Текст книги "Shadow"

Автор книги: Laurann Dohner

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

Something inside her broke free, excruciating pleasure tearing through her, making her buck and scream out Shadow’s name. He snarled, tearing his mouth away as she panted. Her body slowly relaxed as she came down from the high of a near-brutal climax. Her eyes opened and she watched as he released her thighs.

Shadow crawled up and over her until he hovered inches above her body. His breathing was harsh as their gazes held. She released the bed and reached for him, wanting to touch him just to feel grounded to life again. Warm flesh and firm muscle met her hands as they opened to grip his shoulders.

He broke eye contact to look between their bodies and she followed his focus. He’d shoved down the boxers to mid-thigh and the sight of his cock stunned her. It was as big and thick as she remembered but she was surprised to discover it was a bit red without him having touched it first. She wondered instantly if that hurt.

“Beauty,” his voice sounded gruff. “Tell me yes.”

She jerked her focus away from his hips. He watched her with a concentration that was almost frightening. She nodded, unable to speak. Some of the tension left his handsome features as he lowered over her. His cock bumped against her pussy and she realized what she’d just agreed to.

He used his arms to brace his weight to avoid crushing her. His hips were between her thighs, making it possible for him to spread his legs to force hers to move a little higher and hold them open. He didn’t use his hands to guide the crown of his cock to her body. It was so stiff that he just had to adjust his hips and push against her.

Flashbacks of pain replayed inside her mind but he didn’t just ram his man-part inside her roughly. He gently breached her. The slow sensation of her vaginal walls being stretched by the broad girth of his cock didn’t cause pain. She was so wet that he was able to enter her without difficulty, though his sheer size made her very aware of him. Her gaze fixed on his face.

Shadow’s eyes were closed and he was the one who seemed to be in pain. His lips were parted and his fangs bit down on his generous lower lip. Sweat beaded his brow as every muscle in his face seemed drawn taut, almost into a grimace. Worry for him hit hard and fast, obliterating her apprehension.

“Shadow?”

He stopped moving, his breathing ragged, and his eyes opened.

Her hands petted him, soothed him with caresses. “It’s okay.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he growled.

“You aren’t.” She could say that with honesty.

He moved slowly, withdrew almost totally from her body before applying enough weight to push his cock back inside her a little deeper. It was a tight fit but there wasn’t any pain. She glanced away from him to look into the space between their bodies. There seemed a lot more of him for her to take.

She shifted her legs and hiked them higher to wrap around his hips. She held his gaze. He’d made her feel really good and she wanted him to find that with her too. They were physically linked. Her belly quivered as he sank into her deeper, a strange but not distasteful feeling. Beauty watched him close his eyes again and his head tipped back as he growled.

He paused, withdrew, pushed back inside, this time a little faster, and she gasped. It was a good sensation. Strange but she liked it. He stopped and stared at her face.

“Release me. I’ll go into the bathroom.”

Beauty knew what he would do in there. He’d take care of his own needs but she wanted to be the one to do that for him. Her legs clamped tighter around him and she wiggled her hips. Her soft moan surprised them both when the motion seated him a little deeper inside her and touched something that felt really good. She remained locked around him and repeated the motion. It really felt wonderful and she kept going, squirming just to have him touch her there again and again.

“Beauty,” he rumbled her name, his voice thick with desire. “I’m losing control. I want you too bad and I’m so close.”

His knees spread a little more and then he began to move in and out, fucking her in a deliberate pace that wasn’t quite fast but hit that spot every time. She closed her eyes, concentrating on Shadow. His chest rubbed her sensitive nipples and his cock was so hard it could have been made of stone. He entered her a little deeper, his hips bucked faster, and they both had a difficult time breathing.

“I can’t hold back,” he snarled, suddenly driving into her deeper as his body began to quake over hers, rough jerks as his muscles seemed to spasm.

Her eyes flew open wide when the first burst of hot heat filled her. His dick seemed to be growing larger and thicker as his thrusts slowed, keeping him buried deep inside her. Another hot stream of heat shot into her and he lowered his face suddenly into the cradle of her throat.

She gasped when pleasure suddenly struck, his harsh, jerky movements sending her over the edge again. His cock hit that wonderful spot inside her and seemed to stay there, a throbbing pulse. Her fingernails dug in as she cried out his name.

