Page 18 of Mortal Curse (Shadow Shifter)

Raine backed away, smiling as he resumed his human form. He grinned at the clan leaders as Dannika continued to growl.

She was thankful she was trapped inside the body of a pissed-off shadow wolf. Its instincts were to maim the wolf that had threatened her, but Dannika had a different reaction. Raine’s body, both human and wolf, had elicited a response she was unprepared to deal with. Her sexy teacher was more of a threat than the rest of the clan combined.

Raine grabbed her shoes from the ground and held them out to her. He made a twirling gesture with his finger. All the men except for Maddock and the two clan leaders walked away.

Dannika shifted, grabbed the shoes, and tugged them on. Anger and aggression pulsed through her blood like wildfire. Her eyes glowed when she turned to the snarling Maddock. “Enjoy the show?”

The clan members paused, glancing at their leader.

Maddock huffed. “You will not get special treatment from me because you are a woman. I am saddled with you, but I don’t have to like it.”

Raine’s features softened. “She is a wolf, and my fledgling. I will train her. She will live with me until she completes training.”

Ryder rubbed his beard. “I admit, I’m disappointed she is not a bear, but her existence is exciting.”

Steele nodded. “I too was hoping she was a cougar, but her being a wolf doesn’t mean she couldn’t choose a male from another clan.”

Ryder nodded. “True. I’m curious to see if she is fertile and what her abilities are.”

Maddock’s eyes narrowed on Raine. “Dannika is an unknown. We should limit her access to clan activities and restrict her training to defensive tactics.”

Raine stepped up to his leader. “I dictate the nature of her training schedule and liberties within the clan. She will have the same rights as any fledgling.”

Maddock’s form burst into his alpha shadow warrior. “Did I give the impression this was a debate?”

Raine’s alpha emerged. “If I’ve lost your trust in the simple act of training a fledgling, then I am not your chosen son.”

Maddock’s eyes flared with golden fire. “Are you refusing a direct order?”

CHAPTER10

Raine rolled his shoulders, though his face was wrought with tension.

“I have nothing but respect for you,” he said to Maddock. “You are like a father to me. Everything I have done or become is because of you, but if you don’t uphold clan rules, then you are no longer the father I respect. You are no better than a reaper we work to destroy.”

Maddock’s form rippled with black mist. “You are the future of the wolf clan. If she means so much to you, then I will leave her in your care. Keep in mind, if this fledgling rule applies to her, they all do. If she gives in to the hunger, she dies.”

Raine resumed his human form. “As her mentor, I take full responsibility. If she succumbs, then the failure is mine. I will do what is required.”

Maddock resumed his human form. “She has full fledgling rights. I recommend you start her training immediately. Her recessed appetite won’t last.”

“I remember. It is a difficult time. I strive to be half the teacher you were.”

Maddock’s face softened. There was a brief look of pride before the sneer returned. He waved his arm in the air. “Return to your duties.”

The clan members walked away. Some returned to the caves, while others entered the forest.

Ryder’s eyes roamed over Dannika.

“I look forward to your education.” He turned to Maddock. “Perhaps the clan leaders can have that meeting we’ve put off the last hundred years.”

Maddock led the leaders to the caves, leaving Raine and Dannika alone in the field. The silence was eerie, as if the forest itself held its breath for Dannika’s future. The whispering breeze caressed her cheek. An omen of acceptance or a portent of death was yet to be revealed.

Raine walked a few feet away before turning back to Dannika. “You will learn to utilize your shadow abilities. You will not leave the sanctuary of the clan until you have mastered your warrior and your animal.”

Dannika rolled her eyes. “I love how you think things will happen because you say so.”

“You can fight me. In fact, it will make things more interesting if you do, but the result will be the same. Like it or not, you are a shadow wolf.”

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