As the thick trees of the forest broke to reveal the Hallow’s camp, Abraham banked hard to the right. He came inches from hitting one of the wooden planters that they used to grow vegetables. The last planter was saved to plant Momma’s flowers. He thought Kai might appreciate the color when she was soaking. He pulled to a stop in front of it and shut down the engine. By the time his feet hit the soil beneath the vehicle, Littlefoot was crossing the camp to help him.
The scraping of the heavy plastic against the metal of the truck bed was sure to draw a crowd. Abraham could see bodies approach as the two men grunted and groaned the trough onto the ground. He bit back a snarl as one voice cut over the noise.
“What the fuck is that?” Josiah demanded.
Abraham spun at him and growled. “It’s a water trough for Kai. Now she has a place to immerse herself so we don’t have to race to the lake every time she gets too dry.”
“You’re going to drain our water supply to fill it?”
“So, you’re giving us permission to move to the North Cabin permanently?”
He didn’t miss the grumbles from the mated Hallows. Even those not of the werewolf persuasion objected to the idea. “The family stays together here. End of discussion.”
“Then it’s good I got the trough, huh?”
“It’s standing water, Abe. It’ll breed mosquitoes. We live in Minnesota, remember? Mosquitoes are our state fucking bird.”
“I’ll figure out how to ward them away.”
“It’ll be filled with leaves and dead bugs. Are you going to clean that up?”
“She used to swim where fish shit. I’m sure a leaf or two isn’t going to faze her.”
“Abe, do not…”
Abraham’s voice rose enough to startle everyone around. “I’m just trying to take care of my mate. I’m trying to keep her alive, okay? Get off my ass, Joe. Seriously.”
Josiah’s eyes grew wide for a moment and narrowed. “It’ll take all day for it to fill.”
Abraham huffed. “She can try it tonight.”
“Tonight is the start of the full moon. She goes with Momma and the rest of the mates to Littlefoot’s.”
Abraham shook his head. “Fuck, no. She stays here.”
“We’re not negotiating.”
“How is Littlefoot going to explain a mermaid in his bathtub to the rest of his family? She stays here with me. I can’t protect her there. I can here. Fuck, all of the mates can stay for all I care. Wasn’t I supposed to the be the dangerous one we were all afraid would eat the humans? I’m fine. I’m not eating anyone. One lack of judgment in that miserable craze we’re under when we change and you all make assumptions.”
“Do you understand what happens when you have sex with your mate during the full moon? We’re going into a war that could end this planet. We can’t bring any more children into this. You won’t be able to resist the pull between you and Kai.”
Abraham’s eyes narrowed. The hypocrisy his brother spouted off made his entire insides flame. Josiah wasn’t hunting with the other six brothers. He and his wife, Sarah, were heading to the North Cabin so they could get pregnant. Josiah’s words weren’t lost on the other Hallows. His five other brothers made snide comments under their breath loud enough so everyone could hear. At least they were in his favor.
“She’s a mermaid, Joe. We probably can’t have children. I’m not even sure how they procreate. What I do know is that my mate isn’t like the others. She isn’t human. And she doesn’t know this world and what it’ll do to her. I’m not giving her up, and everyone, including you, will have to go through me to get to her. She stays here.”
Josiah opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by Micah. “Joe, we’ll keep an eye on them. The kid is right. We live here in hiding because we know humans can’t handle us. How are they going to respond to a real-life mermaid not in a cartoon? Not well, I’m guessing.”
Josiah scowled at Micah. “So, you’re going to keep them from fucking?”
“There’s worse things in the world than a fish/werewolf hybrid. Kai is a Hallow now. It’s our job as her family to protect her from those things.”
Josiah glanced from Micah to Abraham and threw up his hands. “Whatever. Do what you want. You’ll do it anyway. We need to get Momma and the mates to Littlefoot’s. Roll out in ten minutes.” He pointed at the trough as he glared at Abraham. “You can fill that while we’re gone. Got it?”
Abraham smirked at him. “That was my plan.”
The oldest Hallow stalked away toward his cabin as the rest of the family dispersed. Abraham spun on his toe to search for the beat-up garden hose. He stopped short as he caught sight of a brilliant flash of color.
Kai leaned against a tree, hugging the trunk as she stared at him. Her voluptuous curves molded against the bark. It made Abraham’s cock stand at attention, leaving an embarrassing tent in his shorts. Josiah wasn’t kidding about the attraction around a full moon. He felt as if he were about to burst into flames.
