Page 51 of Ocean's Whisper

The unexpected unanimity struck Nereus like a tidal wave, and he was almost brought to his knees with overwhelming emotion. As he looked out at his pack standing united and strong for the sake of Isolde, a flicker of hope sparked in his chest. The mate bond suddenly pulsed stronger as if Isolde somehow sensed their determination and support.

"Prepare the boats," Nereus commanded, a fierce smile breaking across his face. "We hunt at sea tonight."

Nereus soon cut through the dense foliage that separated Blackwater Cove from the private marina where he kept his prized vessel. Xavier followed close behind, matching his alpha's relentless pace. The scent of brine and wet earth filled Nereus's nostrils as he moved with predatory purpose, his footsteps barely making a sound despite his size.

"I still can't believe it," Nereus said, his voice a low rumble that matched the distant thunder. "Sixty of them. Every last one."

The image of his pack standing united, roaring their support for a human Luna most had barely acknowledged days before, ignited something primal in his chest. Pride, yes—but something more profound. Hope for his pack's future.

"Did you really think they wouldn't follow you?" Xavier's question pulled Nereus from his thoughts. "Prince or not, you're their alpha first."

They emerged onto the polished wooden dock where Nereus's primary watercraft—a sleek, thirty-six-foot offshore vessel—waited like a crouching raider. Its midnight blue hull absorbed the moonlight rather than reflecting it—perfect for tonight's mission.

"It wasn't me I was concerned about." Nereus ran his hand along the boat's hull, feeling its smooth surface like the flank of a trusted companion. "It was her."

Xavier stepped aboard first, beginning immediate preparations while Nereus untied the moorings.

"So they were hesitant at first. Big deal." Xavier shrugged, throwing open compartments and checking the weapons systems Nereus had long ago installed for pack emergencies. "A human Luna isn't exactly what any of us expected after three centuries."

Nereus vaulted onto the deck, landing with silent grace before taking his position at the helm. The familiar vibration of the engines spreading through his body centered him somewhat, though nothing could truly calm the storm raging inside him while Isolde remained in danger.

"She's more than just a human." Nereus's fingers tightened around the wheel, his knuckles whitening. "She's everything that's been missing. Not just from me—from all of us."

Xavier paused his preparations, studying his alpha's face. "They would have come around eventually, you know. Even the most stubborn among us."

"None of that matters now," Nereus growled. "The only thing that matters is bringing Isolde back where she belongs—with me and the Seafang. And tearing apart that witch who dared to take her."

The thought of the siren witch having her hands on Isolde made Nereus's blood boil hot with primal rage. The mate bond within him pulsed weakly again, each flutter a painful reminder of Isolde's vulnerability.

"We'll get her back." Xavier's certainty was unwavering.

"I'm going to destroy that siren." Nereus's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

The deep thrumming of the engines matched the beating of his heart, both ready for battle. In three centuries of ruling the Seafang, Nereus had never felt such consuming wrath, such utter focus on a single objective. The wolf within him paced restlessly, demanding retribution.

"She'll regret the day she ever crossed into our waters." He turned to Xavier, his expression carved from stone. "Isolde is my everything. My mate, my future, and my heart. I'll tear this ocean apart piece by piece if that's what it takes."

Xavier nodded, understanding the depth of his alpha's devotion. "The fleet will be ready in ten minutes. Damien is coordinating the loading now."

Nereus looked back toward Blackwater Cove where his pack scrambled to prepare the dozen watercraft they maintained for pack use. He could see them moving with military precision—loading weapons, communications equipment, and medical supplies. The sight filled him with fierce satisfaction.

"For centuries, I thought power was about control," Nereus said quietly, almost to himself. "But this—the way I feel about her—it's not about controlling her. It's about protecting what makes me whole."

He breathed deeply, his senses extending outward, seeking the faint pulse of the mate bond. It flickered like a distant star, but it was there. She was alive. And while she lived, nothing would stop him from finding her.

"Let's bring our Luna home."

TWENTY-ONE

NEREUS

Nereus's hand closed over the throttle, and the powerful engines roared beneath him. The vibration traveled up through his bones, centering him as he guided his vessel out of the cove. Behind him, twelve other boats formed a coordinated armada, the moonlight absorbing into rather than gleaming off their hulls.

"All vessels report ready, Alpha," Xavier confirmed, tapping the communications headset. "Everyone's armed and tracking your lead."

Nereus nodded, his muscles coiled tightly, ready for action. The mate bond pulsed like a distant heartbeat, growing stronger as he adjusted their course. Every fiber of his being aligned with that singular connection—the invisible tether binding him to Isolde.

"She's due east, about thirty nautical miles offshore." His voice cut through the night air with absolute certainty. The wolf within him prowled restlessly, driven by primal instinct to reclaim what was his.

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