Shadow - Dohner Laurann - Страница 45

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Shadow wasn’t amused. “You could have told me to keep my chin up.”

“You’re smart. You learned before you swallowed too much of the river.” The male moved to shallower water, standing when his feet touched bottom. “I think that’s enough for today. You are passably skilled and won’t drown. It’s good that you pick things up quickly.”

“Beauty’s life is in my hands.”

Torrent nodded. “We do what we must to protect our females.”

“My female.”

Torrent shoved his wet hair out of his face. “It will score you points with impressing her. Maybe I should give Beauty lessons now.”

The snarl was instant. Shadow glared at the male. “Don’t speak of her or go near her again.”

“Fine.” His hands disappeared into the water. “I apologized. No one gave me the heads-up that you two were bonding. I guess it’s serious?”

Shadow swam to shallower water and stood. “I need to get back to her.” He strode out of the water, stripped out of his wet shorts and picked up a towel to dry his body.

“How are things going?”

Shadow faced him when he came out of the river too. “That’s none of your business.”

“She’s like a human, isn’t she?”

“Again, none of your business.”

“I’ve spent time with them. Do you want some advice?”

“No.”

A grin split the other male’s lips. “Take things slow. We’re scary to them.”

“Drop it. Thank you for the swim lesson.”

“You need to learn more. You won’t drown but you aren’t too skilled just yet. I think giving you both lessons would be safer. I won’t flirt with her but I’d hate to think of something bad happening if it comes down to a worst-case scenario.”

Shadow decided to be blunt. “I don’t want you near her.”

“That’s why you met me away from the cabin?”

“She’s fragile.”

The male grabbed the other towel and rubbed water from his face and chest. “I wouldn’t say that in front of her. She might take offense.”

“She’s not typical of our females.”

“No shit.” Torrent chuckled. “I got that immediately when I found her in the woods that night. They would have had those wolves running for their lives instead of the other way around. She also attacked me.”

That reminder didn’t amuse Shadow. “How much danger lurks here?”

“Besides the wolves, bears, lions and tigers I already mentioned?” He paused, the towel over his chest. “A few cougars, we’ve taken in some pit bulls that humans found too difficult to tame, and then there’re the residents. Some are okay but some you shouldn’t turn your back on.” He tapped his head. “They aren’t all there.”

“Insanity?”

“In spades. They were tortured and in some cases, had no interaction with anyone but the assholes who abused them. Freedom is a concept some refuse to believe. All humans are considered threats to them.”

“Beauty isn’t human. She’s Species.”

“She is small and appears more human than most. They may take issue with her. Valiant has warned them sternly to avoid this area. He keeps them in control for the most part. Leo is also good with intimidation. He’s a wild bastard though.”

“Who is Leo? Is he a danger?”

“Another feline. He won’t come after the Gift. I’d worry more about him playing pranks but he’s got heart. He’s sane but doesn’t follow rules. He enjoys giving the officers headaches.”

“What about Vengeance?” He remembered how the male had gone after Wrath’s female. “Is he still here?”

“Yeah.” Torrent tossed his towel down and grabbed a pair of cargo pants. “He has a habit of going after any female he feels might mate with him. He won’t come near your female though.”

“I’ll kill him if he comes after Beauty.” Shadow meant it. He’d seen how terrified Lauren had been after her attack at headquarters. Vengeance had tried to force mate the human. He’d never give that bald Species a chance to put his hands on Beauty. “He is lucky to be breathing.”

“You’re referring to what happened with Wrath’s mate.” Torrent nodded. “I heard about that. Tiger wasn’t much of a fan of Ven’s either after he went after Zandy once. They worked it out though. Ven has…issues.”

“I don’t care. He better not go after my female.”

“He’s being kept busy while you’re at Reservation. Humans abandoned a litter of puppies at our gates so Tiger and Valiant decided to give him that assignment. They need around-the-clock care due to their very young age.” Torrent laughed. “Ven’s pleased with the task. No way would he leave them to come after your Gift.”

“Good. He’ll live.”

A phone rang. Torrent grimaced, yanking the cell from a pocket of his pants. “Yeah?” He paused. “Shit. How bad was the attack at the gates? Is anyone hurt?” Torrent listened and snarled as the details were given.

Shadow tensed. Someone had attacked the gates? That wasn’t good.

“Where?” The male’s gaze hardened as he met Shadow’s interested stare. “I’ll warn them.” He closed the phone. “One of our males was shot at the front gate by a sniper but it wasn’t with a bullet. They seemed to have tranquilized him. Security called ten minutes ago to inform us we’ve been put on lockdown but we were in the water. A report just came in from an officer patrolling this side of Reservation. We have intruders. They think Moon and other officers were shot at to pull our resources to that location. Moon was the first one hit so the others took cover.”

Shadow’s senses went on alert instantly. “Where were the intruders detected?”

“A few miles from here. An officer scented at least four different humans in the Wild Zone near one of our walls. Return to your cabin while I meet Security to search for them.” He threw back his head and howled. “Warning to the residents.” He took off in a flash, racing away.

Shadow spun, not bothering to dress or grab his discarded clothing. Beauty’s safety came first. She wasn’t alone but that didn’t matter. She was his to protect.

* * * * *

Beauty smiled. “You don’t have to babysit me, Breeze. I’m okay. I was just really upset yesterday when I called. I appreciate you dropping everything to come.”

“I’m here now.” The Species grinned. “Am I cramping your style? Don’t worry. I’m going to stay at the hotel once toga boy returns so you two can continue what I interrupted. I figure it will be a nice break if I stick around a few days to spend time with the females on assignment here.”

“Why do you call Shadow that?”

“Toga boy? It annoys him. Plus,” she laughed, “I’ll never forget what he looked like wearing that flag. It was kind of hot.”

Jealousy surged inside Beauty. “He’s mine.”

Dark eyebrows rose and Breeze grinned. “Feeling possessive? You just hissed at me.”

“I’m sorry.” Beauty was surprised by her unexpected strong reaction.

“He’s all yours. I can look but won’t touch. All our males are impressive, if I say so myself, and I do. Is he feeling possessive of you as well?” She grinned. “Never mind. He will. It’s who they are.”

“I feel things for him.”

“How is the sex?”

Beauty hesitated but then answered. “Amazing!” She blushed but refused to look away. “It’s so much better than I ever suspected.”

“Score points for toga boy!” Breeze chuckled. “I’m glad.”

“Please don’t call him that. You have to notice how that muscle in his jaw twitches every time you say it.”

“I know. It’s cute, isn’t it?” Breeze stood. “It’s good for males to be teased. It reminds them not to be serious all the time. What do you have to eat around here?”

Beauty followed her into the kitchen. “I really am sorry for asking you to come here yesterday. You have a busy life.”

“It was good to get away.” Breeze waved it off. “No problem. I’m just sorry I got delayed until this morning.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Creek called me to say you were holding up well after the initial shock and then Justice called an emergency meeting.”

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