Page 2 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

Her exit from the tunnel wasn’t as smooth as she had hoped. She stumbled on the uneven ground, tripping on an exposed root, before landing hard on the ground. Her hands clawed the wet earth before she stood, dusting the dirt from her clothes as Colton got to his feet. “That was a little less stealthy than I expected.”

Colton wiped his hands on his shirt. “You have to picture your body forming with your feet beneath you before we exit the tunnel.”

She pursed her lips. “Why did you fall?”

“If I break through your casing, prior to you letting it fall, it will cause you pain.” He winked. “This isn’t the first time I’ve ended up face down. I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

She admired Colton’s attitude towards life. He never let the little things bother him, yet he would give his life to protect her. While she wasn’t sure she deserved that kind of devotion, she had no intention of giving it up. “Where to next?”

Colton sniffed the air. “There are several animals hiding from us. We will have to scout if you want to find something at the end of its lifespan. Which form do you prefer today?”

“I’ve done most of my hunting in cougar form. I’d like to utilize my wolf. If you don’t mind,” her tone dropped an octave, with a warble of uncertainty.

“Riley, I envy your ability to shift into a second form. Your wolf is beautiful. Don’t ever feel like you’re letting me down by enjoying that freedom.”

If she wasn’t madly in love with him, that would’ve been the moment she caved, but her heart was already tied to the sexy shadow she had chosen to spend her life with. She formed the image in her mind, as the familiar pain of bones breaking and reshaping vibrated through her body. Grey and white fur bubbled along her skin as her jaw elongated to allow her muzzle to form. Copper coated her tongue as her canines burst through her gums, chomping together. The snapping sound echoing in the cool air.

The wolf raised its head and howled into the breeze, expressing its freedom and excitement. Birds burst from the tree above them, avoiding the predator below as she sniffed the air.

She put her nostrils to the ground. Dozens of scents were segregated and categorized. A mouse hid in an underground tunnel a foot from where they stood. A deer had strolled through the low brush, leaving it scent on the lush greenery. It was young and healthy, but that wasn’t the prey she was looking for. Her head snapped up, the scent of tainted blood infusing the receptors in her nostrils as she zeroed in on the trail she wanted to follow.

She sprang forward, allowing her muscles to flex beneath her thick pelt. She bounded over shrubs and fallen logs, weaving between the evergreens. Saplings brushed her fur and birds squawked their displeasure as she raced through the forest, intent on her destination.

While she couldn’t see him, she sensed the cougar running behind her. His paws thumping earth as it raced to follow her path. He could easily overtake her, his speed far greater than hers, but he allowed her to take the lead and navigate their hunt.

It took only seconds for the scent she was tracking to turn from a whisper to a thick odor of fresh meat. She slowed her pace, slinking through the underbrush so she could assess the elk herd. They strolled through the forest in a group of fifteen, led by a stag with eight points on his antlers. His majestic rack arced above his head like a halo made of bone. But the magnificent alpha wasn’t who she’d come for.

She inched over the grass on her stomach as the group passed, the straggler hobbled behind the group with scabs on his right thigh. The grey hair and sickly smell of infection had her leaning forward, prancing on her forepaws before she sprung into action.

The old elk’s gait barely accelerated before she took him down.

She fed, silently thanking the animal for its sacrifice, wishing it well on its next journey. It didn’t struggle, accepting the painless fate. Still, a sense of guilt was always with her. She shifted to her human form with tears in her eyes.

Colton pulled her from the ground and into his arms. “Honey, you can’t keep doing this to yourself. That elk would never have recovered from that wound.”

“I know. I just...” Her shoulders shook as she tried to contain the guilt. The demon, the wolf and the cougar accepted their predatory nature. The natural order and their roles within it, but the human refuted that instinct, as memories of the past resurfaced. Every pet she’d had growing up. Their trust and love were absolute until they took their last breath.

He kissed her. His lips were gentle and insistent, bringing her back to the present. Creating new memories and sensation that left her breathless. She knew exactly what he was doing, trying to distract her from the dark side of shadow life. She put her arms around his neck as he scooped her into his arms and strode through the forest, releasing her to her feet when they reached the riverside. She gave into his hunger, matching it with her own.

The thunder of rushing water echoed around them as he pulled her hard against his body. His caress on her skin insistent as he slipped his hand beneath her shirt had her growling in anticipation. She needed this. She needed him.

Riley clutched his shoulders as their shadows reached for one another. Emotions collided, as hunger, desire and love combined to heighten every sensation. His hair brushed along her cheek, a whispering caress as she nibbled his ear. The erotic fire building in her blood as he slid his hands to her breasts, rolling an erect nipple between his fingers before tracing down her ribs.

She reveled in the sensations his erotic touch produced. Every stroke produced a dark hunger that needed to be sated. A primal need that only Colton could alleviate. She wanted to scream for relief, but the air caught in her throat when his hand moved to her pants, slipping them down her thighs. He could shift their clothes to the shadows, but he liked unwrapping his presents.

He released the button on his jeans, springing his thick cock from its confinement before positioning her legs on either side of his. Riley moaned when his fingers slipped between her slick, heated flesh, parting her tender lips and pressing inside her.

She arched toward him, riding his hand, almost coming apart as he worked her. His mouth tugged hard on her nipple, causing a rush of liquid between her thighs, coating his fingers in her warm juices. He moved her above his straining cock as his tongue lavished her nipple. The sensations coursing through her body had her heart pounding in her chest. The rushing sound of the river, accentuating the sensations rocking her body.

Colton’s eyes blazed with fire. Air rushed from her lungs when he cupped her ass, holding her in place as he impaled her over and over. There was no thought. No reason. Only hard, unmitigated bliss; fueled by passion and unending hunger.

She clutched his shoulders as if they were the only haven in the tornado of emotion assaulting her body.

“Don’t stop.” She loved him this way. Unfettered and out of control. A raging animal bent on her consumption.

He pumped harder, anchoring her hips with his hands. She put a hand on the rough foliage to combat the building pressure. Her nails dug into his flesh, and blood welled up on his skin. The sting of pain spurned his aggressive nature.

Rippling waves of pleasure washed over her skin, causing her to grip him in a velvet vise. She screamed his name as he went over the apex, holding her to him like he would never let her go.

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