Page 22 of Mated to Team Shadow

Gunner

Was Jeanine trying to deflect the rising tension between us with her question? The ocean slapped the sides of the raft as we stared at each other contemplating the unthinkable. In my mind's eye, I saw my brethren in their animal forms with their ears pinned back and their chatoyant eyes glowing green.

Jeanine stared at us wide-eyed, and her hands dug into her thighs as she heard Damon growl.

"Hey," she said too sunnily. "I thought you guys purred instead of growled."

Damon lurched toward Jeanine. His animal's instinct was now in control though he hadn't shifted. Ryker jumped Damon and hauled him backward.

"Stand down."

Damon let loose a loud feral roar as he struggled with our Alpha. Jeanine shrieked and pushed back away from him. Kane joined in, and the two forced Damon on his back.

"Get ahold of yourself, Darkman," said Kane.

Damon stared up into the sky as his breath came out in hard chugs.

"What's wrong with him?"

I scooted to her side and put my arms around her.

"PTSD," I said. "You've heard of it?"

Ryker shot me a warning glance. He was an upfront guy and knowing him like I do, figured he did not like me lying to her. But were we going to expose our true selves to our mate on a raft in the middle of churning seas?

"I know what it is. Does he always have it this bad?"

"Gunner," warned Ryker.

"Not like this," I blurted. I gave him a hard stare trying to communicate with him that we shouldn't scare Jeanine with the revelations of our true form. Ryker chewed his lip but nodded in understanding.

Damon thrashed and growled, and Jeanine watched him with concern on her face.

"Will he be okay?" said Jeanine.

Damon clutched her leg, but she pulled back.

"Won't someone help him?" Jeanine said. She sat with her back to the wall of the raft, and an expression caught between fear and concern on her face. I could tell she wanted to flee. But there was no place to go.

Damon chuffed in deep breaths, and as I leaned forward to remove Damon's hand, Jeanine put hers on mine and shook her head. She stared at Damon as if trying to parse what was happening then slipped to her knees and put her hands on Damon's head.

"Chill, big guy," she said soothingly. "It's okay. We're all here. You'll be fine." We watched in amazement as Damon calmed as she stroked his hair.

This woman had guts to get near a soldier ready to lose his shit. Granted she didn't know he was a shifter, but she had to know that he was dangerous, regardless.

Damon shook his head and then looked into Jeanine's eyes.

"Hey," he said, "what happened?"

Jeanine pulled her hands away.

"Hey, don't stop, doll. That felt good."

"You look better," said Jeanine.

"You flipped out there," said Ryker with a scowl.

"Your PTSD," chimed in Kane.

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