PART 2-26 - ASYRENA

-VALEN'S POV-

Paddling down the cold salty brine as it engulfed me, I continued into the deep as the blue darkened. The yellow light which had previously vanished, sprung again as a guiding lane to the bottom of the ocean.

Using my powers, I formed an invisible air bubble to divide me from the embracing water’s crushing currents. Although my clothes were already soaked, I determined this was the solution to get to the ocean floor without breathing complications. I glided moderately as I made the descent.

"The Beta is usually right about things. Why are we seeking a woman who is not our mate?" My wolf, Zeus, groused in strong opposition.

"I need to sleep. She haunts me and I will put an end to it, today." I rigidly told him, "Now let me concentrate." I blocked him since he could not be much help in the water.

Boldness harnessed within me since I had my guardians inside of me, alongside my querulous wolf. Therefore, I was not defenseless. Not like my nightmares. The white light from my air bubble shepherds the sight of my eyes to vividly see the aquatic environment.

Looking around, there are craggy cliffs behind me and towering rocks beyond. Halfway through my journey, I spotted her face in a small crack in the cliff’s surface.

Increasing speed, I propelled myself in that direction and the shoals of fishes parted the way. This mermaid was indeed expecting me. So I had to be extra diligent to not be caught in her allure.

I paused ten feet from the ocean floor. Colorful corrals decorate the sandy bed and crabs burrowed into it. I narrowed my eyes for a sharper view through the barnacle rocks to spot her half-hidden form.

Seemingly innocent, she emerged from the hole in the cliff and swam closer. Her tail moved graciously up and down through the water as she stared at me. Fearless, she dashed across the craggy bottom and her shadow turned the overcrowded corrals into dark bands.

"Well, well, well," she greeted, smiling to reveal serrated white teeth. "Who knew you'd actually come here?"

"Why do you come to me in my dreams?" I got directly to the point, eyeing her icily.

"We are bonded. You know that." Her melodic voice came out rather hypnotic and her mulberry eyes glowed.

An urgent need to be in her arms took hold of me. Zuzu promptly dispelled it.

"How?" I asked, simply.

"I'm your mate, Valen. We have history and a very promising future." She declared with undisguised charm and slowly circled me. “I mean you no harm.”

Mate? I wondered to myself. Who was she kidding? Zeus stirred within me, burning with a strong desire to pluck the fins from her scaly flesh. My guardians remained calm because they were driven by my command, not emotions. Controlled anger simmered in my blood knowing that one of hers attempted to hurt my Mom. It was unforgivable.

"I fail to see how you claim to be my one true love," I contended. "Wolves can detect their mates. You are not mine."

"Alpha Prince, you insult me. I know your culture and traditions. Don't you have to be eighteen to discern your mate?" It was true and I listened keenly to what she had to say. She halted swimming and placed her palms on the air bubble. "Merfolks are different. We meet our mates in our dreams."

"Yet you give me nightmares." I snickered.

"No. I called you to me and here you are." She explained, thinking that I'd buy that. “You came because we are fated. I needed you to save me from those above.” She pointed upwards with contempt flashing across her face.

She tapped her pink tongue on her upper marmalade lips while her orange lashes batted seductively in an effort to spell me. She desired to invade my personal space to bewitch me. I would freeze her in an icy coffin before that happened. Irritation melted into lividity.

"Enough with your games. What do you want from me?" I grated as dark thoughts surfaced. I've never tortured anyone……today I was tempted.

"You have interesting powers." She realized with amusement, and I knew it was because her seduction attempt had failed. "I want two things." She held up a finger and her tail danced in the currents. "Drive the werelions away." A second finger went up. "And spend a year with us on Holmeva Ferney and you’ll see that our bond will grow. Let merfolks establish an alliance and we will protect your shorelines."

"My father made it clear that we had nothing to do with the werelions. They act on their own accord. We owe you nothing." I was aware that Dad had gone to wage war against the werelions. This conniving mermaid was being deceptive.

"You will when I tell you why they are after your stone." She smugly replied. "Better yet, we have what your sister needs to purge her blood. She doesn’t have much time left."

Rubbish! I thought to myself. My pack’s witches, Marlena and Miriam, were capable of taking care of Venus. She was pushing me into indignation.

"Did your people have anything to do with the barakian kriplings who intruded on our pack?" I supposed she would not tell me anyway. Was the necromancer playing both sides?

Smiling teasingly with her lower lips between her teeth, she wagged a finger back and forth. "Uh-uh-uh.” She drawled in a tune. “That's not how you do negotiations. Isn't that what your father taught you?'

"Then I'll leave." I threatened to end her fun. She was the only one frolicking here.

Lips turned into a pout. She became suddenly serious. "The Wolf King killed one of ours. Even if the werelions aren't tied to you, the murder committed by your father dictates revenge." Wildness electrified her mulberry eyes and her claws elongated. "We will get justice."

"Go ahead." I bluffed, since I was in no position to make deals. "We are more powerful than those kitty cats. More of your people will die."

With hands holding her tummy, she laughed an echoing peal. "Not when we have resources on the land that will eventually help us to overcome you landwalkers."

"Then why ask us for help?" I rasped at the absurdity.

"Because everything comes at a cost and some prices are too outrageous to be paid," She said, reflectively. "Plus, the blood on your father's hands can be wiped clean if you help us. Come with me and I'll give you a cure for your sister.” She tilted her head slightly. Her mulberry eyes twinkled and her right index finger’s claw tapped on my magical bubble. “You’ll be able to confirm our bond too and our love will be forever."

I scoffed, shaking my head slowly. "Am I such a fool to follow you?"