Page 73 of Shadow

He pointed at the door. “If you move further into the room, I can leave.”

She glanced over her shoulder, confused, not understanding what he meant.

I did.

Reaching out, I grabbed her hand and gently pulled her aside, clearing the way for Beck to pass without touching her.

As soon as the door shut behind him, Marinah turned to me, a simmering anger in her eyes. “Why did you do that?”

“The Shadow Warriors cannot touch you and need to stay as far from you as possible,” I said honestly.

“That’s ridiculous,” she replied with a laugh, brushing a strand of hair off her forehead. Her gaze dropped to our joined hands. “I wish you’d let me come. My balance is improving.”

“Those men are armed,” I explained. “We’ll travel in beast form to follow their trail. We’ll be back before nightfall.”

“You really think it’s the Federation?” she asked skeptically.

“I know it is. This isn’t their first attempt to assassinate me. What surprises me is that they’re coming after you.”

She looked at me, insulted and innocent all at once, her confusion evident. “If they’re my people, why would they want me dead?”

Her naivety was maddening. Her father had sheltered her from the harsh realities of war for far too long.

“You’re a liability,” I said bluntly. “They haven’t heard from you, and they’re worried you’re helping us.”

“Iamhelping you. That’s what they sent me here for.” Her hands flew to her hips, and her voice rose in indignation. “There is absolutely no reason for them to kill me.”

“We’ll figure it out after I return,” I replied. “Find Boot and train.”

Her eyes blazed hotter. “When I can finally kick your ass, you’d better be ready,” she snapped before storming from the room.

Her guards followed her, keeping about ten feet behind. It wasn’t far enough for Beast. He stirred restlessly inside me, but I forced him down with a heavy sigh.

I headed to my room to change and grab the weapons I’d need.

A short time later, ten motorcycles roared to life. All of us were in Warrior form, the shift complete before we left. Nokita, almost recovered, stayed behind to guard the citadel, keeping Marinah under watch while she trained with Boot, hopefully driving him as crazy as she drove me.

We hit the highway and shifted into high gear, the pack moving as one. Our first stop was the place where I had stashed my bike yesterday. Their scent would guide us straight to them.

We would find those bastards, question them, and end them.

No one came onto our territory and threatened my mate.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Marinah

Today’s torture session wasn’t enough to keep my mind off King. Boot wasn’t helping either. Normally, he stayed close by, ready to assist, but today he had planted himself on the other side of the room like I was contagious.

I was currently attempting to walk a balance beam for the twentieth time. And for the twentieth time, I fell.

Frustrated, I climbed back onto the beam and glared across the large, open space. Boot stood with his arms crossed, looking completely unconcerned.

“What is going on?” I demanded, wobbling before finding my center again.

“You just fell,” he said, his tone infuriatingly neutral, like he had no idea what I meant.

“If you were over here, giving me a shoulder to balance on like a good trainer, I wouldn’t keep landing on the floor. Or did you forget that part of the exercise?”

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