How was I supposed to know the lake had a guardian? And that he had gills, grudges, and plans for me? I came to Driftwood Bay to teach glitter-fueled swim lessons, not awaken something ancient under the water. Definitely not crash into Ryder Quinn—grump in a wetsuit, silver-eyed menace, and very much not human. He watches me like I’m a problem he’s already decided how to solve. Follows me into the woods. Pulls me from the lake like I belong to it. Like I belong to him. I don’t believe in soul bonds. He doesn’t believe in accidents. But something’s waking beneath this shoreline—and I think it knows our names. Because this lake answers to him—and soon, so will I. Read on merman obsession, grumpy-sunshine tension, lakeside magic, cursed rifts, soft swim chaos, and a heroine who might be fated to destroy—or save—it all. HEA guaranteed.