CH 105
I make my way down the beach, spotting Wake in the distance, and it’s hard not to laugh as I get closer. In one hand, he’s got half a coconut brimming with colorful shaved ice, the bright reds, greens, and blues mixing into a rainbow slush.
In the other, he’s holding the other half of the coconut, filled to the brim with diced fish chunks glistening with some kind of citrus marinade. He’s been alone for maybe ten minutes, and somehow, he’s managed to charm his way into an entire beachside feast.
As I approach, he alternates between bites of sweet ice and savory fish, looking more at ease with human food than I’d ever have imagined. It’s incredible how well-behaved he’s been since we got here, as if the promise of something sugary could sway him to try nearly anything.
Only ten minutes of being on his own, and he’s already made himself at home. Somehow, that’s incredibly on-brand for Wake. I can’t help but smile at his audacity.
“Find your paradise, did you?” I tease as I approach, hands on my hips.
Wake looks up at me, his mouth full of coconut fish, and raises an eyebrow. “You could say that. This is what you call ‘being resourceful’.”
I cross my arms, amused. “Clearly.”
He gestures to the coconut ice and fish in his hands. “Have some.”
I laugh and shake my head. “I’m good. You’re going to need your strength.”
His brow furrows slightly. “Why?”
I can’t help but glance down at his abs, which are visible even through the light fabric of his shirt. “Well,” I begin, my smile spreading, “surfing is harder than it looks. Takes a lot of core strength.”
His eyes flick to my stomach, his expression blank for a moment. “Core?”
I glance back at him, trying not to stare too long at his washboard abs—seriously, how is this guy real? “Yeah. You know, your core muscles. The ones right here.” I tap the area around my own midsection, trying to be helpful, but I think I’ve just caught myself staring a little too long. “You might have enough muscle to handle it after all,” I sigh.
Wake raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by this new development. “If I can get through the surf without drowning, I’ll count it as a win.” He glances down at his coconut fish and ice combo with a sigh of satisfaction. “But I can always use more of this.”
I shake my head, chuckling, and decide to make this moment a little more fun. Reaching behind me, I pull off my sundress, letting it fall to the sand, revealing my bra and panties. I toss the clothes onto a nearby beach lounger, suddenly feeling bold in the sunlight. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”
Wake’s eyes widen for a split second before he looks around with an awkward glance, like he’s suddenly unsure of the beach’s social etiquette. “I didn’t realize humans enjoyed fucking in public.”
I can’t help it—I burst into laughter. “Some do. But I think a public beach in the middle of the afternoon might be a tough sell to even the kinkiest of souls.” I wink at him, feeling a rush of amusement. “Besides, swimsuits are basically just underwear for outside use anyway, right?”
His expression turns from confused to mildly amused as he watches me, and then a small smile curls on his lips. “I’m not sure, but I believe you may be a poor influence on me.”
I smirk at him. “Oh? Is that so?”
Without warning, Wake strips off his shirt, leaving him in only dark boxers, and I can’t help but take in the sight of him. That’s right, my thoughts go a little rogue for a moment. But then, his eyes flash with that same mischief.
“Now it’s your turn to try, right?” Wake says, his voice low and teasing. He gestures to the water. “Lead the way, Phoebe.”
Wake and I make our way down to the shoreline and wade into the turquoise water, the sunlight glinting off the gentle waves as if the ocean itself were alive with light. The water laps against my ankles, cool and inviting. I step deeper, letting it swirl around my calves, then my thighs.
It feels amazing, but a familiar sensation begins to creep over me—a pull, like invisible hands tugging at my skin, my bones, my very essence.
My heart races. “It’s starting,” I say, my voice tight.
Wake moves closer, his presence steady and calming. “Look at me,” he says firmly.
I lift my gaze to meet his, and for a moment, the pull lessens. “What do I do?” I ask, my voice trembling.
“You resist,” he says simply, as if it’s the easiest thing in the world. “The instinct will come, but it is only that—instinct. You are stronger than it.”
The water rises to my waist, and the sensation grows stronger, almost unbearable. I can feel my body yearning to change, to give in to the natural call of the ocean. “Wake, I don’t think I can—”
“Yes, you can,” he interrupts, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Close your eyes.”
I do as he says, squeezing them shut and clenching my fists at my sides. The pull intensifies, a tidal wave of need threatening to drown me. My breath comes in shallow gasps, and I can feel the first prickling sensation on my legs where scales are desperate to form.
“Focus,” Wake commands. “Think of what keeps you human. What anchors you to the land?”
My mind scrambles for purchase. Anchors. Land. Human. Images flash through my mind, fast and disjointed: my parents’ faces, the quiet evenings at home when everything felt simple and safe. They’re probably worried sick about me. That thought hurts, but it grounds me.
I picture my grandmother—Cora. She’s out there somewhere, tangled in secrets I’m determined to uncover. I have to find her. I have to know the truth about our family, about me.
And then there’s Enigma. A cold rage courses through me at the thought of everything they’ve done, the lives they’ve ruined. I’m going to take them down, one way or another.
Finally, my thoughts land on Wake. Always Wake. Standing by my side, guiding me, pushing me to be stronger than I ever thought I could be. He’s counting on me to resist. I can’t let him down.
The pull begins to lessen, just a fraction, and then I feel it—a whisper in my mind, soft but undeniable. Electra. *Good,* she says, her voice a ripple of approval. *You are learning.*
Heat blooms in my chest, spreading outward like a fire that doesn’t burn. It’s not painful, but it’s intense, and for a moment, I think I might combust. I gasp, clutching my stomach as the heat grows, and then… it cools. The pull disappears entirely, leaving me standing waist-deep in the crystal-clear waters of Hawaii. I’m still human.
I open my eyes, and the first thing I see is Wake’s face, his expression one of quiet pride. He steps closer, the water rippling around us. “You did it,” he says, his voice low and filled with something that sounds a lot like awe.
“I did it,” I whisper, a shaky laugh bubbling up from my chest. Relief washes over me, and I look down at my legs, still legs, wading in the ocean.
Wake reaches out, his hand brushing against mine. “You’re stronger than you realize, Phoebe.”
I smile up at him, my heart full. “Maybe. But I couldn’t have done it without you.”
He steps closer, the waves lapping gently around us, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades away. It’s just us, standing in the blue expanse of the ocean, the sunlight dancing on the surface. The man I love. The man who makes me stronger.
“Are you ready?” I ask, grinning up at him.
“For what?” he replies, though there’s a teasing note in his voice.
“To try surfing.”
His brows lift, but a small smile plays on his lips. “For you…anything.”
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