Page 21 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

Riley relayed the events that took place at the mall. Dannika flinched when she mentioned Breck and the other reapers who had abandoned the clan, but remained quiet until Riley told her about Deruthel, biting Colton.

“The Demon venom is affecting you?” Dannika asked.

Colton pulled back his shirt to reveal the black stain on his skin. “It’s spreading, and Anaisa has warned that it will eventually kill me, or turn me into something you won’t recognize. If the latter happens, you will have to put me down.”

“No,” Dannika hissed.

Riley shivered beside him, though the room was warm. “I won’t become a danger to the clans. Whatever I become, it won’t be me anymore. We all know the stories of the infected and those were humans. I can’t imagine the destruction an infected alpha could cause if unleashed on society.”

Dannika sat down on the chair opposite them. “Do you remember when we first met?”

Colton cleared his throat. “Pretty hard to forget, you were naked.”

Riley snorted, covering her lips with her fingers as Raine looked away pursing his lips.

Dannika rolled her eyes. “Not that part, smart ass. I meant the connection we felt.”

Colton stared at her. “I still feel it.”

“As do I.” She glanced at Riley. “Only now I understand why.”

He was an alpha, and he should have figured out the connection before Dannika. Maybe that’s why she was queen. It wasn’t just her blood or her abilities. She saw through the tangled web of life, getting to the core of every problem and possibility. “Riley and you share the same blood. I didn’t realize it was a familiar bond. I have never had one before.”

Dannika rubbed her stomach as if she was uneasy, but her eyes held complete confidence. “I have spoken to clan members who have children. The protective instincts are the same. Neither of us realized it because, we didn’t know we would be related through Riley.”

Riley glanced between Dannika and Colton. “I’m not sure I understand.”

Colton put a hand on her knee. “Dannika and I have always felt a connection. Familiar bonds are strong, and she shares your blood. My need to protect her isn’t because she is Queen, it’s because she’s your sister. Her need to protect me is because I’m your mate.”

“That makes sense. People protect their families.” She glanced at Raine. “I would protect him. He does feel like family.”

Raine sat down on the armchair beside his mate. “It’s a little different for shadow warriors, but that’s accurate enough.” He smiled at Riley. “I feel the connection to you as well. I wish I had understood this sooner. I wouldn’t have been such a bastard to Colton.”

Colton huffed. “You’d have been a dick, anyway.”

Raine chuckled, but the brevity was lost quickly. An eerie silence ensued before Riley spoke.

“It’s safe to say none of us want Colton to die, so what do we do to stop it?”

“What effects are you having?” Dannika asked.

Colton rubbed his chin. “I’m more aggressive and hungrier all the time, but I’ve refrained from feeding for fear it will compound the situation.”

Riley cleared her throat. “He’s also extremely possessive. He got upset when Darren hugged me.”

Dannika shot her mate a disapproving look. “I can’t say that the last one is to do with demon blood, but I’ll talk to Darren. He’s aware that alphas can be assholes.”

“Honey, please,” Raine said.

“Don’t honey me. You were a complete jerk to Darren when we first met. He is still nervous about getting too close to me,” Dannika said.

Colton sighed. “I’ve likely made things worse, but it isn’t safe for Riley to be around any unmated males right now. My demon may react before I can rein him in.”

Raine nodded. “I understand.”

Colton was thankful for his friend’s support. He’d always liked Raine, but since his and Dannika’s mating, their bond had been more like brothers. They all turned when there was a knock at the door, and Ferguson walked in.

Dannika shook her head. “I guess I should be thankful he knocked.”

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