Page 63 of Eclipsed Heart

When we made it over a slight incline, the path dropped, revealing a breathtaking woman standing in the middle of the trail with a tall man behind her and nine others deeper in the trees.

Her dark hair was pulled on top of her head, and wisps hung in her face. The moonlight glistened on her tan skin, her haunting, gray eyes sparkling. A cream silk dress draped her body like a second skin, the low neckline showing off her own ink—a small, simple moon just under her collarbone. The most surprising part was that, despite her elegant dress, she had bare feet. Her toes dug into the dirt as her crimson-painted lips broke into a smile. “Right on time.”

I stiffened, wanting to stop in my tracks, but I forced my legs to keep moving forward. Bodey moved closer to me, our arms now brushing. We stopped several feet in front of Kel’s group.

“Sorry I didn’t dress for the occasion.” I lifted my chin, trying to pretend I wasn’t uncomfortable. “You gave us such short notice. Fortunately, we were driving down the night before, or we wouldn’t have made it.”

She chuckled. “All is forgiven. Not every queen can balance duty and keeping up appearances.”

Two seconds in, and she was already insulting me. This was already going so well. My wolf snarled in my head, but I forced my face into a mask of indifference, repeating Samuel’s words about not becoming emotional.

That woman really is a bitch,Jack scoffed.

Miles replied,What did you expect? Someone nice, kind, and amicable? She’s been attacking us nonstop.

At least she’s hot,Lucas added.

“But, while we were on our way here, a matter came to our attention that we needed to handle.” She clasped her hands, putting them in front of her stomach. “So…that was why there was a last-minute change.”

She’s being careful with her words and paused so you’d ask,Michael linked.Don’t push it.

Silence stretched until Kel laughed. “I see the spare, the advisors, and their fathers didn’t find you adequate to handle this alone. However, there appears to be one advisor missing.” She arched a brow. “Which intrigues me. Is he aware of this meeting?”

We informed him,Phil linked.So he knows.

She was fishing for information, but luckily, we had a good response. “He was planning to drive down in the morning since the meeting was scheduled for tomorrow. After the time was changed, he couldn’t be here.”

“Very well.” She gestured, and the tallest and hairiest man stepped forward to stand beside her. “This is my right hand, Herald.”

Herald held out his hand to me.

Be careful,Dan connected.He’s known to be vicious.

The thought of touching him made my skin crawl, but I didn’t want to be rude, especially in front of the queen. Against instinct, I reached out, and he clasped my hand hard. He watched my face, most likely anticipating a reaction.

This prick was just like Zeke, so I knew the best way to piss him off. I schooled my face into an expression of indifference. My wolf snarled as my gaze met his, and I smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

The corners of his mouth tipped downward as he tightened his hold on me. He must not know that I hadn’t been raised with privilege and kindness. I’d been hurt and beaten, and I’d refused to submit to those pricks, so I definitely wouldn’t start cowering now. I pretended I didn’t notice.

Bodey clearly felt my pain because he growled beside me. “You can quit touching mymatenow.” Then he bared his teeth at Herald.

“You must be the king consort.” Herald chuckled and dropped my hand.

“Oh, yes,” the queen said as she ogled Bodey. “It’s so good to see you here.”

I couldn’t help reacting to that. I stepped in front of my mate. I wasn’t sure if she was flirting with him or threatening him, but either way, that shit ended now.

The queen smiled.

Callie, you’re letting your emotions control you.Samuel cleared his throat and said, “It’s nice to meet you after all this time, Queen Kel.”

Her gaze landed on my brother, and a mischievous glint entered her eyes. “Ah, the spare and his manners. It must have been a blow when you weren’t marked.”

“All my life, I wished I could’ve gotten to know my family before they died.” Samuel placed a hand on my shoulder and continued, “Nothing could ever compare to finding out I have a sister.”

Kel sniffed as if searching for the lie, and her smile flattened. “Well, isn’t that nice?”

Her irises glowed, and she turned back to me. “How many wolves did you bring? One of mine saw a group cross their path.”

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