He managed to keep his weight braced off her for the most part when it ended. They were both panting, sweat trickling between their bodies. Beauty allowed her cheek to rest against his where he kept his face buried at her throat. Her hands slid from his shoulders to hug him tightly, not wanting to let go. She smiled, understanding finally why other Species women invited men into their rooms.

Shadow tried to catch his breath while he worried about Beauty. She clung to him as if she were terrified. He bit back a snarl of self-loathing. He’d totally lost control once his dick was sheathed inside her hot little pussy. It had been a long time since he’d known the powerful pleasure of sharing sex but he couldn’t remember a time when it had ever been so passionate.

The sounds she’d made had urged him on and so had her taste, which lingered on this tongue. She’d been so wet, the aroma of her desire a drug that made him higher than anything Mercile had ever given him. The way her body had received him, fisting him with her pussy, had driven him insane. Every stroke of his cock had nearly undone him by making him come fast and hard. After about a dozen or so times of thrusting inside her, he’d snapped.

He’d shed his humanity while taking her. The animal side of him had manifested and wanted to mark her. He had with his semen and almost with his teeth. He breathed in and out through his nose, assured there was no scent of her blood. He hadn’t bitten into her the way he’d longed to do.

His dick was locked inside her or he’d move, release her. Her vaginal muscles twitched and he bit back a groan of pleasure as it milked out more of his seed. She was probably attempting to push him out of her but couldn’t. The base of his shaft had developed a lump from the swelling, keeping him there for fear of tearing her if he tried to withdraw.

It wasn’t easy to adjust his weight, not wanting to move, but he braced on one arm while managing to reach between them to grip his nuts. He found the area on the underside and massaged it to reduce the swelling at a faster pace. It was a trick he’d learned during the worst of the testing at Mercile. It hurt but he clenched his teeth, continued to rub and the pressure eased until he slowly pulled out of the heaven he’d found inside Beauty’s body.

He released his balls and reached behind him, tapping her ankle. “Release me.”

She shook her head against him, refusing. He flattened both hands and lifted. It stunned him a bit when she came with him. It left him no choice but to sit back on his legs with her on his lap. Her limbs were locked tight around his hips and shoulders and she gave no indication of letting go any time soon. Her strength astonished him for someone so small.

He hugged her back, slowly rocking her in his arms to soothe her. It just proved his point that he never should have been the male to live with her. No one had heeded his warnings and now he needed to find a way to let Beauty know she was safe. He’d never attempt to share sex with her again.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, brushing his lips against her throat. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Her arms loosened their hold and she pulled back to look at him. Deep gratitude surfaced that there were no tears. He wasn’t sure he could have withstood seeing them, knowing he’d been the cause of her pain.

“You didn’t.”

“You’re being so brave.” He wished he could kick his own ass.

“That was wonderful.” She smiled.

It was his turn to hug her tightly as the meaning of her words sank in. “You didn’t yell my name from pain?” He wanted to make certain.

“No.” Pink rose in her cheeks before she dropped her gaze to his lips. “I, um, you know.” She glanced up and smiled. “Twice.”

Shadow tucked his head again, pulling her close. He was out of practice enough to mistake her body’s reactions but he was just grateful he hadn’t totally fucked up everything. Her muscles hadn’t been constricting trying to get him out of pussy but because she’d climaxed.

Thankfully. He began to rock her in his arms once more, ignoring his still-hard dick trapped between his thighs. He wanted her again but he wasn’t going to press his luck for a second time in one night.

“Shadow?”

“Yeah, Beauty?”

“May I sleep with you?” She yawned. “I’d like to.”

He smiled. “I’d like that. You have to let me go though. I’ll turn off the light and then we’ll cuddle if you want.”

Her arms and legs slackened around him until he gently laid her down again. She peered up at him with trust. He flipped off the light but in seconds he was back, crawling into the bed. She rolled to face him as he pulled her against him. He curled around her to cocoon her inside the safety of his arms.

Her breathing changed so fast it stunned him that she could fall asleep so easily after what they’d shared. She’d been through a lot. He wasn’t so quick to join her in slumber.

All the things she’d said circled in his thoughts. She didn’t want other males but was interested in a relationship. The mere idea of someone else touching her enraged him. He’d break their fingers if they tried to put their hands on her. He’d tear them apart and rip out their hearts if they dared to lure her from him. He’d kill anyone who tried to mount his Beauty.

