Page 59 of Ocean's Whisper

Yes.His satisfaction rumbled through their bond.Now let's go home. I want to show my Luna what she can truly do.

He led her to the deck of the yacht, and without hesitation, leaped into the moonlit water below. Isolde followed with only amoment's pause, her instincts guiding her. The moment her wolf form hit the water, Nereus felt her exhilaration blast through their bond.

This is incredible!Her thoughts sparkled with joy as she found her rhythm, swimming beside him with natural grace.I can feel every current and every creature around us!

This is your birthright,he told her, pride swelling in him as he watched her sleek form cutting through the waves.The ocean has always been calling to you. Now you understand why.

They swam side by side through the dark waters, moonlight guiding their way toward the shore of his territory. Their territory—not just his anymore.

When we return,Nereus projected,our pack will see their true Luna in all her glory. No one will question your place at my side again.

And Marina?Her thoughts turned to their vanquished enemy.

She never understood what you truly were,he replied.None of our enemies will. That's our advantage.

As they approached the shoreline of their kingdom, Nereus felt a completeness he'd never known. His Luna was his equal in every way—powerful, beautiful, and immortal. Together, they would rule the Seafang pack for centuries to come.

EPILOGUE

The autumn wind whipped Isolde's blonde hair as Nereus's black Ford F350 truck cruised along the coastal road. Through the windshield, golden leaves danced across their path, a stark contrast to the deep blue of the ocean stretching out beside them. Three months had transformed everything – the seasons, the landscape, and Isolde herself.

She glanced at Nereus, his strong profile illuminated by the afternoon sun. His hands gripped the steering wheel with that casual confidence that still made her heart skip beats. Even after all this time together, the sight of him sent delicious ripples of awareness through her body.

"I still can't believe you did this," Isolde said, gesturing toward the horizon where the new research station gleamed white against the coastline. "You didn't just rebuild it – you made it three times better than before."

His mouth curved into that half-smile that never failed to make her insides melt. "The old building was inadequate for what you needed. This one has proper equipment, proper funding..."

"Proper sight lines from your territory so you can keep an eye on me?" Isolde teased, nudging his muscular thigh.

He captured her hand and brought it to his lips. "I don't need buildings for that. I'm always aware of exactly where you are now."

The possessive edge in his voice sent a shiver of delight up her spine. Three months ago, such dominance would have irritated her to the core. Now, it felt like safety – like home.

"Thank you," she said more seriously. "Not just for the building, but for everything. For using the pack's resources to help build relationships with the human world. I know it goes against centuries of tradition."

"Traditions change." Nereus's thumb traced circles on her palm. "You changed them."

The admission made her heart swell. She still marveled at how much their lives had intertwined. Her shifts into wolf form had become smoother and her water powers more controlled. The pack that had once regarded her with suspicious eyes now looked to her with respect – their Luna who bridged two worlds.

"I'd buy you a hundred research stations if that's what would make you happy," he said, his voice dropping to that deep timbre. "I'd make friends with every human on this coast if it pleased you."

Isolde laughed, the sound floated away in the wind through the cracked window. "Lucky for you that's not necessary." She leaned closer, breathing in his scent – ocean salt and something distinctly, intoxicatingly Nereus. "Just being with you makes me happy. Our life together in the castle, leading the pack – that's everything I never knew I wanted and more."

His gray eyes darkened as he glanced at her, then back to the road. "The ceremony today will go well. Everyone's eager to see what you've helped create."

Isolde felt a flutter of nervousness mixed with pride. The new marine research station wasn't just a replacement – it was a bridge between worlds. Her colleagues had no idea that theirnew benefactor was an ancient waterwolf prince, but the facility would serve both human research and provide valuable data to help the pack better protect their ocean territory.

"I've come a long way from the woman who accidentally unleashed a tidal wave on her birthday," she mused.

Nereus chuckled, the sound rumbling through the truck cabin. "You've come fully into your power. As I always knew you would."

His hand slid from the gearshift to her thigh, a casual possessive gesture that sent heat pooling low in her belly. Even with the grand opening minutes away, Isolde found herself wishing they could turn around and race back to their private beach.

"Later," Nereus murmured as if reading her thoughts. "We have all night to celebrate properly."

The promise in his voice made her cheeks flush. Some things hadn't changed – the magnetic pull between them remained as powerful as that first electric kiss on the beach.

Isolde soon stepped out of his truck, her eyes drawn immediately to the gleaming glass and steel structure of the new marine research station. The November sunlight played across its surface, reflecting the ocean's movements in a way that made the building itself seem alive. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of it—a phoenix risen from the destruction she'd unwittingly caused three months ago.

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