Page 36 of Eclipsed Heart

“Perfect” by Ed Sheeran came on the radio, and Bodey smiled and squeezed my hand. Our mate bond thrummed with love and affection, no doubt because both of us were thinking about the last time we’d heard that song.

The song he’d played and sung to me just before we’d completed our mate bond. Before my wolf was freed and we’d discovered we were fated.

So when we were young, did you suspect I was your fated mate?

You know, thinking about it now, I should have.He chuckled.I felt a strange sensation right around the time you were born, but I was too young to put it together. I’m only four years older than you. But I remember thinking you were cute and kind, and no matter what, after you started walking, you’d always follow me around.

I turned toward him, taking in his strong jawline and full lips.It’s a fact I’d be drawn to you at any age.

He winked.Oh, I know. I can feel what you’re thinking as you look at me now.

My face flamed, but not enough to make me force my gaze from his.

But I will say, every day, I thought about you.Bodey’s blue eyes lightened.For the past seventeen years, I could see your face and hear your voice. I assumed it was because we lost an amazing future queen. I never imagined it was because you were alive and my fated mate.

Heart aching, I blew out a breath.I hate that I can’t remember you or the night of the fire.I was positive those memories had answers that I couldn’t access.

Bodey nodded.We’ll talk to Dina when we get home. We’ll search for the witch who repressed your memories and your wolf.His thumb caressed my wrist, and the jolt between us intensified.

But as we were pulling onto the road that led us home, someone from our pack linked,We smell unfamiliar wolves.

CHAPTERTEN

My jaw poppedfrom the pressure of my teeth clamping together. Three attacks in three days was excessive…unless the queen was making it clear that she meant war.

Bodey replied,What do you mean, “smell”? Is our perimeter not being watched?

There are twenty of us out here, but our land is over five hundred acres, so it’s hard to be everywhere at once.

My stomach dropped, and guilt pulsed from Bodey.

You’re right.Bodey gripped the steering wheel tight, making his knuckles blanch as he stomped on the gas.How many are there?

The scents are jumbled. I don’t even know how to explain it, but a few feet farther toward our land, there are five distinct scents.

Jumbled? Thatwasodd. Normally, each scent could be distinguished. Even in groups, wolf scents don’t get mixed, so this made no sense. Something else had to be going on.

I focused on what we knew; their numbers were small. I linked to everyone in the vehicle,Why would they have such small numbers?

Because of Stevie,Michael replied, his fear leaking through our connection, constricting my throat.They aren’t here to attack…they’re here to get her out of our custody.

The Mercedes roared into the pack neighborhood, Bodey slamming on the brakes and stopping between our white house and his parents’ next door. The four of us jumped out of the car, not bothering to shut our doors as we raced toward my sister.

Jack’s Navigator and my parents’ cars rolled to a stop behind us as Jack’s voice popped into Bodey’s and my heads.What the fuck is going on?

The queen is going after Stevie,I replied, not bothering to glance behind me.

I broke away from the other three, running a little faster, and cut to the right as we reached the back of Janet and Michael’s house. When I reached the corner, I turned and clomped down the white cement stairs, only to find the dark-brown basement door wide open.

Five scents hit me, just as our pack member had said. Dammit, I didn’t even know his name, and he was my pack, but that was an issue I’d deal with later. Right then, I had to check on my sister.

As I got closer to the bottom of the stairs, the stench of copper filled my nose, confirming my worst fear.

Blood.

“Stevie!” Mom screamed, cold tendrils of fear shooting into me from one of the pack links, making me aware it was my connection with her. “Did something happen to my daughter?” Her voice cracked.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I forced myself to look inside, though my body wanted to freeze. Whatever I found, I didn’t doubt it would haunt my sleep.

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