Shit. Breathing in her scent cooled the intense rage. I already think of her as mine.

Chapter Eleven

Beauty didn’t want to move but knew she’d have to soon. Shadow’s warm body made her feel safe and protected. She’d turned in the night or he’d repositioned her until he spooned her back. The feel of his hard cock pressed against her butt where it was trapped between her and his stomach wasn’t something she could ignore. The urge to use the bathroom finally forced her to wiggle away.

The arm around her waist hauled her back and a deep, masculine growl filled the room. It startled her enough that she turned. His eyes were only partially open as he peeked at her and his lips parted, fangs flashing.

“Don’t leave me.”

“I’ll be right back.” She cleared her throat. “Bathroom.”

His hold eased. “Okay.”

She slid out of bed and tried not to be embarrassed that he saw so much of her in the early morning light spilling through the still-open window of his bedroom. It wasn’t logical to be shy about her nakedness after the things he’d done to her. That didn’t completely alleviate the bashfulness though.

He sat with the sheet covering his lap when she returned. One leg was bent upward on the side of the bed. She was glad she’d taken the time to wrap a towel around her middle before returning to the room, not comfortable being naked. Shadow looked less fierce just waking from sleep with his expression more open and readable. He smiled tentatively.

“How are you feeling?”

“Good.” She wasn’t sure if she should get back into bed with him or not.

The smile faded. “What is wrong? Do you regret coming into my room?”

Her teeth sank into her bottom lip as she shook her head. “I don’t know what to do.” Honesty was best. “None of the men spend the night with the women so I have never overheard the morning-after etiquette. Is there such a thing?”

“What do you want to do?”

She dodged his question. “What do you want to do?”

His leg slid flat on the bed and she gaped a little at the sight of the sheet over his lap. His erection jutted upward instead of lying flat. “Don’t ask a male that. This is the answer.” He reached up to grip the headboard above him, looking relaxed except for his hard-on. “Will you come back to my bed?”

“I want to,” she admitted, happy he wasn’t shutting her out.

His hands tightened their hold on the wood enough that his knuckles turned white.

“What is wrong?”

He glanced at his hands before looking at her again. “I’m trying to appear docile, not to frighten you.”

She laughed before she could prevent it and tugged at the towel to loosen it.

“What’s funny?”

“You’re so big and strong. You couldn’t pull that off. You just look extremely sexy.” Her cheeks warmed. “Should I not tell you that?”

He grinned. “What makes me appealing?”

“The way your arms are up and you’re stretched out a little across the pillows. It reminds me of something I read in a romance novel but the leading man wore handcuffs.”

“I wouldn’t wear those but I’ll keep my hands here if it makes me less threatening to you.”

The towel hit the floor as she stepped closer to the bed. Shadow’s gaze fixed on her breasts. All humor faded from his features, the tense look returning. She could identify that expression now. He wanted her and it filled her with a sense of courage as she climbed on the high mattress near his feet.

“Why wouldn’t you wear handcuffs?”

He looked away, not speaking. She froze.

“Did I say something wrong?”

He glanced back. “It would remind me of bad times.”

“I’m sorry. I was just curious.”

“Come to me,” he rasped. “I won’t hurt you.”

“I know. I’m not afraid of you.” She crawled up the bed and surprised them both by straddling his lap. Her ass eased down over his sheet-covered thighs. Both her hands flattened on his chest. “I want to hug you. May I?”

“You can do anything you’d like to me,” he stated gruffly, swallowing hard.

“Anything?” The idea did funny things to her stomach, making it flutter.

“Yes.”

One deep breath and she inched closer to him. “I want to kiss you.”

Surprise registered but he nodded. “Okay.”

She studied his mouth. It was full and lush—tempting. “Maybe you should kiss me.”

“I haven’t done this before. Not mouth to mouth.”

“Me neither.” She smiled. “We’ll learn together.”

“Together,” he repeated, wetting his lips, focusing on hers. “Open to me.”

She closed her eyes, parted her lips and tilted her head slightly. The first brush of contact was almost ticklish. He pressed his lips firmly to hers. They were mouth to mouth. The texture of his lips was unbelievably soft. His tongue licked hers and she melted into him. It took a few seconds but she repeated what he did, tasting him and wanting more. It was amazing, that intimacy, and he growled, deepening the kiss.

