Page 13 of Chosen Destiny

I understood his trepidation. I’d changed significantly in the last few weeks, so there was no doubt someone could change over many years. “Okay, what do you suggest? As I see it, we have three options. Two involve me handing myself over to the queen, and one is asking the Midwest pack for assistance. I’m open to any and all other ideas.”

The room fell silent as Jasmine bounced on her feet.

After several long seconds, I made eye contact with each person. “Anyone?”

Lucas shrugged. “I’ve got nothing.”

“Handing you over isn’t an option.” Miles arched a brow while meeting my gaze head-on.

My wolf surged forward, feeling threatened, and a low growl came from my chest. Though I knew he wasn’t challenging my position, I didn’t like him telling me I couldn’t do something.

His bottom lip quivered, but he kept his attention on me. I had no doubt I was stronger than him, and I forced my wolf down. Forcing people to bend to my will because they thought differently from me was the exact thing I’d vowed I wouldn’t do. Besides, Miles and I knew if I alpha-willed him to let me go, he wouldn’t have any option but to obey.

My wolf didn’t completely recede until Miles had looked away.

“We only have one good option.” I looked at Bodey’s sister. “Jasmine, make the call.”

“What?” Samuel’s head snapped toward me. “I don’t think that’s the right decision.”

I crossed my arms and nodded. “So you want me to hand myself over?”

He shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

My heart dropped. “Are you saying you want us toallowher to keep Bodey?”

Samuel’s cheeks reddened. “We’ll get him back. I’m not saying—”

“Not happening.” I karate-chopped the air and filled my lungs, trying to calm down. “She’s agreed to meet us. This is a way to get her out into the open instead of storming her home. I won’t give up this opportunity even if it requires handing myself over. Do you understand?” I couldn’t risk her killing Bodey. I’d already lost too many people I loved, and I wouldn’t add him or anyone else in this room to that list.

His nostrils flared. “Your life means more than his.”

I fisted my hands. “No, it doesn’t. If anything happened to him, I would change. Hell, I’m barely hanging on to who I am, knowing he’s with them.”

“I’ll make the call.” Jasmine removed her phone from her back pocket.

“Wait.” I begrudgingly turned my attention away from Samuel and asked her, “Are you sure about this?”

She hit her chest. “I swear to you, I trust them. I wouldn’t put the rest of my family in danger.” Jasmine’s eyes glistened with sincerity.

“Fine. Make the call, but do it here.” I gestured to the door that led outside. “I don’t want to risk anyone overhearing you besides the people in this room.”

She grabbed the phone and dialed as she paced in the corner. Nerves wafted off her, and the former advisors, Jack, Lucas, and Miles, formed a tight circle around me.

In the corner, Theo fidgeted uncomfortably. “I’ll check on Dad while you work on this.” He winced. “Not that I agree with him, but…”

That was for the best. I’d rather Theo not know everything. Zeke was his dad, and it was nearly impossible to break the familial bond. I smiled sadly. “I get it.”

He blew out a breath. “Thanks. I’ll be back shortly.” He hurried past us and out the door.

“There’s something else we all need to discuss,”I murmured to the eight men around me. “Before my parents died, they made it clear to each other in front of me that they were about to strip Zeke as the royal advisor and put Lynerd in his place.”

Michael’s eyebrows shot up. “King Richard asked me to come see him because something was going on with Zeke. I didn’t know it was that.”

Jasmine mumbled quietly, but I heard a young woman’s voice reply to her.

“I don’t think he knew.”I licked my lips. “I think he was trying to get Mom to be with him. She kept saying she was with Dad. I wasn’t around for whatever caused the disagreement, but since Lynerd was cleared of working with Queen Kel, we need to hand Oregon over to him.”

“Fuck yeah,”Jack agreed. “There’s no reason not to now that your memories are back.”

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