Page 66 of Eclipsed Heart

“The queen is attacking a pack in Oregon.” The words chaffed my throat, causing it to burn.

Lucas gasped while Michael groaned.

“We underestimated her viciousness again,” Phil growled. “She had wolves in fucking place, suspecting that Callie wouldn’t submit to her. This attack is to show us that she’s a step ahead of us in all ways.”

Her earlier threat hung over my head. She’d made it clear that the wolves here were safe to come and go. She’d been oddly specific, but I’d thought she was trying to reassure me. Now I knew better. She was making sure she didn’t say everyone in myterritory.

Gods, I hated politics.

I didn’t submit to her.I couldn’t ignore Zeke; he was the one who had information I needed right now. I snatched my phone from my back pocket, tapping in the address. I had no clue how far away we were from Ontario, but I was certain that we wouldn’t be able to reach them in time to fight alongside them. Thankfully, I’d met the alpha before and knew he was strong and competent. His pack had a coven that lived near them. One of the witches had been in his house while Theo and I were there discussing the coronation dinner.

I grimaced at the map. As I’d suspected, there was no way we’d get there in time to help. “We’re six hours away, so we need to hurry and get there as quickly as possible.” Even if we weren’t there to fight, we could help pick up the pieces of what remained, bury the dead, and offer our support.

I took off running toward the cars as a chill tracked down my spine. It felt as if we were still being watched. The queen might still be close by, enjoying our panic.Do you feel that?I linked with just Bodey.

Yeah, I suspect it’s the queen herself, wanting a view of her handiwork.Bodey wrinkled his nose and removed the keys from his pocket.

I hated that the hair on the nape of my neck was standing on end.

The dads headed to their car as Bodey hollered, “Follow us. We’ll pull out in front of you in a second.”

We broke into a faster pace as we raced to our own vehicles. Bodey had already started our car when Lucas, Miles, Jack, and Samuel climbed into the Navigator behind us.

He zoomed out of the spot, and Jack wasn’t more than a few seconds behind as we took the curve to where the dads waited, Carl in the driver’s seat. The three vehicles drove seventy miles per hour around the turns and bends despite the speed limit being twenty-five.

I held on to the door handle and the center console, clenching my teeth. “Is it safe to drive like this?” We wouldn’t be much good if we died before we even reached the other pack.

Bodey chuckled but kept both hands on the wheel and his eyes on the road. “Yes. I’m used to driving on winding mountain roads.”

Not only that, but wolf shifters had quicker reflexes than humans, so I was being silly and paranoid. He wouldn’t put me in danger.

Maybe you should’ve just submitted,Zeke’s voice intruded into both Bodey’s and my minds.

Bodey growled.Why the hell would you say that?

Because a second pack is being attacked,Zeke snapped.They’re nearLakeview, which is close to where you are now.

Bile churned in my stomach, and a salty taste filled my mouth.What’s the address?

He rattled it off, and I added a stop to the GPS, wanting to see if we could reach this one in time. It was only thirty minutes away.Yes, they’re a lot closer.

Then I’d recommend getting your asses there, considering it’s one of the weakest packs in Oregon. I’m heading to Ontario now and have a pack closer to them en route as well.

I swallowed past a lump lodged in my throat and linked with everyone in both vehicles.We’re heading to Lakeview instead. She’s attacking there too, and it’s only thirty minutes away.

Less, if I have anything to do with it,Bodey interjected, his jaw twitching from his clenching.

Jack replied,This is seriously fucked up.

All because you refused to submit to her,Michael linked.She must have known you wouldn’t, or these two attacks wouldn’t be happening. Ontario is one of the strongest packs in Oregon, and Lakeview’s one of the weakest.He confirmed Zeke’s assessment.

Kel’s words repeated in my head.She told me I’d wind up coming to her, but if she’s this type of monster, submitting to her would be foolish.If she could do this to people she wanted to lead, then all she would ever do was instill fear.Did you all hear that part?Wolves could hear for miles, and we’d been maybe a half mile away.

We heard bits and pieces of your conversation, but the guards were purposely talking, so we couldn’t hear everything,Samuel replied, his frustration churning through our connection.She set this up to teach you a lesson.

What would submitting to her accomplish?That was the part I truly didn’t understand.Wouldn’t she rather I be dead?If I were alive, then I would continue to be a threat to her rule.

If you submit to her, then all of us do as well because we recognize you as our alpha,Michael explained.So, instead of having to force each advisor and each pack to submit one by one, she just has to get you—the ultimate alpha—to do it. It’s smart, but she’s underestimating you.

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