Her senses focused entirely on Shadow and everything else faded away. Pleasure and excitement seeped into her slowly, radiating from the point of contact, spreading lower. She moaned and Shadow slowly broke the kiss.

They were both a little out of breath. Beauty liked kissing. Judging by Shadow’s heated stare, he did as well. She couldn’t wait to do it again.

She leaned forward until her body rested against his and slid her hands up to his shoulders. She pressed her ear over his heart, relaxing. “Will you hold me?”

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her more firmly against him. He shifted his hips, sliding her body closer until his cock was trapped between their bellies with only a sheet as a barrier. She inhaled his masculine scent and a funny noise escaped her—it almost resembled a whine.

His arms loosened immediately and his heart rate jumped. “Don’t be afraid.”

She turned her head, peering up at him. “I’m not. I don’t know why that happened.”

“You’re primate. What were you feeling when you made that sound?”

She evaluated the moment. “Happy. Safe. Sexually aware of you.”

The arms around her tightened slightly to draw her closer. “I growl or snarl when my emotions are strong. Sometimes my instincts are so close to the surface that they refuse to be ignored. That wasn’t a human noise.” He watched her intently. “It’s okay. You were probably having one of those moments.”

She relaxed. “I hissed at Kit but she did it first. I hadn’t ever done that before.”

“Never?”

“Not that I can remember.” Beauty allowed her mind to roam as she relaxed, pressing her ear against Shadow’s chest. His heart rate had slowed to normal. “I know when I was young that I made funny noises and got into trouble for it.”

His body stiffened. “They abused you for being what you are?”

She knew he was angry without looking up at his face. Her fingertips traced his skin, attempting to calm him. “I learned to be quiet.” She refused to share the memories of her childhood. Not many were good. “To always think before I did something.”

“You can just be now.” Shadow rested his chin on the top of her head. “You can do or say anything.”

She smiled. “Anything?”

“Yes.” There was no hesitation, his voice firm.

Her palms slid from his shoulders down his chest until they rested over his ribs. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Her fingers suddenly dug into his skin firmly and wiggled. She didn’t know if Shadow was ticklish but she was about to find out. He gasped before his back arched. He twisted his torso and they were suddenly moving. The rapid motion startled her when he rolled over. It happened so fast she wasn’t sure how she ended up flat on her back with her wrists jerked above her head and held firmly by his hands. He came down on her, pinning her with his weight.

Amusement sparkled in his eyes. “You want to play?”

“You are ticklish!” She laughed.

“Very.” He glanced down. “Are you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t move.” He let go of her wrists and shifted his body until he braced his weight on one elbow. His hand slowly opened while she watched him place it on her stomach.

Her heart pounded as she wondered what he’d do. The raspy texture of his calloused fingertips was pleasant when he slid that hand higher over her rib cage to pause under her breast. He glanced up.

“Does that tickle?”

“No.”

He slid it higher and cupped her breast, one thumb lightly rubbing back and forth over the nipple. It instantly responded by puckering. A tingle began there that spread lower to her sex.

“How about that?”

She didn’t trust her voice as she licked her lips and shook her head. “It makes it feel heavy.”

“My hand?”

“No. My chest.”

The sheet was tangled between their lower bodies after Shadow had changed their positions. She kicked free of it with one leg and hooked her heel around the back of his thigh, then higher. She couldn’t see his back but she could feel bare skin. The sheet didn’t cover his beefy ass. It was right there for her foot to explore.

A deep grumble rumbled from Shadow as she stared into his eyes. “That feels good.”

Beauty no longer wanted to tickle him. “Keep touching me.”

Passion was an emotion she was quickly learning to identify on his face as his nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed slightly. Shadow’s mouth closed and the hand on her boob began to massage, his thumb drawing circles around her taut nipple. He was so sexy with his hair messy despite its short length. If he allowed it to grow out he’d be devastatingly wild in appearance. It made her want him more. An ache began between her legs, making her very sexually aware of him.

“I like that. Do more.”

He removed his hand, disappointing her. It only lasted a heartbeat because his head dipped to replace his thumb with the tip of his tongue. Beauty closed her eyes and arched her back to give him better access.

