Page 11 of Warrior

I glanced down at my arm, now misshapen, covered in hair, and ending in sharp claws.My eyes traveled further, taking in my shredded shirt hanging by mere threads.My shoes were long gone, and the pants King had given me that morning had stretched to accommodate my transformed body.

“I need shirts made from this material,” I said, stepping back and easing my foot off Beck’s groin.

The look in Beck’s eyes wasn’t anger or fear.It was pure awe.

“You’re Warrior,” he said, his voice reverent.

I straightened my stance and threw back my shoulders.

“I’m my mother’s daughter.My father’s daughter.My grandmother’s granddaughter.A Shadow Warrior.And most of all, Marinah.Can we be finished with this conversation?”

King stepped around me, offering Beck a hand up.His rise from the floor was anything but gentle.

“She’s remarkable, gentlemen,” Axel said, a proud smile stretching across his face.“Marinah, you shouldn’t have this much control of your beast this early.What you’re displaying should take a year.”

I shrugged my massive shoulders, my claws catching the light.“I wasn’t a teen when this happened.I also wanted to bite Beck’s throat out and swallow it.”

Beck smirked, brushing himself off.“But you didn’t.”

I met his gaze and let my lips curl into a wicked smile.“But Icouldhave,” I said, enjoying the flicker of unease that crossed his expression.“Now, gentlemen, I’d prefer not to continue this conversation in my current state of undress.Clearly, I need to find clothes that will stretch with me.I see a future filled with elastic and Velcro, so someone needs to find some.Oh, and when you have a moment, I’d like one of those neat leather chest straps you all wear.They’re pretty badass.”

Labyrinth was the first to laugh, and Axel quickly followed.One by one, the men gave in to hilarity, their laughter filling the room.I wasn’t entirely sure what they found so amusing, but I knew one thing.My beast didn’t seem to mind.The threat of danger that had been coursing through me earlier was gone.

“My apologies, Marinah,” Beck said once the laughter subsided.He stepped forward, extending his hand.

Without thinking, I reached out with my clawed fingers to shake it.

King’s growl froze me mid-motion.I pulled my hand back, my gaze snapping to him.His eyes were dark, smoldering with something primal.I returned my attention to Beck, who offered me a small, knowing smile instead.

“Welcome to the Shadow Warriors, Marinah,” Beck said sincerely.

One by one, each man rose from his chair, moved to one knee, and placed their fists over their hearts.The gesture was solemn, and I wasn’t sure what was expected of me.I glanced at King for guidance.

“It’s time to go,” he said, his smile firm despite the lingering growl in his throat.“We’re keeping your Warrior abilities under wraps for now.You’ll be staying at my home with me.”

“I need to return to Washington,” I said stubbornly.

The wordWashingtoncame out a little garbled, but most of my speech was clear.My enlarged vocal cords only made my voice deeper, giving it a strange but commanding tone.

“That needs planning.We still don’t know who wants you dead,” King replied evenly.

“It can’t be the Federation,” I said, holding his gaze.

The looks I got from the men around me said they weren’t buying it.Their skepticism was as loud as a shout, and their continued kneeling was starting to make me squirm.

“Please, stand,” I said, waving at them awkwardly.“I’m not a queen or anything.”

That set off another round of laughter.

“That’s debatable,” Labyrinth said, his massive, meat-carved face split in a grin.His humor only seemed to deepen when I glanced his way.“King met his match.”

“I can’t handle them on their knees,” I said, waving my enlarged arms like some kind of idiot.My claws gleamed in the light, making the gesture even more ridiculous.

Without waiting for a response, I turned toward the door.

King stopped me a few feet away, his hand gentle on my arm.“If you go out there as Beast, you’ll ruin the surprise,” he said calmly.

The red haze flared inside me, pushing against my control.“If I stay here, I’m laughed at,” I snapped, not bothering to lower my voice.

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