Chapter 16: King

Humans rarely trigger my curiosity. Today is the exception, and I've had an internal war all afternoon with Beast. He doesn't like Marinah, while my human side is intrigued. Being away from her has given me a chance to think about these strange, for lack of a better word, feelings. From Marinah's scent to her tall, lithe body, she draws my focus while inciting Beast's ire. I'm aware of her in a way no other woman holds my attention. She ignites something inside me and when near, I feel her on a different level than others. My biggest concern is the reason. The entire situation makes no sense.

The plan was to have an unobtrusive woman who would pontificate on behalf of the U.S. Federation while we grumbled and delayed. What we received is the daughter of a man I respect, and as soon as she fell at my feet outside the airplane, I knew nothing would go according to plan. And it hasn't.

Beck and I arrive back at the Citadel, thus named by one of the men while we prepared for our human visitor and moved our headquarters here for now. I leave Beck and head straight for the small training room that I told Boot to use. I expected many things but not what I find.

Before I even entered the room, Beast shoves K-5 into my system at the sound of Boot and Marinah's laughter. They're sitting close against the wall, their postures that of friends having a good time and not the disgruntled pair I forced to train together. Beast's energy flows through my veins, challenging me on all levels. It's a painful internal battle that I've never had to fight quite like this. Beast directs two thoughts through my head... kill the man... kill the woman.

Boot's focus is on Marinah, but Beast's angry energy quickly fills the room and Boot looks to the door. He may not understand what's happening, but he senses the danger and Beast's rage. He slowly gains his feet, keeping his eyes down and his posture submissive, placing himself between me and Marinah. Does he really think he can save her if Beast charges?

"Out," I hiss with as much restraint as I can manage.

Boot glances at Marinah, which only pisses off Beast more. Boot's sharp eyes snap from her to me. Fear dances in their depths. Beast sees prey that he will gladly tear apart and sends a rumbling growl from deep in my chest to my throat that comes out as more of a roar.

Boot flees.

I'm remaining in human form, but it's Beast's eyes that take in the woman: black training pants, T-shirt, aggressive demeanor, arms not raised to defend, easy to kill. I blink and clench my jaws because the chemicals rocketing through my body are giving Beast the lead and I won't allow it. Blood pulses through my veins, the air around me warms and I push back against the point of no return refusing to allow Beast to win this battle.

"That was rude," Marinah says having no idea how close she is to death.

I manage to draw in a deep breath and expel it slowly, pushing the K-5 down and doing everything I can to calm Beast. Why does he have such strong reactions to Marinah? For a mate this would be normal, but Beast wants her dead, including everyone around her apparently, and that is decidedly not normal.

Once Greystone convinced me to accept Beast as a true part of myself, I gained the upper hand. I listen to his instincts, which are better than my human side can decipher under most circumstances and it's kept me alive against the odds. Beast is always more in tune with our surroundings. Yes, Beast and I are one and the same, but he leads the animal side while I handle the human and control us both. Keeping them separate in my head helps, which is one of the most valuable lessons my uncle taught me.

"Only allow your beast to rule when you need a body count. At all other times keep a close reign on him," he would lecture when Beast inadvertently slipped into my consciousness and I did something destructive.

Now I'm dealing with a human who tests my control of Beast at every turn. I should just kill her. Beast knows something I'm unaware of and this is no time to stop listening to him. The Shadow Warriors understand what we face when fighting the hellhounds and we know it will take working with humans to stop our own annihilation. I cannot kill her.

"I guess you just plan on being rude..." she says but her voice trails off, her expression changing, and I can only guess it's because of something she sees when looking at me. As a human, she wouldn't be able to detect the energy in the room, though she might feel the rise in temperature if she paid close attention.

"Stay where you are," I tell her as she takes a small step back. Another growl releases from Beast. The internal battle is causing physical pain, and Beast shreds my insides refusing to back down. My vision goes red around the edges. Marinah Church is a threat, and Beast knows she needs to be eliminated.

"King," Beck says from behind me. His tone in that one word means he understands I'm at a crossroads.

"I've got this," I assure him through clenched teeth even though I'm not sure I do.

"Marinah, step around him slowly. No sudden movements."

"No," I growl and almost lose myself to Beast's violence.

Marinah freezes before she can step in his direction. It's all that saves her. Beast bellows inside me and bones crack. Rage floods my system along with more Kedorine 5. I've never brought Beast back from this point of transformation, but I know I must. The pain almost takes me to my knees. The red band around my vision increases in size until there's only a small clear place left and it holds Marinah. Thick energy pushes against my bones exerting Beast's will over my own. No, I almost shout out loud. I hold my ground and mentally force Beast back. More bones crack, the pain excruciating. "No." My shout fills the room this time.