His mouth was really warm when it closed over her nipple but nothing prepared her for when he sucked, using his tongue to tease the tip. She forgot his order to stay still by grabbing his head, her fingers sliding into his hair, clutching him to keep him in place.

“Yes,” she whispered.

He growled in response.

Shadow tore away the remaining sheet between them. His big, muscular body settled down on her more firmly and there was no missing his stiff cock pressing against the inside of her thigh. She wished he were higher on her body so she could have him inside her while he played with her, suspecting it would feel incredible. She didn’t need experience to guess that would be true.

He released one breast to give the other his attention. She had to refrain from clawing his scalp to force him to keep doing that to her. Sensations overtook everything as pleasure and need filled her. She freed her other leg and hiked it around his ass, hugging him tightly.

He sucked on her breast in strong tugs and growled again, his chest against her belly. The ache radiating between her thighs became painful and her clit throbbed, wanting attention.

“Shadow,” she pleaded.

His mouth released her as he lifted his head and peered down at her. “What do you need? Tell me. It’s yours.”

The way he spoke did funny things to her belly again. His voice was so deep, so raw and animalistic, that it called to something inside her. She let go of his head to grip his face. “You.”

He sniffed at her once and groaned, lifting his upper body away.

“No!” She clung to him, refusing to release him. “Don’t stop.”

He froze, his arms straight but his hips still snug against her. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“I want you to get on your hands and knees in front of me.”

He wanted to take her from behind. She quickly pushed back a flash of fear, but he must have noticed.

“I’m not him.” His intuition was right on. “I want to make you feel really good. I can touch you everywhere if you’re bent over in front of me.”

“I trust you.” She did. “I can do this.” Her legs loosened their hold and she dropped her hands away from his face.

He backed away on his hands and knees but then stopped. “Right here. Just roll over and back up to me.”

Beauty didn’t hesitate. Her body wanted him, she wanted him. This was Shadow, not ever to be mistaken for Master. There was no comparison and it seemed an insult to allow them to even share space inside her mind. She turned over and pushed onto her hands and knees, her ass up.

One look back and she paused to admire Shadow’s body. He was so powerful. He could force her to do anything he wanted physically but he held still, the only movement the rise and fall of his chest and his rigid sex growing more firm and thick, proof that he wanted her too. It twitched and she looked away to stare at the headboard as she slowly crawled backward to get closer to him.

Firm hands gently gripped her hips. “Easy, love,” he urged softly. “Nice and slow. I won’t hurt you.”

“I know.”

“Is this too difficult for you?” He stopped her by tightening his hold. “Does it remind you too much of him?” His tone deepened to a snarl.

“No.” She twisted her head enough to look at him again. “I just want you.” His words sank in and surprise filled her. “You called me love.”

The tension eased from his features. He said nothing though to explain why he’d said that, instead just slid one of his hands from her hip to curve under her belly, then lower until his fingertips teased the seam of her pussy. He growled softly as he located her clit, rubbing back and forth until a low moan burst from her parted lips. Her eyes closed as she faced forward, lowered her head and clawed the sheets.

He didn’t enter her immediately. One of his knees brushed the inside her thigh and nudged. She spread them farther apart to give him access. He released her hip and came down over her until his body lightly rested against her curved back. The bed dipped, telling her that he braced his weight with one hand. He shifted until his legs were on the outside of hers and slid up until his cock hung heavy against her inner thigh.

“You are so beautiful,” he rasped. “So responsive.”

It was almost impossible for Beauty to think while he massaged the bundle of nerves with one talented fingertip. His finger slid lower, finding out how wet and ready she was to receive him, but he still didn’t enter her. He traced upward again to continue tormenting her clit. He applied a little more pressure, a little faster, and Beauty rocked her hips. The need to come grew from a steady ache to a gnawing necessity.

“Shadow,” she moaned.

Suddenly the crown of his cock pressed against her pussy. She moaned louder, urging him on. He didn’t stop playing with her clit as he slowly entered her. She knew her muscles were tense but there was nothing she could do about that since she was right on the edge.

He pressed closer to her back after he was seated inside her a few inches. Shadow braced his hand on the bed in front of her shoulder, pinning her inside the cage of his body. His mouth was hot and wet as he placed kisses along her bare shoulder.

