Page 49 of Called By Fate

My eyebrow raises at her words. "And what makes you think I'm going to risk my hide and yours for that traitorous bitch?"

Sadie bites her lip. "Well, as you know, I had the chance to talk to her parents while I was in the In-Between. Mickey is reanimating them to make her think he brought them back. Look, I'm still angry with her, that won't go away overnight, but I'm also trying to understand. I can't sit here and say I would've reacted differently had that fucker reanimated Skylar or my dad and put a geas on me. She's as new to this world as I am and doesn't understand they're not actually back. Apparently, Mickey can only bring them to life for a short while, dragging their consciousnesses from the afterlife to the In-Between, and it's painful for them. We have to make her understand."

That bastard is pulling them from the afterlife?

Fucking hell.

"That's messed up and one of the most disrespectful things you can do to the dead."

"Yeah, it's no wonder he has the Elders’ full support," she quips with an eye roll, making my lips twitch. "I still wonder how that happened."

"Good question. Something I’m sure we’ll find out eventually. If there’s anything those fuckers like to do, it’s brag. Have you told the others you want to find her?" I ask, and I'm betting the answer is no.

She worries her lip between her teeth again. "No."Bingo."But I will after this. I'm only worried they won't understand like I know you will. You do some sketchy shit to protect your Circle brothers."

Gods, if she only knew how true that statement is. The lengths I'd go to protect her—to protect all of them. Every decision I’ve ever made, good or bad, has been to protect them. And now her.

"Ah, so you brought this harebrained idea to me first, huh?" I smirk on the outside but on the inside, I’m honored. It’s a big deal she came to me, trusting me to come up with a solution. The thought she believes in me soothes the metaphorical beast inside of me, so much it’s almost preening. Moons, this woman drives me wild.

“Yeah, I did,” she admits. “I'm hoping you might have some intel on where she's being kept or how to get her back. It’s not right what they’re doing to her family. They were once my family too, you know.”

“Sneaky, little Pet,” I purr. "Sure, I can try to get that information for you, but it's going to cost you.”

A devilish grin spreads across her face. "What did you have in mind?"

I’m terrible at expressing my feelings, always striving to be the leader and protector. But I can show her every minute of every day how much I am willing to give up and the lengths I’m willing to go for her. How much I’m hers, and I intend to show her that right now.

"You," I growl and flip us over. “I’m nowhere near done worshiping my Goddess.”

21

Throwing on a tank top and some workout shorts, I get ready for my training with Reed, throwing my hair up into a loose ponytail before exiting our room. The guys, minus Vinson, are out recruiting again today, leaving Reed and I to train.

Vin is in the kitchen when I walk in. He’s wearing a black apron on top of his gray T-shirt and jeans, and his muscled arms look as scrumptious as the food he’s whipping up smells. He has training with Alpha Darren today, shadowing him on Alpha stuff. He’s fitting into the role rather nicely. I’ve noticed while we’re out and about more and more shifters are deferring to Vin.

When he finds me looking, he grins at me and says, "Good morning, Luna," before returning to the stove. The man takes his cooking seriously, that’s for sure. I don't think I've ever seen him burn anything. “Are you hungry?” he asks, stirring what looks like sausage gravy.

Gods, how did he know I've been craving biscuits and gravy?

See? Part wizard, I tell you.

"Extremely," I respond, and my stomach gives an answering growl to punctuate it.

"Don't worry, my Moon. I'm making plenty. I'll take good care of you." The last of his words send a spike of lust straight down to my clit, which I have to mentally tell to calm the fuck down.

“Mmm,” I start, thinking about the almost possessive way he likes to take care of me. “Speaking of which, is that a shifter thing?”

“Which part?” he asks. “Me wanting to take care of you?”

“Yeah, it seems like the male shifters are always taking care of the females. Like when you let us eat before you.”

“It is,” he confirms. “Once a male shifter is mated, he’s overcome with the urge to take care of his mate. It's a little different for us because I'm sharing you with the others, but yes.”

I watch as he brings the steaming spoon to his lips to taste the gravy and it distracts me for a second. His eyes flick over to me, and he grins before returning it to the pot to keep stirring.

“I love the shifters' customs,” I tell him truthfully. “It seems like you really cherish the women and children, even the other males. I've seen a few scuffles, but most of the time you all get along so nicely.”

“Pack is family,” he says simply. “We may bicker sometimes, but at the end of the day, our bonds are thick.”

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