His rich laughter fills the room, causing another flutter in my stomach. This is new, different, but not unwelcome. I could get used to this.
As we step out of the villa, the cool sea breeze greets us. The sun is high in the sky, the waves lap gently against the shore, and the scent of the salty air fills my lungs.
It’s a perfect day for an adventure.
Zethe hovers protectively near me, moving in an alien and fascinating manner. His tentacles ripple across the ground, propelling him forward with grace. They curl and extend in a rhythmic, mesmerizing dance. I’m impressed by his strength and the ease with which he moves in comparison to his large body structure.
As we stroll through the resort, I find my gaze drawn back to Zethe. He’s like nothing I’ve ever encountered before—a lifeguard, a rescuer, a gentle soul wrapped in a body that isn’t human at all.
“So, where are we headed?” I ask, blushing. “I hope it’s somewhere with a great view.”
Zethe gives me a mischievous grin. “Oh, I think you’ll like it.”
He leads me along the resort, taking me on a scenic route. We pass by the pristine pools, the bustling restaurants, the livelybars, and the myriad of shops, but we don’t stop. Zethe has a particular destination in mind, it seems.
As we stroll along the stone walkways, the salty breeze tickling my face, Zethe breaks the silence. “So, Rey, what do you do for a living?” His voice is deep, resonant, his words pulling me back from my thoughts.
“I’m a web developer. I work for a company that provides services to other businesses instead of working directly for a corporation,” I respond, licking my lips. “I know it’s nothing exciting like what you do here.”
“What are you talking about?” Zethe declares. “I’ve never met anyone who works in technology. There have been many guests who work in business and marketing, but not in building or design. What made you want to work in your field?”
“I’ve always been fascinated by technology,” I confess, glancing at him. “Even when I was a little girl, I was the one always fixing the computer or helping my parents with their vidtablets. Trying to figure out how things worked. I guess it was just a natural progression for me.
“I fell in love with coding in high school. It’s like solving a puzzle, you know? Every line of code, every function, it all needs to fit together perfectly to create something beautiful and functional. It was the perfect blend of creativity and logic, and I just… fell in love with it.”
His eyes light up as I talk, showing genuine interest in my words. It’s a simple thing, but it warms me from the inside out. I can’t remember the last time someone was genuinely interested in what I did for a living.
Most just zone me out once I start talking about it, which is why I usually avoid talking about what I do.
“It sounds like you really love what you do,” he comments, and I nod in agreement.
“I do,” I confirm. “It’s challenging and frustrating at times, but the satisfaction I get when I see a website I’ve created live and working? It’s an amazing feeling. Plus, it allows me to work remotely, so I can travel and work at the same time. I’m here for vacation, but I’m also here for a change of scenery between work projects.”
“What about you?” I ask, turning the question back on him. “How did you become a lifeguard?”
He seems to ponder for a moment, his tentacles making patterns in the sand as we walk. “There isn’t that much an aquatic monster can do on land, and I like interacting with land and sky species. Being a lifeguard allows me to be in my element while also helping others. It’s fulfilling in its own way, and it gives me an opportunity to interact with people… like you.” His gaze softens as he looks at me, making my heart flutter.
I feel my cheeks heat up, a nervous giggle escaping my lips. “So, what do you normally do as the resort’s lifeguard?”
He grins at my question. “It’s not all rescuing beautiful females from the sea, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he teases, his tentacle curling around my waist. “I ensure that everyone follows the safety rules, I patrol the swimming areas, handle any disturbances, and occasionally, I get to show guests around the resort. In my spare time, I create sand sculptures. One of my favorite hobbies.”
His words touch something deep inside me. His dedication, his passion for his job… it’s all so attractive. There’s a quiet strength to him, a sense of purpose that’s absolutely magnetic. It's impossible not to be captivated by him, not only for his attractive appearance, but also for his compassionate nature.
“Sand castles?” I ask, my head tilted. “I’m sure you can create amazing things quickly with all of your tentacles.”
“You’re right, sand sculptures.” He bends down and scoops up a handful of white sand, lifting his hand in front of us andslowly releasing the sand as we watch it drift in the wind. “This resort has a wide variety of sand, as well as other natural debris, shells, and stones, which allow me to add decorations. Every piece is one-of-a-kind, and it brings joy to both resort residents and our guests whenever they pass by.”
I give him a small smile, reaching out to gently squeeze his hand. “You’re a gentle soul. Even though we’ve only just met, I can tell.”
He looks at me, surprise clear in his eyes. But then he smiles back, his gaze warm. “Thank you,” he murmurs, his voice low and soft. “That means a lot coming from you.”
As we continue walking, our fingers intertwined, I can't shake the thought that maybe, just maybe, giving us a chance was the best decision I’ve ever made.
If things don’t work out, I have the option of leaving at the end of the week. So far, I haven’t seen any red flags, let alone orange ones.
I’m afraid I’ll start to fall for him, only for him to be discouraged by the fact that I’m human, his fated mate.
Before now, I had never encountered a Kraken, not even through virtual means. Usually, monsters reside on remote islands, unlike most sea creatures who are confined to the ocean's depths. The only ones I've come across in college were part of unique student exchange programs and appeared more humanoid, like Catmen, Werewolves, and Fae.
