Compelled (Shadow Beast Shifters, #5)

by Jaymin Eve

I’ve always said I fall in love with hearts not parts, and that stood true, but so far I hadn’t found the one with the heart I was searching for.

“That bitch has two libraries?” I cried. “We really need to have a long conversation about sharing.”

“You fucking did this to me, you stupid, oversized beast. Of course, you would create a giant baby trying to annihilate my vagina.”

“B,” he said softly. “I’ve been waiting for you. I need to tell you something.” My throat hurt at the nickname, and not only because this pointy-fanged fucker liked to call me by my blood type—the cunt—but because I had missed hearing that smooth, sexy rasp of his voice.

“I love you, Sunshine,” he said. “You’re a fucking miracle.” She laughed through tears. “This baby’s first word is going to be fuck.” Shadow shrugged like he really didn’t care. “And I love you too,” Mera told him, her laughter fading as tears streaked her skin. Tears of joy and healing and hope. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. You and our baby. Our family.”

“You don’t handle Simone like that.” A rumbling rasp of words. “Not now. Not ever.”

“We are honored for you all to meet Damon, named for the warrior god recognized in both our races. Born of meadow and desert, a bridge between two worlds, and the miracle that we never expected.”

As Mera would put it: slutterbrain. I had a really bad case of slutterbrain.

“Anyone who touched you and didn’t appreciate the fucking gift they were given deserves to die.”

“You have a pack now,” he said in his low hypnotic tone. “This is what we do for each other, no questions asked and no need to thank. We stand together so none of us will ever fall.”

“Bee,” he said, voice a rasp of dark energy. “If Carter touches you again, I’m going to kill him.”

“Okay,” I finally said. “One day, though, we will face these battles together. I’m not a queen to cower behind her king. I stand at your side, or I don’t stand with you at all.”

His fangs scraped against my skin. “Your blood tastes like life,” he murmured. “It tastes like energy. I can’t let you go now, Bee. If you don’t feel the same, then you’re going to have a fucking vampire following you everywhere to ensure your safety while he tries to convince you to take a chance on love. You’re part of me now.” He leaned back far enough to clamp a hand over his chest. “You’re in here. In my blood and energy. In my cells. There’d be no point to life without you. So, yes, I am claiming you as a real mate.”