Chapter 114
Wednesday 30th September, 2020.
Star
I found Zaya on deck. His face lit up when he saw me. He put his hand out for me to take. He tried to twirl me but I bashfully refused.
“I rushed out and forgot my coverup,” I mumbled.
Zaya pulled me flush against him and wrapped his strong arms around me.
“See, I got your coverup right here,” he said, smiling at me.
I buried my face in his chest. He was shirtless in his swim trunks now, all his rippling muscles on display. He cupped my face and made me look at him.
“You look beautiful,” he said, stressing the word.
He nuzzled me, making me giggle.
“Look,” he said, spinning me around and putting me in front of him.
I gasped.
The cove really was beautiful. The water here was so clear, I could plainly see the colourful fish dart in and out of the coral. There was a small coral reef here. The sand on the beach beyond was white and gleaming in the midday sun. I went to the edge of the yacht and looked directly down into the water. Fear gripped me, making my stomach lurch.
“I can’t learn in the sea! It’s too deep! Can’t I learn in a pool or something?” I cried, panicking.
“Star, chill out, relax,” cooed Zaya, pulling me to him.
“Zaya,” I said, shaking my head.
“Star, you’re a werewolf! If you think you’re drowning, shift,” he said.
“My wolf can’t swim either!” I cried.
“I highly doubt that! Either way, you can hold onto me the whole time. All I want to do today is make sure you can float and kick your legs when you’re not floating,” he said simply.
I g*****d. I knew I was being a killjoy but the sea was so vast. Bring back the harness. If Eli had took me climbing on the side of a real mountain I would have freaked out.
“There’s a pool on deck, you wanna practise in there first?” Asked Zaya.
I thought about it. I sighed. This was a gorgeous location. It seemed idiotic to sail out to a cove and then use the swimming pool on deck. I should trust Zaya and try the water.
“Don’t let me drown,” I mumbled.
“Star, you trusted me more when we were strangers at the cabin,” he accused.
“No!” I said, making something straight. “I didn’t! You just grabbed me and pulled me in, remember?”
A wicked smile formed on Zaya’s face. I screamed and ran but he picked me up and dove into the water. We broke the surface together and were surrounded by vibrant blue. I dared to open my eyes and a polka dotted fish swam right by me. Black dots on white scales. I blinked. Before I could panic, Zaya pulled me up and was holding me against him, our heads and shoulders above water. I clung to him.
“Zaya,” I sputtered.
“I got you, Baby,” he said soothingly.
His hair was drenched, making it look like a deep brown. His eyes were greener than ever against the intense blue backdrop. He grinned. Guys never deserved the perfect eyebrows and eyelashes they always had. My wolf said Zaya deserved them. Yeah, he was pretty special.
“I saw a polka dotted fish,” was the first thing I said.
He burst into laughter.
“That’s a polka dot grouper. I hear Dad and Eli calling it a panther grouper too so I prefer that name. It sounds cooler,” he explained.
I was mesmerised by his eyes. This took me way back. This was the cabin by the lake on steroids. This was the yacht docked at the cove. My grip on him loosened. It became more leisurely than life-and-death. Zaya’s arms snaked around my waist. I wrapped my legs around him.
“That’s my girl,” he whispered, making me shiver.
I giggled. He kissed my earlobe.
“Good, you remember,” he murmured.
I felt his huge hard bulge rub against my core. He brushed his nose against mine. He rocked his h**s against me, and thrill after thrill coursed through me.
“Tell me to stop because you’re saving yourself for your mate,” he breathed.
My wolf purred. She came forwards a bit.
“My mates found me and there was no saving me once they got their hands on me,” we said.
She was a lot sassier than I was. I knew my eyes were probably black as were Zaya’s. He kissed me ravenously. Somewhere underneath I had an inkling that I might not get much of a swimming lesson after all. Zaya tended to get side-tracked. I kissed him back just as hungrily, my hands cupping his face. He tightened his hold on me and kept sliding his member against my flower. We were separated by the fabric of our swimsuits though.
“The crew,” I mumbled, pulling away from him and peering at the yacht.
“The only audience we have are the fish, Star,” grumbled Zaya.
I giggled.
“My men aren’t crazy. They wouldn’t spy on me. They know I’d lose my s**t if I looked up and they were there staring,” he said breathlessly.
“Just making sure,” I said, resuming our k**s.
Zaya broke apart from me. I frowned.
“You think you’re pretty slick, huh?” He challenged.
“Excuse me,” I snipped.
“You’re learning how to swim,” he reminded me.
f**k!
“Oh, right,” I said, smiling.
“Don’t play innocent,” he growled playfully.
I wished I could swim away from him tauntingly. I sighed. I better learn.
“Floating first,” he said.
My breathing became shallow.
“Relax, Star, couldn’t you just use magic if anything? Think about it. Most importantly, I’m here. Do you want floaties?” He asked.
Oh no, not those kiddie things. I did not want the men to see their future Luna clutching onto a floatation noodle for dear life.
“PATRICK!” Bellowed Zaya.
s**t.
“PATRICK, NEVER MIND! IT’S OK! THANKS THOUGH, PATRICK!” I yelled.
An extremely buff wolf with a deep chocolate complexion peeked over the side of the yacht, clearly confused. He was shirtless with a hat on. That had to be Patrick. I hid a little out of embarrassment.
“No or yes?” said Patrick.
“The lady says no, apparently,” said Zaya.
Patrick’s laughter was good-natured and infectious.
“I’m ok, Patrick,” I said.
“Ok, Star,” he said, tipping his hat to me.
