Page 85 of Destined Mate

I wanted to say it back—it was on the tip of my tongue—but howls sounded from the vineyard not even one hundred yards away. Everyone turned in that direction.

Lucas growled, “The wolves guarding us are under attack, and more than one hundred fifty wolves are heading this way.”

My lungs seized. The queen had arrived.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

I wantedto laugh despite the threat, proving that my reactions were out of sync with my mind. This proved, once again, how much Fate hated my ass.

The bitch.

Since meeting Bodey, my dream had been to hear those exact words come out of his mouth, and when I did, they were immediately followed by wolves attacking.

Bodey snarled as he turned back to them, his body vibrating from the sound as he pressed against my chest. He spat, “We all know who’s behind this.”

Everyone nodded.

“We need to get Samuel to safety,” Miles said, glancing at Stella.

Michael said, “We need to split up. Some of us can get Samuel to the car, and the rest can protect our people here.”

I glanced left. We were near the exit, which I doubted our attackers had expected since Samuel was the guest of honor. At least the drama had made one good thing happen.

Bodey tossed Samuel his keys and instructed, “You and Callie go to my Jeep. I can jump in the back in animal form. If I don’t, you two need to get the hell out of here. I’ll meet you at the house.”

“No.” I shook my head. Everything screamed at me not to leave his side, especially not after he’d told everyone he loved me. “I’ll stay here to help.”

“TheoandIwill make sure Samuel makes it to the Jeep, and Callie will be heading home with us where she belongs,” Zeke rasped.

Jack clenched his hands. “You’re not even going to stay here and help defend our pack mates who will join the battle to protect Samuel?”

“I’m no use to anyone if I’m dead,” Zeke snapped as he reached for my arm.

Bodey shoved him back and snarled, “She’s going with me.”

“Not a chance,” he snarled.

They stared each other down.

“Maybe Zeke would be more helpful dead. Then he wouldn’t be here fighting over one wolf when we’re all under attack.” Lucas lifted his chin, annoyance floating off him.

He was right. We were wasting time.

People shifted on the patio as Bodey and Zeke continued to stare at each other in challenge.

With a strangled cry between human and wolf, someone yelled, “They’re here.”

I glanced across the patio to see a hundred wolves racing toward us.

Snarls sounded as our wolves ran toward them. We had to move.

Samuel stepped between Zeke and Bodey and took my hand. He commanded, “She’s coming withme, and as your future king, I command you to obey.” His eyes glowed, taking in both Zeke and Bodey, his wolf surging forward.

They didn’t know what to do, and I was over this stupid fight. Samuel’s life and the lives of others were at risk, and they needed to act like advisers and stop grandstanding.

“Go fight the real enemy,” I growled. “We’re standing around arguing instead of fixing the actual problem.” I didn’t want to leave Bodey, but I was a distraction. “Move.” I snapped my fingers and took off running toward the exit, dragging Samuel with me.

Jack’s laughter rang in my ears. “Too bad Bodey claimed her. I think I just fell in love.”

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