Page 7 of Destined Mate

Lucas thumped the back of Jack’s head. “Shut up, man. Not helping.”

Face flaming, I cleared my throat. I didn’t want to come off like a jackass. “I meant I’d rather do it on my own, but thank you for offering.”

“Of course.” He gestured toward where the four of them had shifted back into human form. “There’s a concealed spot over there if that works for you.”

“I’ll be just a minute.” I shuffled in that direction, needing a moment to myself to process everything—the attack, the four alpha advisers, their kindness, and Zeke searching for me. My head spun, and I wasn’t sure if it was from confusion, blood loss, pain, or a combination of all three. I didn’t know how to stop them from going back with me. It would only piss Zeke off more, but what could I do? If I ran, these four would catch me, and even if I got away, they knew where Zeke lived. They would show up anyway.

With shallow breaths, I ducked behind a gigantic larch and groaned as I lifted my arms to remove my shirt. Fire sliced through me, and nausea churned in my stomach. I dropped my hands to my sides, trying to think of an easier way to get out of the pathetic excuse for a shirt. The best option I had was to rip the rest of it off.

“You know he won’t be thrilled when we go back with her,” Lucas said, and I realized I could hear them from their spot on the embankment. “He won’t like that we interfered.”

“We can’t let her go alone. From that text, it’s clear there’s no telling what she’ll be walking into,” Bodey replied. “Zeke is an ass.”

“Hell yeah, he is,” Jack added bitterly. “If he were on fire, I’d find some gasoline to finish the bastard off.”

Laughter bubbled out of me before I could clamp it down. Most of the pack revered Zeke, especially the wolves he favored. Zeke had a way of luring people in when he wanted to, but he’d never even attempted to use that charm on me. From as far back as I could remember, my mere presence had incited vicious stares and words.

“It sounds like I’m not alone in that sentiment.” Jack chuckled. “I like her more already.”

My knees weakened, and I almost fell down. I wasn’t used to anyone being nice to me, but he’d actually complimented me.

Me.

The weakest wolf most shifters had ever seen.

I released the shredded fabric of my shirt, watching the pieces float down and settle on the leaf-covered ground. I didn’t have many things I valued, and that shirt had been one. Just another thing my pack had taken away from me.

I unfolded the white shirt, and delicious scents of cinnamon and sandalwood swirled around me, smelling just like Bodey. It was one of the best things I’d ever smelled, and the scent seemed vaguely familiar. I lifted the shirt to my nose and took a deep whiff as if I were some sort of perv. Lovely.

“Jack, for the love of gods, keep your mouth shut,” Bodey grumbled, and someone’s shoes scuffed against the rocks.

Ribs screaming, I tried not to groan as I lifted my arms to put the shirt over my head. A whimper escaped.

Miles exhaled. “We need to take her back.”

“Yeah, she needs to clean those wounds and rest,” Lucas repeated as if no one had heard him before. “I’m surprised she wasn’t harmed worse.”

Shirt on, I stumbled from behind the tree. The garment’s hem hit my knees, and it looked as if I were wearing a large dress. “She’sright here and heard everything.”

“Sorry if we were rude.” Miles cringed. “That wasn’t our intention.”

“Look, I appreciate everything you four have done and are trying to do.Really. But I can go back on my own.” I didn’t want to cause more problems between Zeke and the other four royal alpha advisers, especially with the pending coronation. They were about to spend a lot of time together.

Bodey karate-chopped the air. “Absolutely not. We’re going with you. We need to tell our side of the story.”

I hadn’t considered that point. Charles wouldn’t have only made me out to be the bad guy; he’d have vilified them as well, probably not realizing who they were. I sighed in defeat.

Jack cackled. “Do you know how many women would love to have just one of us escort themanywhereforany reason? You’re getting allfourof us. It’s like a buy-one-get-one-free deal times two!”

I arched a brow. All four of them were hot, especially Bodey, but the last thing I needed was a distraction. I had one goal, get my own place away from the pack. “You aren’t lacking confidence.”

“Iama superstrong alpha.” Jack patted his chest.

“Man, stop talking,” Bodey rasped, smacking Jack in the back of the head.

That had happened twice in the past ten minutes. I had no doubt it wasn’t an anomaly.

Lucas rubbed a hand down his face. “Let’s just go.”

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