Page 23 of Ocean's Whisper

The muscle in his jaw twitched. Behind him, two staff members who had entered quietly to assist with the breakfastservice paused, their eyes widening at her words. One nearly dropped a pitcher of tea on the ground.

"Leave us," Nereus commanded without turning around. The staff scurried away, the terrace doors closing with a soft click behind them.

He stepped closer, towering over her, his presence filling the space between them with crackling tension. "Do you have any idea what you've just done?"

Isolde stood her ground, even as her heart raced. "Enlighten me."

"The identity of a Luna is considered sacred information until the formal announcement. There are protocols, traditions—" He ran a hand through his dark hair in frustration. "And the fact that you are human makes this situation exceptionally delicate."

"Why is it such a big deal that I'm human?" she pressed. "And why the secrecy and confusion all of a sudden in the castle? If your staff know about Lunas and water wolves, why hide me now?"

His eyes flashed with something primal and unsettling. "Because a human Luna has never existed in the history of the Seafang pack. It changes everything."

TEN

NEREUS

Nereus's jaw tightened until it felt like his teeth might shatter. The wolf inside him paced restlessly, torn between pride that his mate was asserting herself and frustration at the complexity of their situation.

"A human Luna changes everything for whom?" She stepped closer, seemingly unaffected by his dominating presence. "For you? Your precious pack politics?"

Nereus inhaled sharply, catching her scent—ocean spray and something uniquely her—that caused his wolf to howl with need. "For all of us. The council will question it. Some will reject you outright."

"Because I'm human?"

"Because they fear what they don't understand." He moved impossibly closer until mere inches separated their bodies. "Those who accept the truth will worry that you lack the strength needed to protect our territory."

"I destroyed a research station with my mind," she countered, tilting her chin up. "How's that for strength?"

A smile tugged on his lips despite his frustration. "Uncontrolled power isn't the same as strength."

"So teach me."

The simplicity of her demand struck him. Centuries of life, and he had never encountered someone who challenged him so effortlessly. His wolf reveled in it.

"We will discuss your training." He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering against her soft skin. "But first, it's your birthday. I had the chef prepare something special."

"I'm not hungry." The stubborn set of her mouth told him otherwise.

"I'm sure your stomach disagrees." He placed his palm against her back, guiding her toward the table. "Salmon benedict. Your favorite, I believe."

Her eyes widened. "How did you?—"

"I just knew." He pulled out her chair. "The mate bond has its advantages."

She hesitated before sitting, her gaze sweeping over the elaborate spread.

"Eat," he commanded, then softened his tone. "Please."

She picked up her fork, eyeing him suspiciously. "You can't just order me around because of some mystical wolf connection."

"I don't order." He sat across from her, pouring fresh orange juice into crystal glasses. "I lead. There's a difference."

She took a bite, a small moan of appreciation escaping her lips that sent heat flooding through his veins.

"Fine. It's delicious," she admitted.

"Happy birthday, Luna." He raised his glass to her, satisfaction coursing through him as she reluctantly clinked her glass against his.

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