Page 11 of Eclipsed Heart

Right on my heels, Stevie surveyed everything, taking in the spotless black stove and matching microwave to one side and the sizable black refrigerator surrounded by gray cabinets and a matching island that was centered about eight feet from the stove. The dark granite countertops seemed to sparkle under the chandelier centered above the island.

We went into the den with its tan leather L-shaped couch, dark wooden coffee table, and beige-tiled fireplace with a large flat-screen TV hung over it. A gigantic covered patio with a rectangular table and six chairs stood outside the den’s glass doors, and directly past the den was the large dining room furnished with a light mahogany table and sixteen matching chairs.

Stevie’s gaze swung to the family portrait that hung in the den. It showed Bodey, his younger sister Jasmine, and Janet and Michael. Seeing Bodey and Michael side by side, I noticed how similar their features were. The main differences were their ages and their eyes; Michael’s were jade, while Bodey’s were the blue of Janet’s. Jasmine was the opposite, her strawberry-blonde hair and heart-shaped face matching their mother’s, but her jade eyes coming from their father.

“I saw three of those people at the coronation today.” Stevie pointed to Bodey’s sister. “Who’s she?”

My sister,Bodey linked, his discomfort flooding me. His injuries were throbbing, and his muscles had stiffened up during the two-hour car ride home.

She tilted her head. “Why wasn’t she there?”

I opened my mouth to tell her that Jasmine was at college but then closed it. That was more information Stevie could feed the queen.

“Jasmine’saway,” Samuel interjected from behind us. His eyes narrowed on her, full of suspicion.

Her jaw clenched, not missing the fact that we were being vague. She was smart; she knew Samuel had done that on purpose, and I hadn’t interjected to fill in the holes.

Bodey limped his way to the spot on the floor in front of the fireplace. Though his wounds weren’t bleeding anymore, his fur was matted with blood. He flopped down a little harder than normal, like his legs weren’t cooperating.

I still can't shift back to human form. The injuries are too fresh,he linked.

I hated to leave him alone, but I didn’t trust Stevie enough to leave her with him. I said, “Stevie, let’s go grab some clothes in my room.”

Please do,Bodey linked. I want everyone to be wearing clothes now.

I pressed my lips together and took Stevie’s hand, leading her toward the stairs. Samuel was right on our heels.

I’ll change fast and help you keep an eye on her since Bodey’s hurt,Samuel said as we walked up the stairs.

His paranoia about her had me moving even faster. At the top of the stairs, I took a right as he went straight toward his room.

Within seconds, I’d walked past the spare room I used to sleep in and into Bodey’s and my room. The walls were the same color as the rest of the house, but up above the bed was a huge drawing of an acoustic guitar. I looked around, trying to judge the room through Stevie’s eyes. Bodey had decorated with black nightstands and a matching dresser, and he’d hung his maroon sports jersey, printed withValorand the number sixteen, on the wall without windows. I smiled at the bed’s cream comforter—Bodey had taken that off what had been my bed in the guest room. He’d slept with it during my absence.

Shaking my head, I strolled to the dresser and fished out two shirts and two pairs of boxers. “This is all we've got until we get some clothes.”

Stevie hugged herself. “Like I said, we should go home. That way, I can be somewhere that people won’t glare at me, and you can have your own things.”

“Good try, but not happening.” I shut the door and quickly dressed, thankful to wear something other than a blanket.

Scowling, Stevie put on my mate’s clothes too, and my wolf growled. She didn’t like my sister wearing his clothes, but it was better than the alternative.

A knock sounded on the bedroom door, and I startled. It had to be Samuel.

When I opened the door, his gaze immediately swung to my sister. His nostrils flared as he walked in, rubbing his hands on his jeans, the collar of his burnt-orange polo shirt standing on end and his hair in disarray. He’d rushed to get here.

Stevie stepped back, keeping her arms wrapped around herself.

What’s wrong?I linked to Samuel, a lump forming in my throat.

You need to lock her in the basement.Samuel lifted his chin.She can’t be trusted, and everything she sees and hears could get back to the queen. In fact, we should block her pack link so if she has someone helping her, they can’t get the messages to the queen.

My heart free-fell into my stomach.

He was right. I loved my sister, but these were my people, and not just because I was marked. I was now an alpha advisor’s mate who couldn’t allow division, even across states.

Samuel,Bodey snarled, and I realized he’d linked to us both.That’s her sister. You know how much she means to Callie. If you want to imprison her,youdo it. Don’t make her.

And there was my mate, on my side like always.

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