Page 114 of Destined Mate

“If you get hurt, everything will be for nothing.” Stevie’s bottom lip quivered. “I need you to leave with me.”

“No!”

We’re going to shift,Michael linked as he handed his keys to Janet and stripped off his jacket. He ran toward the sound of wolves. The other dads followed suit while the women stayed put. Michael continued,The women need to go to the cars.

Do not trust Theo or Stevie, but I agree you need to go with Mom, Stella, and the others.Bodey’s words broke even through the link. His eyes were locked on me as he stood in place.She might be the reason those scouts attacked you in Halfway. Go to my Jeep and leave. I’ll let you know when to come back and get us.

A sick feeling spread through my body.I’m not leaving. I’m either here by your side or out there fighting to protect you and Samuel.Actually, staying here might be better. If any wolves got past our pack, I could fight them off.

I glanced at the ink, which continued to swirl in the air as if it wouldn’t accept anyone.

“What’s the holdup?” Jack snarled. “Why isn’t it moving?”

Dina’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know.”

Fate was a bitch.

As if she didn’t appreciate my thought, the inky substance floated upward and formed a line as it inched across the sky.

The women surrounded me, watching the ink. I didn’t have to link with them to know that none of them wanted to leave their mates behind.

“Callie, this isn’t up for debate.” Theo yanked on my arm, causing me to lose my balance.

I caught myself and snarled, “I’m not goinganywherewith you.”

“Get your hands off her,” Bodey growled, his gaze on me as his fear iced my veins. “Mom, get Callie out of here.”

I dug my feet into the ground. “I’m not going anywhere, no matter what the three of you want.”

Five wolves bounded out of the tree line toward us. More were coming, and Janet and the other women finally moved.

Janet took the keys from my hand and tossed them and hers at Stella. “Take our keys,” she commanded. “We’ll be behind you all in case we need to shift.”

Stella nodded and herded the other women toward the vehicles.

I prepared to shift. I hadn’t fought in wolf form before, but there was no time to learn like the present.

“What thefuck?” Jack gasped, and my attention flicked back to the guys.

The inky substance was floating over Samuel’s head toward the advisers.

Lucas scratched his neck, his attention sliding from the ink to the wolves racing toward them. “I’m in agreement with Jack on this one.”

“Do you know what’s going on?” Miles’s face turned to stone.

“No.” Dina’s eyes widened. “But we can’t leave, or we won’t have a ruler!”

“Maybe the ink knows Samuel isn’t fit,” Zeke deadpanned, though his body was tense.

The wolves were closing in; they’d be on them in seconds. I didn’t have any time to lose. “I have to fight.”

My skin tingled as my wolf surged forward, but Bodey linked, his horror bleeding straight into my heart,Callie, go. Please. I can’t stand the thought of something bad happening to you.

I feel the same way about you.

“We’re outnumbered, Callie,” Theo rasped, tugging, but he released his grip on my arm and gasped. “You’re sprouting fur.”

“Holy shit!” Stevie exhaled. “How is that possible?”

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