Page 75 of Destined Mate

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Luckily,no one wanted to talk. Everyone seemed tense, even Theo, who stared out the window. This was his debut as a future royal adviser, so I left him to his thoughts. If it had been only the two of us, I would’ve talked to him and reassured him, but there was no way I’d do that with Zeke in the car.

When we finally got to Lewiston, we turned down some back roads that led us away from town. The GPS told us to turn left up ahead and then that we’d arrived at our destination. Zeke turned down the music and glanced in the rearview mirror at Theo and me. “Remember, everyone, be on your best behavior.”

“Yes, weallshould be,” I replied, my mouth running away from me again.

He glared at me in the mirror, but he didn’t say anything as we drove up the road. The entrance to the winery was beautiful. Rows of vineyards went on for acres if not miles, and Zeke followed the road to a white metal building with large glass cutouts. A patio with hanging twinkle lights had been staged with fifty tables, all covered in white tablecloths and with six chairs each.

This place was gorgeous and seemed fitting for a celebration of a wolf shifter king. It was a mix of outdoors and class.

We pulled up to the front doors, where valets waited. Zeke and Theo helped Tina and me from the car. My eyes wanted to search forhim, but I forced myself not to.

We headed down the walkway toward the patio. The smells of steak, pork, and lamb made me salivate. There were already a ton of people there, dressed similarly to us, and thankfully, no sign of Bodey.

At our arrival, Lynerd glanced at us, his nose wrinkling as he cupped Sybil’s arm and escorted her to the other side of the back patio, away from us, as Zeke hurried off with some alphas, leaving Tina, Theo, and me behind.

Theo leaned toward my ear. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get us a glass of wine.”

Before I could protest, he’d disappeared into the building.

“At least we have each other.” Tina smiled, though it wasn’t very warm.

“That we do.” But I’d rather not be here at all.

I wanted to go into the vineyard and get lost among the vines. My chest constricted, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The world blurred. I needed something to help me get through this.

Theo returned with three glasses of red wine. He handed one to me, and I downed it in one big gulp. When he turned from handing his mom hers, he eyed my empty glass.

“Uh…do you want another?” He arched a brow, uncertain about getting me more.

“Definitely.” I swiped his and drank it in another big gulp.

Then an all-too-familiar chuckle made me freeze.

Gods, no. Don’t let it be him.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Let it be my imagination,I chanted internally, sending the message to Fate—if she was even listening. I still believed she was a vicious bitch who didn’t like me, but maybe she’d feel bad enough about everything else to grant me this one wish.Or if it is him, don’t let him notice me. Please.

I had to force my lungs to move before I got dizzy, and I wished I had a third glass of wine in my hand. I needed it more than ever.

“Why weren’t you this fun when you were hanging with us?” Jack asked from behind me.

There was no doubt he was talking to me.

Fuck. Fate hated me.

If Jack was here, that meant the others would be aware of me soon, if they weren’t already.

Tina and I had blended into a corner of the patio, yet one of them had found me within minutes of my arrival.

Theo lifted a brow. “Jack.”

The only response given was Jack tapping me on the shoulder.

“Don’t be rude, little ass kicker,” Jack said as I turned to him. “You’ve been missed. Had I known you knew how to party, you could’ve stayed longer, and we could have loosened up Bodey a little. Gods knows he needs it.”

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