Shifters' Sea: Romantic Moments, #5

By Kate Hill

Kai – Once upon a time, my kind were protectors, but the modern world doesn't believe in legends, so I cruise the oceans, happily single with no responsibility. During a storm at sea, I rescue an irresistible woman and get dragged into a battle with a crazy cousin who has developed a taste for selkies.

Ivy – When I left home to escape an arranged marriage to the leader of our selkie harem, I didn't expect to be caught in a storm and hauled aboard an old tub by a gorgeous guy. Kai is everything I want, but when I return home to tie up loose ends, I find a killer hunting my people. We selkies learn fast that to kill a shark, it takes a shark.

Note: Shifters' Sea is a short insta-love paranormal romance. This Romantic Moments story is the perfect length for a lunch break, before bed, or any time you want a quick, romantic read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Hill
• Release date: Jun 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227359360

Book preview

Part 1

Kai

Too much happens on land and sea to keep up with any of it. I learned long ago to focus on my life and not get involved with anybody else. Yeah, that mindset is completely at odds with the traditional beliefs of my people, but in today's world, we've had to re-think our purpose. Humans have little need for shapeshifting protectors anymore. Instead of valuing the world and each other, humans find new ways to destroy themselves and everything around them. Why should we waste our time protecting them or anyone else?

At one time, humans respected my kind. Now, most of them don't even believe we exist. If you ask me, it's better that way.

Seated at the lower helm of my trawler, I glance toward the darkening sky. The ocean has been growing angrier. Maybe this ferocious storm will capsize my small vessel. It might be the ocean's way of laughing at me for spending too much time on land.

A wave crashes over the ship, but my trawler remains afloat.

Hang on. What's that? I squint through the water-streaked window.

A flash of lightning illuminates the blue-black waves where a creature struggles against their ferocity. It looks like a woman, but that's crazy. I strain to see in the darkness. The next bolt of lightning shows a seal struggling in the water near my boat. That's a little less crazy than a woman.

In the water behind the seal, I see a flash of a dorsal fin, and then it vanishes beneath the churning water so fast that I'm not sure if it wasn't a figment of my imagination.

The seal struggles on. It's a prey animal, but right now I can't help feeling sorry for it, especially if there really is a shark nearby.

Sure, this is a stupid move, but what can I say? I'm a softie. And a total idiot. Still, I leave the relative safety of the helm and step into the storm. I scrub a hand over my face to push back soaked tendrils of hair that flop across my eyes.

What the hell? If I capsize, then I'm not meant to have this boat. If it survives the storm, then—

There's the seal again. Strangely, its gaze momentarily meets mine. At that moment, a realization crashes over me.

Come on! I bellow against the wind and waves.

The seal fights its way closer to the boat. I’m about to dive in after it when it reaches the edge. Grabbing a coil of rope, I toss it overboard. The seal shifts to a blond woman. She clings to my line.

Grunting, I haul her up, fighting wind and water, until she lands, naked and panting on my deck.

Hey are you okay? I kneel beside her. Still breathing hard, she lifts her gaze to mine and nods. I'm momentarily stunned. She has the most amazing green eyes I've ever seen, not to mention a gorgeous body. Muscles, generous curves, long legs. If we weren't in the middle of a storm, I'd be slack-jawed, but right now my main concern is to keep us afloat. Not that I couldn't survive in the open sea, even in a storm, but I've gotten attached to this boat and I'd rather not lose it.

Come on. I have clothes you can put on.

We stand and the ship lurches. I reach out to steady her, but her sea legs are just as good as mine. Not shocking, considering what she is.

I glance off to the side. Another giant wave rises and in it, I