Page 21 of Destined Mate

The older man scowled. “He’s always been a jackass.” Then his shoulders sagged. “You’re gonna have to take her to a healer in the coven. We need to take her back to Zeke sooner rather than later. He’ll view our taking her as a betrayal and a threat to his power. We have to tread carefully until Samuel is crowned.”

Tensing, I reminded myself to breathe. Though our pack protected a coven nearby, we weren’t allies with the witches. They helped us only when absolutely necessary, and even then, it was begrudgingly.

“Dad, what would you have me do?” Bodey lifted his hands in surrender. “The four of us witnessed the attack and the complete disregard Zeke had for her. You taught me better than to turn my back on people in need. I couldn’tnotcheck on her and let Zeke do whatever the hell he pleased. That’s not right.”

Chuckling, Jack patted his chest. “You know what? I’m here for it. She’s hot and nice, and Zeke is a douche. I say fuck him.”

“Shut up, man,” Lucas growled and smacked Jack on the back of his head. “What Mr. Valor is trying to say is that even though there’s a law, now wasn’t the time to invoke it, not with the coronation in two weeks. The Southwest is already trying to infiltrate our territory—we don’t need to be fighting one another.”

I’d been so wrong to come here…not that it had been entirely willingly. But I could’ve put up more of a fight. By not doing so, I’d caused more problems.

I tried to rise, but my ribs screamed and forced me to lean back against the seat. I didn’t know if I’d bruised them or if one might be broken, but one thing was certain, I wasn’t going anywhere right now.

“What’s done is done.” Mr. Valor’s shoulders sagged. “She’s here, so there’s no reason to dwell on it. You should get her inside and let her rest if she’s that bad off. We can get the priestess to visit her here.”

Bodey’s jaw tensed. “That’s the problem. Priestess Dina and her coven left to visit family across the state and prepare for the coronation. Some of the preparations need to be done on the sacred ground there.”

“Right.” Mr. Valor rolled his shoulders. “I forgot about that. It’s been so long since we’ve crowned anyone. Well, then, rest is all we can do for her right now.”

“Dude, it’s like everything is a surprise for everyone as we navigate the ceremonies.” Jack crossed his arms and smirked. “You’d think with all the shit you guys gave us about taking notes and documenting traditions, you would’ve taken your own advice.”

Arching a brow, Mr. Valor chuckled. “Thereisa book, and it includes descriptions of all the ceremonial rites. Why am I not surprised you aren’t aware of that?”

“What?” His mouth dropped. “But you just said—”

“I don’t have the book,” Mr. Valor interjected. “Miles does.”

“So that’s how he knows everything.” Jack glared. “And here I thought it was because he was silent and had keen observational skills.”

Miles rubbed his hands together. “I do. How do you think I knew about the book in the first place?”

“He’s got you there.” Lucas snorted as he patted Jack on the shoulder.

“You three go be smart-asses somewhere else.” Bodey waved them away. “I’ll take care of Callie. She fell asleep on the way here, and I don’t want her to get sore from sleeping in the car. She’s gone through enough.”

Butterflies took flight inside me as I watched him walk around his dad toward me. When I noticed the way his dad and friends glanced at one another behind his back, though, those flutters died. They were concerned…and I was certain it wasn’t about me.

“After you get her situated, you want to meet us and Samuel at the bachelor pad?” Jack quipped, waggling his brows despite Bodey not facing him.

“It’snota bachelor pad,” Miles growled. “Stella will be staying with us this weekend, if not sooner.”

Lucas shook his head. “You know he said that to rile you up. It’s not like he’s planning on strippers…” He trailed off. “Wait. Jack, you don’t have strippers coming, do you?”

“I didn’t…but maybe I will now.” Jack’s eyes twinkled. “I could use a little loving, and Bodey made it clear that the pack women here are off-limits.”

Miles’s eyes glowed.

“You know Jack won’t risk Stella’s wrath by doing that. She would destroy him.” Mr. Valor laughed and led the boys away from the garage. “And Jack, stop being an instigator.”

“Thank gods,” Bodey grumbled as he moved toward me again. “I needed Jack gone.”

The corners of my lips warred with me, trying to tip upward, but I didn’t want him to know I’d been eavesdropping. I bit the inside of my cheek, focusing on the sting, and closed my eyes a moment before he opened my door.

He touched my arm gently and whispered, “Hey, we’re here. We need to get you inside.”

The flutters returned at his touch, and I opened my eyes slowly. My breath caught as I stared into his eyes.

“Here, let me help you out,” he said as he carefully reached around me and unbuckled the seat belt, then took my hands, helping me out of the Jeep and onto my feet.

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