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They shifted in and out of the shadows, appearing and disappearing in different locations beneath the trees. Fast. Efficient. Deadly. She could tell they were holding back though. None of the shadow warriors had pulled their reaper blades. They wanted to inflict pain, but not death.
When the two appeared under a tree limb close to her, she stepped between them. “Stop this.”
She realized too late that Tarik was swinging his claws towards Colton’s chest. She stepped into the blow as he connected with her shoulder.
Fire radiated through her chest as she fell to the ground. She clutched the crimson wound as blood dripped between her fingers.
The pain of her tissues melting together was a prolonged torture. She squeezed her eyes together, concentrating on her breathing.
Colton’s shadow screamed its defiance before attacking Tarik. He shredded the bear clan member before Dannika realized Tarik wasn’t fighting back. His arms spread wide as Colton ripped apart his insides.
Ryder resumed his human form, holding up his hands to Colton. “Please, stop. Tarik won’t defend himself. He never meant for Dannika to be hurt and will allow you to kill him.”
Dannika panted through the pain. “Colton, stop. I stepped into his attack. It wasn’t his fault.”
Colton resumed his human form, but his eyes remained black. “He is a senior. He should have pulled his punch before you stepped between us.”
Tarik’s form coalesced, but there was no skin left on his chest. Long strips of bloody flesh hung, exposing the muscle and tissue beneath. “I accept this punishment for the error of my actions.”
Colton helped Dannika to her feet. While the smell of blood in the air was exciting, the sight of Tarik’s wounds meshing together, and the crimson droplets hitting the ground beneath his feet, caused her to cover her mouth. She turned away, walking toward the forest. She put her hand on the rough bark of a nearby evergreen.
“Maybe Maddock was right. I’ve caused so much dissension between your clans. I’m wondering if it’s worth it.” There was no emotion in her voice. She could walk into the forest and never look back. Run in her animal forms. Live there until she took her last breath.
Oppressive anger leeched from the shadow warriors surrounding her.
Ryder approached her, his look both concerned and apologetic. “Dannika, I’m sorry. The dissension between clans has been brewing for hundreds of years. Your arrival has brought things to a head. We had no chance at a three-way alliance before you. The problem is not you. It’s us.”
“I’m tired of the fighting.”
Ryder sighed. “Dannika, you’re a singular jewel and we’re not sure how to share you.”
Her eyes met Ryder’s. She let him see the betrayal. The anger. The instinct to run. “Forcing me to mate someone I don’t want isn’t helping. I would rather die than betray Raine.”
Ryder’s jaw ticked. “Raine, is still your choice?”
“He always will be. Maddock forced this transfer to the cougar clan. I’m here so I can find out what happened to my sister. Maddock has put Raine in the cell until he can become accustomed to my departure.” Like the first time she had met Ryder, she felt she could trust him. “Colton is not forcing me to mate him. He is allowing me to make my choice, but he is helping me with the investigation.”
Ryder motioned for Colton to join them. “You will stand by her choice, even if it is not a cougar?”
Colton nodded. “I must protect her. I can’t explain it, but my loyalty is to her.”
Ryder took a deep breath. “I agree. She must be protected. Let me talk to Maddock. I will see if he will release Raine.”
He disappeared into the shadows, taking Tarik with him.
Colton put his arm around Dannika. He ignored Steele’s angry stare and walked her to the base of his tree.
She put her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, allowing him to carry her up to the tree house, her soul too battered to facilitate a shift. Colton had sensed her wariness and hadn’t asked. He simply took care of her as promised. Part of her felt like she was taking advantage of the protective cougar. A low whimper trapped in her throat.
Inside, he set her down and led her into the living room, halting when her wooden footsteps alarmed him. “What is it?”
“What if he doesn’t forgive me? Lamar was right. I betrayed him.”
Colton put his arms around her as she rested her head on his shoulder. “If he is your mate, nothing will keep him from you.”
She slid her arms around Colton’s waist before growls echoed in the room.
Her eyes snapped up as Raine’s alpha emerged from the shadows.
