“No, I know you don’t like swimming.”
I frown and nod as I walk to the door. “Okay, well, I’ll get you pork tacos then!”
“Gamsahamnida,” he says as he rolls away on his board.
I poke my head out and holler, “Wear a helmet!”
He taps the plastic on his head, and I grin. Parenting achieved, I guess.
When I close the door, I’m back to low levels of concern. My own nephew thinks I hate being in the ocean. That’s not true?I simply don’t enjoy being in my monster form in the presence of other people. And now that Aisen is a teenager, the window for him wanting to hang out with his boring uncle is closing.
I thought when he got to high school, he’d meet other shifter teenagers to make him feel normal. His middle school friends all went to boarding school, and they were all human. The hope was that this would be a fresh start for him. But I guess hoping isn’t exactly the optimal parenting strategy.
As I scroll through my phone to find the info on the Mexican restaurant, an advertisement catches my eye.
“Maritime Monsters Institute…” I murmur. Apparently, not far from here, there’s a coastal marine life facility. Not too long ago, they did an event where little kids met a real shark shifter, a monster who’s learning to adjust to life on land.
“Hm…” While Aisen has been with me for seven years, he spent the first seven years of his life floating around the ocean with his parents. Perhaps I should check this thing out; it could be the start of something good for him.
I may never have planned to be a parent, but I’m going to do right by the boy I’m raising. He’s going to have an easier life as a kraken shifter than I ever did. I’ll make sure of it.
CHAPTER 2- SKYLER
I LOVE WORKINGat the Maritime Monsters Institute. We’re the place to be for anyone who loves sea creatures as well as the shifter community. But right now, I’m not exactly thrilled to be here.
Yawning, I spritz cleaner onto the exhibit window and then wipe it with a rag. No animals occupy the tiny terrarium at the moment, and I’ve been tasked with keeping this, the first corridor of the museum, clean. “This is what I’m doing with my marine biology degree, huh?” I mutter to no one.
With my task nearly done, I gaze at my reflection in the glass. My glasses are round, and my blond hair grows darker every day now that I’m nearly thirty-one. I’ve fortunately kept my thin waist; slow twink death? Not for me, not yet. And no matter what my exes say, I’m perfectly content with the way I look.
Of course, my ratty shirt does me no favors. But why would I wear anything nice when I’m on cleaning duty? The janitorial staff is spread thin, so I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the Institute afloat. We’re part research facility, part café, and part aquarium, with offices two floors up. Despite this literal dirty work I’ve been tasked with, I enjoy my job. I work with my friends, and I get to help sea creatures. What’s not to like?
Walking toward the entrance, I pause when I sense that familiar tingle on my nose. “Achoo!” I sneeze and my glasses go flying off.Wonderful; thanks, chemical cleaning supply smells. After wiping my nose on my ratty t-shirt sleeve, I peer down to try to find my glasses.
“I believe these are yours.” The deep voice comes from the hand holding my specs. I look up, and even with my crummy eyesight, I know this new stranger is sexy.
I grin, and the blur hands me my glasses. When I put them on, my vision comes into focus and…
Monster god damn.
The Asian man standing before me is dressed in a black three-piece suit that accentuates his lithe body in all the right ways. He has dark hair, looks a few years older than me, and has the most handsome face I’ve ever seen.
And I’ve been smiling and staring at him for like five seconds. Blinking, I glance down at my gross shirt and cleaning supplies.Oh.
“Are you okay?” the sexy stud asks.
“I am now,” I murmur. After clearing my throat, I stand up straight. “I mean, I’m great. Thank you for…saving my glasses.”
“It was no problem. Good thing they don’t seem to be broken.” He smiles and puts his hands in his pockets. Meanwhile, my cheeks burn up. I know it’s been a while since I got laid, but the man in my presence has my hormones on fire.
“Lucky me. I mean, is this your first time here?”
“It is. And I was hoping maybe you could help me?”
Does he want a blowjob in the bathroom? That could help!“Mhm?”
“I’m here to inquire about the monster liaison program for my family.”
“Ah. You’ll want to speak to my boss, Emma.” I could direct him where to go, but then I wouldn’t get a chance to ogle that ass. “Follow me.”