He had called me Star instead of Luna and Zaya had not even flinched. That meant he was undoubtedly a high ranking wolf in Viper Moon.
“Who is Patrick?” I asked curiously as he disappeared from view.
I did not know any of the pack leaders except the future Alphas, my mates.
“Patrick is Patrick,” said Zaya, shrugging.
I rolled my eyes. Zaya chuckled.
“Um, he’s a General, head of the pack warriors. Well, head of all the squad leaders, which makes him the highest rank, warrior-wise,” said Zaya. “He even taught Dad how to fight. Grandpa had issues, let’s say that, so Patrick was there to help mentor Dad.”
“He does not look old enough,” I said, surprised.
He did not look middle-aged but wolves always looked pretty young.
“He’s just fit. He helps me train too, in our home gym, so I can look good for my woman,” said Zaya.
I rolled my eyes and pushed away from him but then I remembered I was in the sea and grabbed his shoulders. Zaya’s laughter filled the air.
“Oh,” said Zaya. “Patrick is basically our version of your Dad. He’s our top warrior and squad leader.”
“Oh,” I said, looking at where he had been.
I smiled. It was stupid but I felt special whenever someone talked about my Dad to me because I had never had one growing up.
“Does he have children of his own?” I asked, picturing a young Alpha Quaid training.
“He has a nephew!” Said Zaya. “I always remember his nephew’s name because it’s my last name,” grinned Zaya.
“Quinn,” I said.
“Yeah,” said Zaya. “But he’s in Ambrosia. That’s his pack. Patrick’s brother changed packs to be with his mate.”
“Aww, that’s romantic,” I said.
“I’m romantic too,” said Zaya. “I’m hanging out in Ice Moon freezing my a*s off for you.”
“You’re literally in Viper Moon right now!” I said pointedly.
“You know what I mean, Baby,” he said. “STOP distracting me,” he said, flashing me his black eyes.
I flashed him mine and he laughed.
“Look at you! Time to float,” he said.
I sighed. Zaya helped me lay back. He kept his hands under my lower back and thighs, helping me to stretch out. He kept me calm. I relaxed as much as I could. I was surprised at my own buoyancy in the calm waters. The sun was bright overhead. I shut my eyes.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
“Look,” he said.
I opened my eyes and trailed them over Zaya. His hands were visible. I gasped. I was floating! I giggled nervously.
“You’re doing it!” He said excitedly.
Zaya tried to teach me how to doggy paddle next but that was an epic fail. He wanted me to shift to make it literal but I refused. I did not want to have to board the boat naked when I shifted back. Eventually, he was happy with how I was kicking my legs.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said kindly. “You did great,” he said.
I felt a little less afraid. I cuddled him in the water.
“Don’t you get tired keeping us afloat?” I wondered.
“You energise me,” he said simply.
I laughed.
“You do,” he insisted. “A mated Alpha is much stronger than a single one.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Yeah, fate had to bribe us to get us to put up with you spoilt Lunas,” teased Zaya.
I shoved him playfully. He let go of me. I screamed so loudly Patrick came rushing to the side of the yacht. I waited to drown. I realised I was not drowning. I was kicking my legs. I was staying up, treading water. Patrick and Zaya clapped. I giggled. I reached for Zaya because I was tired and he drew me to him.
“I’m hungry,” I said.
“Me too,” murmured Zaya, slipping his hand between my thighs and caressing me through the fabric of my swimsuit.
I really wanted food though.
“What is there to eat?” I asked.
Zaya laughed. He must have mind-linked Patrick. A ramp was lowered into the water for us. I climbed it with Zaya’s help. I felt the full brunt of my exhaustion and the heaviness of the water drenching me. Zaya wrapped me in a towel and I flopped down on a random couch on deck. Some of the warriors and Patrick were joking amongst each other. The sky was beginning to darken. The sun was about to set. I was shocked we had spent so many hours in the water. I felt so warm and comfortable. Zaya had me snuggled against his chest. He was drying my hair. I sniffed and buried my face in his neck.
“Dinner is served,” said a heavily accented voice.
“Merci beaucoup, Chef Chat,” said Zaya.
The Chef is named Cat? I was too tired to ask. I must have heard incorrectly. The delicious smell of dinner made me open my eyes to see what was making my mouth water.
“Yes!” I hissed.
Zaya laughed.
Everything looked amazing. The chef had made a herb-encrusted roast chicken with seasoned roasted potatoes for me. I was not big on seafood but he had also made Zaya’s favourite which was lobster Mac n’ cheese.
“You have to try this or else,” said Zaya, putting a spoon heaped with cheesy pasta near my mouth.
“How romantic,” I joked, rolling my eyes.
I tried it. It was delicious. Zaya looked smug.
“It’s ok,” I lied.
Zaya moved the dish away from me.
“Wait,” I said quickly. “I need to re-taste it. I’m not sure.”
Zaya burst into laughter.
“Did you have fun today?” Asked Zaya, spooning up some more pasta.
I nodded, accepting more of the only seafood dish I loved now.
“Thank you, Zaya. I love you,” I said quietly, locking eyes with him to make sure he knew how much I meant that.
He grinned. He cupped my face and kissed me until I was breathless.
“You can nap on the way back,” said Zaya.
Zaya wanted us to sail back with them before we used the snow globe to get to Ice Moon. I ate my full. Sleep was ready to drag me under. I could feel it.
“You’ll need your rest for tonight, Baby. My brothers and I have plans for you,” said Zaya softly as my eyelids fluttered shut.