The Mermaid and the Werewolf: Adella’s Tale

Rules are meant to be broken

16 years later

1000 feet below the waves atop the ocean, Adella sat in the third row back, her blonde hair waving down her body and she was sitting on part of it. She listened to rehash of how the mer-people came to be and it droned on and on to her 16 year old ears. She was more than bored with the story that she had heard every week since she was born, but she supposed that was the point; to never forget they were once bottom dwellers and now they are one of the top predators in the ocean. ‘Oh, how far we had come’ she rolled her eyes as she thought.

Her brother Kai sat next to her, he had the Caspian gene. His short black hair and dark eyes were undeniable proof of that. He was only 9 and could hardly sit still, but then again that’s what everyone would expect from the Caspian gene so he never got in trouble. This irritated Adella to no end. She obviously had the gene too, but she was a female so it was not so apparent.

Adella did have the heart full of wanderlust. She was always wondering what was out there, trying to go out exploring only to be told to get back inside. She was getting to the age where should could hardly control it. She was betrothed to a boy in the Orca Clan, his name is Sander. He was nice enough but she did not love him. Love is relatively new concept to the mer-people. Mating and matching has always been up to the genes you have and how to better them, make the group as a whole faster, smarter. It wasn’t until the last 2 generations that things started changing and mer-men had to start proving their worth as a mate. They had to be a good provider not just have a certain gene.

Adella was part of the Dolphin Clan, her father was the leader with his black hair making sure everyone knew he was the leader. He was a good leader and a good father. He spent time with Adella, teaching her to hunt and forage. She loved being in her mer-maid shape. She thought her tail was awesome, swirls of green and blues. It was powerful too. She felt so fast gliding through the water. She was a fast learner and her father knew she was something special. She could make a good leader one day. Next to Sander.

“Tomorrow is your birthday. Is there anything you want for dinner?” Coral, Adella’s mother, asked her as she entered her bedroom. Adella and Coral were spitting images of each other. White blonde wavy hair almost to the knees, bright teal eyes, perfectly plump pink lips and small nose that fits just perfect.

“Whatever we go out and catch?” Adella sat up hopefully. “We could go see what’s on the next ridge.”

“Going there is forbidden, especially for teenage girls.” Coral smiled at her and rested her delicate hand on her shoulder. “Seriously, any requests?”

Adella looked down at her hands in her lap “No, you always make something good.” She looked at her with a smile “Like it’s my birthday everyday.”

Coral turned to leave her room, “Alright then, cucumber worms it is then.” She started laughing at her own funny joke as Adella tossed a pillow at her. Cucumber worms were the worst.

Adella lay on her bed and started to daydream about being out in the wide open ocean. Her fin propelling her forward faster and faster. This place would disappear fast. She wasn’t totally sure she wanted to never come back, but she knew in her heart of hearts she couldn’t stay here much longer. A tear slid down her cheek and she reached up and touched it. ‘What is this?’ She thought to herself. She closed her eyes and just felt all these feelings she could not put into words. She wasn’t super sure what was happening to her body either. It felt like she had fins flipping all over inside of her pulling her in a million different directions. She took some deep breaths to calm the inside and it worked. She drifted off to sleep.

4 Years Later

Adella stood next to Sander, smiling and laughing as a good partner should. She was 20 now and focused on doing more adult things. Sander and Adella had gotten married and she now lived in the Orca Clan. Sander was good to her and they had 1 small child now. His name was Dover and he had the signature black hair but his tail was black with blue/green shades. It was the first time this color had ever been seen. She enjoyed seeing her family and watched her brother from a distance. He looked very unenthused.

Adella made her way over to him. “Hey sport.” She smiled at him, he was now taller than her but she still saw him as her little brother.

“Hey.” He smiled back, thankful that she came over to save him from himself.

“Dad,I am stealing Kai for a bit. I haven’t seen him in a while.” Adella placed her hand on her Dad’s arm. He nodded and thankful she was saving Kai from being even more destructive.

“How is Dover?” He asked as they walked away.

“Getting bigger everyday.” Adella smiled proudly.

“I should come see him again soon. He might not know who I am if I don’t start coming more often.”

“That would be great. Sander would like that too ya know.” She paused for a moment. “He would like to have a relationship with you as brothers not just clan leaders you know.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” Adella wrapped her arm in his. She noticed he was so big and strong now.

“Dad is working on my betrothal.” Kai felt upset about it.

“Yeah, he did good with me. Sander is great.”

“I know, but don’t you think it’s old fashioned? I want to pick my own match, ya know?” As the words fell out of his mouth he instantly regretted it. She had begged her Dad not to make her marry Sander.

Her eyes flashed with something, not quite anger. “Do I ever. But ya know, Sander is a good match. He is a provider, he is kind to me and Dover. I guess I got lucky.”

“Well, maybe when we are leaders we will change that. It was only in place to better our people but we are doing great. I think we would do even better if we embrace this ‘love’ feeling.” Kai had never been more serious.

“It’s hard to break from custom.” Adella said, almost softly.

“How about you come over next week? We could go hunting for dinner and eat as a family with you. Take your mind off of all this.”

“That sounds great.”

Adella saw Sander was looking for her, she waved at him to let him know she was coming. “I gotta, go. Next week then. Come anytime.” She smiled and kissed his cheek.

He watched her walk away and go to Sander. He was clearly in love with her, his eyes shining and caressing her body. She was a bit stiff with him as he placed his arm around her and led her out the portal. Kai stood there alone for a bit wanting to hide.

“More kale Sir?” He heard a tiny voice speak to him. He looked around and then realized that she was much shorter than him. Her eyes were more blue than teal and she had little dimples on her cheeks as she smiled at him. His heart thumped in his chest. She was his, she had to be his. Something floated across her eyes as well, a white hot flash and then it was gone. “Sir.” It was almost a whisper this time.

“What is your name?” He thought he knew everyone.

“Talia.” She answered, “I am an import from the Blue Whale Clan.” Her heart was beating in her chest, she hoped that he couldn’t see it. It was so loud in her ears she couldn’t hear anything. She could see his lips moving, asking her questions but she was frozen. Was she terrified? Was she excited? She couldn’t tell. She watched in slow motion as his hand reached out for her as her body began to fall to the ground and it all went black. His eyes floated in her mind, his dark sultry eyes.