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Raine shrugged. “If she dies attempting to shift to an animal form, then her death does not lie on your shoulders.”

He kept the emotion from his voice, giving the impression that he cared about the clan’s political agenda. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

The moment he had seen Dannika, smelled her, something inside him had reached for her. He assumed she would die, yet he needed those moments with her. He never expected a miracle, but he sure as hell wouldn’t let her go. Raine would have to investigate these protective instincts once he was sure she was safe. He had never felt the drive to reproduce. Perhaps his animal was aging and looking for a new generation.

Maddock rolled his shoulders. “I will call the cougar and bear leaders. Let’s see if they are as curious about her as you are.”

* * *

Raine stood in Maddock’s room. It was similar to his own, but had Aztec rugs and a wild boar head mounted on the wall.

He glanced away from the shiny tusks. “Have you heard from the other leaders?”

Maddock sat behind his mahogany desk, eyeing his second in command. “Ryder and the other bears are a few days away. Steele and the cougar clan will arrive shortly.” He looked Raine over. “Have you been to see the woman?”

Every cell of his body pulled him towards Dannika, but he was well aware of how vindictive Maddock could be. “No, but I will check on her if you wish. I assumed she was exhausted, like any fledgling after the transition.”

Maddock’s eyes flashed black. “We both know she is no ordinary fledgling.”

Raine was sure Maddock had more to say on the subject, but Steele entered the room followed by Dayton.

Raine held out his hand to Steele. “It’s good to see you again. Is Colton with you?”

Steele shook his head. “Sadly, no. He broke clan law and is on a temporary banishment.”

Maddock stood. “It is difficult to punish our children, but it is a necessary evil.” He glanced at Raine. “My own needs some discipline. It’s an issue I will address when this crisis has passed.”

Steele glanced between Raine and Maddock. “Is the woman still alive? Her survival is unprecedented.”

Dayton nodded. “I checked on her half an hour ago. She is still unconscious, but her vitals are strong.”

Steele scratched his head. “The implications of her arrival are incredible. Is it possible she represents an evolution in our species?”

Maddock huffed. “Or the precursor for our destruction.”

“You do not consider her a miracle?” Steele asked.

“I suggested killing her. No good can come from a female shifter.”

Steele shook his head. “That is a barbaric solution. What if she could mate? Think of the implications of a shadow shifter female.”

“We can’t confirm she has an animal. She may die or turn reaper. Killing her would ensure it’s not the latter.”

Raine turned to Steele. “I believe we should test her. Push her animal to emerge. Killing any woman without cause makes us no better than the reapers. The clans will turn against one another.”

Steele nodded. “I agree. If you kill her, you sever all ties with our clan. I am confident that Ryder will have a similar response.”

Raine’s eyes narrowed. While Maddock struggled to get an audience with either of the other clan leaders, he suspected that Ryder and Steele had a more favorable relationship.

Maddock growled. “You come into my home and threaten me? This reiterates my issue with the woman. She has caused dissension in my own clan and you have all but threatened me within five minutes of arriving here. Explain how this female is a blessing instead of a curse.”

Steele shrugged. “If your first instinct is to kill what you don’t understand, then you are weak and opposed to change. I wish to know if she has an animal. I want to know if she is a cougar. If the trials reveal her to be a reaper, then it is your responsibility to kill her.”

Maddock’s lip twitched. “Although I am not confident, she has an animal, I wish to see her in combat. She will enter the trials as soon as she wakes.” He turned to Raine. “The same rules apply to her as any fledging. If she has no animal, you will kill her.”

Raine nodded. “I will perform the trial myself. Dannika is my responsibility. If she does not pass, she won’t leave the ring alive.”

Maddock’s eyes narrowed. “Her name is Dannika?”

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