The Alpha's Temptation

As the ship moved forward in the passageway, Tania saw glowing jellyfish and other illuminating aquatic life and plants that lined the outer wall of the passage. It was mesmerizing to see so much beauty. Tania was awed.

"How long will it take to reach Stourin?" she asked as she lifted her hand up and touched the surface of the water.

Eltanin quickly grabbed her hand and removed it. "Your finger will burn if you touch that surface. It may appear that we are traveling smoothly, but we are going very fast and the moment anything other than what belongs to this place touches the surface, it will end up burning. It is a protection for those who are born in the Jade Sea." He took a small canister and threw it at the surface. The ship wobbled a little as the passageway got breached, but the canister turned into flames immediately, despite all the water around it. Tania gasped. Eltanin smiled and said, "We will arrive there within a few hours, when it is morning on the lands of Araniea." He tugged her back to the room. "Let us sleep for a few more hours. I am sure that mother will have a long celebration planned for us."

Tania didn't miss the affection that flickered in his eyes when he spoke about his mother. He was returning after a long time and in the back of her mind she knew that he might stay longer. The room was pleasantly cold and Tania went off to sleep, with him spooning her.

Eltanin woke her up in time and they all stepped out. "We are about to reach the end of the passage," he said. She saw that the crew had gathered in the room that had the wheel. They all parted for them to enter. Eltanin went over to the wheel and took the charge.

At the end of the tunnel, he saw a green and blue glow. A roar of a waterfall marked the entrance of Stourin. As Stormy Eye passed beneath the waterfall, a huge splash of waves rocked it, and the passage behind them collapsed with a soft sigh. They entered the beautiful glittering kingdom of Stourin. The ship was again on calm waters that surrounded the kingdom.

Tania looked around her with wide eyes as she drank in the beauty of the kingdom. Caged in a massive bubble, one could never imagine that a beautiful kingdom even existed in the depths of Jade Sea.

Eltanin steered the ship to a small bay. From a distance, Tania saw a multitude of islands that floated on the water inside. Each of them was connected with bridges that were woven from glowing plants and looked like shinnery silks from her angle. Every island had its own small waterfall at the entrance, but they were smaller than the one that they just passed through. "Those waterfalls keep a check on the visitors. There is ancient magic flowing in them. It lets in only those who are allowed," Eltanin answered her unspoken question.

The bay was moderately busy. A few boats were straying lazily with lantern posts for the sake of light. As soon as the anchors were down, the deck was rolled down for them. Eltanin held her hand and guided her off of the ship to a small tunnel, where she could walk and breathe. From the corner of her eyes, she saw that the rest of the crew had jumped from the sides of the ship and were now half merman. They all swam with them around the tunnel. Enthralled by them, she stared at their tails that formed around their legs, binding them like body armor. They were long but extremely colorful: greenish-purple with patches of red or yellow, flaring into bright orange or turquoise at the tips.

They entered a cave where everything glowed like red, yellow and pink flames. It was as if the cave was on fire. But what she thought was flame, were actually marine plants swaying and had climbed up the walls. Water sparkled with colors and lights as the merman swam beside them. As if all this was not enough, Tania's eyes fell on the palace that was now visible from the end of the cave. It was a magnificent structure that stretched over the largest island and soared above the dense illuminating foliage. The building was made from a aquamarine stone that shimmered in the bright lights of the plants.

Eltanin looked at the palace and his chest was filled with pride. This was the most beautiful place he had ever visited and it was because of its sheer beauty that no mermaid or merman ever wanted to leave this world. They all eventually would come back. That was why Fafnir always traveled  with him here. He loved this place and didn't want to go back. It was because he was the General of Draka that he was forced to return. As for Eltanin, he never shifted into a merman or was it because his werewolf genes were stronger—who knew? However, in a true sense, he was the heir of Stourin.

Eltanin's lips curled up when he saw a small beach where gentle waves hit the shore. Taking a deep breath, he tasted salty, fragrant air. His magic would pulsate inside of him on the lands of Araniea, he felt his body was being replenished as soon as he stepped onto the beach. Tania, too, felt as if her gifts were being caressed and cajoled.

The gates of the palace opened and Tania saw that the small tunnel continued and at the end of which was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Surrounded by a natural glow, with her dark hair falling to her hips in soft curls, she looked like a goddess.

Taiyi.

Her face was a beautiful oval that framed golden eyes and rosy lips. She wore a crown made from pearls, small beads hanging over her forehead. Her silver dress was sequined with numerous diamonds and pearls and pooled at her ankles.

Tania forgot how to breathe as she stared at the sea goddess. And at that time realization hit her. She was the same mermaid who had visited her when she was in Eltanin's secret chamber. She was the one with the red leather bustier. She was so beautiful that she made a comment about her beauty to Eltanin.

"Mother!" Eltanin said with a gleeful smile.

"How do I look?" asked Tania. If only she had time to get dressed and then meet with Taiyi.

Eltanin chuckled. "You look lovely!" He tugged her to meet his mother and as soon as he was in front of her, their gazes locked. A moment later Eltanin pulled his mother in a tight embrace. "Mother…" he whispered.

"My son…" she replied, her eyes closed as she savored her son's embrace. When they pulled back, she was crying. He wiped her tears as he restrained his. Taiyi looked at Tania and held her hands. "And you are Lusitania? So beautiful."

Tania nodded as butterflies fluttered in her stomach. A moment later she bowed to her, cursing herself for forgetting her manners. Taiyi stopped her and hugged her tightly. "You cannot imagine how happy I am that Eltanin has finally found his mate."

From her peripheral vision, Tania saw Fafnir. He had crossed his hands across his chest and his tail was swaying gently.