Don’t agree to that,Samuel linked to Bodey and me.You need to show dominance and make your way inside. He’s disrespecting you.
I understood his point, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to waste energy on this battle.Isn’t it better if we find Sybil instead of prolonging our time here? Not playing some stupid alpha game that doesn’t truly matter if Queen Kel overtakes us?
Bodey looked over his shoulder at us.She’s right. Pushing our way inside will waste more time and create more tension between us and Lynerd. We have enough problems with Zeke without adding another pack to the list.
“Fine.” I nodded. “We’ll go find her.”
“What?” Lynerd’s face creased. “Just tell Zeke to bring her back. That’s all we need.”
Maybe he didn’t want me to find her after all. He expected me to make Zeke bring her back, but if Zeke didn’t want her here, he’d find a way around the alpha will. That was how he operated. “I don’t trust Zeke. I’ll find her and bring her back myself.”
Something passed across Lynerd’s expression, but I couldn’t home in on what it was.
I turned to the car, already regretting how much time we’d spent here. I wanted to get in touch with Zeke and hear how the hell he’d try to get himself out of this one. “We’ll inform you when we’re with her.” I opened the door and slid into the vehicle.
Samuel was right behind me, but Bodey stayed in front of Lynerd for a few minutes longer. Neither his nor Lynerd’s mouth moved, which made me certain they were using the pack link. I suspected they were finishing their altercation since Bodey had been brimming with anger the entire time…either that, or they were professing their undying love for one another.
Probably not the latter.
The two of them sneered, but when Lynerd’s forehead and upper lip beaded with sweat, Bodey laughed and marched to the car. The two vehicles behind us pulled out as Bodey put our car in reverse.
I lifted a brow. “What was that all about?”
“He and I needed to come to an understanding.” Bodey placed his right hand on the back of my seat as he looked out the back window and pulled out. “If he talks to you like that again, I won’t be so nice next time.”
I laughed. “That was nice?”
“You haven’t seen my brother when he truly throws down.” Jasmine laughed. “He protects the people he loves ferociously—I can only imagine what he’ll do for you.”
Bodey cut his eyes to his sister, giving her a look of warning as he glanced forward again. “She’s seen me in battle. She knows. Besides, it won’t come to that. Lynerd is aware of his place. He won’t be so stupid again.”
I could only hope not. I had no doubt that no one in our group would put up with it. This was a one-time exception because Lynerd’s pack had been through hell. But so had we.
Not wanting to waste more time, I linked with Zeke and Bodey.We just reached Lynerd’s, only to find that you and Sybil are gone. What are you doing? You knew we were on our way.
In my haste, I forgot to link with you.Zeke’s pack connection was cooler and smaller, indicating he wasn’t close by.But I felt the need to take her away from there, especially with all the uncertainty, if you thought she might have answers to some of your questions.
Some of my worry eased, and Bodey glanced at me. I could feel his own doubt mixing with mine. I wasn’t sure if I believed Zeke or not, but it sounded as if he was trying to do the right thing by us even if it was misguided.
Where are you?Bodey asked as his fingers intertwined with mine, the buzz of our bond springing between us.
I swallowed, unsure if Zeke would actually tell us.
I’m at Trevor’s real estate office in Halfway.
I leaned against the headrest. The fact that he’d answered lifted some of the strain from my shoulders.
“Where’s Halfway?” Bodey squeezed my hand comfortingly.
I snatched up my phone and plugged in the address. “It’s where I was working for a day when the scouts attacked me. Thirty minutes west of Oxbow.” Most people in Zeke’s pack worked in Halfway since Oxbow was so small. We all went grocery shopping in Halfway too, since there weren’t any local food stores.
“Is that where Zeke is?” Samuel asked.
“Yeah. Will you let the others know where we’re going? We’ll have an update soon.” I nodded and linked back with Zeke and Bodey.What if the queen is watching that area?I’d hate for her to see Zeke and decide to attack because he was an advisor.
Don’t worry. The Halfway alpha and his pack are keeping an eye out for strange wolves. Also, I asked Theo to meet us here since he’s pretty much healed. We’ll be fine.
And you’re going to stay there until we reach you?I had to ask after the shit he’d pulled this morning.