Page 13 of Mortal Mate (Shadow Shifter)

His tone echoed with the undertone of his alpha.

Maddock growled before his eyes turned black.

Tension had a distinct taste. It swirled over Dannika’s tongue like a fine wine. It took her a minute to understand the nature of her demon soul. The things it thrived on: death, destruction. This apex of violence was like foreplay, and her demon was eager for the main event.

“Stop it. I’m glad Maddock told me about my sister. Regardless of what happened to her, I want the truth,” Dannika said.

Raine kept his gaze focused on his leader. “It’s not what he said. It’s his treatment of you. He treats you like a tool, not a person. He should have more respect for a member of our clan.”

Maddock’s lips curled. “We were just discussing that.”

“Why is Steele doing all the background work? I realize he has an investigator, but you have never trusted another clan with private information. You never sit back and wait for intel.”

Maddock shrugged. “You had every opportunity to gain this information yourself.”

“We have been looking, but Dannika needs training and her safety is my first priority. You of all people should know this.”

Steele nodded. “We agree that your focus should be on Dannika’s training. It’s the reason we have been handling the investigation into her past.”

Raine glanced between leaders. “I understand you have an investigator, but the wolves also have a shadow with this skill. Why has this been handed off to the cougar clan?”

Maddock’s voice vibrated with his alpha. “It was my decision, and you have no right to question it.”

Raine’s alpha burst to the surface. Black smoke rolled off his shoulders like a smoldering fire. His claws extended from his knuckles as blood dripped from the tips. “I won’t sit by while you emotionally attack my mate.”

“She is not your mate!” Maddock roared.

“She is.”

Black smoke burned off Maddock’s body as he stepped up to Raine. Their chests touched as the swirling black mists fought for dominance. “Do you wish to challenge me?”

“I had wanted to avoid it, but perhaps it is time.”

Dannika’s heart stuttered. “Stop this. I don’t want you to fight.”

Maddock’s eyes bored into Raine “We have some clan business to discuss. Tell your fledgling to leave. We will recall her when we are ready.”

Raine stopped Dannika when she attempted to leave. “This isn’t over.”

She touched his face. “It is for me. Talk to Maddock and Steele. If they have any more information about my sister, I want it. That’s more important than my feelings.”

Raine returned to his human form. “I will get this sorted out.”

Dannika hurried out of the room but leaned against the wall outside.

“What is this all about?” Raine snapped at Maddock.

“There is a plan in place.” Maddock’s voice echoed in the tunnel. “One that will benefit the wolf and cougar clan. Unfortunately, you will have to make a sacrifice.”

CHAPTER5

Walking out of the tunnels, while Maddock and Steele decided her future, was the hardest thing Dannika had ever done. She trusted Raine, and she didn’t want to hear the fight that was unfolding as she trudged towards the forest.

The further she penetrated the woods, the more her wolf urged to be released. Raine had warned her there were dangers to running alone, but the whisper of freedom was calling. The picture of her wolf formed in her mind. She was careful to accommodate her clothes and her reaper blade, shifting them to the shadows before her naked body dissolved.

The lush foliage closed around her, creating a sense of wonder. A wildness she craved. This was the world she understood, where the strong survived and politics were left to the humans. The temptation to keep running, to explore the next valley, to never return, was real.

Dannika’s wolf was smaller than the other clan members but equally agile. Her soft grey fur rippled in the breeze as she bounded over damp leaves and rotting logs. The musty scent was both strong and soothing as she traversed the foliage. She continued along a steep embankment before a new craving emerged.

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