Chapter 2.

Carter POV.

“Carty, what’s wrong?” Beth asks me as I watch the woman with violet eyes swimming towards the top of the tank. No doubt to rest and get some air.

“Carter!” I blink and take a breath. I look at Beth and smile. Who is the woman in the tank? I have been having dreams of a woman with raven hair and violet eyes, and now I’ve found her. Is this destiny? Fate? I’m not sure all I know is I need to get close to her.

“Sorry, baby, what did you say?” I smile softly at Beth as she snuggles into my side, but it doesn’t feel right having her in my arms. So I move back and stand beside her instead.

“I was saying this room is the perfect backdrop for the engagement party tonight. After all, you are one of the biggest benefactors of the institute.” I grimaced at that. It’s hypercritical that I Carter Montgomery, who is the CEO of Montgomery Fishing Corp, is a benefactor to protect endangered species of marine life.

“Yeah, sure. Beth, who is the woman in the tank?” I ask as I jut my chin forward, watching the enchanting beauty swim effortlessly next to the sharks. Is she not scared that they could rip her to shreds? Also, why is she in this tank and not with the other performers?

“Why?” she asks, turning her head to watch the woman.

“I’m assuming you both don’t get along. After all, she scared you. So I wanted to know who she is so I can stay away from her in the future.” I lied, but Beth doesn’t look like she caught it.

“Oh, she isn’t anyone important. She is just a worker here.” I am mesmerised as I watch her rolling in the water as she smiles at the children, putting on a show for the guests.

“Well, she will be at the engagement party tonight, entertaining the guests. Anyway, shall we go and speak to daddy?” she practically squeals and bounces on her feet like a spoiled child. The thought of marrying this woman makes me sick. She takes my hand and pulls me away. I give one last look at the woman in the tank as she swims alongside the other marine life effortlessly. How is she doing that?

“Bethany, Carter. What are you both doing here?” Andrew walks with purpose as Beth runs to her father and hugs him.

“We were discussing the engagement party. After all, it is fitting, as the party will have more influential people here to become partners and, of course, donate to the protection and preservation of the marine life.” She says, and he smiles and he chuckles warmly at his daughter. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at her. It’s always about connecting with people to draw attention to her, not to what the cause is. Bethany has to be the centre of attention always. No matter what the event is, she has to outshine everyone. Me, I hate the events. I would rather sit on the beach and drink beer with a fire pit.

“You are so sweet, darling, but tonight is about you both. Don’t worry your pretty little head about donations. We have a gala in a few weeks for that sort of thing. So why don’t you and Carter both go and start getting ready? The aquarium will close early so everything will be perfect for my little girl,” he coos and I feel sick. But I nod and smile, anyway. I need to find that woman and speak to her. After all, she ignored me when I asked like an idiot what time she gets off work. Beth didn’t seem to mind, whatever.

I know Bethany has her hook ups, she thinks I don’t know. After all, I haven’t been bothered to touch her in a few months. The thought sickens me. I have tried to break off this engagement, but each time I do, she threatens to end her life. So I’m stuck. I can’t have her blood on my hands. I already have too much as is it.

The rest of the day goes in a blur, but every time I close my eyes, I see violet eyes staring back at me. A tune enters my head, a song I’ve never heard.

I take a breath when I see blood, so much blood, and an ungodly scream. I open my eyes and take a deep breath. My hands shake as I try to tie the bow tie. I throw it in the corner of the room and pull on my hair. I unbutton the top two buttons of my dress shirt that will do.

“Get it together, Carter.” I say as I look at my reflection in the mirror. This is wrong.

I move on autopilot back towards the aquarium, knowing I’m about to enter a room full of sharks quite literally. People congratulate Beth and I on our engagement. I just nod and smile. It’s all fake. I need to escape. I can’t stand to be around these people, the elite of the elite. These pompous asshats would sit here eating caviar while looking at the fish. Give me a burger and I’m happy. I don’t eat fish, it’s bad enough I kill thousands each week regardless if the fishing lanes are sustainable. Still, I can’t eat fish, it feels wrong.

“Carter, my father is going to give a speech.” I nod, not really paying attention. I turn and look at the tank behind me. But I don’t see her. Didn’t Beth say she will be here? Where is she?

“Hello, everyone. I would like to propose a toast to my darling daughter Bethany Patterson and my future son-in-law, Carter Montgomery, on their engagement. If my wife was still alive, I know she would be proud of you, baby. I wish you both all the best and …”

An ungodly shriek is heard, glasses shatter and people gasp and women scream. I stand and turn around when I hear gunfire. The doors burst open and there stands the woman with raven hair and violet eyes, blood dripping from her naked body. More from her hands and mouth. Holy mother God, what is she?

I pull Bethany behind me as I see the woman smirk. A few bodyguards move towards her with their guns drawn, when she turns her head to them and I watch as her eyes glow and the men nod before they turn their guns and point them at Andrew and me.

“General, we have unfinished business. I will settle for your cruel whore of a daughter. Give her to me, or I will kill everyone in this room.” Screams ring out as gun’s fire towards her. I go to move towards her when I’m held back. She shrieks and I watch as she is hit. She throws her head back, but she doesn’t fall. What is she? She rolls her neck and shoulders as the wounds close.

Her nails grow into long black talons and her teeth turn to pointed sharp fangs. Her skin shimmers. As she slices military personnel down like they are paper. She moves fast, driving her talons into Andrew. Bethany screams as the woman turns her head. Her eyes locked on Bethany. She smiles evilly as she rips her talons out of Andrew’s stomach. She brings her talons to her lips and licks the blood from them. She chuckles as she moves towards us. My eyes widen.

“Asteria, stop!” She turns her head to the entrance and I follow her line of sight when she hisses and crouches low. Scales, she has scales. Everyone is dead silent. The occasional whimper from women who clutch their husbands or boyfriends like their lives depends on it, which it does. However, I don’t see how they can protect them. This woman is a killing machine. Is it wrong that I’m slightly aroused by her? What is wrong with me?

“TRAITOR!” She launches at the large man with blonde hair and muscles as she slices him with her talons and he groans when she looks at me then at Bethany, she smirks before she turns and runs out at a speed I didn’t know any person can move at.

Everything around me moves in slow motion, people running for the exits. I turn my head to Andrew as medical staff work on him to keep him alive. Bethany wailing as a bodyguard holds her back from her father.

What the fuck just happened? Who is that woman? The woman who, for some reason, I know? The woman that my brain is screaming mate at? What the fuck!

“Carter Montgomery.” I turn my head to the huge man with blonde hair. I nod, as I watch his wounds heal, not knowing what to say, think or do?

“I’m Fenrir. Come with me.”