It wasn't so much a request as a low-key command, but it made me grin anyways. "Of course. That's why I'm here. To help my Granddad."
Spending time with you is just a bonus,I thought. Then I immediately wondered where the fuck that came from. I wasn't interested in Kamari, not in that way. He was way too proud, not to mention the fact that he obviously hated me. Why would I waste my time on an omega who despised me?
"Thank you," Kamari said, saying each word like there was sand in his mouth. Despite that, it was nice to hear.
"You're welcome." I gestured to the cavern. "I noticed you said helpyoufind him. Does that mean you're coming along?"
"Of course I am," Kamari said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You think I trust an alpha to do this alone?"
I snorted. "Right, how could I forget?" His attitude was a little annoying but it didn't offend me or anything. "What about your haven? Are you okay leaving them alone?"
"Why?" Kamari narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Have you already told someone about them?"
"What? No! You're just so protective over them. Who's gonna watch them if you're not here?"
"A fully capable omega."
I raised a brow. From where I stood, I saw the man in question. He was slim, about half Kamari's size, but had a ton of energy. "That guy? The one who smells like a wet rat?"
"His name is Galileo, and he's an otter," Kamari growled. "And he thinksyousmell like a wet dog, so the feeling's mutual."
I laughed, pleased that Kamari was comfortable enough to joke around, even if he was being a tiny bit mean-spirited about it. I didn't mind. "Okay. Then it's settled. We go find my Granddad together."
But our decision didn't stop the choppy waters or the storm brewing overhead.
"Uh... Any leads, Kamari?" I asked. "You know this place better than I do."
"Obviously," he muttered, standing with his chest out.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
Kamari nodded once towards the horizon. It was bleary and grey, swallowed up by the stormy waves.
"There's a lone island out there, far from shore," Kamari said. "I haven't been able to go there because I've been so busy taking care of the omegas in the haven."
"You think that island is where we'll find my Granddad?" I asked.
"I don't know," Kamari admitted. "The only piece of evidence I have is that the eye of the storm seems to be centered there. I only have a hunch that it will give us a clue."
A hunch wasn't much to go on, but I wanted to trust Kamari. It wasn't like I had any better ideas. "Hey, at least it's something. Come on."
"Right now?"
I shrugged. "I'm ready to go whenever. Unless you have unfinished business?"
Kamari glanced back at the haven, briefly chewing his lip. I grinned.
"Oh, I get it," I said. "You're the type of guy whohatesgiving up control, right?"
Kamari whipped towards me, sneering. "Be quiet, wolf. Let's go."
Without another word, Kamari leapt into the water. His body changed so quickly my eye barely registered it--one moment he was a handsome man, and the next he was a five-ton killer whale with teeth as long as a man's finger.
His sleek body disappeared beneath the murky surface. Only his black dorsal fin cut through it.
"Keep up," Kamari said, the timbre of his voice different in his animal form. It was commanding and firm.
I shivered, and it wasn't from the cold.
