Bummer,” Luna muttered. Setting her jaw, she emerged reluctantly from behind Marrick’s flank. “Put your arm around me,” she hissed at him.

“What?”

“Pretend I’m your date.”

“Fine.” A big arm circled her shoulders. Nothing she wasn’t used to. They touched all the time during training.

“Hey there, Marrick,” Shen called out. “Fancy seeing you here.” He stood, and so did his companion. “Let me introduce you to Kai.”

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