Page 64 of Eclipsed Heart

“Does it matter?” I lifted a brow. Giving her a number wouldn’t be smart. If she had more, then she might attack us. If she had fewer, she might feel threatened. Either way, I wasn’t going to play that game. “As long as you don’t attack us, it won’t be a problem. Will you reveal how many you have?”

She pursed her lips. “Fair point. I don’t mean harm to any of you, including the new arrivals, as long as you don’t threaten me.”

Jack snorted. “Yeah, okay.”

“This one is an advisor?” Herald wrinkled his nose, running his hand along his dark beard. “He speaks as if he has more authority.”

Now isnotthe time.Carl linked with Jack, Bodey, and me but spoke to Jack.

“Callie, why don’t you and I take a walk together so we can discuss things more privately?” The queen gestured behind her. “They’ll still be able to hear our conversation, but they might not feel as free to contribute.” Her attention flicked over my shoulder to Jack.

Bodey tensed while Samuel said, “Maybe I should join you two.”

Tsking, Kel shook her head and placed a hand on her chest. “Oh, Callie. This is unfortunate. Neither your mate nor your brother believe that you can handle talking to me alone.”

The insinuation rang clear. They didn’t think I was a strong leader. We were helping her campaign.

“That’s not true at all,” Bodey snapped, his body quivering. “I don’t trustyounot to hurt her.”

“As I said on the phone, I won’t hurt anyone here tonight.” Kel tapped a long, crimson fingernail to her lips. “So that’s the only explanation I can come up with.”

“Do you smell a lie?” Bodey countered, moving up beside me again. “Callie’s more than capable of ruling our territory.”

Huffing, Kel straightened her shoulders. “And did you smell a lie when I said I had no intention of harming any of you?”

“Let’s go talk.” If we began arguing, this whole meeting would become pointless. If we were going to work out an agreement, then I needed to be accommodating…to a point. After all, Kel hadn’t given me a hard time about not telling her how many wolves we’d brought.

“Perfect.”

She looped her arm through mine, and a warning sensation raced down my spine. However, I didn’t pull away, and we walked past Herald, whose eyes stayed locked on me.

The moon was high in the sky, which was mostly clear, with the stars shining above us. This place would be beautiful if I weren’t here with her.

We walked about half a mile toward a river, and the trees thickened slightly as we got closer to the water.

Kel paused. “I think we’re good here.” Releasing my arm, she turned toward me. “Let’s talk.”

I wanted to get straight to the point, but Samuel’s words came back to me—build goodwill. I tried to find something neutral to begin with. Despite the nausea churning in my stomach, I said, “Yes, I thought it might be nice to meet since we rule territories that share borders. I’d like to find a way to live harmoniously with one another.” My wolf whimpered, as disgusted with me as I was myself.

Kel rolled her eyes. “Thisis what you want to discuss? Anintroduction? We could’ve done that over the phone instead of wasting each other’s time with the drive.”

It wasn’t what I wanted, but clearly, I hadn’t lowered her guard like Samuel had suggested. “It’s just—”

She lifted a hand. “Is this how you plan to lead your people?” Her nose wrinkled. “Being passive and not getting to the point? My people have attacked yours… Hell, I had your sister killed, and you’re trying to be myfriend?If you aren’t going to address anything important, then we’re done here.”

My wolf leapt, and there was no pretending any longer. “Fine. You want honesty? I can’t stand you, and I want you to stop attacking my mate, my brother, my family, and my people—now.”

Throwing her head back, Kel laughed hard before her mouth twisted into an eerie grin. “There's only one way that will happen, and it’s theonlyreason I agreed to meet with you.”

My heart dropped. “And what is that?”

“Submit to me.”

Lungs seizing, I blinked. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I’m not.” She shrugged. “Submit to me, and the attacks are over. You’ll be with your mate, the Northwest packs will be safe, and I’ll let you live out your life in peace.”

She had to be drunk. “There has to be another solution.”

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