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  Anger still made his blood boil but he acknowledged the regret in the other male’s face. He seemed sincere. Shadow unfurled his fists. He’d learned patience when he’d lived at the task force headquarters. Misunderstandings happened often between Species and humans. He just hadn’t expected it from other Species males.

  “I would never force myself on a female.”

  “I’m glad to hear that but I don’t know you. I assumed the worst.” Torrent lowered his gaze. “Do you want to take a swing at me to make us even?” He glanced up, holding his stare.

  “Not in my exam room!” Dr. Harris shook his head. “Take it outside in twenty-four hours.” He glared at Torrent. “I have him a shot to help him heal. He’s not doing anything until it wears off.”

  Shadow decided to forgive the male. He had been attempting to defend Beauty, after all. “You could still teach me to swim. I’m afraid the river being so close will pose a danger. I never learned.”

  “I would be more than happy to do that. We’ll start tomorrow.”

  “Not Beauty though. You stay away from her. You teach me and I will teach her.”

  A grin lifted the corners of the other male’s lips. “I understand. I doubt I’m her favorite person right now.” He reached up and touched his shoulder. A bandage could be seen through the thin material of his shirt. “She bit me.”

  Shadow smiled back, feeling satisfaction. “I’m the only male she wants.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Creek tilted her head. “Someone approaches. I hear a Jeep.”

  Beauty trailed her from the kitchen to the front door. The two council members had remained outside where Creek joined them. Beauty hesitated, glancing around first to be sure none of the human task force members were present too. A Jeep parked and relief swept through her as Shadow slid out of the passenger seat.

  The dark-haired Species with bright-green eyes approached Shadow while the other one hung back. “How are you doing?”

  “Fine.” Shadow’s gaze sought Beauty before he glanced at the Species. “You may go.”

  He tried to step away but the male blocked his path. “Not so fast.”

  “What’s wrong, Jaded?” Creek walked down the porch steps to halt at his side.

  “The male had to be given the healing drugs. The symptoms will make him irritable, aggressive, and unstable. Shadow, you should return in the morning once you’re feeling more yourself.”

  “I’m fine.” Shadow sidestepped Jaded, his focus locked on Beauty again. “I’d never harm her.”

  Jaded jumped back into his path again. “Rethink it. I could make it a direct order.”

  “Don’t,” the other male spoke, his voice deep. “He won’t harm the Gift. They are bonding. This time is important.”

  “Damn it, Bestial.” Jaded turned his head. “Stay out of this.”

  “They’ve had enough interference. That’s why this happened. No one should have come near them. Allow him to pass and let’s go.”

  “We have no idea how he’ll react to the chemicals pumping through his system right now, accelerating the healing process.”

  The other Species smirked. “I do. That’s Shadow, formerly of the human task force. I actually read the reports that come across my desk instead of going to all those charity events you frequent. He’s taken them at least two dozen times with no ill side effects and never attacked any of the humans on the team. I’m sure they irritated him plenty. She’s safe and we need to leave them alone.”

  Jaded softly cursed. “Okay.” He stared at Shadow. “Call if you need anything at all. We’re going to put this area on total lockdown so no one comes here again.”

  “Breeze is on her way,” Creek reminded them. “Are you going to tell her she’s banned from checking on her Gift Female? I’m certainly not. That’s one order I’ll refuse if you try to push that on me.”

  “Fuck no.” Jaded growled. “She’d have my nuts.”

  “I agreed to allow Torrent to teach me how to swim.”

  Beauty was stunned by Shadow’s admission. It seemed she wasn’t alone when the other Species showed surprise as well. Shadow shrugged.

  “The male’s intensions were good. I need to learn how to swim and he offered to teach me. What if Beauty were to fall into the river? It’s my duty to protect her against any danger. We’d both drown.”

  “Okay.” Bestial nodded. “What did you learn from those humans?”

  “Mistakes happen but you deal with them and get past it.”

  Shadow approached Beauty. The bandage on his forehead was small but he walked on steady legs. He looked healthier and no longer pale. She was grateful that he seemed to be recovering from his injuries and that he’d returned so quickly. He came up on the porch and paused to stare down at her.

  “How are you?”

  “I’m fine.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Really?”

  “I was scared,” she whispered, unable to see the others with his body in her way. “How is your head?”

  “Not broken.” He smiled.

  “Let’s go and leave them alone,” Bestial announced. “You have a charity event to go to, don’t you, Jaded? We don’t want you to be late.”

  “Shut up. For the thousandth time, I don’t enjoy them. They are a pain in the ass.”

  “I don’t see you turning down any of those invitations.”

  “They are for good causes and our publicity team said they improve our image.”

  “You mean your image. Say cheese.”

  “Boys!” Creek laughed. “No fighting. Stop antagonizing him, Bestial. We don’t want him to show up with any bruises if you two start exchanging blows. They always want Jaded be in the pictures. He can’t help it that he’s so pretty.”

  The male snarled. “Screw you both.”

  “You’re not my type,” Bestial teased.

  “It would be so wrong to fuck my boss.” Creek laughed again. They left and Beauty listened to the engine sounds fade away. Shadow waited too until only birds singing nearby could be heard. He took a deep breath and reached out slowly to cup her face with one of his hands.

  “Are you really fine? I hated to leave you.”

  “I know.” She believed him. “Did the doctors clear you or should you still be there?” It wouldn’t surprise her if he’d refused to stay at Medical even if they’d asked him to.

  “They said I could go.”

  “Okay.”

  He released her and she backed inside the cabin. His gaze left hers to drift around the room. His mouth tightened into a grim line before he looked back at her. “You cleaned up the destroyed table.”

  “Creek helped me. I knew you’d do it but I didn’t want you to be reminded of what happened.”

  “That is always going to stay with me. I should have heard him coming.”

  “We were distracted.” Heat rose in her cheeks, remembering what they had been doing and that Torrent had seen them having sex. She cleared her throat. “I’m making us food. Go shower while I finish up. It’s just sandwiches. I wasn’t sure when you’d return but wanted to keep busy.”

  He hesitated, closed the door at his back and locked it. “Can I hold you first?”

  She nodded, stepping into him. The second his arms encircled her waist and drew her against his long frame, she breathed him in. The stench of antiseptic was strong but she wrapped her arms around his middle, hugging tightly. It didn’t matter that he smelled bad, just that he was back.

  “I’m so sorry,” he stated gruffly. “It won’t happen again.”

  “Don’t do that.”

  He tensed.

  “That wasn’t your fault. Stop blaming yourself. We’re both fine. It was a lesson learned. We never thought anyone would enter the cabin.”

  He rested his chin on top of her head. “I’m proud of you.”

  It was her turn to tense. “Why?”

  “You bit him.” He chuckled. “You fought with a male. I won’t forget that. You faced your fears atte