8 Chapter 8:

Grabbing more gear I started walking down to the docks.

"Hey Mikey, Steve. Mind giving me a hand? The guys are a little busy right now." I asked politely giving them a smile as they hopped out of their boats.

"Sure thing darling." Steve said as he grabbed some of the stuff from my hands and Mikey took the other half.

"The first group will be here in about 20 minutes, so that should be enough time for us to load the gear up and have a little extra." I said as they set the stuff in the boats and followed be back up the dock to the front garage entrance where all the extra gear was.

"Where are we heading out to today, honey?" Mikey asked looking at all the gear as we all filled out hands and headed back to the docks.

"The tourist group, who by the way are slightly larger about 15 extra then we normally carry, but they are paying good money. Want to go to drop spot 8, for lots of sea life and deep sea diving." I replied hearing them scoff.

"Bloody tourists. Of course they had to chose right now of all times to go to drop spot 8. All of those tiger sharks have been working themselves into a frenzy." Steve said shaking his head and his and Mikey loaded their boats.

Standing there I frowned and looked at him.

"Have they been overly bad?" I questioned as he looked up at me.

'Darling, they have been going crazy over there for about 2-3 days now." He said leaning on the rail.

"Maybe we should go to a different site yeah? Nolan and you can't possibly keep an eye on all of them." Mikey said worried while Steve nodded his head.

"Yeah Darling, that does seem like a better idea. I ain't liking the thought of you two being out there with more than your usually 20 divers. 10 and 10 with two instructors is fairly easy but 15 extra? Sounds like it might not be such a good idea, me thinks." Steve said looking at me.

"Noted. But they paid for this trip, to go to that specific spot so that is what they are going to get. Also, we have two extra experienced sea divers coming out with us today to help out." I said looking at them.

"Two extra experienced sea divers? Dona' tell me you are having Lil Lass Rina and the Laddie Coco coming out also?" Steve said looking at me with wide eyes.

"No, they are staying back. The other two are men named Caighlen and Fendall. They've been in the sea practically all of their lives, so they are experienced.

Fendall will be tagging along with Nolan and you Steve, while Caighlen shall be accompanying you and I, Mikey." I replied looking out at the sea.

"Now, little lady, I seem to be hearing quite the gossip about this Caighlen and you around town. Care to explain?" Mikey asked with a smile.

"Then the gossip might be true, if it is referring to Caighlen being my boyfriend." I said with a smile watching both their faces light up.

"Oh my word. Finally got yourself a man." Steve said releasing a laugh.

"That I have and it is looking like a long term thing. So play nice." I replied winking as they laughed again.

Walking back up to the garage we grabbed the last load and went back to the docks to load it up. Heading back up to the center, Caighlen, Fendall and Nolan came around the side meeting up with me.

"So, how was it?" I asked looking at Caighlen.

"These suits are really uncomfortable, but we will make do. Can't have us being water dragons around full humans." Caighlen said taking me into his arms.

"They did really good, Raihl, like they have been diving their whole lives in scuba gear." Nolan teased giving me a wink then heading around front. Probably to go see Rina before the tourist group gets here.

"I'm sorry if the suits are uncomfortable. If you'd like you can stay up here at the shop if it feels better." I said looking at fendall then up at Caighlen as he held me.

"I'd rather be out there with you, last time I could hardly focus when you all went out. Besides now that we know what is going on a bit more, I really don't want you out of my sight. I'd like you right where I know I can protect you." Caighlen said shaking his head.

"I agree. I mean not that I mooned over you like he was, but the last part where we now know more about the situation and I want to be on hand in case you or Caighlen need me your Highness. It would make me feel better also, if something were to happen. I know Remus feels the same way but…" Fendall said trailing off as he looked at the shop.

"But he has Becky to worry about. I wouldn't want him to put his life on hold for me. I know what it's like to want a mate, to have to be near them. At first it was just me feeling things from Nolan's mate bond with Rina but now I feel it for myself and I can't imagine what Nolan's been going through, we've known Rina for about 5 or so years now. He's been fighting with the bond this whole time and I only knew a portion of it. He tried to hide it as much as possible because of the fact that she's human. Granted I wouldn't have minded if he would have told her, but he didn't want to just slap it in her face. It was hard enough even trying to work up the courage to ask her out let alone tell her something important. When we met you that was the only time he actually made an advance on her, he usually sat off to the side teasing her or throwing her side glances." I replied looking back and forth between them.

"I can't imagine fighting the lifemate bond for 5 years, it was hard enough trying to fight it, when I first laid my eyes on you and see far we were able to push it off?" Caighlen said amused looking down at me.

