Page 82 of Destined Mate

I stiffened. I’d been so focused on this revelation that I hadn’t noticed his approach. I didn’t want him to know that a witch had spelled me. He hated witches, and I could see him casting me from the pack for this. Even though I wanted to leave, I didn’t want to be homeless.

“Just chatting,” Bodey said easily. “Dina was giving us an update and introducing herself to Callie.”

Zeke homed in on Bodey’s arm, which was still wrapped around me. He tugged at his collar. “Callie should be getting back to herdate, not wasting time talking towitches.”

I’d expected his reaction. A witch had betrayed him and hurt his best friend. I wanted to stay here with Samuel and Bodey and learn how spells worked, but Zeke would hover until I left, so my best bet was to oblige him and hope I could find Dina later and ask a few more questions.

I began to step forward, but Bodey’s hand gripped my waist, holding me in place.

“She’s staying with me.”

My heart squeezed.

“She’s here with Theo. Notyou.” Zeke straightened to his full height. “And she’s my pack member. I don’t want her talking to witches. She needs to move.Now.”

Samuel lifted his chin. “Tomorrow, I’ll be yourking, and I say if she wants to stay here and continue this conversation, she can.”

Zeke’s hands clenched. “This is unacceptable. A king shouldn’t get involved in such affairs.”

The silence that followed was heavy with tension. Zeke was arguing with Samuel, who would be crowned in less than twelve hours. Almost anyone would know better than that.

“A king will do what he thinks is necessary and fair if an alpha is abusing their power.” Samuel placed his hands on his hips, holding his ground, his strong wolf pouring off him.

For not wanting to lead, Samuel was already doing it well. Pride soared through me.

Zeke glared at me, his hatred for me sliding back into place as if it had never gone away. The message was clear—this confrontation wasmy fault.

If I didn’t salvage this, who knew what torture lay ahead for me? “It’s fine. I’ll head back to Theo and Tina.”

“See?” Zeke said. “She wants to go. Are you going to tell her she can’t?”

Faltering, Samuel turned to me.

I’d undermined him, though that hadn’t been my intention. I’d spoken without thinking of the repercussions for him, but instead of anger, his eyes softened. There was no judgment, no malice, no hatred. He understood why I’d done it.

Readying myself to step away from Bodey’s comforting embrace, I smiled. “It was nice to meet you, Dina.” I prepared for the arm that provided safety and shelter to fall from me as I stepped away.

Bodey stepped with me, keeping his arm firmly in place.

“What are you doing?” I murmured. My heart raced, and my mind struggled to calm it.

“I’m not leaving your side,” he growled, then spoke softly, “I know you want space, but you’re not getting it anymore.”

I’d wanted to hear those words and more from him, so I didn’t reply. My throat constricted with all the emotions swirling inside.

The two of us strolled toward Theo, and Bodey took my hand in his free one. He whispered, “I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you, too,” I croaked. “But—”

“No buts.” Bodey winced. “We need to talk, but not here.” He nodded, forcing me to note that Theo and Tina were less than ten feet away.

Theo’s attention was already locked on me, and his scowl deepened when he noticed Bodey embracing me. His scrutiny made me realize that during our heartfelt exchange, I’d stepped closer to Bodey’s side.

Theo spat, “What are you doing with mydate?”

Beaming, Bodey leaned his head against the top of mine. “Escorting her back to you. Is there a problem with that?”

“Thank you.” Theo took my hand from Bodey’s. “She’s back now, so you’re free to leave.”

---