Page 33 of Ocean's Whisper

He guided her to the water's edge where gentle waves lapped at their feet. The tide was coming in soon, perfect for what he had in mind.

"Close your eyes," he commanded. When she hesitated, he added more firmly, "Trust me, Isolde."

She complied, her lashes fluttering shut against her cheeks.

"Now, feel the pull of the tide. It's already moving with natural forces. Your job isn't to create the power, but to direct what's already there."

He placed his hand on her lower back, feeling her tremble slightly under his touch. The contact sent a surge through his own power, the ancient water magic that had been his birthright.

"Raise your hand," he instructed, his voice low and authoritative. "Palm facing the ocean."

She extended her arm, hesitant at first, then with more conviction.

"Now, visualize the water rising to meet you. Don't command it—invite it."

A small ripple appeared, different from the natural pattern of the waves. It moved toward shore with purpose.

"Yes," he encouraged, feeling pride swell in his chest. "That's it."

The water climbed, forming a column about a foot high.

"I'm doing it!" Her eyes flew open in wonder, and for a second, the water wavered.

"Focus," he said, pressing his body against her back, his arms encircling her waist. "Feel how our powers mesh together."

The sensation was intoxicating. Where his skin met hers, energy flowed between them, amplifying and harmonizing. The water column grew higher, more stable.

"This is..." she breathed.

"Us," he finished. "Together. This is what the mate bond means. My strength flows into you, yours into me."

He guided her other hand up, and the water split into two dancing columns.

"When you feel yourself losing control," he continued, "remember this sensation. Our connection acts as an anchor."

She turned her head, her lips tantalizingly close to his. "So I just need to keep you around all the time?"

"That’s the plan," he replied with a wolfish grin.

The water columns wobbled as she laughed softly, then collapsed with a splash.

"That was simply incredible," she said, turning fully in his arms.

He brushed her damp hair from her face. "No, you're simply incredible. And this is just the beginning of what you'll be able to do."

He immediately sensed a shift in her energy. Her sea-blue eyes clouded over, her shoulders slumping as the reality of her newfound powers crashed over her. The sight of his Luna in distress triggered every protective instinct in his body. He wrapped his arms tighter around her, refusing to let her spiral into darkness.

"I don't think I can stay here near the water," she whispered, her gaze fixed on him. "I should really go inland, somewhere far from the ocean."

He felt his wolf bristle at the mere suggestion. His Luna, leaving? Unacceptable.

"No." The single syllable held the weight of his centuries of authority. "You will not run from who you are."

"But I destroyed?—"

"You're not listening." He cut her off abruptly. "Running from your true nature isn't the answer. It never is."

Her full lips trembled slightly, and he fought the urge to claim them with his own. Later, he promised his wolf. First, she needed to understand.

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