Page 37 of Ocean's Whisper

She inhaled deeply, centering herself before extending her hands. The ocean responded immediately, rising in a single impressive wall before trembling and dividing into the requested columns. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she maintained the formation for thirty seconds before releasing it with a gasp.

"I did it!" She spun around, her face flushed with triumph.

Nereus's usually stern expression softened, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Impressive. You're progressing faster than expected."

His praise warmed her more than it should have. Their physical connection had been explosive from the start, but these small moments of approval felt just as intoxicating.

Their training session was interrupted by a pack member jogging down the private beach path. The young man's eyes flickered to Isolde before addressing Nereus directly.

"Your Highness, the pack meeting can't proceed without you."

"I'll be there shortly," Nereus dismissed him with a curt nod.

The pack member departed with a barely concealed glare at Isolde. It was the fifth such interaction she had witnessed today alone.

"They hate me," she murmured once they were alone. "Every single one except Xavier and Damien."

Nereus wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against his hard chest. "They fear what they don't understand. Once I formally announce you as Luna and we complete the mating ritual, they'll recognize your place."

She bit her tongue against the obvious follow-up question: when exactly would that happen? The uncertainty of her position and future was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

"I sense your frustration," he said, tilting her chin up. His blue eyes studied her face with unnerving intensity. "Your thoughts are practically screaming at me."

"Mind-reading too? That's cheating." She attempted to lighten the mood, not wanting to push him like she had on her birthday.

His thumb traced her lower lip. "Tomorrow, I'm taking you somewhere special. Just the two of us, no pack business, no interruptions."

"Where?" Excitement bubbled up inside her.

"It's a surprise." He leaned down, capturing her mouth in a commanding kiss that made her knees weak. "Consider it part of your training."

When he pulled away, she noticed the waves had risen around their ankles in response to her arousal. Nereus smiled knowingly.

"Your power responds to all strong emotions, not just anger." His hand slid down her back possessively. "Remember that."

As they walked back toward the castle, she watched a group of pack members dispersing ahead of them, their whispered conversations falling silent at her approach. The walls they built against her were as palpable as physical barriers.

Nereus must have sensed her unease. His arm tightened around her shoulders, and he pressed his lips to her temple. "Patience, little Luna. Everything worth having requires time."

She nodded, but inside she wondered how much longer she could remain in this limbo – neither fully accepted as Luna nor free to return to her former life. Tomorrow's surprise couldn't come soon enough.

The next morning,Nereus led Isolde through a dense stretch of forest in his territory, his hand warm and firm around hers. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the sunlight filtered through the canopy in golden streaks. Isolde's curiosity buzzed beneath her skin, but Nereus had been tight-lipped about their destination, only offering her a sly smirk when she pressed him for details.

"You're really not going to tell me where we're going?" she asked, her voice teasing as she stepped over a gnarled root.

"Patience," he said, his tone low and amused. "You'll see soon enough."

After a while, the trees began to thin, and the sound of rushing water grew louder. They emerged into a small clearing, and Isolde’s breath caught. Before them was a cave entrance, partially hidden by a curtain of ivy. The air around it was warm and humid, carrying the faint scent of minerals.

"A cave?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "This is your big surprise?"

His lips curved into a wolfish grin. "Trust me."

He pulled aside the ivy and gestured for her to step inside. The cave was dimly lit by sunlight filtering through cracks in the rock, but as they ventured deeper, the space opened into a breathtaking chamber. The walls glistened with moisture, and in the center was a natural hot spring, its surface steaming gently. The water was a deep, inviting blue, and the air was thick with warmth.

"Oh," she breathed, her eyes wide. "This is… beautiful."

He stepped up behind her, his hands resting on her hips. "I thought you might like it. It's one of my favorite places in the territory. The water's infused with minerals—good for healing and relaxing. And it's completely private."

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