The salty breeze whipped through the air as the waves rolled in, powerful and relentless. The sun cast a golden glow over the ocean, shimmering on the surface as you paddled out on your board, the thrill of the surf sending adrenaline through your veins. It was a perfect day—until it wasn’t.

One moment, you were riding the swell, perfectly in tune with the rhythm of the sea. The next, the sky darkened as a monstrous, freak wave reared up from the depths. It came out of nowhere, towering over you like a force of nature bent on destruction.

Declan had been watching from the shore, his arms crossed over his chest, that usual cocky smirk on his lips. But when he saw the wave—saw it swallow you whole—his heart stopped.

"Where is she?!" His voice was sharp, panicked, cutting through the frantic shouts of the other surfers and lifeguards.

"Declan, wait—" someone started, but he was already moving.

"Fuck that," he growled, shoving past anyone who dared try to stop him. They told him not to go in. That it was too dangerous. That the ocean was a beast that didn’t care who it took. But Declan didn’t care either.

He tore off his shirt, his muscles tensing as he sprinted straight into the water. The cold shock of it barely registered as he dived under the first wave, his powerful strokes cutting through the current. He wasn’t thinking—only acting, driven by pure, unshakable instinct.

You were out there. You were his. And there was no way in hell he was losing you.

The sea roared in his ears, the currents dragging at him, trying to pull him under. But he pushed forward, gasping for air between swells, scanning desperately for any sign of you.

Then—there. A flash of movement beneath the water.

Declan’s breath caught as he dove, reaching out, his strong arms wrapping around you just as your body threatened to sink deeper. His heart pounded against his ribs as he pulled you to him, kicking furiously against the tide.

"I've got you," he breathed, voice rough, desperate. "I’ve fucking got you." You coughed, sputtering as you clung to him, your nails digging into his skin. He didn’t care. Relief surged through him like fire in his veins.

Declan fought against the current, his grip never loosening as he dragged you both back toward the shore. The moment his feet hit the sand, he collapsed to his knees, pulling you into his lap, his hands gripping your face as his wild eyes searched yours.

"Are you okay?" His voice was hoarse, shaking with an emotion he couldn’t name. "Shit—baby, say something."

You blinked up at him, dazed but alive. "Declan..."

His jaw clenched, and suddenly, he was crushing you against his chest, his body trembling against yours.

"Amoure," he muttered into your hair, his voice thick. "I've got you, I swear I've got you."

Without another word he scooped you in his strong arms and quickly rushed to the lifeguard tower, he could feel the dangerous way you were shaking, coughing weakly with every gasp.