Page 72 of Destined Mate

When Theo thrust out his chest, he reminded me of a puffer fish. “I’ll be the alpha in three days, so you’ll be listening to me soon enough.” He moved to get out of the car, but New Guy blocked him.

“I told you I’ll behave, so you can leave.” He gestured to the road. “You don’t need to be here, anyway. You didn’t inform us that you were coming.”

Nostrils flaring, Theo bit out, “I don’t have to. This ismyterritory. I can visit anytime I want.”

Now I wished I’d stayed behind. I didn’t want to watch two alpha males have their pissing match. Even though I was on the other side of the truck, I could get dragged into this confrontation as an innocent bystander. I didn’t know what to do. If they continued, a fight was inevitable. And if they fought, I suspected New Guy would win.

I assumed he was Lynerd, and a fight would have huge implications for him, Theo, and Zeke and could affect Samuel’s coronation. I couldn’t let that happen. “We’re heading into town to get me a dress for tomorrow. We stopped by on our way there.”

Lynerd’s eyes flicked to me, taking me in. “And you are?”

I smiled and leaned over Theo, sticking out my hand while reining in my emotions. “Callie. I’m part of Zeke and Theo’s pack.”

His forehead lined. “I’m sorry that’s the case. Growing up there couldn’t have been too pleasant, especially for a woman.” He shook my hand firmly.

I flinched as I removed my hand from his. For him to assume that they treated me harshly meant Zeke must also treat other females poorly across the state. Even though I received the brunt of Zeke’s malice, I’d seen how he treated other females in our pack. Not quite as bad, but he disregarded their abilities and opinions.

Theo turned to me, lifting his brows as if telling me not to answer. But that would just confirm everything Lynerd had implied and make the situation more awkward.

“As a whole, it hasn’t always been easy.” I shrugged, acting as if it were no big deal.

If looks could kill, Theo would’ve driven a stake through my heart.

“But ever since Queen Kel’s scouts attacked me, Zeke and Theo have been kind and attentive to my needs. They’ve taken care of me and ensured that someone’s always watching over me.”Probably to prevent me from digging around in Zeke’s room. “So maybe Zeke’s views are changing?” I was certain that wasn’t true, so I’d formed it as a question. I hoped that would be enough to relieve the tension.

Lynerd’s attention turned to Theo. Both men stared at each other, and the little bit of tension I’d eased came swirling back between them.

I knew one thing for certain—Theo was determined to get inside, and we weren’t leaving until that happened. I wondered if Zeke had told him to do this as a test, but that could just be me thinking the worst of his father.

“You have a beautiful home.” I made a point to stare at the impeccable brick house and the neighborhood. Similar to ours, their houses appeared to all have the same layout, but this one was slightly bigger.

“Thank you.” Lynerd blew out a breath and blinked, considering something. A conflicted wince shot across his face as his gaze met mine. “You’ve traveled for a while. I know that’s rough on our wolves. Would you like to come inside and stretch for a minute?”

Clearly, he was asking me, not Theo. Regardless, the offer was an olive branch because Theo would come inside with me. I wanted to decline and not push this visit on him, but if I did, a fight could break out.

“Of course we’re coming inside.” Theo clenched his hands in his lap. “I alreadysaidthat.”

A scowl returned to Lynerd’s face, and he huffed. I bet he regretted his offer now. Instead of being gracious, Theo reminded me of his father—petulant and entitled.

Not wanting to ruin the progress I’d made, I climbed out of the truck and hurried around the hood. I stretched, emphasizing this was what I needed. Lynerd strolled over as Theo got out of the car and said, “By the way, I’m Lynerd. The alpha of the pack.”

Yup, I’d guessed right. “Nice to meet you.”

Ignoring Theo, Lynerd gestured for me to come with him. The two of us headed to the front door, with Lynerd walking on the edge of the concrete sidewalk, forcing Theo to either walk in the grass or on my other side.

That was probably for the best, though if they started another argument, I would be the only thing standing between them. Fortunately, no one said a word as we walked the fifteen steps to the front door.

Opening it, Lynerd waved us in.

As soon as I entered the long hallway, I smelled three distinct scents. The first was Lynerd’s—a musky pine—but there was also a musky grass and herbal rosemary. I took in every inch of the house and found muted-brown walls and gorgeous crown molding. Thick, dark wooden floors were sturdy under my feet, confirming this place was way nicer than the houses back home. That had to contribute to the contention between this pack and ours.

Lynerd shut the door and led us toward the living room. Two people came into view, sitting on a massive tan couch against the left wall. The musky grass was the scent of the male wolf shifter sitting on the end closer to us. His hair was cut short, and he had a shaggy copper beard. The woman on the other end had to be a witch. I eyed her curiously. I’d never been around one before.

I was beginning to realize our pack was an anomaly. Zeke had warned us to stay away from witches because a witch had killed his best friend, our previous beta. I had no reason to doubt him; I’d heard him tell the story, and he’d never smelled of a lie, but maybe it had been the act of an extremist witch who didn’t represent the entire population.

The witch tilted her head, and her long dark-blue hair fell over the bare, dark tan skin of her shoulder. Her gorgeous emerald eyes scanned me. “Hello,” she said, her voice reminding me of a classical song.

Her examination sent a shiver coursing down my spine. Theo must have felt something similar because he stiffened.

---