Page 18

King

The cool night air rolled over me, its small bite unwelcome to Beast. I sat by a minuscule fire on a ledge in the hills, looking down about thirty feet from the edge of a cliff, with only one thought on my mind.

Marinah.

The separation had Beast boiling beneath the surface, clawing at my insides and squeezing my organs like a vise. I craved her like air, but I had to remind myself constantly that this was for the greater good. That so-called greater good had weighed heavily on me since Greystone’s death. I’d never felt I was good enough to take his place, but I also knew I was the only one who could. It had become my sacrifice. A sacrifice I now regretted every second I was apart from Marinah.

Movement in the distance pulled my attention, and I waited until they were closer before alerting the men that one of the other teams had arrived. It was Nokita and his group, looking worn and hungry after traveling a greater distance than we had. It took an hour to get them situated before I had the chance to speak with Nokita privately.

We walked to my fire and sat on the ground, taking a few moments to appreciate its warmth.

“The countryside to the south is mostly barren,” Nokita said at last.

“Humans?” I asked.

“A few,” he replied. “They stayed clear of us, didn’t follow, and caused no trouble. They didn’t even know we saw them. Federation troops were a bigger problem. They held about twenty human prisoners.”

“We saw the same,” I said with a sigh. “The humans are hiding from the Federation and dealing with hellhounds on top of it.”

He stared out over the valley, his expression troubled. “Yes, that is my view as well.”

We sat in silence, contemplating what we’d seen, the weight of it settling over us like a heavy shroud. After a while, I caught him up on everything I’d observed during our journey here.

“They’re killing their own people including the children?” Nokita asked in horror as anger burned brighter in his eyes.

“If you don’t join their army, death is the only option. I don’t think the Federation wants the children unless they’re old enough to fight,” I said grimly.

We sat in silence for several minutes while our beasts roiled beneath our skin. Nokita decided to change the subject. “Any word from Beck?”

“No,” I replied. Beck’s team was the farthest out, and it could still be days or even weeks before they joined us.

“And your mate?” he asked, his tone quieter.

“Labyrinth told our man that she’s holding her own. She’s safe for now and has Labyrinth for backup if needed.”

Beast rumbled at the mention of Labyrinth being near Marinah, his jealousy and possessiveness coiling tightly in my chest.

Nokita studied me closely. “Is it difficult?”

I met his eyes, holding his gaze because I knew exactly what he was asking. “Nearly impossible,” I admitted.

He grunted. Mating was tricky no matter what the circumstances were, but I was the first in two centuries to mate with one of our own kind. None of us truly knew what to expect. While Marinah was still reading our history and sharing what she’d learned, I realized how little our culture from the home planet resembled what we’d become on Earth.

In our history, we were never peaceful farmers. Every male Warrior was born with one purpose: to die in war. Finding a balance between what we were before and the passive farmers we’d become was our only option. Marinah was the key to a new breed of Shadow Warrior. She was more human than us, yet also more Shadow Warrior too. We needed time to understand and appreciate the miracle she truly was, and I resented how short that time had been.

To live in peace with humans, we had to integrate into their civilization. But we wouldn’t roll over and let them treat us like animals or dissect us. Nor would we tolerate the Federation’s corrupt government.

Nokita’s gaze drifted from mine as he began drawing circles in the dirt with a stick. “I wish to mate with Maylin,” he said softly.

The man had a crazy streak. Given the option, Maylin was the last female I’d ever choose for any of my Warriors. I couldn’t understand what it was about her that drew Boot and now Nokita to her. Still, I was wise enough to keep those thoughts from showing on my face.

“Will she have you?” I asked carefully.

Nokita looked down again, the stick in his hand going still. “I haven’t asked her. It’s too soon. She’s still in mourning for Boot.”

I didn’t need to ask if he’d accept her children. For us, children were sacred.

“I was never sure if she loved Boot,” I said, choosing my words even more carefully.

“She did,” he said without hesitation. But there was something else in his voice, something I couldn’t quite place.

I couldn’t help but grin. Seeing a lovesick Nokita was a strange sight. “She’d be crazy to pass up an offer from you.”

He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “I’ve loved her for a long time. Boot just got to her first.”

That made sense for most women, but not for Maylin. Still, I kept my opinion to myself and shook my head instead.

“You were dominant to Boot. You should’ve offered anyway.”

He looked up at that, his expression tight. “She wanted him.”

And that said it all.

“Take your time and do things right,” I told him.

“That’s the plan,” he said with a nod. “I hoped being away from her would make this easier. It hasn’t. My beast grumbles non-stop.”

Beast troubles were something we both shared.

“Let’s run. I’ve got the same problem and need to work off some of Beast’s energy.”

Without another word, we shifted and headed into the night. The cool air rushed past as we sprinted, ready for anything, craving our women, and for me, hoping to come across hellhounds to burn off some of this damn mating rage.

Whatever you’re doing, Marinah, I’m close. Stay safe.