Page 79 of Shadow Bonds

“Fuck,” Malakai whispers.

“What?” I ask.

“The females are more guarded,” Knox explains. “More vicious. And fucking harder to kill too.” He shares a look with the others. “It won’t be easy.”

“One more thing,” the higher-ranking male says, gaining everyone’s undivided attention once more. “All Shadow females have been previously tested and are more than capable of handling themselves. Therefore, all must also take part in the first trial tomorrow alongside their Shadow companions. If they don’t, then neither will their Shadows.”

Fuck.The guys freeze around me, the tension in the air skyrocketing.

“Get some sleep. After tomorrow you won’t be getting any for a while.” He heads off while the crowd gets louder and louder.

Malakai, Theon, Cyrus, and Knox stare at each other as if having some silent conversation.

“I’m starting to feel a little pissed that you don’t think I can take care of myself,” I tell them, wondering if I should go hang out with the winged males instead.

“Have you ever gone up against a group of terrigons?” Malakai says with not a drop of humor in his voice.

I open my mouth to point out the forest attack, but he beats me to it.

“Not younglings,actualadult terrigons?”

I’m about to say yes but realize that was my past and not the old Sena’s, and I’m not about to open up a whole spiel of questions and suspicion when we’re only starting to get along.

I shake my head, and he sighs. “I hate this,” he admits.

“We’ll do what we always do, look out for one another,” Cyrus says and glances at me. “That just includes you now too.”

“Let’s get some food and rest. We’ll need it,” Knox says and takes my hand again and we get moving.

With a full belly of food, I head into the tent after the others. The guys block the bathroom off so I can have it to myself to shower and change.

Beat after a long day of nothing but worrying about tomorrow, I have a quick shower and get dressed.

Heading outside, I immediately hear Knox.

“Get that butt into bed now,” he orders, pointing toward the bed between him and Cyrus.

And just because I like to completely ignore every and any order he gives, I head towards Theon instead.

He makes space for me instantly and pulls me into him.

“Why does he get cuddles?” Knox mumbles, making me smile at the annoyance in his voice.

I’m not doing anything with half a dozen strangers around us, but just the feel of him makes me feel so at ease.

It’s been like that since he opened up to me. Anytime I’m around him, I always feel safe and relaxed.

I pause and glance up at him. “You’re doing that, aren’t you?”

He gives me a questioning look, not understanding where my inner rambles have brought me now. “Making me feel calm,” I tell him, and he gives me a small smile. But it might as well be a full one with it reaching his eyes and making him so damn handsome.

It’s rare for Theon to smile, but when he does, it’s fucking devastating.

“You were worried. I wanted you to be able to sleep,” he whispers while sliding his hand up my back, making me feel more than just relaxed.

“It’s not the first time,” I tell him while trying not to moan at the feel of his touch.

His gaze turns teasing as if he knowsexactlywhat he’s doing to me. “I like that I can make you feel good.”

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