Page 61 of Eclipsed Heart

Ask her how we know that’s not exactly what she’s planning,Bodey linked, taking my hand.

I asked the question.

“My sole goal is to be a strong leader and be taken seriously byallwolf territories. No one would be willing to meet me or trust me if I did something like that. You have my word that no harm will come to any of you…at least, not atthismeeting.”

Linking with our group again, I repeated what she said for everyone in the other cars.

I believe her,Michael added.Everything she said is true. If she wants to be seen as a strong, capable leader, she won’t be if she attacks us when we’ve asked for the meeting. It’s not ideal, but her logic isn’t flawed. Does anyone disagree?

No one countered him, so I said,I’ll make the new arrangements.

Zeke wasn’t here, which he’d hold against us, but at least we had everyone else. “We’re two and a half hours out.”

“Fine. Don’t bring more than ten with you and make me regret the leniency,” she said and then hung up.

I stared at my phone, hoping like hell we weren’t making a huge-ass mistake.

“I don’t like it. We’ll be getting there around eight, and it’ll be dark.” Bodey growled. “And we won’t have time to stop and coordinate with our packs here. We’ll have to get them to meet us there.”

That was probably her plan. “Then we do the best we can.”

Bodey nodded, and he linked with his pack while I linked with the advisors and dads. I informed them of the change of plans, and no one was pleased, but no one offered a better idea. If we told Kel no, then nothing would change. She was forcing our hand.

So we drove into the mountains, and when we reached the peak where the landscape changed to dirt and trees, my phone rang. Before I could even put it to my ear, she said, “Keep going straight. You’ll see a cutout coming up on your right. Get out there, and you’ll find a trail that leads to the Split Creek trailhead and river access bridge. Take that path. We’ll be a mile past it, waiting for you. I’ll see you and everyone else in your three vehicles soon.”

She was watching us. Right now.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

I wasn’tsure what disturbed me the most, the fact that she was having us watched or that she wanted to ensure we knew it.

My head jerked toward the tree line where a flash of gray flickered between a fir and an oak tree despite the darkness. Thank gods for excellent wolf sight, or we’d be screwed.

My chest tightened. “Have you heard from the pack that’s helping us?” I didn’t want us waltzing into a place where we were clearly outnumbered.

“They’re not far behind us.” Bodey rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes trained on the curvy road in front of us. “Maybe ten minutes if that.”

I linked with the other advisors, dads, and Samuel, giving them an update.

Samuel replied,Even though I suspect what she said is true, we can’t lower our guard.

Maybe we shouldn’t go?Bodey’s tension swirled through the link, adding to mine.

Son, if we don’t go, she’ll amp up her attacks just for us not showing. We go as planned, but with caution,Michael replied calmly.Neither side trusts the other. Based on what you said, she knows we’ll have backup because she specified a number to attend the meeting.

The plastic of my phone popped, and I loosened my grip on it. The last thing I needed was to destroy my phone and have Kel try to call me again.

Baby, it’ll be all right.Bodey took my hand as the cutout Kel had referenced came into view. It was large enough for two of our cars, so someone would have to drive farther up the road and park elsewhere.

I flinched. “I’m not so sure about that.” My blood turned to ice. “The queen has been targeting you. Maybe you should stay in the car.”

He shook his head, his nostrils flaring as he stopped and put the car into Park. “Not happening. There’s no way in hell I’m going to sit here in the car while my queen andmatemeet with a sadistic queen. What would you say if I asked you to stay here?” His anger blazed through our connection, but I remained cold.

I couldn’t help but grimace. “I’d be beyond angry.” I hated to admit that because I wanted him to be safe, but if I didn’t tell him the truth, he’d know anyway. Damn wolves and their sensitive noses.

He grinned, catching me off guard as his love flowed through to me. “I love how transparent your face is right now. It’s like I caught you sticking your hand in the cookie jar.”

I stuck my tongue out. “I don’t want you to get hurt…again.”

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