Page 11 of Kraken the Seal

I grabbed a blanket from the bed and wrapped her in it, then helped her to her feet.

“You’re clothes, um, got ripped,” I said. lifting her to her feet. I kept a hold on her because her entire body was shaking.

She looked down and saw her destroyed clothes on the floor. “Did I do that? Why would I rip up my clothes? That doesn’t make sense.”

“It doesn’t,” I agreed, trying to figure out how to tell my mate I might ave accidently cursed her.

“Did I have a seizure?” she whispered, clutching me. Her legs went out entirely, and I swept her up. She smiled up at me. “This would be so much more romantic if I didn’t feel so weird."

I sat down on a bench, snuggling her on my lap. “You don’t need the hospital. I know what's wrong.”

I expected questions, not panic and aggression.

“You drugged me!” she gasped. “You bastard! Was it in the tea? What did you do to me? Was all the talking a dream? Fuck!”

Even weak and in an awkward position, she landed a shockingly powerful left jab to my face.

Pain made my eyes water, blinding me for a moment. “Please, let me explain!”

I was trying to keep her from falling to the floor, but I didn’t want another fist to the face. Eventually she managed to wiggle out of my hold and slide to the floor. I jumped up and stood in the cabin doorway to keep her from trying to get outside.

“I’m leaving!” she screamed, staggering to her feet. “And if I have to kill you to get out of here, I will!”

I was impressed with her fortitude. After what she’d just gone through, she should be unconscious, not standing and ready to fight me off.

Her threats were also a turn-on. Krakens admired strength and the proper application of violence.

“Let me explain,” I said. “After I’ve told you everything, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

She looked around and pulled a knife off a magnetic strip in the kitchenette. She held it out threateningly, even as she staggered, barely staying on her feet. My admiration for my mate shot up even further.

“No,” she snarled. “I’m leaving, and you’re not going to stop me.”

I held my arms out to the sides and stepped forward until the knife tip was pressed against my chest.

“I’d never hurt you,” I said. “I swear, all I want is to talk. There are things you need to know.”

She kept the knife where it was, staring at me with determination. With a huff, she relented and dropped the knife away from my chest.

“Talk fast,” she said, taking a step back and slumping down on the bench we’d been sitting on. Shivering, she drew her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, still holding the knife in a white-knuckled grip.

When she’d shifted, she’d shredded all the clothes she’d been wearing. I grabbed a soft fleece blanket and held it out to her.

She watched me with a wary expression but accepted the blanket and wrapped it around herself. I hated how pale and frightened she looked.

“Talk,” she demanded.

I nodded, took a deep breath, then spoke. “I’m a kraken. I can shift into a giant creature that looks like a cross between an octopus and a squid.”

She blinked, her face blank, then she burst out laughing. “Of course this would happen. I think I’ve met the perfect man only to find out he’s insane.”

“I’m perfect?” I asked, feeling a smile tug on my lips.

“Focus,” she snapped. “Finish telling me all your crazy beliefs so I can leave.”

“I’m not crazy or insane,” I said. “I’m going to show you something. Try not to freak out.”

She rolled her eyes, then watched me expectantly. I braced for her to scream, and I let my tentacles emerge from my back.