Page 112 of Destined Mate

As we reached the others, Jack smacked Lucas on the arm. “Look. She got those two to stop eye-fucking.”

“Jack Landry,” Destiny chastised, placing a hand on her stomach. “You do not speak like that in the presence of elders.”

“Oh, damn.” He winced. “I’m so sorry for doing that shit.”

His mother glared at him, but when Taylor chuckled, Destiny’s expression slipped as she fought a smile.

Zeke tugged on his black tie and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His face was a little red, but it didn’t appear to be solely from anger.

He must’ve shifted or done something else to calm down.

“Let’s move forward,” he said as he lifted his chin. He wanted to pretend he was in charge of the situation.

Carl, Phil, Dan, and Michael scowled, but Dina picked up a small black cauldron and motioned for the other ten coven members to head to the water.

The ten stepped into the river, just enough for the water to cover their ankles. They winced from the cold but then schooled their expressions. Dina stepped to the river’s edge, where the water ran under her feet, and gestured for Samuel. He took off his shoes and walked down the embankment through the small opening between the gems.

“Royal advisers, come and gather around,” Dina commanded, her voice louder than normal.

Bodey squeezed my hand and slipped the car keys into my palm. He, along with Jack, Lucas, and Miles, went to stand behind Samuel. Zeke moved, but he glanced at me, his eyes glowing.

I shivered.

The rest of us stayed together, Stella on my right and Theo on my left. Zeke moved into place in the advisers’ line on the side closest to our group.

Dina cupped the cauldron in her hands. “Once the ritual starts, it can’t be stopped without dire consequences, which may include never being able to crown the king. If anyone wishes to bring up any concerns, now is the time.”

Something hard settled in my chest, and my gaze went to Zeke. He was the likeliest person to contest Samuel’s coronation. Bodey’s tension swirled into me and merged with mine. It was odd that I could feel his emotions but more so that I could sense we were worried about the same thing.

When no one said a word, Dina nodded, and the unease within us ebbed.

“Samuel, please remove your jacket and shirt so we can watch the ink accept you.” Dina gestured to the spot on the ground next to him.

Samuel obliged, and I could feel Bodey’s unease. Knowing what this was about, I mashed my lips together. He didn’t want me staring at another man’s naked torso.

When Samuel was done, Dina continued, “Then the official proceedings shall now begin.” She waved a hand toward the ten witches behind her and then at herself. “The ten coven leaders and the high priestess are taking part in the ceremony as proof that we will support the ruler moving forward. Our magic will mark the heir, thus giving that person the crown. The royal’s acceptance of the ink is their vow to uphold the promise forged between wolves and witches centuries ago.”

Footsteps shuffled against the grass, and I tensed. Someone was coming.

Everyone turned toward the noise except for Dina and Samuel, who remained staring at each other.

“It’s Stevie,” Theo said. “No need for alarm.”

The ten witches lifted their arms, but a strange expression passed over all their faces. One gasped, “The perimeter isn’t working.”

Dina lifted the cauldron under her chin and continued, her words tense and loud, “In preparation for this ceremony, we spelled Samuel’s skin to ease the suffering from the ink as it marks him. Additionally, herbs were administered to him to lessen the internal pain as well.”

Stevie appeared, running toward us. Her dirty-blonde hair was braided but disheveled, strands flying everywhere, and her dark-brown eyes were wide and frantic. They locked on me as her pink pajama shirt blew behind her and her matching fleece bottoms dragged on the ground. She yelled, “The perimeter is down. There’s about to be an attack!”

Somethingwaswrong. She shouldn’t be here. “What are you talking about—”

“The queen! She’s attackingright now.” Stevie reached us, her breathing ragged.

“How do you know that?” I swallowed, dreading the answer.

She averted her gaze to the ground. “Because I’ve been helping her.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY

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