Kraken.
And beside him, Brutas, the older brother out of the two. Ancient strength practically radiating from him in steady waves. The guardian regarded Spencer carefully. And he straightened instinctively.
Brutas nodded once, slow and deliberate “Another one,” he rumbled.
Something deep inside Spencer reacted immediately to the sound. Instinct recognising instinct and home recognising home.
“It’s been a while since one wandered in,” Dave added lightly.
Spencer looked back toward the glowing waters. “You live here?”
Brutas snorted softly. “We protect here.”
Different thing entirely, and Spencer understood immediately.
Maeve plopped herself dramatically into one of the cavern chairs nearby.
“So,” she announced brightly, “before we allow you to join our dramatic ocean rescue mission, we have questions.”
Spencer sighed internally, of course they did. Jessica crossed her arms. “What exactly are your intentions toward Edith?”
Direct and blunt, terrifyingly similar to a protective older sister interrogating a date. Spencer rubbed a hand across his jaw slowly. The honest answer lodged immediately in his chest. He looked toward the water briefly before speaking.
“I think…” he started slowly, “she’s my mate.”
Silence.
Then Dave nodded instantly. “Yep.”
Brutas grunted in agreement. “Thought so.”
Spencer blinked. “That’s it?”
Dave shrugged. “Krakens know.”
It was as simple as that. No drama and no questioning. Just a certainty.
Something tight in Spencer’s chest loosened painfully at the easy acceptance. Because hedidknow. Had known almost from the beginning, if he was being brutally honest with himself.
The pull toward her. The instinct to protect. The way his entire body reacted every time she looked at him.
Mate.
Gods. No wonder he’d been losing his mind. Jessica looked at him carefully for a long moment. Then sighed. “Well,” she muttered, “at least one bounty hunter in this mess has decent taste.”
Maeve grinned wickedly. “If you bring her home,” she announced, “then you can stay too.”
Spencer looked sharply toward her. Maeve shrugged.
“Assuming Edith agrees,” Arietta added quickly.
“Very important part,” Isabeau nodded.
Spencer stared at them briefly. These people barely knew him and yet the offer sat there openly.
Stay and belong. His throat tightened unexpectedly.
Brutas stepped closer to the water. “She’s ours now,” the guardian said simply. “Anyone who protects her stands with us.” The words hit deep, almost ancient and binding.
