Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Seraphina
Running in this form was beyond exhilarating.
All my worries faded to the back of my mind, and pure animalistic urges took over.
I could hear prey scurrying along the forest floor, sense the changes in the wind when a bird flew overhead.
The colors of the jungle-like forest were vibrant, the exceptional eyesight in this form aiding me as my paws thundered against the soft earth.
I let out a roar, enjoying the way the world shuddered around me.
A mighty tree with limbs large enough to hold a full-sized jaguar called to me, and I used my powerful hindlegs to leap into it.
Damn, that was graceful as hell.
Apparently, my naturally sarcastic personality persisted even in this form.
The sun was beginning to set, and I rested my massive head on my paws, enjoying the lazy evening free of responsibilities.
Who cared about wars and evil cults when this life existed?
The searing pain from earlier was gone, and I had no desire to feel it ever again.
No more guilt for breaking my bonds, no more shame for what Laszlo did to me, no more anything.
Closing my eyes, I shoved my humanity down even further, fully becoming the beast.
A sudden thud at the base of my tree caught my attention.
An eagle dropped out of the sky and landed as a young man. He stared up at me uneasily, but his presence didn’t bother me. I could crush him easily, if I needed to. The second male, however, was an issue.
Phenex. I shook my head and snarled. No. I won’t go back.
“Seraphina, my queen,” Phenex drawled, reaching out his arm in a casual wave. “Come down and greet your favorite mate.”
A deadly purr rumbled in my chest.
“She doesn’t seem happy to see you.” The young man stepped backward, a bow and arrow materializing in his hands.
Phenex glared at him. “If you launch a single fucking arrow at my mate, I will gut you with my claws. Put. That. Away.”
His possessive words stirred something within me, but guilt and shame clouded the feeling. I didn’t want any of it. Instead, I leapt from the tree, landed easily, and took off in the opposite direction.
“Now what?” The young man sounded extra grumpy.
Even several paces in the opposite direction, I could hear Phenex clearly, as if he were speaking next to me. “We try a new tactic. Fetch Mirha for me.”
A hint of curiosity pressed against my mind at this new name. It sounded like a female’s name. I shook my head and growled, shoving the jealous thoughts back into the humanity box.
There was a clearing ahead, and the sound of rushing water reached my ears before I came upon the flowing river. Before I could leap across, Phenex landed on the other side, directly in front of me. He was smirking, his silver eyes glowing with power.
I gazed at him, taking in his more daemonic form.
On Earth, the daemons often had their wings and horns visible, but this form was something more monstrous.
His grin revealed sharp fangs and a forked tongue.
Long, dark claws protruded from where his nails were previously, and shit, did they look deadly.
His feet were bare, and black claws extended from his feet, digging into the earth as he crouched in a threatening stance.
A menacing purr emanated from my chest, but he didn’t flinch.
In the next moment, a female with navy feathered wings dropped out of the sky. She had silver hair, a shade very similar to Phen’s glowing eyes.
“Hello, Phen,” she cooed at him. “It’s been too long since you visited me.”
The hair on my back stood up at her seductive voice aimed at my mate.
He grinned, side-eyeing her, then turned his back to me. “Hello, Mihra. Lovely to see you as well. Meet Seraphina.” Phen gestured in my direction.
Mihra barely glanced at me, her attention focused on Phen. Her eyes drifted down his bare chest to his muscular legs, visible in the torn, fitted jeans he wore. “A pleasure.” She murmured the greeting, her navy-blue eyes filled with lust for my fucking mate.
Phenex took a single step toward the female, and just as she reached out to cup his cheek, I hurled myself across the river, knocking the female to the ground. My fangs were inches from her pretty face as a predatory roar gathered in my throat.
“Seraphina, my perfect mate,” Phen murmured to my right. He was crouched down next to us with a smile on his stupid, beautiful face. “Probably best not to kill her, she is a cousin of yours, after all. People would be upset.”
I snapped my sharp teeth at him and snarled, but he merely chuckled, unafraid.
“Come on now, mini monstra. Tell me how you really feel,” he taunted me.
That fucking nickname was my undoing. The broken threads of our bond shimmered within me, and my humanity burst through the damn I built in my mind. My jaguar form vibrated, unable to remain with all the emotions flooding my system. My naked body flattened on top of the female.
“Hello, cousin.” She smiled up at me, which was enough to earn my wrath. My claws extended, and I grabbed her throat, relieving her of the ability to breathe.
Phenex rushed forward and grabbed my waist with his muscular arms and ripped me off the girl. “As fucking hot as that was to watch, I can’t let you kill her.”
“She was flirting with you. Touching what belongs to me.” I snarled the words, practically spitting mad as the female got to her feet and smirked.
She bowed to me, and I paused, confused. “Well, she certainly is her father’s daughter. Good luck, Phen.” And with those parting words, Mihra launched into the air and flew out of sight.
Phen walked us to a nearby try and turned me in his arms, slamming my back into the rough bark. “Fucking gods, you are stunning. I need you, mini monstra,” he groaned, his nostrils flaring. “And you need me, too.”
Fiery heat burned through me as his hands roamed over my naked body. He wasted no time, dropping one hand between my legs and sliding two fingers inside me. I was soaked for him already, and a needy moan escaped my lips.
“That’s my favorite sound in the world.” He smirked, nipping at my throat. “Other than hearing you scream my name when you come on my cock.”
“Then fuck me already,” I commanded, needing more than his fingers inside me.