Page 9 of Beast

Marinah scooted her plate back in front of her, picked up the half-eaten stuffed tortilla, crammed it into her mouth, and pointed at her lips, signaling she was done talking, and we finished our meal in silence, both lost in thought.

For my part, I was contemplating sleep.Well, maybe not just sleep.Marinah, on the other hand, looked completely drained.Her eyes were already drooping, and by the time she finished her last bite, she was swaying in her chair.

“What are you doing?”she asked groggily as I lifted her into my arms.

“Carrying my very tired mate to bed so she can save the world, including the hellspawn, tomorrow,” I replied, cradling her close.

She snuggled against me, her voice a soft whisper that made it nearly impossible to let her go.“You smell good.”

I sat down with her in my lap, holding her as her eyes fluttered closed.Her hand rested on my chest, gradually relaxing as her breathing deepened.When the soft sound of her snores reached me, I stayed still, letting her scent and warmth reassure me that, for this brief moment, all was right with the world.

The peace didn’t last.Someone started pounding on the door, and Marinah didn’t stir as I gently placed her on the bed, doing my best not to wake her.My frustration rose as I crossed the room, ready to intercept and quite possibly kill whoever was disturbing her rest.

Beck’s hand was raised for another round of pounding when I swung the door open.“The Federation attacked an outpost and killed everyone.Missy’s people are warning the others.We need a large team there.Now.”

Before I could respond, I felt Marinah’s hand smooth across my back.Sleep was officially off the table.

“Gather the guard and have them in the conference room in ten,” she commanded.I gave a quick nod, closing the door behind Beck before turning to face her.

“Sleep is overrated,” she muttered through a yawn, stretching her arms over her head.

“So is sex,” I growled, frustration seeping into every word.

A soft, sleepy smile appeared on her lips.“That could never be overrated.”

I pulled her close, claiming her lips in a kiss that was far too short and even more frustrating.

Chapter Four

Marinah

The "argument room," as I’ve come to call it, was filled with King’s personal guards.Each man had earned his place at the table.They were deadly, loyal, and proven leaders in their own right.Among them was Cabel, who had finally returned after marrying an island woman a year ago.It was good to see him back, even if he avoided smiling or acknowledging me.I knew why, but that didn’t make it any less frustrating.At least Cabel had his mating rage under control, and just in time.We needed him.

Beck had taken Cabel’s place as King’s second during his absence, but nothing was said to realign the matter now that he was back.

“Update,” King barked, as he took his seat at the head of the table.

Beck stood and delivered the report.“Two survivors.They managed to hide and witness everything that happened.It began a few days earlier with a message from the Federation.They ordered all able-bodied men and women to report to them immediately as ‘red stripes.’”His voice dropped, fury dripping from each word.Red stripes were death fodder for the Federation.

“There was no second warning,” he continued.“They sent in a herd of hellhounds first.The hounds caused most of the destruction, killing three of the six Shadow Warriors protecting the community.Once the dust settled, Federation soldiers somehow herded the hellhounds out of the village, entered the outpost, and executed the remaining Warriors.They lined up the citizens and murdered all but the two in hiding.”

“The babies?”I whispered, horror gripping me.For years, I’d trusted the Federation.Now, all I wanted was to hunt them down and kill everyone in charge.

Beck nodded, his eyes glowing with rage.“Missy insists on returning immediately to fight alongside her people.”His gaze shifted to King.“I agree.”

A muscle pulsed in King’s jaw; his voice was tight when he finally spoke.“How many Warriors are needed for around-the-clock protection?”

Beck’s brow furrowed as he calculated.“I’d say fifty at each outpost, making it one hundred seventy with the Warriors we have stationed there now.”

King nodded, though his expression was unreadable.“Do you want to lead our men at the outposts, or do you want to hunt down the soldiers who did this?”

Bloodlust ignited Beck’s eyes.“Hunt.”

King had already anticipated the answer and wasted no time giving his next command.“Nokita and Cabel will lead the Warriors heading to the outposts.Marinah, Beck, Labyrinth, and I will form the hunting party.We leave at first light.”His gaze fixed on Beck.“Have two planes prepped for departure with enough provisions for thirty days.We’ll drop the Warriors at the outposts and begin the hunt from the site of the destruction.Alden will take charge here.”

Alden, Beck’s right-hand man, had a quiet, watchful presence, and rarely spoke more than a few words when we crossed paths.He wasn’t someone I knew well, but if King and Beck trusted him to handle operations in our absence, then so did I.I was glad it was him staying behind and not me.If King had suggested otherwise, we would have a serious problem.

From beneath the table, King reached for my hand, giving it a subtle squeeze and a questioning look.His silent query, “Did I miss anything?”warmed me in ways I wouldn’t admit out loud.It was a gesture he’d been making more often, a sign of the growing trust between us, and it filled me with internal pride.

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