Shadow

  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.

  “Stop!” Beauty screamed but they ignored her. She rushed inside the living room as they slammed into the coffee table, sending it crashing onto its side. Their big bodies rolled right over the busted piece of furniture that it had been made of logs. The smell of blood penetrated her senses and she frantically looked for a weapon. Shadow was hurt yet still attempted to protect her against the aggressive man whom she assumed had come to snatch her. She just wanted to protect Shadow instead.

  The fireplace caught her attention and she scrambled quickly to it and grabbed one of the metal rods sticking up from a small box sitting next to it. It was a good weapon, firm in her hand. She spun in time to see Torrent end up on top of Shadow, pummeling his chest with meaty fists. She rushed forw
ard and swung as hard as she could, nailing the man attacking her Shadow. She tagged him in the back of the head with enough force to hurt her hands.

  Torrent snarled as he fell sideways, grabbing his head. He landed hard on his back, cursing loudly but didn’t try to get up. Beauty’s attention switched to Shadow. She was alarmed to see his eyes were closed. A lot of blood was smeared on his face from the wound on his forehead but now there was more of it around his nose and mouth.

  She was terrified and enraged at the same time. She just dropped to her knees. The metal weapon clanked as it hit something when she tossed it aside but didn’t she care as she frantically crawled closer to Shadow. Her hands ran over his chest first, feeling it rise and fall. Relieved, she realized he was alive.

  Movement from the corner of her eye made her aware that Torrent had begun to recover. She turned, all her rage directed at him, and snarled. She leaned over Shadow’s upper body, protecting him as well as her smaller frame could.

  “Back off! I’ll kill you.”

  His eyes widened as he sat up, staring back at her after she threatened him.

  She hissed at him, flashing her fangs. “Don’t touch him again.”

  He used his heels against the floor to scoot away, putting space between them. One of his hands held the back of his head but his other one opened in front of him. “Easy, female.”

  Beauty knew she was about to hyperventilate. She couldn’t seem to slow her breathing. Too many emotions were crashing in on her. Rage. Worry. Fear. Most of all, she wanted to kill the bastard for hurting her Shadow. Her hand on his chest assured her he breathed but she didn’t dare look away from the threat to glance down at him.

  Her entire body quivered almost violently and she knew she didn’t stand much of a chance at fighting Torrent but she’d die trying to protect Shadow. He was unconscious and hurt. She snarled again, hoping to appear fierce. Torrent’s eyes would be her first target if he came at her. She’d claw them, try to blind him, the only plan she could come up with.

  “Easy,” Torrent repeated. He’d stopped moving away, was just sitting there. “Calm down.”

  “Fuck you! Get out.” She managed to lift her hand and point to the open door. “GO!”

  He released the back of his head, both his hands opening in front of him to show his palms. It was only a little satisfying to see blood coating one. She’d managed to hurt him.

  “I’m not going to hurt you. I was trying to protect you.” He glanced at Shadow. “From him.”

  Another hot flash of rage rolled through Beauty. “Get out. Go!” She snarled at him again as she hunched down over Shadow’s upper chest, blocking his face from the aggressive Species. “I will kill you. I’m not weak.” She hoped he would believe the threat because she wasn’t really sure her shaky limbs would support her weight much longer, let alone enough to fight him in a physical battle.

  Torrent paled and his mouth opened but then closed in a tight line. “Okay.” He scooted on his ass when his hands flattened on the floor, then he rolled to a standing position.

  She glanced away quickly, located the metal rod a few feet away, needing to know where the weapon had gone. The man didn’t spin around though to launch a surprise attack. He stalked through the open door and left the cabin.

  Hot tears filled her eyes but she forced her body to move. She ran and grabbed the open door. Torrent had retreated off the porch and walked quickly toward a Jeep parked a little way from the cabin. She slammed the door and her hands shook badly as she locked it. Her knees threatened to give way as she put her back against it, staring at Shadow. He was still out cold and bleeding.

  There were weapons in Shadow’s room. She’d seen them. Somehow she found the strength to push away from the door and rush up the stairs. It didn’t matter that she’d never touched a gun before. She’d figure it out and use it if the man returned to try to take her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Beauty bit her lip and tried the cell phone again. Her hands shook so much she’d touched the wrong preprogrammed contact number a few times. The gun felt cold and foreign resting on top of her bent thigh. Shadow’s head was cushioned on her other one as she sat on the floor of the living room. She faced the door, prepared to shoot anyone who came through it.

  The right numbers showed and she put the phone to her ear after pushing the send button. It rang three times before a familiar voice answered. “Hey, Beauty. What’s up?”

  “Help us,” Beauty got out, trying to hold back the sobs.

  Breeze was silent for seconds. “Beauty? What did you say? What’s wrong?”

