Page 51 of Siren's Kiss & Feral Beasts
It’s less conspicuous this way. Creatures ask too many questions when they can’t rationalize something.
The path from the house to the port is narrow, and I’m trying to catch one of the boats heading toward the western sea. Avaria’s port is open all night, mostly because crews drink and then pass out onboard their boats, but a few like to make nighttime travel a commodity.
Moreover, I’m close to the fork in the road when it hits me.
His scent. Raw. Wild. Pulling against my chest, twisting this invisible tether, making my pulse hammer. My reaction is automatic, and I freeze, eyes frantically searching until I find the man staring back at me.
Gold meets violet, and the world stops. Then tilts. The call from his end of the semi-formed bond slams into me as though it were a tidal wave. I stumble, dig my feet into the sand-washed tar before righting myself?—
I don’t look away. Can’t.
His form shudders violently, bones snapping and muscles twisting as black fur erupts along his tanned skin. It happens so fast. Painful as it looks, I blink, and the man I know is gone, replaced by a massive wolf the color of midnight. The wolf’s shoulders ripple with power while his paws, huge and powerful, slam into the grass on his way to me.
I feel the earth tremble beneath my feet.
Run, dammit. Run.
I curse under my breath, spinning on my heel while my bag swings on my hip. My cloak snaps around me, a whisper of protection and concealment, as every nerve screams to go back. But I can’t. If they found me last time, they’ll easily find me again, and the last thing I want to do is bring a war to my mate’s doorsteps.
The one person in this world who will never hurt you.
Before I left, Grandma pulled me into a tight hug before whispering something low, so only I could hear. She was adamant that I pick up Magda’s book and read chapters five through seven and use it to my advantage during my travels. That I’d understand dream walking and shared sleep—how to help my wolf through it and guide him to me under the cover of the moon.
You will need each other, my child. Lean on the bond. Don’t push it away.
“Goddess, please don’t let this be a mistake.”
Up ahead, the pier appears, and I push my legs faster. He’s gaining on me, can almost feel his heated breath on my skin, but then I’m diving for the dark waves below, letting the cool waters swallow me. Beneath the surface, I kick hard, propelling myself far from Avaria. The wolf’s growl follows, though—guttural and angry—the vibrations travelling through the sand and into the sea.
It’s a promise. A mate’s declaration to hunt me down and bring me home.
And all I can think is:
Please do, my wolf. In the meantime, I will find you in my dreams.
19
KAI
Our eyes met, and my world paused as those gorgeous violet eyes warned me:
She will be my downfall. She will be my solace.
My female. My siren.
That was two months ago.
Two gods-damned months since I last scented her. Since I watched her slip from the pier back into the sea, faster than my wolf could chase her. And while her abilities make me proud, I’m also angry at her for allowing this distance between us.
I’ve followed whispers, false trails—locations I see in my dreams when she deems me worthy. And there’s no doubt in my mind it’s real. All of it.
From the very first one, where her tears broke my heart and I soothed her with my kisses, tongue, and fingers. She came for me so prettily. Gave herself without doubt or holding back, moaning her submission to her male.
Still, she eludes me during waking hours. Haunts me every few nights.
Look for me where the stars burn brightest, Alpha Kai.
“I feel her close,” I tell my wolf, standing at the helm as we enterMar de Noches Eternas,or Sea of Eternal Night. The waters are calm today, as if expecting me, when they’re known for their merciless tides and a vast stretch where stars burn bright even in the light of day.