Kai tilted her head to the side as she bit her lower lip. Then she smiled. He felt his heart warm. She never said a word to him. She only gave him the sweetest smile he’d ever seen.
The slam of a cabin door sent her scampering into the woods. The pull inside him, the one that mated them, demanded he follow her, to pin her to a tree trunk and bury himself inside her. He glanced over his shoulder to see the family gathering at the cars to say goodbye. He grinned. There was about to be a full week of the full moon. And she was spending every moment she wanted in his bed whether Josiah liked it or not.
»»•««
The glow of the full moon filled the near black sky. The beams of light fractured into shards across the surface of the water. That was at least what it looked like from Kai’s perspective.
She wiggled to try to get comfortable as the plastic of the trough scraped her scales. She wasn’t a very big mermaid but it was too tight of a fit.
Not that she would complain. Abraham took it upon himself to get it for her so she could change into her true form as a mermaid. He hauled the thing into the woods and spent all day with a garden hose filling it. He just finished before the sun dipped below the tree line. He didn’t complain once. He didn’t get anything to eat and just took the occasional sips from the hose.
His dedication to her survival wasn’t what struck her heart. He defended her in front of his family. He promised to defend her. He put her needs before his. No one ever did that for her in all the years she was alive. She was a pawn to be bartered away. No one ever cared about her as much as Abraham Hallow did.
That made what Triton demanded of her impossible. It broke her heart to think about it but he invaded her thoughts every morning to remind her of her duties. He sent her images of her parents and siblings imprisoned. He made them suffer. She had to kill each and every Hallow and bring back the amulet or he would kill her family. A life for a life. That was all he wanted.
She stopped wading in the shallow pool when she heard the sound of a growl. Whatever made it was close. She was in no condition to take on a predator in her current form. If a bear or wolf attacked, she would be dead. She laid her palms on the bottom of the tub to push herself up and froze as a shadow blocked out the moon.
The creature was more terrifying than any she ever encountered even in her books. It was far larger than a wolf with fangs jutting from both sides of its snout. It was covered in coarse, white fur and had gold feral eyes. It glared at her through the ripples of water. Kai couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. Nothing she ever encountered terrified her like this monster did.
Then the beast cocked its head to the side. It seemed to study the length of her with a curious expression. Her heart raced out of control as it dipped its large head into the tub of water. It stuck out its tongue and licked her for a moment before it pulled free. Its touch sent a delicious volt of pleasure through her. Despite having fins instead of a human anatomy, an orgasmic rush left her quaking.
The beast tossed its large head back and forth like a dog trying to shake itself dry. Kai pushed herself out of the trough, her scales falling from her exposed skin like raindrops. She folded her arms along the edge and lay her head on them to watch it.
“You are a silly beast, aren’t you?” she said as she laughed.
It raised up and stared at her. It slowly crossed the grass until it reached her. Her breath caught in her throat as it nuzzled against her. Another jolt singed her nerves at its touch.
She frowned as she thought. It was like a wolf but much larger and far more dangerous. Although it should have torn her to the little fish bits, it was affectionate with her instead.
Kai rubbed its snout. “Abe?”
The beast tossed its head as if it were nodding. It was then she noticed the shadows behind it. Four more beasts just as terrifying as the one she was petting were prowling around the tree line, watching them. The numbers didn’t seem right. She bit back a gasp. The sixth was hunting at the North Cabin. The seventh was across the ocean in Thailand with his mates sealing their bond in marriage.
She let go a shuddering breath. “The Hallows.”
The beast dragged its rough tongue across her cheek. She hugged it tight to her, petting its soaked fur. She didn’t know how long she clung to it. She knew the other beasts didn’t leave.
She sucked in air before she spoke. She let go and sunk a little into the water. “You should go hunt with your brothers before the sun comes up.”
The werewolf glanced behind it at the others and lay down next to the tub. It curled up a bit and let go a huff. The other four disappeared into the woods.
Kai leaned against the edge of the tub and petted the monster. After a while, it tossed its head and thumped the tub with its nose a couple of time.
