Page 81 of Eclipsed Heart

A spot in my chest grew warmer as if a new pack member was getting closer. One I hadn’t met before. I hadn’t noticed the feeling until now.

Bodey tensed and growled. “I thought you told her to stay at the university.”

My breath caught.Is your sister here?I rubbed my chest as the spot, which was close to Bodey’s, settled in me similar to the way Samuel’s, Janet’s, and Michael’s felt—as if my wolf recognized them as family.

“She linked yesterday about coming home, and I told her no.” Michael grimaced. “She didn’t argue. I should’ve known better.”

My mate went still as a statue as his fury swept into me. It reminded me of the anger he’d directed at me after I’d jumped in front of the death spell to protect him.

Footsteps pounded up the front porch, and the door flew open, revealing a slightly older version of the girl in the family picture in the den. Her strawberry-blonde hair curled around her heart-shaped face, and her jade eyes narrowed at all of us.

“Jazzy.” Jack shook his head and smirked. “What have you done?”

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

My muscles bunchedas Bodey broke through the advisors to reach his sister. She shut the door and planted her fists on her hips. Her fluffy teal sweater bunched around her hands, and she stomped her furry black boots on the hardwood floor.

“You need to go back to Chicago,” Bodey growled. “We told you not to come here.”

Bodey,I linked, easing between the advisors.This is the first time I’m meeting your sister, so maybe we could at least try to be cordial. Introduce me, please.

Michael trailed behind me, his own concern snaking from him, but I could also sense his joy.

“That’sthe welcome I get?” Jasmine lifted her chin, staring Bodey in the eye. “I missed you too, brother.”

I looped my arm through his, his muscles relaxing at my touch. I cleared my throat and said, “He’s missed you. I promise.”

Laying my other hand on my mate’s arm, I pushed my love and calm toward him. That was one of the qualities I loved best about Bodey. He was loyal and protective.

“Well, I, for one, have missed my daughter.” Michael swept her into a hug. “Though I wish you’d stayed away for your own safety.”

She laughed. “Nowthat’sthe greeting I wanted.”

When Michael placed her back on her feet, Jasmine’s gaze landed on me then slid down to my neck and chest. There was no doubt what she was looking at—my tattoo. She gasped, “No way!”

Bodey rumbled, stepping in front of me.

Jacktsked. “Come on, Jazzy. You know her eyes are higher than that.”

Nowmysister snarled. “Don’t flirt with her!”

“Oh, love.” He booped Stevie’s nose. “You’re my fated. You don’t have shit to be worried about, babe.”

The corners of Jasmine’s mouth twitched. She looked at Stevie and snorted. “Don’t worry, Jack and I aren’t like that. He’s like another annoying big brother. He used to shove my face into his armpits when they stank. Believe me, there’s nothing beyond tolerance of each other’s presence between us.”

“Yeah, he tried to do that same shit to Miles, Bodey, and me, but we were older and stronger.” Lucas gagged. “Still, we didn’t need our noses in there to smell his reek.”

“Can I just say… I’m glad I wasn’t around Jack when he was younger.” Stella shivered. “He’s horrible enough in his twenties.”

“Oh, girl.” Jasmine rolled her eyes. “You have no clue.” She focused back on Bodey. “And what do you think I’m going to do to not only the new addition to our family but to my queen?” She pivoted around him and hugged me.

I froze, her affection catching me off guard, especially after how she’d been scrutinizing my mark. Before I could manage to hug her back, Bodey gently pulled his sister away.

“You’re making her uncomfortable.” He frowned.

“No, it’s fine.” I waved off the awkwardness again. “I’m just not normally a hugger, that’s all.”

“And that isnotthe proper way to greet your queen.” Michael arched a brow.

---