Page 12 of Destined Mate

He tilted his head and smiled sadly. “You know I care about you, but I’m not alpha. There’s only so much I can do. I need you to follow the rules until Dad hands the pack over to me.”

I huffed, and my throat constricted. I didn’t believe his father would ever hand over the pack. Bodey, Lucas, Jack, and Miles were their packs’ leaders, and they weren’t much older than Theo. Their parents were in their eighties, just like Zeke. Wolves in their eighties were middle-aged for our species, but the responsibilities of an alpha were draining, and a shifter’s power began to weaken around that age. Usually, if an alpha felt their heir was ready, they passed the responsibility on to them and served in a supporting role.

“Go get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow.” Theo stood and helped me to my feet. “If I stay too long, he’ll get mad at me, too.”

“Yeah, I need to shower and sleep.” I yawned, unable to stop myself. Thankfully, my mouth was already healing. I just wished my body would heal faster. “I’ll see you out.”

I locked the back door, and the two of us walked through the living room, past the tan cloth couch that sat across from the wide-screen television and a family portrait. At the door, he turned to me, his gaze landing on my lips.

I took a step back. I didn’t like the way he was looking at me. He’d been doing it a lot this past month, and I should have been thrilled, encouraging his interest. It would help get the other pack members to back off, but I didn’t see him in that light. So I winced, playing up my injuries.

The warmth in his eyes vanished, and he frowned. “All right. I’ll come by and check on you tomorrow.”

I forced a smile. “Thanks.”

When he left, I locked the front door and went back through the living room, taking a moment to glance at the family picture from just two years ago. My younger sister stood between me and Pearl, with Mom and Dad behind us. They’d wanted the kids positioned in order of age, which would’ve been Pearl, me, then Stevie, but Pearl had refused to stand next to me. She’d even tried to exclude me from the picture completely, which hadn’t surprised me. She’d hated me ever since I arrived.

The way she treated me always stung, but it wouldn’t change. There was no point in dwelling on it.

I turned right and entered the small hallway that led to a bathroom and two bedrooms on the left and right.

Stevie and I shared the bedroom on the right, so I tiptoed inside, only to find her dark-brown eyes glistening as she watched the door. As soon as I walked in, she sat up, her forehead creased as she scanned me. “Are you okay?” Her dirty-blonde hair was braided, and her tanned skin reflected the light from the hall.

“I’ll be fine.”

She gestured to the white nightstand that divided her navy-decorated full bed from my fuchsia one. “I snatched some Advil and water. I thought you might need it.”

I smiled, my chest expanding. “Thank you.” I walked over and took the medicine, then set the water back down. “I’m going to take a shower. Get some rest. I’ll be crawling into bed soon.”

“Good night. If you need anything…” Stevie bit her bottom lip.

“I’ll ask you.” I placed a hand over my heart. “Promise.”

I grabbed a shorts-and-shirt set of fuchsia pajamas and headed into the bathroom. I turned the water on lukewarm, not wanting to unclot my wounds, and climbed in. Getting clean hurt like a bitch, but when it was over and done, I felt better.

I set my alarm for seven thirty and put it on vibrate, then climbed into bed and put the phone beside my pillow since I didn’t want to wake Stevie if possible. My eyes closed, and I was out within seconds.

* * *

Something buzzed,and my eyes cracked open. I reached over with a twinge of pain and turned off the alarm. I wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, but Zeke’s words echoed in my head.You will be at Charles’s house by eight in the morning. Got it?

If I didn’t get my act together, he’d ensure that I learned my lesson and that my family was involved. After everything they’d done for me, I couldn’t make them a target for his anger. I had to get moving.

I inhaled, realizing I could breathe normally again without discomfort; I’d just need to be careful not to take any deep breaths. I climbed out of bed, trying to minimize my movements while remaining quiet, then grabbed my phone and earbuds and sneaked out of our bedroom to the kitchen. The smell of bacon, biscuits, and eggs greeted me, and my stomach grumbled.

Mom stood by the stove, her shoulder-length ash-blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. She glanced over her shoulder, her aqua eyes filled with concern. “Callie. Thank gods. I was worried you might not be able to fulfill the alpha’s punishment.”

That validated what I’d already assumed. He’d decided on my punishment before I returned. “Don’t worry. I’m up.”

A few feet away from Mom, Dad opened the fridge and grabbed the orange juice. “Will you be okay doing the work? I can ask Zeke to give you another day…”

“I’m fine.” I wasn’t, but Dad talking to Zeke would only make the situation worse.

Mom opened the upper cabinet between the stove and refrigerator and grabbed three plates, then filled each one with food. “If that changes, let us know. You don’t need to hurt yourself worse.”

They were such good people. Though I was blessed with a crappy pack and a shitty alpha, at least the family who’d wanted me was kind. “Okay.”

She brought the plates to the table while Dad poured the orange juice. I sat down, starving, and devoured my food in minutes. Now I needed to get to Charles’s place. If I showed up right at eight, Zeke would be annoyed.

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