Page 22 of Destined Mate

Pain ricocheted throughout my body, but it was a tad better than when I’d left home. “Thank you,” I gritted out.

He smiled. “No worries.”

My heart picked up its pace. I had to get whatever was going on with me under control. He was nice and kind, but I was a weak wolf, and he was an alpha. For all I knew, he had a fated mate, and they hadn’t yet bonded for whatever reason. Nothing would ever happen between the two of us, and I had enough on my plate without pining for someone who would never glance my way.

Seeming unaffected, he opened the back passenger door and grabbed my bag, then led me to the door on our left. He closed the garage and opened the inner door, revealing a sizable white mudroom.

Taking a quick breath, I stepped into the house. At this point, I didn’t even feel the claw marks anymore. The torment was all internal.

To my left was a small alcove where a white wooden bench seat was built into the wall. Bodey removed his shoes before helping me with mine and placing them under the bench.

The dark-mahogany wood floor was cool, despite the socks on my feet, and his house smelled very much like him, mixed with a lemony cleaning scent.

“Are you hungry?” he asked as he guided me into the kitchen.

I paused, taking in my temporary living quarters. The kitchen was spotless, with a black stove and matching microwave on the left wall that connected to the mudroom. Right next to me was a black refrigerator surrounded by gray cabinets, and a matching island sat about eight feet away from the stove.

Bodey walked to the sink in the center of the island and washed his hands. Snatching a paper towel from the stand to the right on top of the dark granite countertop, he turned to me. “Are you not going to answer me?”

“Oh.” I shook my head to clear it. “I’m fine. I don’t want to be a bother.”

“I’m starving, so I’m going to make myself something.” He strolled to the refrigerator and opened the door. “It wouldn’t be hard to make you something, too.”

If I wanted to heal, I needed calories and to take care of myself. “If you don’t mind.”

He winked. “If I did, I wouldn’t have offered. You’ll learn that about me soon enough.” He gestured to the den behind the island. “Why don’t you go sit on the couch and rest while I make us some grilled cheese?”

My stomach gurgled. “Okay.” My face heated as I went into the den, not wanting to see his reaction to my noisy stomach. At least I’d told him okay instead of no, so he already knew I was hungry.

I made my way to the tan leather L-shaped couch and gingerly sat on the most comfortable couch I’d ever been on.

“Do you want me to get you the remote?” Bodey asked and gestured at the large flat screen that hung over the beige-tiled fireplace.

“No, I’m good.” I didn’t even want to listen to music. I just wanted silence. My nerves were coiled tightly, and the thought of not being able to hear the sounds of my new environment put me on edge.

I laid my head back, enjoying the warmth of the room. The den connected to a gigantic covered patio with a rectangular table and six chairs around it, and to my right was a large dining area with a square, light-mahogany table and sixteen matching chairs. This place was nicer than any of the houses in our neighborhood, but what made it perfect was the peace of the moment. There were no vicious stares or impending threats. For the first time since I could remember, my body relaxed, and stress floated off me.

“So, what’s your pack like?” Bodey asked as something crinkled behind me.

And the stress returned with a vengeance, my body stiffening once again. This was a trick question, and I was disappointed by his obvious manipulation. “If there’s something specific you want to know, why not ask?” My mouth was running away from me again, but I hated people treating me like I was stupid. “You already know Zeke, so you have a pretty good idea.”

There was a beat of silence, and I prepared myself for him to tell me to get the hell out of there. Zeke hated it when I gotornery, and I was sure all alphas were the same.

“You’re right. I should be direct.” He cleared his throat. “Do others in your pack get treated as poorly as you do?”

I closed my eyes tightly. Now I wished I’d played along and told him pointless information. I guessed he deserved answers. He was putting his reputation on the line with Zeke and his father and the other alpha advisers. “Not anything like me. I get the brunt of the mistreatment since I can’t shift or pack link. But Zeke isn’t the nicest to anyone, including my family.”

Drool pooled in my mouth at the sizzle of the bread and the smell of melting cheese. I licked my lips.

After another pause, he said, “I’m assuming he sent you to your pack’s witch allies to be evaluated. How do they explain your latent wolf?”

“Our pack isn’t on friendly terms with the witches who live close by, so we haven’t gotten them involved.” I rubbed my hands together, knowing I was giving him too much information. I forced a yawn, hoping he’d ease up on me.

Bodey’s breath caught, and I heard him move and open some cabinets. “That’s unfortunate and something we will need to address. Witches and wolves are allies for a reason.”

Now I was intrigued. Most of the packs Zeke was responsible for had witches living nearby, but I’d never known why. Zeke didn’t inform us of such matters. “Why is that? He never told us.”

“It goes back generations. When witches were persecuted and hunted long ago, our ancestors helped hide them, and we still do today. We protect them and keep them safe, and in return, they help us with things like healing and ceremonies. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship built on respect. We’re not only allies but friends and part of each other’s communities.”

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