ane'

y have night vision and supernatural hearing, they can track a smell from miles away,

re caught. Escapees don't go back to the cam

, but behind us howls ann

n, and suddenly Isla's father is shout

I slow down, craning my neck over my shoulder to see him running back to face the wolves.

ut

cuts me off. "We agreed

n breathless pants, she still manages to sound stern. "Do not make his sacr

er – the only place the wolves cannot track us. I feel sick, thinkin

, breathing in the heavenly liquid as we try to sort out navigating with these strange limbs. We roll

r Isla's father, fear that somehow we might still be caught, wonder as we explore a natural body of wate

re f

______

onth

n oversized armchair, forlornly watchi

s me, referring to the abandoned warehouse we curre

nslavement of mermaids is forbidden by shifter law. The Alpha of the Bloodstone pack, Damien, w

greed had consequences after all. Without our care, ocean life began to dwindle and die, u

Those who suffered The Cut were allowed to join shifter society, integrating into packs at the very lowest level. Merma

rmaids are required to register with pack councils and formally request asylum before entering a te

explained that there was an entry ban in place. We could not risk going elsewhere,

sprays that would make us smell like shifters. We found a small community of reg

live among my own kind than the spec

s as my tail: light pastels of cerulean, blush and lilac. Now it is platinum blonde,

rotection." Mother reminds me in a whis

y voice low so we won't be overheard. "What does that ma

ask us to shift and we can't?" She as

om the fluorescent lights. "I just – I know he's nice." I begin shakily, "But how can we

She smiles sadly, "Trust me he won'

g the thought of my mother giving up such an intima

ll come to love me for more than my beauty, then we will be safe." Her loving hands rest on my shoulders. "Besides, you need to

s everything I would expect of an aristocrat's child. Entitled, selfish and shallo

sure." I co

nfident I almost b

______

They're been married five months now and he's been nothing but wond

is weak, her energy permanently depleted. She always put on a good front when we were in hiding, fin

d for more than two weeks. Mordred and I nurse her, and I do everything

A high-pitched voice s

spond, "Just trying to even out my tan." I continue applying foundation to the area, covering the evidence of my true identity as best I can. "I made t

sa's body language is still tense. "Ankle boots? In the summer?" She scoffs

ur ignorance of fashion makes us look completely common. You cannot associate yo

ersal slur for mermaids. It's illogical and

continues, referring to the Nightshade Alpha's so

to distract her. "You're right. I rea

ou could get rid of t

it so difficult to see in the light that I walk with

"You know I can't

en I don't budge she throws her hands in the air, abruptly st

you feel

des from the room, muttering something about

iding to go check in on Mom. Maybe today

spot his daughter had occupied a few minutes ago. However where her f

a tone I can't remember hearing from him

aises gooseflesh on my arms, "

mother's are lovely, but yours," He croons reverently, "Yours ar

y instincts warning me to get away from this man im

th a cruel smirk, Mordred turns and flips the deadbol