Page 86 of Destined Mate

“Just shift,” Michael snapped as a scream rang from the farthest corner of the patio.

Bones cracked as they shifted.

My heels hit gravel, and I almost toppled over. Samuel caught up to me and clutched my upper arm, helping to stabilize me. “Thanks,” I said and sniffed, searching for smells to indicate where the cars were parked since we’d valeted when we arrived.

“They’re over there.” Samuel pointed to the left, where the gravel continued around thick Douglas firs.

Of course the parking lot would be hidden a ways away. Anything to keep the place beautiful and unblemished.

I took another step, and my ankle almost rolled. Why did women wear heels? I liked the extra height, but damn, trying to escape on them was problematic. Knowing I’d move better without them, I paused. “Go on. I’ll be right behind you.”

Samuel spun around, his forehead creased. “If you think—”

I bent down and removed my shoes, then rolled my eyes. “I really meant I’d be right behind you.” If I did something foolish, I’d distract Bodey. That was why I hadn’t tried to fight alongside him.

He flinched. “I see that now.”

Instead of dropping the heels, I held one in each hand in case I needed a weapon. I’d lost my knife in the battle with the scouts, so I needed something to make me feel more secure. “Let’s go!”

“Callie, wait!” Theo called.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Theo, still human, closing the distance between us.

Why in the hell couldn’t Zeke and Theo let this go? At least until after the attack?

Samuel’s jaw tensed. “We don’t have time for this. I already said—”

Lifting his hands in surrender, Theo shook his head. “I’m not here to argue. I just want to protect her.”

Me. Not Samuel. Some of my anger toward him thawed again. He was trying to be a good friend, even after another man had professed his love for me when I’d come here as Theo’s date.

“As long as that’s it.” Samuel waved us on. “Let’s get to the Jeep.”

As if Fate were toying with me, three wolves appeared on the left side of the building, heading straight for us. If I ever met Queen Kel, I’d totally give her the finger.

More paws pounded to our right. Twenty wolves ran around the patio. Those twenty were a whole lot closer than the first three.

Samuel’s steps faltered. “Run.”

Not needing to be told twice, I moved as quickly as possible. The gravel bit into my feet, but I ignored the pain. Those wounds would heal—death was permanent.

I wasn’t fast enough, thanks to being barefoot. Samuel and Theo slowed, flanking me.

I opened my mouth to tell Samuel to run ahead—after all,hewas their target—but he said, “I’ve warned the others.”

“And I’ve informed Dad,” Theo added, placing a hand on my arm.

So we’d have backup, but I hated that people would be putting their lives in danger for me. The stronger wolves needed to be saved. They were our future and what made us formidable. Notme.

“Here, this will be faster,” Theo said as he ran in front of me. He lifted me by my waist and threw me over his shoulder.

My head hung down his backside, giving me a clear view of his ass. He took off, moving much faster and proving how much of a liability I was, even more than I’d realized.

The wolves ran toward us, and each step Theo took jarred my body. Thank gods my ribs had healed, or I’d have passed out, causing more issues. Though I couldn’t easily lift my head to see what was happening, I knew without a doubt that the wolves were gaining on us. We were slower in human form.

Paws pounded so close that they sounded like the drums of war. “Theo!” I exclaimed and gripped my shoes tighter.

Though I couldn’t see them, I sensed two wolves coming at me—the air changed when they lunged.

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