Page 6 of Taken By the Alien Kraken King

“Bourne?”

“Yes, beautiful little one?” He leaned into me, his lips millimeters from mine.

“What did you mean by there was danger?”

His eyes darkened, and his voice turned solemn. “There are many factions on Sanos. Some would tear our world apart forour resources that lie beneath. And now, you are part of our battle because you are mine.”

“Bourne, I can’t stay. I have to get back to the others.”

Bourne shook his head. “Kendall, you don’t understand. You’re no longer fully,” he paused, searching for the word, “whatever species you are.”

“Human? I’m not human?” I jerked away. “What did you do to me?”

I’dscrewedup,hurtmy mate with some of my first words, and I didn’t know how to make it right. Kendall wasn’t ready for the truth. She could never go back to being only a land-walker.

My tentacles reached out to her, but she swam away. “Come to the surface with me.” My voice came out raspier than intended. I hated sounding weak, but hurting this woman, though unintentional, cut me to the core. “Let me explain, please.”

I begged. My mate had me begging and I hadn’t known her for more than a day and she’d been unconscious for most of it. She had me wrapped around her tiny body and didn’t knowit. Kendall could command me with a look, and I would do anything she desired. I longed to touch her, but she needed to make the first move, so I forced myself to emerge from the water and sit on the edge of the largest tidepool.

My tentacles tapped the water while I waited until she surfaced. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long. Kendall emerged, her blonde hair dripping in wavy tendrils down her back. She looked glorious.

“Why? I need you to explain,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

The act pushed her breasts forward, and I stifled a groan. Kendall had no idea how she affected me. “After the explosions, you fell.”

“I remember. Then something hit my back.”

“I saw that.”

“You were watching me?”

“I raced to help as soon as I noticed you were sinking. I had no choice. My hearts beat for you.”

“You didn’t give me a choice. I make my own decisions.”

“Are you mad at me for saving you?” I asked, daring to hold hope.

“I haven’t decided to forgive you.”

“Had I not given you my venom, you would have died. I couldn’t let you go now that I found you.” I took a chance and took her hands in mine. I marveled at the difference in our sizes. Her bones were delicate and I worried I would accidentally crush her with my strength. When she didn’t immediately remove her hands from mine, I smiled. Progress. She’d come around. She had to.

“I wasn’t given a choice.” Her voice came out small. Vulnerable.

“Would you rather have died?” I couldn’t believe it.

Kendall shook her head. “No. But, I breathe under water. I’m not human anymore. I’m not me.”

Gently, I squeezed her hands. “You’re still the same person you were, with a few extra abilities,” I said.

Kendall sighed. “What exactly did you change me into? Will I grow tentacles too? I don’t want tentacles. I’m kind of attached to my legs.” Her eyes widened as if she was horrified at the thought of turning into something like me.

“No. Your legs will remain. I am the way I am because of my parentage. After we join our bodies, the possibility exists you may acquire gills to aid in gathering oxygen in the deepest part of the oceans.”

Kendall bit her lower lip, an act I found utterly adorable. “What about the prophecy? I’m assuming there is more to it than ‘I’m yours’ and my choices have been taken away.”

I cupped her face in my hands. “There is. A land-dweller will arrive in time for the greatest uprising ever seen among our people. They will unite the land and sea.”

“I’m not that person. Brooke is the diplomat. I’m a scientist! I’m not trained in diplomacy.” Kendall said.

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