  “Help us.” Her voice came out firmer and she sniffed. “Shadow is hurt. He won’t wake. His head is bleeding.” Emotion choked her. “I have a gun.” She stared at it. “A man attacked. Torrent.”

  “What the fuck?” Breeze snarled. “Where are you?”

  “The cabin.” Beauty began to cry, unable to stop. “He attacked. I bit and hit him. He is outside but he didn’t leave. He’s still out there.”

  “Calm down,” Breeze ordered. “I’m on my way to Control. I’ll send help to you.”

  “You come.” Beauty forced her raw emotions back, trying to do as Breeze ordered.

  “What happened? I’m running but I can still talk to you.”

  Beauty took a few deep breaths to push back the tears that threatened to overcome her. “Shadow and I were in bed when Torrent attacked. He threw Shadow out the window from the second floor and hurt him. He won’t wake.” She stared at his face, her free hand caressing his cheek. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “You!” Breeze yelled at someone. “Give me your radio.” Her breathing slowed slightly. “Hang on, Beauty. Stay on the phone with me.”

  Beauty nodded but she realized her friend couldn’t see that. She could hear what was going on over the cell phone.

  “Patch me through to Reservation,” Breeze ordered. “This is an emergency.”

  “I have a gun.” Beauty wasn’t sure if she’d mentioned that fact already or not, disorientated from her fear.

  “Shit. Don’t touch it,” Breeze ordered. “You have never been exposed to one.”

  That was true enough. She’d seen them on television and some of the officers sported them but it was her first time interacting with a real one. Beauty looked up at the door, sure she’d heard something on the porch. “I think he’s coming back.”

  “Who?”

  “Torrent.”

  Beauty removed her hand from Shadow to carefully grip the heavy gun. Shakily, she lifted it with both hands, pointed it at the front of the cabin, and aimed for the wall by the door. Her ears strained, sure she heard wood creak. She squeezed the trigger.

  The sharp noise hurt her ears and was terrifying when the gun jerked painfully in her hold but she hoped the hole that appeared in the wall would scare off the man outside. The ringing in her ears prevented her from knowing if he ran off or not but her hearing recovered quickly. All she could detect as she strained to listen again was her own panting and Shadow’s slower, steady breathing.

  “Beauty!” Breeze yelled over the phone.

  She put it up to her ear again. “I think I might have scared Torrent off.”

  “Shit! Hang on.” Breeze’s voice became harsher. “This is Breeze from Homeland. Send a team out to the cabin where the Gift Female was sent. Right now! Torrent attacked them. The male protecting her is down and Beauty needs help.” She paused. “No, this isn’t a joke or a test. Send the females in first. Understand? She’s got a weapon.”

  Beauty lowered the gun to place it on the floor within easy reach. It was heavy and her wrist ached after firing it. It had been so loud but Shadow hadn’t even stirred, which only proved how injured he must be.

  She ran her hand over his cheek, wiping at the blood. The smell of it filled her senses. Breeze began talking but not to her.

  “That’s right. Torrent attacked. Don’t ask me why. How would I know? I’m not there. Get my females to that cabin rig
ht now to protect Beauty and send medical support with them!” Breeze snarled and her voice grew louder. “Help is coming, Beauty. Do you hear me? They should be with you very soon.”

  “I want you.”

  “I’m too far away to quickly reach you. It takes time to call the pilots and get the helicopter prepared but I will come as soon as I can. Our females are on their way to you. Don’t shoot them. Just put the gun down before you hurt someone. What happened?”

  More tears slipped down her cheeks as she blinked them away to stroke Shadow, not caring that his blood stained his hair when she slipped her fingers into it. She could feel a big bump and it worried her.

  “We were in bed and Torrent came from nowhere. He just threw Shadow out the window.” She sniffed. “I attacked him.” It still stunned her that she’d done that.

  “Shadow?”

  “Torrent.” Her voice broke. “I attacked Torrent. I thought he’d killed Shadow.”

  “I don’t know,” Breeze told someone, her voice fainter. “You heard what I said. I need a flight to Reservation right now. Run to Control to tell them what is going on. Have them call Reservation to make sure my orders are being followed.” She hissed a curse. “Beauty, is Shadow breathing?”

  “Yes.”

  “You dragged him inside from where he fell?”

  “No. I ran down the stairs to reach him but he was coming in the door.”

  “So Shadow is okay?”

  “No. He was hurt and then they fought. Shadow could barely stand upright but they were hitting each other and rolling on the floor. I attacked Torrent from behind and struck him in the head. Tell me what to do.” Panic flared again. “I locked the door. Then I got the phone and gun from upstairs.” She took a ragged breath. “Shadow won’t wake but he is breathing.”

  “I should have gone with you.” Beauty could tell Breeze was running again, her heavy panting proof of that. “Our females are coming to you and they’ll bring a medic. He or she will help Shadow. I’m going to tear Torrent apart. Did he say why he attacked?”