Page 1 of Eclipsed Heart

CHAPTERONE

Snarls,whimpers, the stench of blood, and darkness surrounded me while agony swirled within. The pain was blinding as my wolf magic sparked, making the sensations overwhelming.

This must be what it felt like to be swallowed whole.

Strong arms rolled me onto my back, then slipped underneath my legs and head. As Bodey lifted me from the ground, the sizzle of the fated-mate bond zapped straight to my soul.

I’d been about twenty feet from the alpha advisors and Samuel, all of us there to witness the marking of the new king. Dina, the royal priestess, had been standing ankle-deep in the Snake River in her white priestess dress, Samuel on the embankment in front of her, and the ten other witches of the royal coven knee-deep in the water behind them. Between the blue skies, the high sun, and the beautiful backdrop of Hells Canyon, the scene had been intimate, and the ceremony should have been a breathtaking ritual…with magical ink floating above Dina’s head, readying to mark the next ruler of the Northwest wolves…but of course, we’d been attacked.

As Bodey nestled me against his chest, I breathed in his cinnamon and sandalwood scent, trying to block out the smell of blood. Despite the danger, I felt safe in his arms. I didn’t doubt that he would protect me, and I hated that I couldn’t return the favor, but my body was frozen.

He linked,I’m going to get you out of here. I promise.

I wanted to tell him to not worry about me, to save himself, but the words wouldn’t even form in my mind. My body thrummed with magic so strong that I would surely implode, and the burning pain in my chest and neck seemed to intensify every second. All I could do was listen to the vicious battle around us.

“We need to get her out of here,” Janet said. “All four of us if that’s what it takes. She has to be protected.”

Pain still coursed through the bond I shared with Bodey, reminding me that he was injured as well and carrying me.

Mom, those two can’t be trusted,Bodey linked, connecting me to the conversation.

Our fated-mate connection strengthened even more as my tie to Janet warmed in my chest. I focused on my tether to Bodey. The buzz from our bond and wherever we touched was somehow easing my agony and allowing my wolf magic to merge with the pain.

I understand, son. But those two care for her, even if they’re misguided. We need their help, but we’ll stay with her and ensure she remains safe.The warmth of her affection seeped through our pack link as she continued,She’s my daughter and family now, too.

“I’ll take point,” Theo rasped in front of Bodey. “And keep an eye out for threats—unless you want me to carry her.”

“You’renottouching her,” Bodey snarled, his chest vibrating against my head. “So fucking lead.”

“You two, stop it,” Stevie snapped. “And let’s get out of here.”

I expected more arguing, but Bodey took off, and three pairs of footsteps followed us.

As we moved, the cold, late February breeze of North Central Idaho blew across my skin, a contrast to the warmth sparking in my chest. The sensation was similar to the more than two hundred pack links I’d gotten last night after Bodey and I had completed our fated-mate bond and I’d become part of his pack. This warmth was also like pockets of air without discomfort, but instead of two hundred, it was growing rapidly into thousands as the pain in my neck and chest burned even sharper.

Bodey groaned, and I felt his discomfort spike as well.

My chest began to move freely again, and I managed to open my eyes.

I’d expected darkness, but my view filled with my mate’s gorgeous face.

His jaw was clenched, his normally indigo eyes almost black with terror, pain, and concern, and his messy chestnut hair covered his forehead and touched the tips of his black lashes. He was clean-shaven and still dressed in his dark suit for the ceremony. I missed his scruff, but it’d grow back fast enough.

Even in danger, he took my breath away, and my heart thudded.

Fear thickening, he dropped his gaze to me, and some of the tension eased from his face.

Your eyes are open,he linked.I thought when your heart…I thought…

The pain is becoming manageable.I wouldn’t saybetterbecause it wasn’t. But I was able to tolerate it. If I’d thought that broken ribs hurt, they hadnothingon what I was experiencing now. I could’ve sworn that my throat and chest had been ripped open.

I blinked a few times, trying to get my eyes to adjust. The sun was bright again, and I didn’t understand where the darkness had come from.What the hell happened?

That was a loaded question, and I wasn’t sure which instance I was referring to—the darkness, the hovering magic ink, the attacking wolves, or Zeke screaming for them not to attackme.

Then my chest tightened.Samuel!We’d left the king behind.

He’s fine, and the ink reached its mark just as unfamiliar wolves attacked,Bodey replied and focused forward again. He swiveled, and a fir tree passed near my head.

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