Beast form was our preferred fighting mode.We didn’t resemble any earthly animal, more like the creature from the old Predator movie, the good one with Arnold Schwarzenegger.When we transformed, our entire body underwent radical changes thanks to the chemical hormone Kedorine 5.The chemical flooded our alien systems, spiking oxytocin and dopamine levels to many times higher than in humans.The transformation wasn’t subtle: bones cracked and reshaped, our jaws elongated into grotesque snapping maws lined with six-inch razor-sharp fangs, and non-retractable claws extended three inches past our fingertips.It made handling firearms clumsy, but give us a sword, and it became an extension of those deadly claws.I won’t lie; we weren’t exactly winning beauty contests in Beast form.
I glanced out the chopper’s window, my mind drifting to six-year-old Che.He’d been working hard on his training alongside Ruth, my twelve-year-old protégé.The two of them were inseparable, two peas in a pod.Beck’s eyes caught mine, and I saw a flicker of apprehension in them.
I pulled my headphones from around my neck and adjusted them over my ears, bringing the mic closer to my mouth.“Beck, where’s Ruth?”I asked, my words distorted around the massive fangs crowding my jaw.
“She’s with Che,” he replied.“They wanted a sleepover, and Missy finally gave in.”
My chest tightened further.Ruth and Che together thought they could take on the entire world, hellhounds included.
King’s large hand landed on my thigh, his paw-like fingers rubbing reassuringly along the fabric of my pants.“We’ll find them,” he said, his own fangs making his voice rougher than usual.
I nodded.“Yes, we will.”
What I didn’t say was what I feared most: they’d likely be in the thick of the fight.And all I could hope was that we weren’t already too late.
Chapter Six
Home
King
The helicopter dropped us about a mile from the most populated housing area near the shore.We rappelled down, avoiding a landing to keep the chopper safe.Once our boots hit solid ground, Marinah took the lead, her deadly focus in overdrive as she moved us toward the fight.According to Beck’s intel, there were at least fifty Federation soldiers, fully armed, accompanied by a similar number of hellhounds.
Marinah’s worry for Che and Ruth showed as her jaw tightened further, and her eyes scanned the area.Fearing for the kids was a distraction she didn’t need while she was still finding her footing as a Warrior leader.Unfortunately, there was no stopping her from trying to save the world, and every good soul on it, even while managing the mundane matters on our small island.Her leadership style would settle with time, but for now, we had to endure her relentless drive to shoulder every burden.
We crept through the sand, using the jagged rocks along the shoreline as cover.One of the Warriors ahead of us gave a signal, and our attention snapped to the water.Five large rafts rested on the shore.Marinah gestured silently to one group of men, who moved to destroy them.Whoever had dared to invade our island would not be leaving the same way they came.Most wouldn’t leave at all.They’d die here; their bodies chopped up so they couldn’t return as hellhounds, then shoved into the ocean for a wet burial.No one attacked our people without paying the ultimate price.
The presence of the rafts told me they likely had an undetected ship offshore.Even with my enhanced Beast vision, I couldn’t see anything on the horizon, but it had to be sizable to transport this many humans and hellhounds.
The sound of steel clashing in the distance reached us.Marinah picked up speed, her braided hair flowing behind her as she ran.Our weapons were secured, making no noise as we moved silently toward the battle.Our team of fifteen would eventually be joined by others riding motorcycles to the fight.For now, our mission was to end this as quickly as possible or at least hold off the enemy long enough for reinforcements to arrive.
A loud pop echoed from a large building about a hundred yards ahead.We remained in the shadows, silent and unseen, the tension in the air electric.Marinah glanced back at us, her eyes glowing faintly, and signaled for us to fan out.No one would see us coming until it was too late.
Ahead of us lay a cleared area we needed to cross.Marinah raised her hand, signaling us to halt.Using the last outcropping of ocean rock for cover, we crouched in silence, waiting for her next command.
“We need a distraction,” she murmured.“Something to shift their focus.”
“I’ll go,” Beck volunteered immediately.
She turned to him.“A disruption only,” she emphasized.“We’ll find Ruth, I promise.But I’m not losing you before that happens.”
He nodded before he began climbing up the rocks.Less than three minutes passed, and a distant crackle of gunfire echoed through the night.It had to be Beck.
Marinah’s head lifted slightly, her nostrils flaring as she assessed the situation again.Then her lips curled into a grim smile.“It’s time to rock ‘n’ roll,” she said, her voice charged with fire.“We need someone alive, so don’t eat too much.”
Even with the weight of Ruth, Che, and the baby on her mind, she still managed to throw out a joke.If a Shadow Warrior had her sense of humor, I would have ended them long ago.Killing one’s mate, however, was generally frowned upon.
“Ready, big boy?”she teased, patting my arm.
I scowled down at her, baring my teeth in mock irritation.She tugged on my braid, and before I could respond, her massive maw pressed against mine in a Beast-form kiss.It wasn’t what I’d expected, but I wasn’t about to complain.When she tried to pull back, I didn’t let her, holding her close until she gave in for a few more seconds.Kissing in Beast form wasn’t exactly romantic, or easy, but if my mate needed the connection, I’d give it to her.
“We have work to do,” she said gruffly when she finally pulled away, her eyes glowing with the need to destroy.“Let’s go kill some hellhounds and bad guys.”
I couldn’t help the grin that split my elongated jaw.“Give the command, and I’ll lead the way,” I taunted, eager for the fight ahead.
“That’s what you think, baby,” Marinah called out before darting across the open area at full speed.There was no hesitation, no second-guessing, just her charging headlong into the fray.All we could do was follow.
We made it across without detection, moving swiftly toward the heart of our home.Pandemonium erupted when we reached the main part of town, where most of the houses were clustered.Hellhounds swarmed, attacking anything that moved.One of the beasts lunged at Marinah, but she swatted it aside with a clawed hand, her strength as terrifying as it was impressive.
