She was naked, vulnerable, but managed to glance away from the dangerous Species to the window. Pieces of the broken frame hung from the top but there was no sign of Shadow and no sound to tell her if he lived. Fright over Shadow’s fate suddenly overrode the concern for her own safety.

Is Shadow dead? Did the man kill him? The concept hurt so bad that physical pain stabbed through her chest. Pure rage came next. She snarled deep within her throat and surprised them both. She didn’t think before she acted. She had to get to Shadow, had to know if he lived.

Beauty moved before she realized what she’d done and launched herself at the Species. The fact that she was na**d didn’t factor into it when she hit Torrent’s chest. Her hands clawed as she grabbed his throat and her knees slammed into his stomach. Her fangs sank into his shoulder, tearing through fabric and into flesh. The taste of blood filled her mouth as she bit him viciously. He stumbled, howled in pain and then they were both falling.

Beauty released him and jumped, using his body as a springboard to find purchase. She hit the floor next to where he landed, rolled, stumbled to her feet and dashed out of the room. Her palms hurt, her hip too from the impact with the floor, but she ignored them as she rushed downstairs. Panic was an emotion she knew well and she allowed it to jolt full force through her as she fled their attacker. The front door was wide open and she’d almost reached it when Shadow’s big form suddenly filled the space.

Beauty couldn’t slow in time and twisted, trying to avoid him, but he was too big. Her side slammed into his body hard enough to knock the breath from her lungs. He grunted but his strong arms wrapped around her, lifting her right off her feet, and he staggered backward a few feet on the porch before regaining his balance.

It was tough to suck air into her lungs but she did it, turning her head to stare up at him. He had a cut on his forehead that bled enough to run down the side of his face, small scratches were on his throat, but he didn’t look at her. He stared at something inside the cabin and snarled.

She twisted to watch Torrent stomp down the stairs. Blood stained his shirt from where she’d bitten him, the material torn, clearly revealing the wound. His hands were fisted and he snarled, looking furious. He wasn’t looking at her though. He was fixated on Shadow instead.

Shadow spun around, lowered her, and let go once she stood on trembling legs. He snarled, facing the other man, keeping her behind him. He swayed a little on his feet. The other Species suddenly crouched, growling, preparing to attack.

They went at each other before she could grab Shadow’s arm to help steady him. Torrent sprang as Shadow entered the cabin. Beauty gasped as she watched them tangle and hit the floor, snarling and growling. Punches were exchanged and she was sickened by the sound of flesh hitting flesh.

“Stop!” Beauty screamed but they ignored her. She rushed inside the living room as they slammed into the coffee table, sending it crashing onto its side. Their big bodies rolled right over the busted piece of furniture that it had been made of logs. The smell of blood penetrated her senses and she frantically looked for a weapon. Shadow was hurt yet still attempted to protect her against the aggressive man whom she assumed had come to snatch her. She just wanted to protect Shadow instead.

The fireplace caught her attention and she scrambled quickly to it and grabbed one of the metal rods sticking up from a small box sitting next to it. It was a good weapon, firm in her hand. She spun in time to see Torrent end up on top of Shadow, pummeling his chest with meaty fists. She rushed forward and swung as hard as she could, nailing the man attacking her Shadow. She tagged him in the back of the head with enough force to hurt her hands.

Torrent snarled as he fell sideways, grabbing his head. He landed hard on his back, cursing loudly but didn’t try to get up. Beauty’s attention switched to Shadow. She was alarmed to see his eyes were closed. A lot of blood was smeared on his face from the wound on his forehead but now there was more of it around his nose and mouth.

She was terrified and enraged at the same time. She just dropped to her knees. The metal weapon clanked as it hit something when she tossed it aside but didn’t she care as she frantically crawled closer to Shadow. Her hands ran over his chest first, feeling it rise and fall. Relieved, she realized he was alive.

Movement from the corner of her eye made her aware that Torrent had begun to recover. She turned, all her rage directed at him, and snarled. She leaned over Shadow’s upper body, protecting him as well as her smaller frame could.

“Back off! I’ll kill you.”

His eyes widened as he sat up, staring back at her after she threatened him.

She hissed at him, flashing her fangs. “Don’t touch him again.”

He used his heels against the floor to scoot away, putting space between them. One of his hands held the back of his head but his other one opened in front of him. “Easy, female.”

Beauty knew she was about to hyperventilate. She couldn’t seem to slow her breathing. Too many emotions were crashing in on her. Rage. Worry. Fear. Most of all, she wanted to kill the bastard for hurting her Shadow. Her hand on his chest assured her he breathed but she didn’t dare look away from the threat to glance down at him.

Her entire body quivered almost violently and she knew she didn’t stand much of a chance at fighting Torrent but she’d die trying to protect Shadow. He was unconscious and hurt. She snarled again, hoping to appear fierce. Torrent’s eyes would be her first target if he came at her. She’d claw them, try to blind him, the only plan she could come up with.