She loved how hard his cock was, how big it felt stretching her vaginal walls as he sank into her a little deeper while still strumming her clit. He moved slowly, breaching her more, and she knew she wasn’t going to last. Her body quivered from the strong, intense pleasure and the last push to climax was when he withdrew almost totally from her pussy to drive back in with one powerful thrust. It was all it took.

“Shadow!” She cried out his name as ecstasy tore through her. Her muscles clamped down strongly on his shaft and Beauty threw her head back against his chest. Her body quaked from her forceful release.

He snarled and his hand left her oversensitive, swollen clit to wrap around her waist. He moved then, fucking her frantically, drawing out the climax until she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t do anything but feel.

His cock felt harder, thicker, and he made sounds that normally would have scared her if it wasn’t so sexy. She wondered if it were possible to die from too much pleasure. The climax continued to roll through her, seemingly endless.

A loud howl startled her and she thought for an instant that it was Shadow finding his own release but instead of slowing to pour his semen into her, he suddenly jerked out of her body. It was a shock to be bereft of him but then she was knocked over, his body totally ripped away from hers.

She hit the mattress with enough force to nearly slide off the edge of the bed and was horrified to witness Shadow’s body slamming into the wall across the room. The sound of plaster cracking barely registered as he dropped to the floor. Terror gripped Beauty instantly as another figure blocked her view of Shadow. It was the man from the night she’d been chased by the wolves and he snarled, bent, and came up with both his hands firmly wrapped around Shadow’s throat.

Her mouth opened to scream but nothing came out. The man threw Shadow and he hit the window, breaking the wood frame, and then he was gone. Horrified, she realized Shadow had just been thrown through the open second-story window.

The man turned, his features twisted with rage, and Beauty whimpered. She hadn’t seen him well in the darkness, but she identified Torrent by smell as she panted, terrified. His black hair fell midway down his chest where it had spilled forward over his shoulders. Cold, terrifying blue eyes were fixed on her.

She was naked, vulnerable, but managed to glance away from the dangerous Species to the window. Pieces of the broken frame hung from the top but there was no sign of Shadow and no sound to tell her if he lived. Fright over Shadow’s fate suddenly overrode the concern for her own safety.

Is Shadow dead? Did the man kill him? The concept hurt so bad that physical pain stabbed through her chest. Pure rage came next. She snarled deep within her throat and surprised them both. She didn’t think before she acted. She had to get to Shadow, had to know if he lived.

Beauty moved before she realized what she’d done and launched herself at the Species. The fact that she was naked didn’t factor into it when she hit Torrent’s chest. Her hands clawed as she grabbed his throat and her knees slammed into his stomach. Her fangs sank into his shoulder, tearing through fabric and into flesh. The taste of blood filled her mouth as she bit him viciously. He stumbled, howled in pain and then they were both falling.

Beauty released him and jumped, using his body as a springboard to find purchase. She hit the floor next to where he landed, rolled, stumbled to her feet and dashed out of the room. Her palms hurt, her hip too from the impact with the floor, but she ignored them as she rushed downstairs. Panic was an emotion she knew well and she allowed it to jolt full force through her as she fled their attacker. The front door was wide open and she’d almost reached it when Shadow’s big form suddenly filled the space.

Beauty couldn’t slow in time and twisted, trying to avoid him, but he was too big. Her side slammed into his body hard enough to knock the breath from her lungs. He grunted but his strong arms wrapped around her, lifting her right off her feet, and he staggered backward a few feet on the porch before regaining his balance.

It was tough to suck air into her lungs but she did it, turning her head to stare up at him. He had a cut on his forehead that bled enough to run down the side of his face, small scratches were on his throat, but he didn’t look at her. He stared at something inside the cabin and snarled.

She twisted to watch Torrent stomp down the stairs. Blood stained his shirt from where she’d bitten him, the material torn, clearly revealing the wound. His hands were fisted and he snarled, looking furious. He wasn’t looking at her though. He was fixated on Shadow instead.

Shadow spun around, lowered her, and let go once she stood on trembling legs. He snarled, facing the other man, keeping her behind him. He swayed a little on his feet. The other Species suddenly crouched, growling, preparing to attack.

They went at each other before she could grab Shadow’s arm to help steady him. Torrent sprang as Shadow entered the cabin. Beauty gasped as she watched them tangle and hit the floor, snarling and growling. Punches were exchanged and she was sickened by the sound of flesh hitting flesh.