Page 9 of Destined Mate

Bodey lifted his chin and stepped closer to me. “Those are your first words? No concern for your pack member?” He gestured at where blood had seeped through his white shirt.

“Gods, Callie, are you okay?” Theo asked, but his attention remained on Bodey.

“Shut up, Theo,” Zeke snapped and marched over to me, getting in my face. “She caused problems in our pack, so she got what she deserved. You aren’t supposed to go to Hells Canyon.” His eyes glowed.

Theo flinched but remained quiet. Any time he pushed to protect me, Zeke punished me harder.

“I know, and I’m sorry.” I didn’t lower my gaze, but at least I hadn’t said anything to make the situation worse. “But Charles, Pearl, and their friends were also there, andtheyattackedme,” I added, my lips moving of their own accord. Well, there went my attempt at complacency.

He sneered. “I saw Josh’s stab wound. That’s bullshit.Youthreatenedthemand somehow got rogue wolves and four alpha advisers involved.”

“Thoserogueswere us.” Bodey gestured at himself and his friends. “And we can vouch for her version. We heard the howls and growls, then a human scream, so we rushed over to check it out. Allfiveof them were attacking her at once, and she nicked one when she had no choice but to protect herself.”

I expected Zeke to call him a liar, but he remained silent, his eyes still hard…still cruel. He arched a brow. “Is that so?”

“Nope, we’re just here for shits and giggles.” Jack scoffed. “Oh, wait, there aren’t any giggles, but I sure smell a pile of steaming shit somewhere in front of me.”

Laughter bubbled in my chest, and as I covered it with a cough, I felt as if I’d been punched in the ribs again.

Zeke’s head jerked toward Jack. “What did you say?”

Jack threw up his hands. “And now he has selective hearing.”

“Man, quit it,” Miles scolded and moved in front of Jack. “What Jack is trying to say is, of course it’s true. Why else would we be here?”

“She’s bad off,” Lucas added. “And needs rest. We should let her take care of herself now.”

Bodey scanned me again. “I want to know what you plan to do about your pack members.”

“I’ll get them under control, but you four need to go. You shouldn’t be here.” Zeke rolled his neck.

All four tensed as Lucas rasped, “We haveeveryright to be here. Just because we oversee other territories doesn’t mean we’re restricted from neighboring areas under the Northwest jurisdiction.”

Zeke’s neck corded. “You’re right. It’s been a long night. Thank you for coming and making sure I heard what you saw.”

“You won’t punish Callie for defending herself, correct?” Bodey asked and leaned back on his heels, watching Zeke.

“This is my pack business, but since you made the effort to bring her home, I’ll oblige you with an answer.” Zeke’s expression smoothed. “She will not be punished for that. You have my word.”

Wow. I hadn’t expected to get off that easily. Maybe it had been smart for the four of them to come with me after all.

“Okay.” Bodey scratched the back of his neck. “Well, Callie, it was nice meeting you. I just wish it had been under better circumstances.”

The other three agreed and said their goodbyes before walking off.

Theo, Zeke, and I stood there, watching the four of them leave. For some reason, it hurt to see them go. I’d only just met them, but there was something comforting about being with them, like I’d known them my whole life.

As soon as they disappeared into the thickening trees and the gorgeous mountains, Zeke murmured low enough so they couldn’t hear him, with the usual edge of hatred in his tone, “Now it’s time to truly talk.”

My heart dropped, and my blood ran cold. I would still be punished, after all.

CHAPTERFOUR

A sour tastefilled my mouth. I’d been foolish to even consider that I might come out of this unscathed. I should’ve known Zeke had chosen his words carefully.

“Let’s go inside where we can talk in case those four don’t wander off as they should,” he growled as he gripped my arm. “And you’d better not make a noise.”

Zeke’s and Theo’s eyes glowed as they spoke through their pack link.

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