"Yeah but we are different from them." I said casually putting my arms around him.

"She's right, you both are full water dragons plus she is a royal which would automatically force her to accept the lifemate bond and try to mate with you as soon as possible to ensure the survival of our race and the next heir." Fendall said with a thoughtful look.

"True, I never thought about that. I just figured everybody's lifemate bond was hard to resist." Caighlen said nodding his head.

"It probably is hard but not as hard cause like Fendall said they don't have the fate of world on their shoulders. Yes the continuation of a species but not a necessary push to create an heir. Plus, we also have to take into consideration our people have not had a real ruler in almost 3 decades. 2 and half decades to be precise, which now bares down on us." I told Caighlen leaning on his chest, as I started to feel nervous.

"Also, a good point. But don't worry little mate, you have me, your life mate and all of our friends to back us up. I'm in no hurry to have children just to create the next heir. Not saying I wouldn't mind having a little one right now but it will all happen when it happens. I would much prefer it to happen when I know we are all safe, it would be a lot harder for me to protect not only you but our little one." Caighlen replied running his hand through my hair.

"Agreed, I love kids and I want a few with you but it would be taxing trying to raising a little one while trying to protect us from our unknown assailant." I said releasing a shiver.

"Then I think we need to kick it all into overdrive because I would like to see our highness actually in the water in her true form and I look forward to the day we have more little ones swimming, or running around." Fendall said giving us a big smile.

"I hope you know the minute all this danger is over and we are at the palace that it also means we have the right to chose our bodyguards. You and Remus are already on my list and Nolan is a no brainer because of the bond he shares with my mate." Caighlen said giving Fendall an amused look as Fendall groaned.

"Damn you. I was quite hoping for a peaceful life, not one where I have to guard your ass all the time." Fendall grumbled as we all laughed.

"Please, it won't be so bad besides for all you know you might end up guarding me more, or our little ones." I teased seeing his face go white as Caighlen laughed.

"You two are absolutely horrible!" Fendall shouted as I shrugged.

"You were encouraging us to move faster to get rid of the threat and start a family, so isn't it only fair that you would help out?" I teased giving him a wink.

"I take it all back." Fendall said, looking like he was going to pass out.

"Too late. Can't take it back now brother. It's alright we'll be sure to only give you the kids when they are hyper." Caighlen said slapping a hand on Fendall's shoulder.

"That's even worse!" Fendall protested as Caighlen and I laughed.

"What did I miss?" Nolan said as he walked back over to us looking back and forth.

"Nothing." Fendall said shaking his head walking off as we laughed again.

"We were teasing him, he said we need to hurry up and get this threat over with so Caighlen and I can get started on the heirs to the throne. So we told him that as a palace guard he would more than likely be required to watch the little ones if he was guarding me." I said with a smile.

"Guarding you? That's my job." Nolan said glaring.

"It is. I would trust no one else with her life. You would be her main guard while Remus and Fendall would be our second and third, eventually if Malcom joined us he would naturally become the fourth guard. Two for me and two for her, though I would make it one for me and three for her." Caighlen said looking thoughtful as he mauled everything over.

"That makes sense." Nolan said nodding his head in agreement.

"Hey. Why would I have to have more? If anything happened to you it happens to me also!" I protest feeling the bond coil at the thought of something happening to him.

"Which I understand love. But I would rather you have more protection than me. I can fight, I've been fighting for years. On the other hand you are still new to this, you haven't even had your first full shift yet. Plus, eventually when we have little ones you will need more protection." Caighlen said brushing his hand through my hair as his other one caressed my face as he leaned down and gave me a kiss.

"I hate you for being so know it all." I grumbled as I grabbed him and returned the kiss.

"Oh come on. We have a group that is about to arrive, they don't need to see you two going at it right here in the open." Nolan cried shielding his eyes though it didn't do anything.

"Nolan, just wait when you and Rina do this in public I am going to ride you so hard about it." I said looking over at him as I broke the kiss.

"That totally did not sound right. Ride you so hard about it. I mean come on who says that?" Nolan said with a weird look on his face.

"I do. Do you have a problem with it?" I said turning fully to put my hands on my hips.

"Nolan, stop provoking her. Just let the comment slid in one ear and out the other." Caighlen said nibbling my ear.

"You do that and you will find out just how bad my rage can be. I hate being ignored and if you my mate decide to do that to me, you will realize it was a big mistake." I hissed at Caighlen as I got out of his arms and glared at him then walked away.

