Page 20 of Siren's Kiss & Feral Beasts
I take those vile creatures being anywhere near my property as an insult. Just as I do sirens.
Don’t trust them. Never will.
Been a while since we destroyed one of their transport ships.
My wolf stretches under my skin at the thought, his claws raking my insides, and I make a mental note to come back and inspect the dock’s logs. A dragon elder steps forward then, a bag in his hand, but I shake my head. Not now. I’ll be back to speak with him and collect, but I have somewhere to be first.
“I’ll be here when you’re ready, Alpha Kai,” he says, his scales glimmering under his skin. He’s already stepping away while I acknowledge his attention with a firm nod. Nothing else.
I’ve got no time to waste, leaving behind a few of my crew members, my Gamma among them, to keep the ship ready to set sail. He’ll keep them in line, eyes sharp while protecting the treasure I’ve left inside my private quarters.
The Cordis Lux. A siren’s gift to appease her guilt and betrayal.
I’m heading toward the center of town where the local inn and blacksmith have businesses close to each other. The owners, a husband and wife pair of omega wolves from my pack, keep an eye on things for me. That, and he does flawless work with weaponry. He’s the only one I trust to service my swords.
The closer to the town’s center I get, the louder the buzz of merchants and residents becomes. A few witches turn toward me and then look away. Another young female, a fae I’ve never seen before, rushes off in the direction of the textile shop.
I ignore them all, continuing toward the blacksmith. And the closer I get, the more on edge my wolf becomes. Pushing. A low, warning growl builds in my chest, and those around me take heed to the sound, slipping inside their homes and businesses as I walk down the street.
Stand down, I grit out when my fangs drop, piercing my bottom lip while claws rip through the nail beds. My pace picks up. My chest begins to expand with each deep inhale…
“Motherfuck,” I grit out through clenched teeth, my muscles locking into place asthatscent hits me once again. Floral and sweet. Bright orange blossoms, warm coconut, and the finest edge of vanilla round out the notes. It spears straight into me, pulling an answering rumble from my wolf.
He wants out. To hunt for the owner of this decadent perfume.
Because it’s the same one from a few nights ago on Isla San Tico during the challenges. Beneath the blood and stench of rogues, I’d caught it—savored it on my tongue while the notes branded itself into my DNA.
I’ve thought about it. I want to hoard it.
Sunshine and sin.
Sweet enough to tempt and decadent enough to ruin.
She’s here.
I’m not coming back tonight,I mindlink Torren, and it takes my gamma seconds to reply with his confirmation. No questions or need for instructions. He knows when to give me space.
Knows the difference between when I want company, and when man and beast want blood. Two sides of the same coin, and yet, I’m not myself today. Haven’t been since I came across that sultry scent, the same one that causes me to turn left instead of right and head in the opposite direction of what I’d come to do.
I’m led toward a cliff where a small cropping of cottages sits. There are three of them, all about the same size, but I’m drawn to the one closest to the edge and with the clearest view of the active water below. It’s quaint and painted a light blue withwhite shutters while the flowerbed blooms with varying plants and flowers.
Behind it, there’s a thick jungle of tropical trees and native foliage untouched and respected by everyone on the island. Nothing is to be cut down or eradicated unless its use is medicinal or for sacred ceremonies held by the mages.
“Find her.” Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply as the wolf comes forward. The change tears through me, spine arching as bones grind and stretch—cracking under the force of my beast’s unleashing. Muscles swell, cords thickening and ripping through the fabric of my shirt and trousers as heat pours from my skin.
My clawed hands dig into the earth, skin splitting as my nails become black-tipped talons, and a snarl rips from my throat. Raw. Guttural. The sound carries, and in the distance, I hear the answering growls of my men aboard my ship. Not that I pay any mind to them or the mindlink from Torren asking me if everything is okay.
Man and beast are of a singular focus.
My jaw distends and teeth lengthen, aching with the need to bite through flesh while black fur spreads, not leaving a single inch of skin visible. The only contrast remains my wolf’s honey-colored eyes and a line of pelt in the same shade down my spine.
A complete shift, I let my wolf form take complete control.
Shaking myself out, my nose flares, picking up notes of orange blossom and coconut. It’s stronger—clearer in my animal form—and I memorize each one while prowling outside her home. I circle the property, rubbing my flanks along the walls and porch before licking a stripe across her front door. Predatory. Claiming.
Man and wolf are only satisfied when my scent marks the property, and only then do I release a deep and possessive howl. Approval and satisfaction resonate through the sound; my intentis clear to anyone who comes near the property, and the resident wolves of Avaria respond with a howl of their own.
It’s loud, filling the town with our brethren’s call, and yet I’m pulled away by the flutter of a warm breeze across my fur…
