The Ocean's Call: Part One | ✔

Part Twenty Four

Part Twenty-Four

"I'm a mermaid."

This time she doesn't contain her reaction. Her eyes widen, her mouth opening slightly. She shakes her head, blinking several times. her mouth opens and closes as she decides on what to say next. "Wait, what? You're...how?"

"I found out recently."

She gasps. "Oh my god, that's why you went missing. Oh my god, are you okay? We tried looking for you, where did you go?"

I frown. "You tried looking for me? Who's we?"

She looks over her shoulder before coming closer until we're both standing in the water. "My family. We searched the waters for you, but we couldn't find you."

"I don't remember what happened during the four months I was gone." I explain.

She shakes her head. "No, that's just what you told everyone...right?"

I shake my head. "No, I don't actually remember what happened. I barely even remember dying, Harley."

"That's odd."

I laugh. "That's odd? You don't think the fact that I'm a mermaid is a bit odd?"

She pulls a face. "That? That's nothing, my whole life has been around mermaids. I mean I am a little surprised you're one, I didn't realise it was in the family."

"Austin said my bloodline was dormant. You know nothing about that?" man, here I was thinking she might be a little bit more helpful in that department. But if they know nothing about the Pryce family being merfolk then we're back to square one.

"Austin? You know him?"

I snort, twisting my feet into sinking sand. "I kind of don't just know him..."

She makes a little noise. "You're his mate...why didn't I see that? That one was right in my face, he showed up the day you disappeared, has he told you that?"

I nod. "Yeah, he did...but ah that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

She makes an 'o' face, nodding. "You're going to ask me about my mate, aren't you?"

I nod again. "It wouldn't be fair to Alex."

"Isla, I went through the rebirth ritual when I was eleven years old. I've been a mermaid for a very long time, I'm almost thirty and not once have I ever gotten serious with any guy in my entire life. For that very reason, it wouldn't be fair to that guy because I believed that any day, I would hear my mate calling me.

Well, it's almost been twenty years and I've never heard the faintest whisper of my mate. Your brother is very sweet, and he treats me nicely. Trust me I spent several days telling myself this would never be possible, telling myself I wasn't allowed to do this because my mate might find me. I was basing so much of my existence on might...I've had enough of waiting for him whoever he is. Your brother wants me and I'm not going to deny him purely on the slim chance of my mate showing up."

My heart yearns of hers. I didn't realise she's been a mermaid for so long. She's been waiting to hear her mate for almost twenty years, that's almost as long as I've been alive. I can't imagine being told my whole life there is someone out there for me but never get the chance to hear them. She's right, that's no way to live.

There is still that pesky voice telling it's not fair to Alex if he doesn't know the whole truth. Because even though her mate hasn't never shown up it's not impossible that he will never show up.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't even think about that. I was just so focused on my brother and what would happen if he got hurt." I admit.

She smiles. "I know you are and trust me so am I. I told him everything, it was my compromise for finally sharing our secret with everyone."