Page 45 of Eclipsed Heart

I swallowed as I flinched.I’d sensed his anger, but I hadn’t expected to find it directed at me. He’d never looked at me this way before.

My heart ripped in two. Whenever someone had glared at me like this back home, punishment followed. Just like all those times, my chin lifted, but this time, my wolf brushed against my mind, her hackles up. “Do I have a choice in the matter?”

His jaw twitched. “No, because you went too far back there.”

The air rushed out of my lungs. “Excuse me?” I gaped. The man before me right now wasn’t the one I’d fallen in love with.

“What thefuckwas that?” he growled, his arms wrapped around me so tight that I couldn’t move unless I fought him.

Nope. I’d never allowed someone to manhandle me before, and I wasn’t about to start now. Even him.

I shoved at his chest and took a step back. It was enough for him to release me, and he didn’t fight it.

At least he wasn’t trying to be physical with me, just alpha-y, but it still wasn’t okay. He was being a domineering ass.

I crossed my arms, my own blood heating. Too bad it wasn’t the good kind of heat. “What do you mean? You’re going to have to be more specific because a ton of shit went down today.”

“Oh, really?” His nose wrinkled. “You’ve gotno clue?How about when the witch cast that spell to stop my heart? Does that ring any bells?” His anger flowed into me, adding to my own.

There was one bell I was about to ring. “Yeah, but I’m not sure what you expect me to say on that other than that bitch will die eventually.” By my own hand. No one got to hurt my mate that way…other than me if he didn’t get his head out of his ass.

“You jumped in front of the spell.” Bodey’s eyes glowed. “You were going to take the hit instead of me.”

“Well, yeah.” I arched a brow. “She was trying tokillyou. Was I just supposed to stand back and watch?”

“If that’s what it takes to keep you safe, then abso-fucking-lutely.” His jaw clenched like it did whenever he talked to Zeke and Theo, but this time, it was all for me.

I shook my head and lowered my arms. He had some nerve, acting like this right now. My patience was worn thin, I was worried about both my brother and sister, and he wanted to argue about me trying to save his ass? “What would you have done if she’d cast that atme?”

“The same thing, but that’s different.” His breathing quickened.

“Oh, really?” I laughed bitterly, the sound vibrating deep within my chest. “How?”

His hands clenched. “Because your life means more thanmine.It means more thaneverybody else’s.”

“No, it doesn’t.” There was no one person worth more than any other unless you viewed it from an individual’s perspective.

Bodey stepped forward, his hands quivering with the rage I felt through our bond. He rasped, “Do you know what will happen if you die?”

“I’ll stop breathing.” At least this time, when my mouth ran, I understood why. My wolf was agitated. Bodey might be our mate, but we weren’t happy with him right now.

He winced as pain soared between us. He linked,Not funny, Callie.

In fairness, I understood why he was upset. I’d feel the same way if the situation were reversed. But the way he was handling it was a problem. He didn’t get to be growly, angry, and demanding just because he didn’t like a decision I made.

“Your life is the most important tome.” I spread out my arms. “You’re the alpha of Idaho. Your people need you.”

Pounding on his chest, he bit out, “You’re talking about how my people need me. You’re thequeen.Losing you would’ve been a huge blow to everybody.”

I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t help it. We both knew that wasn’t the truth. I hadn’t been raised to lead. “Samuel would be a great king. Hell, he should be king now, but somehow, I wound up with the tattoo. If I died, someone more prepared would be in this position of power.”

Snarling, Bodey bared his teeth. “That’s bullshit, and you know it. You are the true heir, and the magic recognized you as such. I remember that little girl—”

“That little girl doesn’texistany longer.” I pointed at my head, the loss taking me by surprise. “She’s trapped, hidden, and I don’t remember a damn thing about my time with my parents. Anything from that time has been erased, and at least Samuel grew up being taught to rule. So, yeah, maybe Fate got things wrongagain. I’m just a girl who grew up in a pack that hated her.”

No one had ever valued me as a person…except Stevie. The one person who’d risked everything to try to save me and our family.

Realization slammed into me, stealing my breath. I’d locked her up alone in the basement and blocked her pack link, allowing my emotions to get the best of me.

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