Page 13 of Eclipsed Heart

“Then take me home,” she begged. “I don’t want to get our parents involved.”

I scowled. She acted as if we were abusing her when that wasn’t the case. “How can you not realize going home would involve them? Do you truly think you’ll be treated as well back at the pack as you will here? You think Zeke isn’t going to want to make an example of you? You should know better than anyone that I’m the one person who understands what being on his shit list is like.” That was the main reason I wanted her here—I could protect her. But now she’d brought up my parents, which made me nervous. What if Pearl was involved, too, and the two of them were communicating?

I exhaled. “Is Pearl working with you? I need to know if she is.” She’d do anything for status, even hurt a person in the family.

Stevie blanched. “She’s not.” She lifted her chin. “I would never include her. She would turn on you if given the chance, and I was trying to protectallof us.”

Some of my worry eased.

“Let’s go. I’ll reach out to Dina to get one of her coven members to meet us there to put the block on.” Samuel tugged on Stevie’s arm and led her to the door. He frowned as our eyes met. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Concern lined his forehead.

He seemed to care that I was struggling with my sister. Someone who resented me for being marked queen wouldn’t be trying to help me.

“Callie.” Stevie’s voice trembled as she fought against his hold.

I faced the wall, unable to watch him drag her away. My heart was shredded. This felt so wrong, but I didn’t have a better option. She’d forced my hand.

Warmth pushed into my chest from my mate. Bodey linked,I’m sorry you had to go through with that.The concern pouring through our bond urged me to go downstairs to be with him.

Still, I waited. Samuel and Stevie were also heading downstairs, and I didn’t want to see her face again. Maybe I was being a coward, but having her taken away like a hardened criminal had acid inching up my throat.

Whether I want to admit it or not, Samuel was right. She needs to be kept somewhere until we determine she’s not a risk to us.I clenched my hands, focusing on the sting of my nails cutting into my skin.We don’t know what she’s already told the queen. What we’ve learned might not be everything.

Silence was my answer, which told me he agreed but wanted to protect me from making such a call about my family.

From below, Stevie cried out, “Callie! Please.”

My heart twisted, and a salty tear ran into my mouth. I glanced down and found wet spots on my maroon shirt.

I was crying.

“Don’t do that to her,” Samuel’s voice chastised. “You’re making it harder on both of you. You can't expect to aid an enemy and not be punished. Life doesn’t work like that.”

The front door opened, and I could hear my sister crying quietly as the two of them walked outside. When the door shut, I wiped the moisture from under my eyes and dealt with the last thing I needed to do.

Informing Zeke.

I linked with him, giving him an update.

She needs to be brought to my pack,Zeke demanded. Even without being able to sense him like the others, his frustration was palpable.I’m her alpha and should deal with the discipline.

Absolutely not.I had to be firm; otherwise, he’d keep trying to force the issue.I’m the queen, and every territory was attacked as a result of her choice. I’m the one to handle it, and that’s not up for debate.

As you wish,he snarled, despite being in my head.

I closed the link, not wanting to hear more, and headed downstairs to check on my injured mate.

How I wished it was nighttime. I was ready to crawl into bed and cuddle with Bodey. After fearing I was going to lose him, I needed alone time with him more than air.

In the den, he lay in the same spot in front of the fireplace. I hurried over to him, and his eyes opened. His agony washed over me, but it wasn’t quite as bad. He was healing.

You’ve been crying,he linked as his irises darkened.

There was no point in lying. I sat beside him, running my hands through the dark fur on his back near his tail.Do you want something to eat? I can make you something.He’d taken care of me when I was injured, and I wanted to return the favor.

He shook his head, causing his body to cringe.Thanks, but I don’t think I can handle anything right now.

You need the calories to heal.However, I wasn’t going to pressure him. I didn’t like it when others did that to me, so I lay down beside him, careful not to touch any part of him that was injured.

---