Reclaimed (Shadow Beast Shifters, #2)

by Jaymin Eve

She has fire, and I have to say… why have we not spent more time with humans?”

“Let me down,” I demanded, the blinding white of the hallway making me blink watery eyes as I glared up at the beast. “Shut up,” Shadow snapped, not even glancing at my A-Game resting bitch face. An epic look wasted once again.

“Shut up,” Shadow snapped, not even glancing at my A-Game resting bitch face. An epic look wasted once again.

“Thank fuck,” Lucien said, his hands held in tight fists at his side. “I never know what to do when women cry. I’m glad Shadow was here.” I narrowed my eyes just as Reece barked out a laugh. “I had no idea Shadow knew what to do with a crying woman, either. Usually, he just silences them with his power so he can’t hear their sobs any longer.”

Inky swelled, growing super large until it was a wall behind Shadow. Midnight apparently didn’t like that, bursting to life in a purple haze of whatthefuckery. “It’s dick measuring time,” I said, somewhat amused. My eyes met Shadow’s. “You gonna whip yours out too? You might be the underdog here, but I’d still put some money on you.” His lips twitched. “Anyone ever tell you your smartass mouth is going to get you killed?” Another snort of laughter. “Old news, my friend. Very old news.”

Simone looked around in a panic. “Should you call him that out loud, I mean, especially here? Everyone is so scared and respectful of him.” There was a deep chuckle from behind us, and Simone let out a squeak, spinning in her chair. I sighed, turning slower since I already knew what I’d see. And sure enough, there he was, leaned in his favorite position against the nearby wall. Shadow Basta—Beast. “Sunshine is about the least respectful being from any of the worlds I’ve ever met,” he said, sounding amused.

If I had a spontaneous orgasm right here in the dining hall, I was going to fucking kill him. Right after I thanked him.

“Listen up, smooth talker. While I do love the way you all use your Earth knowledge in conversation—it makes me feel right at home, despite French not being my native language—I’m only going to tell you this once… If a single hair on Simone’s head is damaged when I return, I will put a stake through your heart, laugh out loud, and then shove one through your dick as well.” He blinked about a billion times before he slowly turned to Shadow. “Your woman is scary, brother. She’s going to laugh out loud as she stabs me.”

Shaking my ass at this unexpected fortune, I did a quick dance to the music in my head, and as I spun on the spot, near combo twerking and flossing, I found Angel and Shadow watching me… closely. A normal person would have been embarrassed—my dance skills were about as strong as my singing skills. But I wasn’t normal. This was the new, improved Mera, who didn’t shave off parts of herself to fit into other people’s worlds. “What?” I said, looking between them. “Everyone should dance when they’re happy. Promise it’s totally worth it.” Shadow’s eyes burned into me. “I’ll take your word for it,” he rumbled, his voice deeper than ever, his accent slightly stronger

Was it weird that I had the random wish someone would get this guy a pair of grey sweatpants? I needed that experience. Like, bucket list needed.

there was one thing I’d learned, it was that holding on as tightly as you could did nothing if the other person was doing everything they could to shove you away.

“You were almost gone,” he thundered. I’d never been so relieved to hear his voice. “You’re in so much fucking trouble, Sunshine.” I wiggled against him, naked, of course—that was pretty much my thing at this point. “You going to punish me, Beast?” His hold on my hair tightened, and I groaned at the painful and arousing tug against my scalp. “If we didn’t have a very large audience,” he murmured close to my ear, “I would show you exactly what happens when you almost die on my watch.” “Fuck.” I groaned again. “Can you get rid of them?”

Shadow’s jaw was twitching. “A thousand? What’s your plan to bond that many to us?” Before she could answer, I got to my feet, drawing their attention. “I think I’ll take you up on that offer of freshening up,” I said saltily. “There’s a lot of bullshit in the air, and I think a bit landed on me.” Ixana looked confused, so there was maybe not a great translation available for that little dig. Shame. Shadow, on the other hand, understood me perfectly. “Mera,” he growled.

“I think I’ll take you up on that offer of freshening up,” I said saltily. “There’s a lot of bullshit in the air, and I think a bit landed on me.” Ixana looked confused, so there was maybe not a great translation available for that little dig. Shame. Shadow, on the other hand, understood me perfectly. “Mera,” he growled.

love you too, Mera. You’re the friend I never even knew I was missing in my life. You’re my ride or die, and I will bury every body for you.”

“Let’s do it!” I said with fake excitement. “I live to save worlds. It’s my calling, and I so appreciate you making this happen for me.” Ixana didn’t know what to do with that, staring blankly at me like I was crazy. A tried and tested response to a bully was to confuse them with your enthusiasm for their bullshit.

“Midnight can take me,” I said softly, shooting him a small smile. “I’ll see you at the bottom.” He reached out and brushed his thumb across my cheek, before he leaned in closer. “Ixana is up to something,” he murmured in his low rumble, “and I’m sorry that I screwed up when we first arrived here. In not wanting to tip her off, I hurt you, and that’s not okay. I promise I won’t do it again.”