"Smooth. Very smooth. Word of advice, she really does hate being ignored. So not recommended." Nolan commented behind me as I walked to the front of the store.

'If you think ignoring me is going to work you have another thing coming.' I growled in our link as I slammed it shut.

Feeling Caighlen probe our link I ignored him. Ignorant male. How dare he? I thought, feeling aggression take place. I will show him what ignoring someone means!

Walking forward I saw the buses unloading passengers and put on a smile. Here we go, time for today's diving tour. Oh the joy.

If only that pigheaded mate hadn't put a damper on my mood. Narrowing my eyes I shook my head as I got my clipboard from him the shop.

"Raihl you okay?" Becky asked cautiously as her and Remus looked me.

Putting on a bigger smile I looked at them.

"Why wouldn't I be okay? Do I not look fine?" I said narrowing my eyes again.

"You look mad…" Becky said softly.

"Well, maybe I wouldn't look so mad, if some arrogant, pig headed, ignorant piece of…" I started rampaging when Caighlen put his hand over my mouth as Rina looked at me with wide eyes.

"That's enough." He said giving me a look.

Throwing my elbow back I clocked Caighlen in the gut and he released me.

"Don't you dare think that you have any right to control me. I am pissed at you...you...you...agh!" I shouted as I pointed at him and stomped towards the entrance.

"What the hell did you do to her?" Becky exclaimed as I walked away.

"I said something petty, that I shouldn't have and now I am paying the price." Caighlen said sighing as he followed me out.

Oh how I would love to punch that arrogant bastard in his face, then kiss it better. What no! Not kiss, I'm mad at him!

'Admit it, you want to ravish him. Take him somewhere private and make some hot steaming love.' She purred in my mind.

Feeling myself get turned on I huffed, I can't focus! Whipping around I looked up into Caighlens eyes as he watched me amused which made me madder yet even more turned on. Snarling at him I grabbed his hand and dragged him back into the store passed Becky and Remus who were watching us and into the locker room. Shutting the door I locked it and then turned around and attacked Caighlen. Grabbing me as I hit his body he held me tight as I attacked his face and neck with my mouth.

Growling he slammed me into the wall and attacked my neck, nipping and sucking making me whimper as I ground myself on him, feeling his long and thick shaft already hard and waiting for me.

"Caighlen." I cried out. I need him. I needed him so bad.

"I know little mate. I know." He whispered as he set me down, quickly discarded both of our clothes and picked me back up. "Wrap your legs around me." he growled as I obeyed.

Putting my hands on his shoulders as I wrapped my legs around him, he held me tightly as he slammed me down on his rod as he thrust up and into me, in one swift motion making me moan.

Yes. Oh yes. I need more.

Knowing what I needed he started thrusting hard and faster as I threw my hand back in passion feeling his hand slam underneath my head before it hit the wall.

Nibbling my neck he latched onto where he marked me and I felt pleasure flash through my body. Needing more I started to move myself as he growled possessively.

Flipping around he pushed me onto the floor still inside of me and started thrusting faster. So deep, he was so deep. Like he was meant to be there.

"I was meant to be here. Deep inside of you, you were made for me." He growled as he bit into my neck feeling my pussy spasm at the roughness of his approach.

"So beautiful and all mine." He whispered as he kept thrusting picking up pace as he felt my peak nearing.

"Caighlen!" I cried out holding him tight to me.

"I know. Give yourself to me little mate. Now Ala now!" He shouted as I let myself go and we came together.

Panting he rested his head on my chest as we calmed our breathing.

"No one's ever called me Ala before." I said softly feeling him move, watching as he propped himself onto his arms.

"Good. That is my name for you. My sweet, little Ala. One part fierce, one part sweet, two parts loving and three parts pure seductive." He said leaning forward to give me a kiss sending ripples of pleasure through our bodies as we were still connected.

"I love it." I whispered stroking his hair with one hand and his back with the other, watching his eyes go soft with love.

"I'm still mad at you, just so we're clear." I said after a minute and he started laughing then gave me a kiss.

"I expected as much." He said looking down at me.

"We have to get dressed now, got a tour waiting." I said sighing, not wanting to disconnect.

"I know, but I feel your pain. I'd much rather stay in this position all day, every day." He said giving me a wicked smile.

"You're bad!" I said laughing as he pulled out and got off of me to help me up. I felt so empty when we seperated. I hated it.

Touching my face he gave me another kiss and then we started to put on our clothing. Hopefully, we hadn't been in here too long I thought as we exited the locker room.

Walking passed Remus and Becky, Becky was bright red while Remus was smirking trying to hold in his laughter.

