Page 62 of Eclipsed Heart

“Oh, I understand that sentiment.” He reached over, tucking a piece of my light-blonde hair behind my ear. “You need to remember I’ve seen you hurt just as many times as you’ve seen me. And one of those times, Dina and her leaders weren’t nearby to help heal you.”

“True.” I pouted and shrugged. “But we weren’t mated then.”

He arched a brow. “Babe, I fell for you the moment I saw you—which was during an attack, might I add. I just needed my head to catch up.” He kissed me and linked,Besides, what kind of king consort would I be if I stayed safe while the love of my life faced evil head-on?

Damn him and his logic. “A live one.”

“Keep it up, and I’ll remember it next time that I’m desperate for you to stay behind.”

I exhaled. “You win. Besides, I couldn’t do this without you next to me.”

“You underestimate yourself, babe.” He bit his bottom lip and glanced out my window. “And Samuel, Jack, Lucas, and Miles are standing behind you.”

I’d been so focused on Bodey that I hadn’t even sensed them. I glanced over and yelped.

Jack’s face was right against the window, and we were eye to eye. I hadn’t been expecting that.

And then he beamed.She’s easy to scare. Hell yeah.Jack nodded.Wait until we get away from here.

Now’s not the time,Lucas replied, smacking him in the back of the head.

The shaggy top of his blond hair fell right into his eyes, and he brushed it off his face.

Miles turned toward the sparse trees, scanning the area.We don’t have time for this shit. We need to stay focused.

Come on.Samuel nodded to the front of the car where Michael, Phil, Carl, and Dan appeared, walking back from where they’d found a spot to park their car. They stopped about twenty feet away, where I figured the trail must start.

Miles shooed the other guys away from the door and opened it for me. When I stepped out, the crisp, cool air of the mountain settled over me. Then the sound of wolves running about a half mile away sent my heart thudding.

Our wolves left their vehicles about five miles away and are shifting and running this way,Bodey linked with us.They’ll be nearby soon in case something happens.

Even though that was great news, the knot in my stomach hardened instead of easing.Then there’s no point in delaying any longer.I straightened my shoulders and walked toward the dads.

I glanced down at my chest, seeing the bottom of the paw print, the moon, and the clouds rolling over it. My sweater was a V-neck, so there could be no question that I was marked if this was Queen Kel’s way of verifying it herself.

Bodey caught up and slid his hand into mine. The buzz of our connection made my lungs move easier, but the dread kept building with each step.

When we reached Michael and the others, he waved us forward, indicating we should be the ones to lead the way to the queen. I paused, reaching out my other hand to Samuel. I linked to him,I’d love for you to be by my side too.

Of course.He hurried forward, taking the spot to my right, and then the three of us stepped deeper into the woods. The musky scent of unfamiliar wolves hung in the air, indicating that the queen and her pack members had already arrived.

An owl hooted, and the sound of hooves shuffling in the distance brought me some comfort. Maybe elk. At least they weren’t acting as if they sensed a threat.

We continued down the path, and I surveyed the area around me. The trees were several feet apart, and between the trunks, I spotted a light-colored wolf to the right and a dark-gray wolf to the left, trotting along beside us.

They weren’t trying to stay hidden, which was why I didn’t turn around and race back to the car.

Jack, Miles, and Lucas followed us with the four older men at the very back of the group.

Besides the animals, the only sounds I could hear were our breaths. Everyone’s nerves were frayed.

Remember to remain calm when we get there,Samuel linked as his eyes locked with mine.You need to chat with her and break the ice before discussing business. It’ll help generate goodwill on both sides.

Chat?My eyebrows rose, and I had to swallow my laugh.You want me to chat with the woman who has gone out of her way to attack us and hurt you and Bodey and who tried to have my sister assassinated?He had to be joking. I was more likely to cut the bitch than ask her how her day was.

You’re a queen now.Samuel tilted his head and pressed his lips together.You can’t let your emotions get the best of you. If you do, this meeting won’t be successful.

This job wasn’t the one for me. Fate should’ve had that ink mark Samuel. Emotions were the only freedom I’d had my whole life. I’d gotten through the pack abuse by holding on to hope and the instinct to survive. If I hadn’t felt them, I would’ve broken a long time ago. And now, I was supposed to not react, the one thing I’d always cherished as my own. I wasn’t sure I could do it, but dammit, I had to try. If Samuel said it was what I needed to do, then I’d trust him.

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