Page 67 of Shaped By Darkness

Serena's voice is low, as if she's talking to herself, but it's impossible to miss. Ever since I found her in the woods that first night, it's as if I've been in tune with her, and every night we spend together only makes it feel more concrete.

So I don't think I'm imagining it when I sense a hint of familiarity, and that would make sense because how else would she know the dryad's name?

I watch as 'Theo's' face transforms, a huge smile pulling her lips up as she claps her hands together in what appears to be excitement.

"Serena!"

One second she's in front of us, and the next she's gone... no, not gone, behind us.

Pike's on her so fast I didn't even see it happen. One second, Theo was there standing behind Serena; the next, she and Pike are rolling on the ground. Pike pins her below him, his canines growing to those of his wolf as he growls at her.

If anyone ever questioned if Serena is also the wolf's mate, I think it's clear now. I've never heard of someone with so many fated mates, but Serena has these three plus the prince, and I'd bet every book I own that the bear she's trying to save is one as well.

"Your men aren't very nice, Serena," Theo whines, her lip out in a pout in the face of a man who looks seconds from ripping her face off.

Serena stands frozen, her eyes wide, looking at the pair of them for a moment before she shakes herself and seems to snap out of it.

"Shit, Pike!" She makes it all of two steps before Blair's got her, his tail wrapped around her waist, hoisting her up into the air so that her feet can't touch the ground. I'd heard he was a snake shifter, but I had yet to see him shift.

We don't have snakes shifters anymore, not for a few hundred years at least, and never of that size.

Serena groans, kicking and scratching at the scales of his tail, but he doesn't flinch, doesn't even bat an eye.

"Damn it, Blair. Put me down," she hisses, glaring daggers at him that make me happy they aren't directed at me.

"Not until we know what the hell is going on, Hops." Storm's voice is harsh and demanding, but his eyes are full of concern as he looks at her. These men might be a little overbearing and protective, but it's impossible to miss the way they love her.

My heart beats faster as I stand on the outside looking in. I've always wanted a place to belong, a home like the ones in the books with parents and siblings who cared. I'd never dared dream of having a lover, but...

Is that what this feeling is? Longing?

What would I give to have what they do? To have a proper family, a pack who is willing to live and die for you...

It took a while to get everyone on the same page, but with Blair's hold on Serena, everyone seemed willing to at least listen. Apparently, Serena and Theo had met before; that's how Serena got a horse to get to the castle after I left her in that town, which feels like another lifetime ago.

"You left her alone, beastless, in a realm she didn’t know shit about where people hate anyone with dark elemental magic?" I cringe hearing Storm say it like that because it sounds bad, but the alternative was worse.

"Knock it off, Storm. I don't need you to be all growly over something that happened forever ago. Ryker didn't owe me anything. He'd already saved me from those creepy-ass woods and whatever goes bump in them. I'd rather take some upset townspeople." She smacks him in the arm, but he seems unfazed as he continues to glare at me. Rolling her eyes, she looks to Blair as if he might offer her assistance. He's also staring me down, though he doesn't look as murderous.

"My father had returned, and I knew she wasn't safe with me anymore. I didn't know who she was, or that she was who Draven was looking for, but nobody's safe with him. It was safer for her to be anywhere else." I force my mouth closed, swallowing down the rest of the words that want to spill from my lips.

Somehow, I don't think they want to hear that I would have happily let her stay with me forever if it had been possible. Theymight be willing to let me train her, but I don't think they like me, and I can't say I blame them; I don't like myself either.

"Don't worry, little kitty, I kept your mate safe," Theo says as she skips around. You'd never know that she was just pinned to the ground by Pike, who was more than ready to rip her throat out if needed.

Not that she can die, at least not that I'm aware of.

Storm pulls a face at her nickname, but I don't understand why. They all seem to have nicknames for Serena; maybe it's just something for the woman?

Why are people so confusing?

"Ryker?" Serena's voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I look up to find her staring at me.

Shit, I totally spaced out for a second there. Was she talking to me?

I push a hand through my hair and fight the urge to step back. It's not just Serena looking at me, but everyone now, and the only time I get this much attention is when it's a bad thing.

"Hey, it's okay." Serena takes a step forward, raising a hand as if to reach for me. Her eyes meet mine, and I'm not sure what she sees, but she lets her hand fall to her side. For a moment, I worry I've upset her. I'm no good at this. I don't know what I'm doing, but I want to. I want to be normal, to joke and understand the way her mates do.

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