Page 65 of Eclipsed Heart

“None that I’ll accept.” She pointed to the ground. “Bow, acknowledge me as your alpha, and all this will be over.”

My wolf howled so loudly she made my head pound. “Never.” Even if I wanted to, my wolf wouldn’t allow it.

“You need to realize that, by coming here, you’ve acknowledged I’m a threat to you.” She gestured in the direction we’d come from. “I know that you care for all of them dearly. Submit now before I have to rip away everything you love in order to break you. Spare yourself the pain and heartache. Keep those you love safe.”

That was the thing with people like her and Zeke. I’d never be safe. She’d still see me as a threat, and even if she believed she wouldn’t hurt me now, she would eventually. Or I’d do something to piss her off, and she’d need to teach me a so-calledlesson. I’d grown up with a person just like her, and I wasn’t foolish enough to believe in some far-fetched promises. “We’re strong. We don’t need protection from you. You’re better off killing me.”

“Is that what you believe?” She chuckled. “Oh, no, dear. Your death is the last thing I want.”

I stared into her eyes. “Why?”

“That question proves you’re not fit to rule.” Her eyes glowed, and then she snickered. “Just remember, I gave you a chance, and you didn’t take it.” She turned and started walking back toward the others. Then she tossed over her shoulder, “Oh, and when you do change your mind, you know how to get a hold of me.” With that, she left me behind.

It didn’t work,I linked to the others. My eyes burned with unshed tears. I didn’t want anyone to know that I was close to crying.She wanted me to submit to her. She claims that’s the only way the attacks will end.

I knew I didn’t trust the bitch,Jack roared.Let’s kick their asses now.

We can’t,Samuel replied.A parlay happens on neutral ground, and we promised not to attack one another. If we attack her, we’ll look bad to everyone, including our own packs. We’ll become untrustworthy.

The queen darted off the path in the opposite direction as I headed back toward the cars.She’s going east.

They must have parked on a different road,Bodey replied.I’m heading to you now.

I should have told him no, that he’d only wind up retracing his steps, but dammit, I needed him. I picked up my pace, ready to get the hell out of there. Meeting Kel had been pointless, but at least I had a sense of who we were up against. She was evil, vindictive, and out for blood. There wouldn’t be any negotiating with her.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I began jogging back toward the others. Something in the air didn’t feel right.

When Bodey and I met up, he pulled me into his arms. I nestled into his chest, taking a moment in his strong embrace to help me move past the confrontation.

You did everything you could,he linked as he pulled away to cup my cheeks.

The problem was, I didn’t believe him.

He frowned and took my hand, and together, we met up with the others.

On our way back to the vehicles, Zeke popped into Bodey’s and my heads.

We need your help now,he linked.An Ontario pack is under attack. They’re pretty sure that it’s Queen Kel’s shifters.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

I frozeas my wolf came forward.The queen?She’d just left our meeting. That shouldn’t be possible.

Yes, the very person you were supposed to parlay with, he scoffed via our pack link.You know…the one who hurt my son.

Bodey’s blood boiled.She knows who the fuck the queen is, asshole.

Well, it didn’t sound like it,Zeke snapped back.

We just met with her.I shook my head, trying not to get caught up in my hatred for Zeke. It would be so easy to focus on that, but right now, lives were at stake.Which pack?

The Ontario pack—the one you and Theo visited together.A little bit of smugness pulsed through the link.

Snarling, Bodey tensed, which no doubt had been Zeke’s plan. He clearly wanted to taunt Bodey with the time Theo and I had spent together. And it was partly Bodey’s fault. If he hadn’t pushed me away, saying he wanted to wait for his fated mate—who so happened to beme—I wouldn’t have been there with Theo. I was quite certain that was one reason it angered Bodey so damn much.

What did you say to her to make her attack so quickly?Zeke added, his annoyance flaring through between us.Clearly, you pissed her off.

“Callie, what’s wrong?” Samuel asked from behind Bodey and me.

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