Page 51 of Destined Mate

He slowly turned around, his eyes darkening to onyx, locking on me. “You’re not well. You can stay a few more days. This is what the advisers and I agreed upon.”

This was harder than I’d expected. With my heart squeezing and my eyes burning, I wanted to crumple into his arms, which was theentireproblem. “I know, but if I stay here, I’ll get hurt worse in a different way.” I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and held his gaze. I couldn’t falter. Theo was here because I’d asked him to come. “I don’t want to leave, but I have to.”

“You don’teverhave to leave,” he rasped, closing the distance between us. “You can stay and become part of our pack.”

My heart screamedyes, but my brain yelled a louderno. Even though his offer tempted me, I’d rather live among people who openly hated me than pine away as he found his fated and fell in love.

At least, with my current pack, I’d have my head on straight and determine a way to leave them behind on my own terms.

Licking my lips, I searched for the right words. I wanted to be honest and not speak out of hurt or anger and regret it later. “I want to. I do. But I can’t.”

“There’s—” he started.

I held up a hand. “Let me finish, please.” I needed to get it all out before I couldn’t.

He nodded, his jaw ticcing.

“First, staying with your pack would cause more problems with you four, Zeke, and Theo when he takes over.”

“Fuck them,” he snarled. “I don’t give a rat’s ass.”

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, but I pushed the sensation away. He wanted to protect me, no matter the cost—and that was both the problem and one reason I was falling for him.

I had to tell him. “Bodey, I can’t stay here and watch you findher.” My voice broke on the last word, and a tear trailed down my cheek. “I wouldn’t survive that. I’m sorry.”

He hunched his shoulders. “I don’t want you to leave for way too many reasons.”

Did he want to keep me around in case he never found her? “I need you to let me go.” I stared into his eyes, wanting him to see my pain. “I can’t stay here. Not after last night.”

A knock had Bodey’s face hardening. He crossed his arms, blocking me from reaching the door.

If he thought that would prevent me from leaving, he’d soon learn otherwise. I didn’t give a damn if he decided to be all alpha-y. Even my own childhood alpha had a hard time controlling me, and I wouldn’t cower.

I moved past him to open the door, even if just a crack.

“Callie,” he warned.

I couldn’t continue this conversation. My resolve would crumble, and I’d wind up staying. I already wanted to give in, so I had to leave…formeandnow.

I opened the door and heard him inhale in frustration.

Welcome to the party. He didn’t get to reject me, then demand I stay close. That wasn’t how life worked, even if he was used to it being that way.

I managed to open the door only a crack, thanks to the way Bodey was blocking it, but it was wide enough for me to see Theo’s face.

He smiled. “Hey.” His smile faltered when I didn’t open the door wider.

Snarling, Bodey grabbed the edge of the door and threw it open, stepping between Theo and me so he could hover in the doorframe. He snapped, “She’s still not better. It’s not time for her to leave.”

My hands fisted at my sides, and for the first time, I felt angry at Bodey. I welcomed the sensation. At least it numbed the heartbreak.

Theo lifted his chin. “She asked me to come pick her up today, so I’m here to bring her home. You don’t get a say.”

Shaking his head, Bodey crossed his arms. “Not happening.”

I gritted my teeth. “You aren’t the boss of me.”

“Somebody concerned with your well-being should be.” He glanced over his shoulder at me, his nostrils flaring.

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