Page 40 of Beast

A moment later, Cosway entered the small enclosure, dropping to his knees.The kittens immediately swarmed him, climbing up his arms and legs as he scooped them up, one by one, and cuddled them against his chest and neck.

Glancing over my shoulder, I caught King watching from the doorway.I couldn’t help myself and mouthed, You’re an idiot.

He knew exactly what I meant.Killing a man who rescued kittens?Really?King just shook his head when I shot him the same evil glare I’d given Beck earlier.

Cosway fed the kittens, carefully refilling their bowl even after they’d finished their meal.It didn’t take much to realize he’d been doing this for a while, likely leaving food behind in case he couldn’t return right away.

And the smell?The urine stench I’d pinned on Cosway.That was all kitten.They weren’t litterbox trained, and the entire hut reeked of them.

After tending to the kittens, Cosway led us to the river.It wasn’t far, and the sight stopped me in my tracks.The entire area was beautiful, an oasis in the middle of the city.It must have been stunning before the world fell apart.

Beck didn’t bother putting the rope back on Cosway, and I moved faster, heading straight for the water.No one stopped me as I carefully pulled my shirt over my head, my back to the others.It wasn’t until my pants came down that I heard King growl.I glanced over my shoulder and saw Cosway watching me.But thenheturned around and liftedhisupper clothing off, pulled downhispants, and walked into the water with me.

“Fuck,” King muttered under his breath.

I had no idea what he was complaining about until I took a good look at Cosway’s nakedness.Holy fuck.Hewas ashe, and King had noticed the momentsheremovedherclothes.Beck stood slack-jawed at the sight while King moved further away, mumbling something I couldn’t make out.“Nice water,” I said cheerfully, deciding this was my mate’s just desserts.

Chapter Nineteen

King

Cosway was a woman.If I could be right just once, it might help in dealing with my mate.No, I was not killing a damn woman.

Beck and I didn’t bother bathing.We gave the women time to enjoy the water.If Marinah didn’t like my smell, too damn bad.War wasn’t exactly the time for roses and perfume.

“We need to grab the kittens on the way out,” Marinah said once we were finally ready to leave.

“We are not taking the kittens with us,” I commanded with enough force to shake trees.

Twenty minutes later, we were on our way with five kittens.

Maybe we needed a marriage counselor because this mating thing was harder than it looked.Marinah carried one damn cat with all their food stuffed into her pack.Cosway carried four of the kittens in a pack that had been in her make-do cave.Now I had a human woman, an injured human, and five kittens to contend with.

I didn’t think the situation could get worse, but I bit that thought off quickly.Of course, it could get worse, especially with Marinah in the picture.There was no holding back a growl.

Beck was doing everything he could not to laugh in my face, and I couldn’t blame him.Point me in any direction, and I’d find something to kill, no problem.Collecting people, and now cats, wasn’t my thing.

I glanced at Marinah holding the smallest kitten, a scrappy little thing that looked like a patchwork quilt.She brought the tiny creature up to her massive jaws, and the kitten rubbed its small head against her teeth.

This was worse than when she climbed my shoulders naked to avoid a snake.And, of course, it was me who wouldn’t live it down.Not to mention, I didn’t like cats.

“Are we starting the official Shadow Warrior Humane Society?”Beck called out from about ten feet away, clearly smart enough to keep his distance.

If looks could kill, he’d already be on the ground, and Missy would be a widow.Instead of removing his head, I said, “You have a mate too.I don’t know why you’re giving me a hard time.”

“That I do,” he replied with a grin.“Never knew life could be so interesting.”

“I’m the one thinking rationally here,” I muttered.“We can always eat the cats if food gets scarce.”

Beck laughed, knowing full well Marinah would scalp me if she heard that.My cold stare did the trick, and Beck wisely slowed his steps so he was farther away.Marinah approached, cradling her kitten.I already knew it was hers.Like there was any doubt.I could make a fool of myself again by telling her no, but I wasn’t in the mood for the blowback from my men.In the end, we all knew I’d give her what she wanted.

“Here, you need to hold him,” she said, thrusting the tiny ball of fur at me.I had no choice but to take the kitten.

“Isn’t he precious?”she added, her tone practically glowing.

I brought the kitten to my nose and sniffed.“Smells like food.”

She batted my arm, her claws leaving faint scratches.“No, he doesn’t.He’s adorable.”

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