Reborn (Shadow Beast Shifters Book 3)

SHADOW BEAST

For two thousand years, I’d been the raging beast who’d walked in shadows. Alone. Always alone. I’d learned to rely on no one, to trust very few, and to ensure that above all else, I protected myself.

Then Mera Callahan had appeared, busting into my damn life, and touching the deepest recesses of my dark soul. She was an incessant ray of light, never ceasing, never giving up space in my head, and every single time she upset the balance, I wanted to fucking kill her. To save the heartache I knew she would bring to my world.

At least three times I’d held her life, her precious, delicate life in my hands, and each time I’d been too fascinated and struck by the unique tendrils of her essence to do what needed to be done. She’d challenged me when no one else had, and for that, I’d spared her.

By the time I’d recognized that this fragile creature, with her smart mouth and innocent soul, was to be my undoing, it was too late to change our fates. I craved her with the sort of intensity that would have scared the life from her if she’d been aware of it.

Mera thought she knew my desire.

She knew nothing. I wanted to possess her mind, body, and soul.

Every damn part of my Sunshine belonged to me, but like always, the fates had other plans.

I’d felt the sneaking tides of time running out for us, and even as I held her closer, binding our souls in a way that only a true mate could, they still came for her.

The mate to my soul. The fire to my fire. My Sunshine.

Before I could tear through the binding that held her, the fortress claimed its victim.

Fire exploded from within me as I struck at the golden prison, not caring that my actions could free the creature below. The fortress had Mera’s power, and I wanted it back.

I spared no thought of the greater good, the concept not mine to claim. I was greedy in my love, and I would burn the fucking worlds to the ground to keep Mera with me.

My Sunshine who had sacrificed herself, her power and future in a bid to save us all.

With her limp body clutched in my hands, rivers of fire and mist and rage flowed freely from me. Any exhaustion I felt was long gone as I dragged this power up from the realm, claiming energy that was my birthright.

Destruction built within my veins and I willed it on.

The rumble of the land beneath me was the first indicator that I was tearing the Shadow Realm apart, plucking each string of mist that formed its foundation and watching each one fall. Not caring as this world broke, I tucked Mera into my side, using my free hand to reach for the Danamain. No longer would I ever refer to this abomination as my mother; she’d lost that right—and her life—the moment she’d hurt Mera.

The roar spilled from my lips as I tried to destroy the caged Danamain, but another entity blocked my way. With my vision filled with fire and shadow, I’d missed that the fortress was no longer existing on its own.

A layer of security surrounded it.

Midnight, sparking and zapping, striking everything that got too close, except for the second part of the security: Mera’s creatures.

“She called them,” Angel cried, her voice cracking as she too fought to get closer, blades in hand, grief tearing at her face. “When she pulled on our bonds.”

Her pain was real, but mine was destructive.

I’d been too slow to save Mera. To save the worlds.

I’d been doing everything in my power to save them, but now, as far as I was concerned, they all deserved to burn.

My true beast form rose up to take control, our roar sending all the beings around us to their knees. And it was here they would stay.

This world belonged to me. The Solaris System belonged to me.

They would all burn.

My land raged with me, trembling until it was impossible for any who stood upon it to remain upright. Lava burst up, the land itself cracked, and I tilted my head back, letting more of the power flow from me.

They would all pay. For touching her. For bringing about this event.

When Mera’s empty vessel finally disintegrated in my arms, a guttural sound escaped me, sending forth another whip of my destructive power.

Without my Sunshine, there was only darkness.

I was darkness.

And I would destroy everything.