Page 55 of Seas the Day
I belong to one Alpha, and it isn’t this psychopath.
Graven’s expression darkened, the theatrical calm cracking to reveal something far more dangerous underneath. “How disappointing. I had hoped you might be more pragmatic about your situation.”
He leaned closer, his presence overwhelming in the confined space. The scent of brine and something deeper, more primal, filled her nostrils.
“You see, I intend to cleanse these waters of the corruption that has taken root,” Graven continued, his voice taking on an almost religious fervor. “Sea wolves are an abomination—a bastardization of what true ocean dwellers should be. They pollute the depths with their false claims to dominance.”
Navira tested her restraints, feeling for any weakness in the rope, any opportunity to break free. The bonds held firm, but she refused to show fear. “What does that have to do with me?”
“Everything.” Graven straightened to his full height, towering over her. “You may not willingly serve my vision now, but time has a way of changing perspectives. You will learn to be useful, one way or another.”
At least he’s not planning to kill me immediately. That gives me time—time for Thalric to find me.
Through their bond, she could feel her mate’s emotions shifting from focused determination to something wilder, more desperate. He was fighting his way toward her, she was certain of it.
“But I’m human,” she pointed out, trying to keep him talking. “Why would you want me when you’re trying to purify the ocean of non-sea creatures?”
Graven’s smile returned, colder than before. “Because, my dear, from what Sylar has shared, you are perfect for me. We could find... uses for you.”
The way he said “uses” made her skin crawl, but before she could respond, the hut door exploded inward with devastating force.
Thalric’s massive wolf form burst through the entrance like a force of nature, his storm-grey eyes blazing with primal fury. His dark grey fur bristled with barely contained violence as he took in the scene—his mate bound and threatened by the enemy.
Chaos erupted instantly.
Sylar shifted into his wolf form with fluid grace, his copper-red fur gleaming in the filtered light as he positioned himself between Thalric and Graven. The betrayer’s blue-gold eyes held no remorse, only grim determination as he faced his former Alpha.
Graven moved with startling speed for such a large man, his hands working at the ropes binding Navira’s wrists. “Change of plans,” he muttered, hauling her to her feet as the ropes fell away.
Before Thalric could reach them, Graven had wrapped his arm around Navira’s waist and was dragging her toward the hut’s back entrance. She struggled against his bruising grip, but his strength was inhuman.
“No!” she raged, digging her heels into the dirt floor.
Graven grew agitated and lifted her up, throwing her over his shoulder. They burst through the rear door into the dense vegetation of Rocky Point Island. Branches tore at her clothes and hair as Graven hauled her through the undergrowth, moving with the confidence of someone who knew exactly where he was going.
The ocean. He’s taking me to the ocean.
Behind them, she could hear the sounds of battle—snarls, the crash of bodies against wood, the splintering of the hut as two powerful wolves fought with lethal intensity.
Navira tried every technique she could remember from her self-defense classes, but Graven’s grip never loosened. He remained fixed on their destination, utterly focused on his goal of reaching the water before Thalric could stop him.
Then, in the split second when they reached the rocky shoreline, Graven made his critical error. He released her just enough to begin his shift into crocodile form, his body contorting and expanding as scales replaced skin.
Now!
Navira twisted away from his transforming bulk and dove into the pink ocean without hesitation. The familiar embrace of water welcomed her, but her jeans immediately became a hindrance, the heavy fabric dragging at her legs and limiting her normally graceful movements.
Behind her, Graven completed his shift into his massive crocodile form. His dark slate-green scales gleamed wetly as he slid into the water with terrifying efficiency, his pale eyes locking onto her with predatory focus.
Swim. Just swim.
She pulled through the water with everything she had, her Olympic training taking over despite the handicap of her clothes. But Graven’s crocodile form was built for this environment—powerful, streamlined, devastatingly fast when he chose to be.
He was gaining on her.
I can’t keep this pace much longer.
Her lungs burned as she pushed herself harder than she had in years, drawing on reserves of strength she’d thought were lost forever. The water that had always been her sanctuary now felt like a trap, with nowhere to hide from the apex predator closing the distance between them.
