Page 35 of Destined Mate

Theo brushed his thumb across my cheek, the gesture calculated. He nodded. “They do. I already told them they have to.”

He turned and nudged Charles’s shoulder.

Flinching, Charles cleared his throat and growled, “I’m sorry that you’re weak.”

I snorted, unable to keep it in, even with my ribs aching. “And that I require oxygen?”

Charles smiled sweetly. “That too.”

I appreciated his honesty. There was no point in lying; we’d all know, anyway.

“Not good enough,” Theo snarled, his eyes glowing.

A sour taste filled my mouth. This wasn’t about them making amends. Not really. This was about Theo acting as an alpha, proving to them that they would have to obey him and proving to me that he would be a good mate. This would get back to Bodey and the others through the pack members next door who were home, and I suspected that was also part of Theo’s motive.

“Fine.” Charles crossed his arms. “We shouldn’t haveallattacked you.”

Still not an apology, but Theo seemed satisfied. Theo nodded to Pearl.

Pearl blew out of breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t do more. After all, you’re mysister.” The last word dripped with condemnation.

Yeah, I was sure she was sorry she hadn’t donemore.

Then Theo actually nodded at me as if I were supposed to say something.

I remained silent. I refused to say it was fine or that I forgave them. I wasn’t stupid; they hadn’t truly apologized, just said enough words that Theo wanted to hear.

He waved a hand at me and asked, “What do you have to say?”

Don’t say anything, I told myself.Keep your mouth shut.Anything I said would anger Theo because it wouldn’t be what he wanted to hear, and I refused to be part of the game Charles and Pearl were playing. “That it’s time for you three to go?”

Yup, I definitely had a death wish.

Theo’s jaw clenched, and Charles and Pearl smirked. They wanted him to be mad at me.

The garage door opened, and my limbs weakened. Bodey was back, and if Theo didn’t leave, things would escalate.

Theo planted his feet shoulder-width apart, refusing to leave.

“Do you think it’s wise for you to be here?” I asked, and his eyes narrowed.

I kept saying all the wrong things. The story of my life.

The door to the mudroom opened, followed by heavy, rushed footsteps. There was no doubt it was Bodey.

They marched down the hallway toward us, three sets of footsteps following more leisurely.

Bodey breezed into the living room, his jaw clenched and his face stony. This was the second time I’d seen this version of him. It unnerved me because it lacked the kindness and warmth he normally exuded. This wasn’t the lighthearted man who’d teased me at breakfast and played the guitar for me the night before. His alpha power radiated off him in waves.

Theo jerked his gaze up, despite his bottom lip quivering.

Taking a protective stance beside me, Bodey placed a hand on my lower back. The warmth of his touch sent flutters through my stomach. I should’ve stepped away, especially when Theo’s face twisted with anger, but I didn’t want to, and my legs stayed firmly in place.

“What thefuckis going on here?” Bodey spat.

Sweat beaded Theo’s forehead. “Charles and Pearl had something they wanted to say to Callie, and I wanted to check on her.”

The three other advisers breezed into the room and came to a stop behind us. I wasn’t surprised when Jack snorted and said, “Oh…what did they want to say to her?”

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