Page 110 of Destined Mate

He waggled his brows.I don’t care. They’ll be hearing a lot of moaning from our room soon.

“I wish I could meet Jasmine today,” I said. Talking about his sister should change the direction of this conversation.

Michael nodded. “We wanted her to attend, but after last night, we didn’t dare risk it. Having too many people here could draw unwanted attention. Luckily, many packs are close by if there is an attack, and the witches’ perimeter spells will alert us before it becomes an issue.”

“She’s been like a sister to me, and I hate that she’s not here, too,” Samuel said as he eased closer to me, his gaze on Theo, who was still several feet away, listening to our conversation.

“She’ll be home soon.” Janet forced a sad smile.

Samuel linked to all of us,Zeke’s up to something.

When is he not?Bodey grimaced and tugged me closer to his side.We’ll figure it out after the coronation. We need to focus on you getting your ink and the crown.

Unfortunately, I fear it’ll take removing his pack as the reigning pack in Oregon to put him in his place,Michael replied, running a hand over the back of Janet’s royal-blue halter-top dress.

My heart squeezed. Removing Zeke’s pack would have horrible repercussions, and my family would get caught up in the drama. However, I had to focus on one problem at a time, and I was certain Bodey and I would have time to figure out how to help them. Maybe they’d be more open to switching packs once they met Bodey, but I doubted Pearl would willingly join a pack in which I was the alpha’s mate.

Theo walked over to us. Bodey tucked me behind him and puffed out his chest.

“Callie, can I talk with you?” Theo asked and clasped his hands in front of him.

“No,” Bodey snarled.

“Samuel.” Janet took his arm and tugged him and Michael toward the witches. “We should make sure they don’t need any help.”

Though they were giving the three of us a moment alone, I noticed Jack perk up and nudge Lucas. Jack nodded toward us.

“I’m not here to cause problems.” Theo lifted his hands, and the foul smell of sulfur was missing.

“Good.” I nodded, moving back to Bodey’s side. I refused to be protected from this inevitable conversation. “Whatever you have to say can be said in front of Bodey.”

My mate smirked.I love you.

Huffing, Theo rubbed his hands together. “Fine.” For a moment, there was silence, and then he said, “Even though I wanted Callie as my—”

Bodey bared his teeth and grabbed Theo’s shirt. Theo’s head jerked back.

I placed a hand on Bodey’s arm.He’s not a threat. I’m yours. I have been since the day you saved me at Hells Canyon. Let’s listen to what he has to say.

Letting out a long sigh, Bodey relaxed and released his grip.

Theo tried to smooth the wrinkles from his shirt. He glanced at me. “I assume I have you to thank for that.”

I wanted to roll my eyes. “Is that all you wanted to say?”

“He’d better have more to say. If that was all, then he and I are going to have a huge fight.” Bodey got into Theo’s face and growled, “She ismine.”

A vein between Theo’s eyes bulged, but he sidestepped to focus on me. “If he makes you happy, then congratulations are in order. I want you to be happy, even if it’s not with me.”

Some tension eased from Bodey’s body, and my lungs moved more freely.

“We good, man?” Theo held out his hand.

Bodey paused but then shook it. “As long as you stop trying to claim her for yourself.”

“She’s hard to let go.” Theo mashed his lips together. “But if you’re what she wants, I’d be an ass not to back off.”

Unable to stop myself, I hugged Theo. I never doubted he’d come around, and when he took over the adviser spot, his attitude would bridge the gap between our pack and the other advisers.

---