Viviane’s POV“It’s not that simple, Caspian.” I exclaim, shrinking away from him. “Mermaids don’t have mates the way shifters do – this is all new to me.” Seeming to hold himself in check, the future Alpha watches me retreat. “I don’t know what to think.”Caspian squares his shoulders. “It’s not about what you think. It’s about what you feel.”“Is it really that easy for you?” I counter, “you just know, unconditionally? You never feel unsure, you never feel overwhelmed by it all?”“Yes.” He replies curtly. “It’s that easy. One whiff of your smell, one look at you, and I know.”“But you’re also experienced, you know what it’s felt like with other women,” I remind him, “you have a very large frame of reference whereas I have nothing.”“Nothing?” His wolfish eyes sharpen with possessive pride.“Is that so surprising?” I inquire defensively, “Secret identities and dating don’t go very well together.”“Then why have you risked it with me?” He prods, stalking me across the beach.“Because

Viviane’s POVI wake to my mother sweeping up pearls littered around my sofa bed. “You shouldn’t be doing that.” I object instantly, sitting up.She pulls the broom and dustpan out of my reach, “I’m not a complete invalid you know.” She looks me over dubiously. “Besides, I’m not the one in need of healing this morning.”“It was just nightmares.” I deflect, rubbing my eyes drowsily.“I’m not talking about the nightmares.” Mom replies coolly. “You should go take a look in the mirror.”“Wh–” All at once it comes back to me: the scene in Caspian’s rooms; my refusal to leave; his shout; strange wolves grabbing me and carrying me off against my will; Caspian attacking his father. “Oh my god.” I murmur, sinking back down onto the couch. I quickly survey my bare arms and legs, finding them littered with bruises I earned trying to escape the wolves. My entire body is sore, and suddenly all my horrible nightmares make sense.At first it was just Mordred, then his face changed, replaced with doz

Caspian’s POVThe 10 behemoths blocking the locker room door are glowering at me with a mix of resentment and uncertainty. They might not want me to win, but I am still heir to the pack. I am still an Alpha by blood and birthright. James might be a persuasive speaker, but he does not possess my authority, and he is nowhere near as dangerous as I am.“You do realize what he’s doing don’t you?” I ask, “He wants you to exhaust yourselves fighting me so that you won’t have the energy to fight him.” I point to the door where James retreated. “That’s been his strategy through the entire Games. He set the fastest and strongest trackers on me so that I would knock them out before they could complete the trial. He’s doing the same now, using me to get you out of the way.”The wolves glance at one another hesitantly, and I press on. “Is that really the kind of shifter you want vying for control of your pack, one that cheats and props himself up on stronger men. One who kidnaps women – mates – t

Caspian’s POV“No.” Marina’s voice comes down like a gavel.I emit a beleaguered sigh, resting my hands on my hips as I stand outside Viviane’s front door, staring down a very uncooperative mermaid. “Please just give me a chance to explain.”“Explain what?” Marina bites back, “that you want to announce to the entire city that you’re dating my daughter?” She arches one brow, “Your own uncle found out and kidnapped her. What do you think the pack will do?”“It’s just one date.” I attempt, placating.“Bull.” She snorts, “If you turn up to that ball with my daughter on your arm, you’ll be naming her as a candidate for Luna. It will be in all the tabloids, all the newspapers. She’ll be a target for every jealous she-wolf and rival you possess.”“The difference between James and the pack is that he was emboldened by his position.” I explain patiently. “He thought he was untouchable because he’s my uncle. But the entire pack just watched me take down the strongest wolves in Asterion on live

Viviane’s POVSpending most of my childhood with a tail instead of legs, dancing always seemed like a skill beyond my reach. I’ve tried a few times and even explored different genres, but it’s always been an utter embarrassment. It turns out all I was missing is my mate.Caspian spins me around the ballroom so effortlessly I feel like I’m floating, though that might just be the effect of being near him. We’re alone on the dancefloor, and the attention from the surrounding pack is palpable, but it’s impossible to feel uneasy in my mate’s arms. Under any other circumstances I would have passed out from stage fright before taking a single step, instead I’m smiling up at the future Alpha without a care in the world.This is the exact problem I shared with Kiera. Everything is easy when we’re together – but is that worth it if everything is a nightmare when we’re apart? If I could only figure out how to be around him without feeling drunk on love, then I might be able to sort… My thoughts