"Nothing quite like quick angry make up sex." He commented and I turned red.

"We did not make up. I just need some relief." I snarled as I stormed passed him as he laughed harder.

"Some very hot, steamy and extremely sexy angry sex." Caighlen whispered in my ear as I shivered giving him a glare as he laughed.

Exiting the doors, I could hear Caighlen and Remus laughing then heard a whack and Remus protest as Becky hit him over the head with a pack of papers.

Huffing a hurried forward and started forward. Putting a smile on my face I started to greet the tourists. Gathering everyone in a circle.

Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen. On behalf of The Scuba Diving Center we would like to thank you for choosing our tour.

We hope that today's tour is exactly what you wanted. A few rules to start off with though.

Don't mess around on the boat, we don't want any unnecessary accidents.

Please do not get off of the boat at any given time unless we are properly told to disembark.

Please NO Smoking & Drinking onboard, per our agreement...

After going over the rules Malcom and I started listing names off of our clipboards. Getting everyone into groups. Once everybody was situated in their groups we started to make our way down to the docks. Boarding our tour boats we got everybody situated and then began doing a headcount.

Completing a headcount Mikey started up the boat and we took off to drop site 8.

Caighlen sat next to me up front on the tour as we sailed through the waters. Most of the tourists were gazing out into the water taking snapshots of the open ocean. Though a few of the girls were giggling and looking back and forth at Caighlen making me want to growl, stand up and gouge their eyes out as my jealous side flared to life.

How dare they look at my mate like that? Mine!

Reaching over Cauthen out his arm around my shoulders as he leaned down to kiss the top of my head.

'Relax Ala. I'm yours and nobody else's. They can look all they want but I'm never going to want anybody but you.'

Looking up at him, he gazed into my eyes as his other hand came up and stroked my cheek.

'I know, I just don't like the way they're looking at you. Like your a piece of meat waiting to be bought at a meat market.'

Tilting his head back he started laughing.

"Oh darling, I love you."

"I love you too," I said giving him a big smile.

Looking over, I stood up and grabbed the mic out of the holder, as we approached drop site 8.

"Alright, everybody gather round! Now for today we are going diving at drop site 8, as you all know. Please, make sure to follow the rules and also, please please please be very careful as this dive site has been swarming with overactive Tiger Sharks. All we ask is that you try not to disturb them, or get to closer than 20 feet of them as of lately their feeding patterns have shifted. Tiger Sharks are usually nocturnal feeders but within the past week they have had very unusual patterns. They are usually docile but we do not want to take the chance that something may happen as there have been occasions where tiger sharks will attack humans. With that being said, have fun and let's get diving!!"

Standing up the divers made their way down the boat. Talking and giggling in excitement as they started to put on their dive suits.

Slipping into our suits Caighlen looked at me and gave me a quick kiss then placed on his octopus, as he stepped back and pencil dived into the water making me laugh as I followed in behind him.

For someone who's never used a suit, octopus and scuba tank, he sure makes it look like he's been doing it for years.

Diving beneath the surface I watched at the rest of the divers entered the ocean and started exploring.

Keeping an eye out I watched the tiger sharks as they swarmed through the waters catching fish and speeding away in a rush after ripping apart their food.

Watching the divers I nodded my head as they kept clear of the tiger sharks only going within a safe distance of 20 feet.

A few of them where taking out their cameras to take feeding pictures. Pointing and nodding as they watched from the sides.

Swimming around I saw Nolan and Fendall as they monitored their group.

Glancing over at me Nolan nodded and spoke to me, "So, good so far. Hopefully nobody decides to get brave."

"Agreed, that could end very badly."

Turning I started swimming around when I caught sight of some divers with cameras getting closer to the frenzied sharks.

Thinking quickly I started swimming forward hoping to intercept them. Feeling Caighlen spark to awareness as he felt my panic.

"Ala, stay back let me handle them." He ordered to me.

"But Caighlen…"

"No, no buts. All I care about is your safety. I'm not going to let some foolish humans get you hurt because they want tourist shots of frenzied sharks!" He snarled.

Stopping I swam in spot as I saw him approaching the tourists. Feeling a bit nervous. Looking past them I could feel the sharks frenzy as they feasted. It was like a pure rage, they were angry and they were hungry. That could explain why their patterns have shifted, I thought as I watched them.

Too close. Way too close. I whispered as I saw a few sharks turn towards the movement.

Oh no.

"Caighlen!" I warned as the first two sharks broke from the frenzy heading towards them.

"I see them love, so do the tourists."