“Of course. See you at sunup.” Kai sunk back into the tub until it immersed her. She felt her scales form again in place of what was once skin. It wasn’t a comfortable process. She tried to avoid changing for quite a while and just remaining in her true state. It happened the day Abraham thought he lost her. She knew he was there. She seemed constantly aware of his presence. She didn’t want to go through the pain of her change any sooner than she had to.
She listened for any sign of her mate. She smiled as she heard the inhuman rumble of a werewolf snore. The rhythm was soothing. Her eyes grew heavy as the full moon above fell out of focus.
She jolted awake as the early morning sun above warmed the water of the tank. She shut her eyes tight as she steeled herself for the change. She sat up quick. Sometimes going fast minimized the discomfort. Other times it made it worse.
She looked around to see if anyone was there and saw the backsides of five gloriously naked men striding to their cabins. Her gaze locked on the last one. The image of Abraham naked sent shivers through her. It doused the ache of her change and left her full of need. She gripped the side of the tub and stood slowly, the rest of her scales falling into the water. Her fins split in two and wrapped around to form human legs. Once she felt stable, she hopped out and ran after her mate.
Kai crept into the cabin and wove around the furniture. She stopped briefly in the doorway of the bedroom. Abraham was asleep on the top of his comforter bathed in the sunlight that flooded his room. He had one arm tucked behind his head. His other hand laid across his hip mere inches from his thick, swollen erection.
Every thought fled her mind as she focused on it. It was morning. She could feel Neptune tugging on her mind to reiterate his command to kill the Hallows and bring him the amulet. She was sure he had fresh images of her family being tortured to remind her to obey.
Not one could penetrate the mindless need to mate. All she wanted, all she needed, was the man lying on the bed and his cock.
She climbed onto the bed and crawled across it between his spread legs. She watched him for a moment before she dipped her head and wrapped her mouth around his length.
He hissed as he awoke, his body curling into a sitting position to see what was happening. She sucked hard, lowering her head farther until the tip tapped the back of her throat. His belly cradled the top of her head. He weaved his fingers into her hair as he whimpered.
She braced herself with one hand on his thigh as he explored his body with her other. She fondled his sac and ran her fingers up the crack of his ass. She circled his puckered hole with a fingertip. She felt his cock swell in her mouth.
“Fuck, Kai,” he murmured. “Fuck. That was insane. I’m going to come.”
She did it a couple more times and clutched the flesh of his ass. He roared as he released. She swallowed as his cock pulsed against his tongue. She licked his flesh clean and pulled free of him.
He didn’t get a chance to let her go before she pushed him back onto the bed and climbed on top of him. She gripped his erection still damp with her saliva and guided it beneath her. She needed relief. Her body was on fire with need. She rocked her hips down on him, impaling him. It took a few hard strokes to envelop him completely.
He scooped a breast into his hand and suckled the pink bud as she rode him. His other rough hand caressed her ass. All she could focus on was the scrape of his teeth on her flesh and his cock deep inside her, filling every aching crevice she didn’t know she had. Her mind went void as he stretched her apart with each downward stroke. Her mouth went slack and her eyes glazed over. She didn’t care. This was primal. She needed this more than the water she swam in or the air she breathed.
Kai caught the shimmer of her skin like the scales she normally wore just before the explosion consumed her. She screamed out Abraham’s name as she embedded her fingernails in the flesh of his chest.
Abraham bucked his hips violently beneath her as he gripped her ass and held her down on him. He growled like a feral animal and muttered a few curse words. She felt him pulse inside her as he filled her.
She gazed down for a brief second before he lifted her off him. The room blurred as he tossed her beside him onto the mattress and scrambled to his knees. She didn’t have a chance to raise on all fours before he grasped her hips and plunged hilt deep into her again.
She clawed at a pillow as he rammed into her over and over. His snarls filled the room. She buried her face in the soft cotton and whimpered. The blaze in her core flamed into an inferno once again. She couldn’t protest if she wanted to. She wanted him to do whatever he wanted to her. She wanted him to possess her heart and soul. He could devour her if he wanted to.
All tethers to Neptune were gone. Abraham Hallow was her master now.
He let go of her and braced himself on the bed on either side of her. Then he molded his body to hers and used it to nudge her belly down onto the bed. His thrusts never slowed. If anything, he drove himself deeper inside her. He nudged her hair from her face and took a handful to guide her head to the side. He nipped, licked, and kissed up and down her jugular.
