Page 65 of Destined Mate

If they thought I was staying here overnight, they would soon realize how wrong they were. “I need to get home so Stevie and my parents won’t worry.”

Zeke beamed, the sight giving me chills. “They aren’t worried. I’ve told them what’s going on. Besides, this will be your home for the near future.”

My mouth dropped open as everything inside me hollowed. “What? No, I need my room.”

Jaw twitching, Zeke lifted his chin. “The scouts attacked you, and now Queen Kel knows who you are. The survivor linked back everything. They could attack you and your family. It’s better if you stay in the house with Theo next door so we can protect you.”

This was my worst nightmare. I was a prisoner in Zeke’s house. “I fought off three of them. I’ll be fine.”

“We can’t risk it.” Zeke shook his head, and his body tensed. The malice his tone normally held when he talked to me had slipped back into place. “This isn’t a request. This is anorder.”

I wanted to spit and curse, but that wouldn’t accomplish anything. It wasn’t like I could leave. If I tried, they’d touch me, and I’d crumble. Not only that, but my eyes were burning from fatigue.

“Maybe we should let her rest.” Theo released my hand and glanced at his dad.

Zeke rolled his shoulders back. “That’s a good idea.” His voice had returned to the fake tone he’d been using since my return from Bodey’s. “Tina, you should make dinner so she can take some medicine. She’s hurting.”

My throat constricted. “Advil’s fine.” I didn’t need strong medication that would give me a loose tongue. I’d rather endure the pain.

She moved around the bed to the window. “Sweetie, you need something stronger than that. This isn’t a headache.”

It was dark outside, making me realize that I’d been out for a while. “I made it through injured ribs.” Ribs she hadn’t bothered to inspect.

“No one needs to be a hero.” She frowned and left the room.

With his attention on where his mate had exited, Zeke said, “Take the medicine. Don’t give her grief.” He turned to me. “Rest so you can get better. We need you back on your feet.”

He shuffled to the door and paused. “Oh, and you don’t need to worry about your new job. They know what happened, so they understand.” He smiled condescendingly. “The benefits of working for shifters.”

Laughter bubbled in my chest, and I covered the sound with a cough. The irony couldn’t be denied. Charles was the reason I’d been out there. If I had been doing the desk job Trevor had promised, none of this would have happened.

“Everything will work out. You still have your job, you’re safe, and that wolf shifter won’t escape,” Theo assured me, squeezing my hand once more.

I wasn’t worried about any of that. It was being here in this house with Zeke, Tina, and even Theo, at their every whim, that scared me.

Despite the panic sinking its claws into my chest and making my blood run cold, my eyelids grew heavy. Before I realized what was happening, I’d fallen fast asleep.

* * *

Something shook me awake.I tried to open my eyes, but all I could manage was a crack. The room spun like it had that one time I’d downed wolfsbane, and my stomach roiled, ready to empty.

Tina’s overly sweet scent had it churning even worse. “Here. Take this pill.”

“Mom, she can’t take a pill like that on an empty stomach. I can hear it gurgling.” Theo sighed. “Let me grab her a protein drink to coat her stomach.”

“Chocolate,” I said as I heard him scurry out the door. Only the chocolate flavor sounded the least bit appetizing.

A small, rough hand pulled the neckline of my shirt to the side of my injured shoulder.

My pulse stopped, and I managed to open my eyes and glance down. I was wearing a huge shirt…one that definitely wasn’t mine. “Who changed my clothes?”

Tina moved the shirt back into place, then threw the tan covers off my legs and began examining them. “I did.”

I filled my lungs again.

Footsteps headed back toward us, and Tina replaced the covers over my legs. “Your injuries are already healing, and your skin isn’t as pale. You should feel a lot better in the morning.”

Thank gods for that. As soon as I could, I’d go home.

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