Page 13 of Shifters' Fae Captive (Stolen by Shadow Beasts 1)

The yearning in my gut strengthens my resolve. She should go. They should be able to see the reason behind my argument. Should be stronger than their need to mate with her. To make her ours. But they’re blinded by desire. It’s a weakness and we can’t afford it. “She needs to go back.”

Dusk shakes his head. “No. She’s ours now. Our mate.”

Phantom rises and kneels down in front of me. “And I forbid it.”

I shove Phantom because he’s in my face, almost nose to nose with me. He stumbles backward.

“Who the fuck are you to forbid me, anything?” Fire burns in my gut and I jerk my thumb toward the cave. “She’s a hindrance.”

“A hindrance to what?”

Hands are flying as they both sign the words at the same time. I chuckle still angry. “Your twin brain, or lack of, is showing.”

“Hey, fuck you, Onyx.” Phantom is first. But Dusk will follow. I’ve pissed them off and telling me so isn’t just a pleasure for them, it’s an obligation.

Dusk glares but doesn’t speak.

I shrug. There’s isn’t much I wouldn’t do for them. Not much I wouldn’t say to appease them. But this time, I’m right. They would see it if they weren’t blinded. “Okay fine. But if you’re thinking at all, it’s with your dicks because she’s beautiful and because you’re tired of being alone.”

“She’s your mate as much as she’s ours.” He punctuates every word with a snarl of his lip and over-exaggerated motions of his hands.

“You keep her and it’s going to be the death of all of us.” I shake my head. “Mark my words.” Then because I can’t look at them anymore, I walk away. I’ll be back, of course, but I need a minute.

For so long all we’ve had is this war. This drive to keep the world safe.

How can I be the only one still focused on that? Mate or not, the world will fall without us.Isn’t that more important than one woman?

I hate that my thoughts whisper,no.

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