Page 39 of Ocean's Whisper

"I was waiting for you to fully understand and accept your role as Luna," he explained, his tone gentle yet firm. "And tolearn to control your powers before thrusting you into pack politics."

Her brow furrowed. "And the mating ritual?"

He stepped closer, cupping her face in his hands. "It's not some barbaric ritual done solely for my benefit, Isolde. It's a mutual bonding, one that should only happen when both parties feel the mate bond."

He paused, struggling to find the right words. "But you're human. I... I'm not sure if you'll ever feel it the way my shifter nature does."

His heart clenched at the thought. The mate bond sang in his veins from the moment he had first laid eyes on her. But could a human truly comprehend the depth of that connection?

His thumbs stroked her cheeks softly. "I don't want to rush you, even though my wolf aches for it. You deserve to come into this on your own terms."

He searched her eyes, hoping she understood. He had already waited so long for her to come into his life; he could wait a little longer for the claiming if it meant doing this right.

Her blue eyes bore into his, and for a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of uncertainty. But then her chin lifted, and her lips curved into a small, defiant smile.

"You think you know what I feel, don't you?" Her voice was soft but firm, and it sent a jolt through him. "Because I'm human, you assume I don't understand this… this pull between us. That I can't feel it the way you do."

His brow furrowed. "Isolde?—"

"No," she interrupted, her hands coming up to cover his where they still cupped her face. "You don't get to decide what I feel or what I know. Just because I don't have a wolf inside me doesn't mean I'm blind to this. I feel it, Nereus. Every time you're near me, it's like something is pulling me toward you. I don't need a fancy name for it to know it's real."

His breath caught in his chest. Her words were like a balm to the restless ache in his soul, and he felt the weight of his own doubts lift. Shefeltit. She understood. His wolf howled in triumph, and he couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face.

"You're right," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I underestimated you. I thought I had to explain it, to guide you, but you've been feeling it all along, haven't you?"

She nodded, her eyes shining with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "I don’t know everything about your world or your pack, but I know this. I knowus."

Pride surged through him, fierce and unrelenting. This woman, his Luna, was everything he had ever hoped for and more. She was strong, intelligent, and unafraid to challenge him. She was his equal in every way.

"You're magnificent," he murmured, his hands sliding to her shoulders, pulling her closer. "You have no idea how much I've needed someone like you. Someone who isn’t afraid to stand up to me, to tell me when I’m wrong or when I'm not seeing things clearly."

She smiled, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "Well, get used to it because I want to be with you."

His wolf growled with approval, and he couldn't resist the urge to kiss her. His lips crashed against hers, claiming her with a hunger that had only grown stronger since the moment they met. She responded with equal fervor, her hands tangling in his hair as she pressed herself against him.

When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers, his heart pounding in his chest. "You're mine, Isolde," he growled softly. "And I'm yours. No matter what happens, we're in this together."

She smiled again, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Good. Because I'm not letting you off the hook that easily. You've stillgot a lot to teach me, and I'm not going to let you slack off any time soon."

He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "Oh, I'll teach you, Luna. But don’t think for a second that you won't be teaching me a thing or two as well."

Her laughter echoed through the cave, and after so many centuries, Nereus felt a sense of peace settle over him. He had found his mate, his equal, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

He wrapped his arms tighter around her, her skin warm against his. The steam from the hot spring curled around them like a private cocoon. His chest swelled with pride and contentment, his wolf humming in agreement. Isolde was everything he had been waiting for, and more.

Suddenly, the faintest shift in the air caught his attention. A low growl rumbled in his chest, his instincts screaming danger. Isolde tensed in his arms, her eyes widening as she sensed it too.

"Nereus, what?—"

He didn't let her finish. "Get behind me," he ordered, his voice a sharp command as he stepped in front of her, shielding her body with his own.

The cave darkened as two wolf shifters prowled in, their eyes glowing with malice. Nereus didn't recognize them.

"So, the rumors are true," one of them sneered, his gaze flicking to Isolde. "The Alpha Prince has found his Luna. And she's… human." He laughed, a cruel, mocking sound. "How pathetic."

Nereus's blood boiled, but he kept his focus, his muscles coiled and ready. "You think attacking an alpha in his own territory is a good idea? You're clearly idiots."

The second shifter lunged first, his movements quick but predictable. Nereus shifted mid-step, his body erupting into his massive wolf form, fur bristling and teeth bared. He metthe attacker head-on, their bodies colliding with a bone-jarring crash.

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