Page 13 of Ocean's Whisper

His nostrils flared subtly, catching his Luna's lingering scent even amid the chaos. The scent called to him like a beacon, but these humans required careful handling first.

A short man shook his head in amazement. "Well, thank God for your swimming habits, sir. But this wave—it's scientifically inexplicable. No seismic activity, no atmospheric pressure anomalies..."

"Complete demolition," another added, gesturing at the wreckage. "Our life's work..."

Nereus felt the subtle shift before the others noticed it. The ocean's energy pulsed—a reaction to his Luna's emotions, he suspected. The water stirred restlessly, foam gathering along the shoreline as the tide pulled back slightly.

"Your building can be rebuilt," Nereus cut in firmly. "Your lives cannot. Where's the blonde woman?" He couldn't delay any longer. His wolf prowled beneath his skin, demanding he find her.

"Oh, Isolde? The paramedics cleared her, but she wandered off that way." The woman pointed down the beach. "She seemed pretty shaken up."

Nereus nodded once, a dismissive gesture that brooked no argument. "I should go check on her. Excuse me."

He walked away without waiting for their response, following both scent and instinct along the shore. The scientists might have found his abruptness rude, but he wasn’t concerned at the moment. When an alpha moved with purpose, others simply adjusted.

He found her a quarter-mile down the beach, standing near the foaming water. Her blonde hair glinted in the moonlight,and her curves outlined perfectly against the silver-touched waves. The emergency blanket lay discarded on the sand behind her.

He stopped momentarily, his breath catching. He had waited for so long, and the Moon Goddess had delivered him not just any Luna, but one who seemed physically formed to pull at every primal instinct he possessed. Her delicious curves appealed particularly to his waterwolf nature. His kind had always valued the softer, fuller female form that reflected the ocean's own swells and curves.

The bond between them vibrated incessantly. Even from this distance, he could feel her confusion, her fear, and beneath it all, a raw power she didn't yet understand.

The ocean crept slowly around her ankles, responding to her presence. He watched transfixed as tiny luminescent crests formed around her feet, glowing an otherworldly blue. She hadn't noticed yet that the water literally lit up at her touch.

His Luna. His mate. His equal in power.

But still completely unaware of who and what she truly was.

He felt the ocean's energy shift before he saw the water rise. The tide surged forward around her ankles, frothing with unnatural intensity. Small waves crashed against her calves as she stared out at the dark horizon. The water around her began glowing brighter with a blue luminescence that no human would recognize as magical—but to Nereus, it was like watching a beacon ignite.

This was getting dangerous. His Luna's untrained power was responding to her emotional state, and if she didn't calm down soon, they might face another massive wave.

He moved swiftly, closing the distance between them with long, purposeful strides. The sand shifted beneath his feet, but his balance remained perfect—the natural grace of a predator who had mastered his territory.

"The ocean seems drawn to you," he said, stopping just behind her left shoulder.

She startled, whipping around. Her sea-blue eyes widened with recognition, then narrowed with suspicion. "You're dressed now."

"More appropriate for conversation," he replied, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Though you didn't seem to mind earlier."

A blush colored her cheeks, visible even in the moonlight. "You said I caused this." Her voice trembled slightly as she gestured toward the destroyed research station.

The water swelled higher around their feet, responding to her distress. He placed a steady hand on her shoulder, the contact sending a jolt through the mate bond.

"We need to get you away from here," he said, his tone brooking no argument. "There's nothing more to be done tonight. Your workplace is gone, and you standing here in the dark won't bring it back."

Her eyes flashed with indignation. "You don't understand. That building contained years of research."

"None of that will matter if another wave hits us." He tightened his grip slightly, leaning closer. "Look down."

She followed his gaze to the water swirling around them, now glowing fiercely with that telltale blue light. She gasped.

"What—how is it?—"

"I'll explain everything, but not here." He dropped his voice to a more intimate tone. "Let me drive you home. So you can get some rest and process what's happened."

She bit her lower lip, indecision clear on her face. "I don't even know you."

"Nereus Varon," he stated simply as if his name alone should carry sufficient weight. To his pack, it did. "And you're Isolde, the marine biologist who kisses strangers on beaches."

---