Her cries drowned out his grunts as her orgasm tore through her again. The pleasure left her lightheaded. She didn’t feel part of her body but instead a member of the celestial heavens. His tempo sped up, slamming her repeatedly into the mattress. He lifted himself as he stiffened. She felt his cock throb deep in her core. It sent one more shiver through her.
He gathered her into his arms as he slumped to his side, yet he never left her body. His erection didn’t soften either. His hands grazed every pore of her flesh. His fingers flicked where their bodies joined and fluttered across her belly. He caressed her breasts as his lips trailed over her mouth, her cheeks, her neck.
“Fuck, Kai. Fuck. Never leave me. I can’t live without you,” he murmured against her ear.
She answered as she caught his mouth with hers. “Never. Abraham?”
“Yes, love?”
Her lips spoke before her mind thought. “More. Please. I need more of you.”
Kai groaned as he slid himself deeper into her slowly. Somewhere through the fog of lust she heard him whisper, “Always.”
»»•««
The gauze-like white cotton nightgown flowed over Kai’s skin as she rose from the bed. She forced her feet to shuffle from the bedroom to the living area. There was a small kitchen attached to it and inside one of the few drawers she was certain she could find the tool she needed.
She couldn’t look at Abraham as she closed the bedroom door. She spent nearly all day fornicating with him. She’d lost control of her thoughts. All she could comprehend was the primal need to mate. Not that she objected in the least. She craved him with a desire she’d never felt before. The only thing better than the sex with him was falling asleep wrapped tight in his arms. She was his now. She didn’t know when the tie to the king was severed but she couldn’t feel it any longer.
However, the bastard still had a way into her mind. He made it clear he was aware that he’d lost possession of her, and he was furious. He filled her nightmares with the torture he would put her family through. For all she knew, he was already abusing them.
The message was clear. She needed to finish her mission or he would kill them. There was no alternative.
She blinked back tears as she made her way to the kitchen and pulled open the drawers. She stopped as something silver caught her eye. She gripped the handle of the butcher knife and pulled it free.
She glanced at the bedroom door and heaved a sigh. She couldn’t start with Abraham. The thought of his bloodied, lifeless body made something inside her churn like a hurricane. She choked back a sob. She couldn’t live if he was dead.
Was that Neptune’s plan all along?
She wiped her tears with the back of her other hand and hurried from the cabin. She’d start with the other brothers in the camp. Then when she was finished and had the amulet in her hand, she would figure out Abraham. Maybe she would find the courage then. Or maybe she would fall on the knife herself.
Kai hopped up the steps to the cabin next to Abraham’s before she twisted the knob on the door. She concentrated her thoughts on her path. She had to be silent. No one could detect her.
The layout of this cabin was the exact same as Abraham’s. It made finding the bedroom that much easier. At this hour, all the Hallows should be sleeping so they could change and hunt once the full moon rose. She snuck through the open bedroom door and stopped.
Abraham’s brother lay splayed naked across a pile of rumpled cotton sheets. A purple and black swirled comforter was piled in a heap on the floor. If she remembered correctly, this one was Ezekiel. He owned the truck Abraham had stolen to save her but didn’t get angry.
Maybe the brothers weren’t as horrible as Neptune made them out to be. They were a family, just like hers in the ocean.
However, at the moment, hers was in danger. And killing the Hallows was the only thing that could save them. She lifted the knife to strike and took a step toward the bed.
Every muscle in her body froze in place. She struggled against whatever held her fast. It didn’t relent one inch. She conjured every charm and spell she knew. Nothing worked. Her eyes widened in panic. If this brother woke up and found her there, who knows what would happen to her.
She focused her mind on her hand to relax her grip on the knife. It fell to the floor and clattered under the foot of the bed. Suddenly, her whole body relaxed. She raced from the room and out of the cabin without checking to see if all her muscles worked.
Kai stood in the middle of the camp as she studied the buildings around her. The summer breeze warmed her through the thin cotton and the lush grass tickled her feet. Whatever magic had taken control of her was stronger than anything she possessed or even seen. And it protected the Hallow brothers.
She shook her head as the tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn’t protect her family. They were good as dead. Her gaze stopped on Abraham’s cabin. She stared at it for a long moment and ran to it. Her gown evaporated as she climbed into bed beside him. He wrapped a strong arm around her in his sleep and hugged her tight. She snuggled close to him as she cried herself to sleep.