Watching I saw as Caighlen reached the tourists and started ushering them backwards away from the frenzy as the two sharks approached.

Slowly, they made their way back to the group as the sharks stopped about 5 or 6 feet out just swimming back and forth.

Raising my hand I caught the attention of my group and pointed up. Waiting as the divers started to rise to the surface.

"Nolan, head up. Some of my group got to close too the frenzy."

"I know I watched the sharks approach. We're already making our way up to the surface as we speak."

"Okay, see you up on land."

Breaking the surface, Caighlen came up behind me and pushed close as we waited for the tourists to climb the ladder. Removing our octopus's we took in the fresh air.

Wrapping his arm around me he nuzzled my head as he squeezed my midriff with affection

.

"So, are you still mad at me?" He whispered in my ear making my breath catch in excitement.

"No, not any more. Honestly, I'm not even sure why I was so mad about that petty comment but it really rubbed me the wrong way." I said leaning back into him.

"It's because of your heightened emotions. Everything is so new and raw, which makes everything much more intense. As you've probably noticed with the girls." He commented as he nuzzled me again then pushed me towards the ladder making me laugh.

Grabbing the ladder I embarked the boat and waited for Caighlen to come up before we started taking of our gear. Putting our gear on the racks, Caighlen grabbed my hand as we head up the stairs towards the top of the boat.

Walking past everyone the few tourists were talking about how close they got to the sharks. Making me stop.

Releasing Caighlens hand I walked over to them.

"It was so amazing! Scary too!" One tourist said giggling.

"Not to mention dangerous. You could have endangered every tourist that was in the ocean with us." I reprimanded as the other tourists turned to look at us.

The one tourist had the gull to look ashamed. While the other scoffed.

"We had it under control. Besides they didn't come any closer."

"Still that doesn't mean it was right, you were warned to go no closer than 20 feet to the sharks feeding ground. Rules are meant to be obeyed. Especially out here in the ocean because without them you could have caused all those frenzied sharks to descend upon the two diving groups. Those two tiger sharks probably wouldn't have attacked on their own but if they had and they drew blood all of those sharks and every shark within the vicinity could have descended on us. It is not a game, it is life and death. Those tiger sharks are already experiencing unusual feeding patterns as I explained before. So, what could have happened could have been way worse if Caighlen hadn't intercepted you and ushered you back to the group. I get it you wanted great shots and the thrill of being closer to the action but your actions endangered all divers in the water." I reprimanded him as some of the other divers nodded in agreement and glared at the three divers that disobeyed.

"Yeah, you could have gotten us all hurt, or even killed because you wanted a few 'glorious' pictures, Jesse!!" One of the girls shouted.

"But I didn't Brittani!" Jess huffed irritated.

"But still you could have Jesse. I don't care how much you, Sarah and Evan love photography. You could have gotten us all hurt. And let's not forget that we all signed the agreement slip that flat out asked if we would obey the rules and the guides for the complete safety of all divers. Or did you just skip over that part boy?" A middle aged man said.

"No, dad. I read it all but…" Jesse started to say before his dad cut him off.

"Then do you think you are more entitled than the rest of us?"

"No, dad…"

"Is your photography more important than our safety?" His dad said cutting him off again.

"No, but…" Jesse said making a face.

"But what?! Nothing. This was supposed to be a fun family dive, and here you endanger us all because you wanted some 'great' shots of the sharks." His dad said waving his hand at the family then making air quotes.

"But dad…" Jesse tried to protest again.

"No, I don't want to hear it. Apologize to all of us, and then apologize to our guides for the trouble you've caused. No doubt you made them panic while trying to bring you back to the group and make sure everybody gets back on the boat safely." His father finished with a scowl making the son bow his head and turn towards everybody.

"I'm sorry for almost endangering your lives, and for cutting our diving time short. And I'm sorry for making you guys worry about us and our safety."

"At least no one was hurt. Apology accepted." I said looking at Caighlen.

"I also accept your apology but next time please listen to your guides. They know far more about this area in the ocean then you do." Caighlen replied sharply.

"Yeah!" Some of the family members said while others nodded in agreement.

"Anyways, let's head back to the mainland. If you'd like we'll extend a coral reef dive team to make up for the last 2 hours of our scheduled time?" I explained looking at the father.

"You know that sounds splendid. Thank you very much. I really am sorry about all the trouble my son and his friends have caused." He said reaching forward to shake my hand.

"Teens will be teens." I joked as everyone laughed.

"Hey Mikey! Let's head into the mainland." I shouted up towards him as he started the boat and we all sat down in our seats.