Page 29

Marinah

I woke in King’s arms; his eyes closed and face relaxed. Groggy and still half-asleep, I stumbled to the bathroom and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water slowly bring me to wakefulness.

Five minutes later, the door creaked open, and King poked his head into my sanctuary.

“Need your back washed?” he offered teasingly.

My eyes flashed as a familiar heat rolled through me. “If that’s all you’re here for, don’t bother,” I shot back, though my gaze held invitation.

His grin was lethal, and my thighs clenched as my pulse quickened. His blue eyes darkened, and he stepped into the shower.

King’s idea of a “back wash” turned out to include my legs, feet, arms, stomach, and thighs. I had no idea what I enjoyed more because his hands managed to slip to areas that turned me the fuck on. When he grew tired of teasing, he pressed me against the wall and lifted me effortlessly. My legs circled his waist as his lips claimed mine in a kiss that left my insides sizzling.

It took only a heartbeat for him to slowly slide inside my warmth. Then he began to move.

Everything we’d been through faded into the background as we claimed each other again, wordlessly confirming what mattered.

“I love you,” he groaned against my ear.

“Yes,” I breathed. “Love me.”

He pulled his head back, and his eyes held mine, burning with emotion, before he kissed me again. The rhythm of his thrusts built until I plummeted into ecstasy, shuddering in his arms while trying to hold onto this amazing feeling. Several strokes later, his release tore through him, and he groaned my name.

“I love you,” I whispered against his chest as he held me close, his heartbeat strong beneath my cheek.

Ms. Beast rumbled with contentment, and I felt the subtle vibrations beneath King’s skin that told me his beast was just as sated as she was.

∞∞∞

Heartbreaking funerals filled the following week. We buried five Shadow Warriors each night, their loss hitting like a punch with every painful procession. On the final night, we laid Harris to rest, giving him full Warrior honors.

During Harris’s service, Mila and I stood on either side of Skylar, offering what comfort we could as King gave the eulogy. Despite Harris’s betrayal, King had insisted he receive a Warrior’s burial, understanding the simplicity of his actions. He had protected his mate.

“Harris was a hero, a true Warrior,” King began. “His name will be written in our history books. His memory will remain a part of us, and we will tell our children stories of a great Warrior.” The men shouted in agreement, their voices echoing through the night.

King’s gaze shifted. “Skylar, his wife, is now one of us,” he declared. Then his eyes moved to Landan and Mila. “You are now part of our people too. You are safe here. This is your home if you choose to stay. Welcome.”

Both nodded, and Mila discreetly wiped away tears as she clung to Skylar.

King stepped forward and lowered a torch into the kindling beneath Harris’s body. Flames crackled and spread, casting an orange glow over the somber gathering.

Skylar released our arms and moved forward, taking her own torch and lighting the wood. When she returned, her heart-wrenching sobs filled the air as she collapsed back into our embrace. We stood with her for an hour, watching the flames consume Harris’s body, Skylar’s grief as raw as the fire before us.

“Skylar,” I said softly, stroking her back. “Someone will stay with him all night. You need to rest.”

“No!” she cried, gripping Mila like a lifeline when I tried to guide her away.

Axel appeared silently behind us. He injected something into her arm so quickly, I didn’t have time to object.

“She needs rest,” he said simply, catching her as she slumped forward.

I hesitated, guilt gnawing at me, but Axel shook his head. “Let me be the doctor and relieve some of her suffering. She hasn’t slept in days.”

Mila met my eyes and nodded. “He’s right, she needs to sleep. I won’t leave her side,” she promised.

Reluctantly, I left Skylar in their care. Axel carried her toward the citadel, and Mila stayed close.

As I stood by the burning pyre, I glanced around at the people I now called family. The men were adjusting to having a female Shadow Warrior within their ranks. They treated me as King’s mate and, more importantly, as a Warrior in my own right. After battling the Federation, no one could deny I was one of them now.

King pulled me close, his arm draped protectively over my shoulder as we stood watching the flames for a while longer. Together, we walked back to the citadel.

I saw Landan and would have stopped, but King steered me clear. He spoke before I could scold him.

“I had a talk with him this morning. He understands his life could depend on avoiding getting too close to you. I explained that the mating rage does not last forever, and he respects our ways.”

I didn’t argue because I understood.

∞∞∞

The following morning, King held a council meeting, minus Beck. Usually, it was Beck who caused the trouble, but for some reason, Nokita and Labyrinth thought they needed to discuss every minute detail and argue for hours. Their voices rose as they debated strategy. I stayed silent, listening to their heated discussions about taking the entire Federation off the map.

King’s frustration built until it reached a boiling point. I could see his Warrior form fighting to break free.

“Damn children,” he muttered and stormed from the room.

They ignored him and debated in his absence, their voices a hum of anger and impatience. I stayed quiet, observing.

When King finally returned, he leaned down and kissed my cheek before reclaiming his seat. He crossed his arms and allowed his beast’s energy to fill the room, though he didn’t shift.

The men went quiet.

The council hadn’t noticed my silence, but King did. His gaze met mine, and he winked. I raised an eyebrow, confused. He addressed the men.

“Marinah has something to say.”

I fought a smile and placed my palms flat on the table, spreading my fingers slowly before I looked up.

“There are good men being forced to fight for the Federation’s army,” I began calmly. “We are not going to kill them indiscriminately. What we need to do is discover where the president has gone. He has a larger plan working in his devious little mind, and while we’re focusing on revenge, people in the U.S. are still out there in the wild, facing hellhounds and military threats.”

“They aren’t our people,” Nokita muttered.

I turned to him, letting my eyes grow dark. He immediately glanced down and mumbled an apology.

“Humans are your people,” I said. “They are not responsible for what the Federation did to the Shadow Warriors. The Federation is amassing an even larger army and forcing civilians to fight and die or simply die if they refuse to fight. They are killing children and babies.” I knew my eyes were practically glowing now.

“They’ve proven they want to destroy us. They will eventually come here, to our shores, and put the island’s people in danger too. I would rather take the fight to them.”

My eyes traveled the room before I said my final piece. “I will go after the Federation with or without you. It will be done with as few civilian casualties as possible.” My voice rose. “I’m sick of your bickering over the small details that mean little. This is not up for discussion unless you wish to take it outside and settle it with fists.”

Beneath the table, King’s hand found mine. Then he turned to the room. “Does anyone wish to fight with my queen?”

Silence. The council sat motionless, none daring to challenge me or him.

King lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the backs of my fingers, his expression softening when he smiled. “I think you’ve got the whole queen thing down pat.”

I met his gaze with a small smile of my own. “I believe I do.”

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