Page 14 of Chosen Destiny

He was right. Before, we had no real proof to force Zeke to step down, but now I knew what he’d done, and he’d confessed in front of everyone here. “We’ll do it as soon as we get back to Lynerd’s.”My chest constricted. We’d have to tell him what had happened to Sybil, and it wouldn’t go well.

“What about Theo?”Lucas scratched his scruff. “How is he going to take the demotion?”

Samuel snorted. “How can it be a demotion when he never took the role? It’s more of a transfer of power back to the rightful owner.”

That was one way to look at it, but Theo had been so happy when he’d thought his father was handing him the reins. Still, Lynerd made the most sense as the Oregon alpha council member, and his position had been taken from him. I was sure my parents had realized their mistake once Zeke had revealed his true intentions.

“Okay.” Jasmine put her phone back into her pocket and came over to us. “She got her dad on the call, and he’s linking with King Sutton. They’ll call me back soon, but they hope to offer their pack’s help at a minimum. Russell just wants to talk to the king before committing to it.”

So there was a chance they could turn us down.

The largest connection in my chest warmed, indicating that Bodey was stirring. Though I hated for him to wake up in Kel’s custody, my heart fluttered with the hope of talking to him. My breath caught as I linked,Bodey?

Babe?He replied groggily.What’s going on?

Before I could respond, pain sliced through our connection.

CHAPTERFIVE

The shooting painstole my breath, and I sagged against the wall. I gripped my chest, wishing there was a way I could take his suffering away.

“Callie!” Samuel placed his hands on my shoulders. He hunched over so he could stare into my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t speak, not with all the emotions and sensations bombarding me. I linked with everyone,It’sBodey. He’s hurting.

A tear dripped onto my hand as I took a shaky breath.Bodey, I’m here.I tugged at our connection, trying to figure out a way to help him.I wish it was me instead of you.

I’m fucking glad it’s me and not you, he replied, his sincerity pushing through to me.They kicked me to see if I was awake. I managed to fool them into thinking I was still asleep.

Under normal circumstances, those words would have warmed me, but not now and not like this. At least they might leave him alone if they thought he was unconscious. It wasn’t fun to hurt an unconscious person.

“How badly is he hurt?” Jasmine’s brows furrowed. “I don’t want to link and interrupt your conversation.” Her shoulders sagged.

I wasn’t sure how to answer that without making her feel worse, but I did the best I could. “They think he’s unconscious, so they’re leaving him alone.” I managed to straighten for her sake and linked with Bodey,Do you have any idea where you are?If they were close by, maybe we could save him and not have to worry about the Midwest pack—if they agreed to help us.

I’m pretty sure I’m in a van. I’m lying down with two wolf shifters sitting on either side of me. The floor is metal, like a work van or something. We’re moving, and based on the speed, I’m assuming we’re on an interstate.

They must be heading back to California. I repeated the information to the others.Bodey, we’re working on getting you back.

Leave me with Queen Kel if that keeps you safe. I’d rather endure whatever she has planned than risk you getting captured. Promise me.

Even though I could lie and he wouldn’t know since he wasn’t near me, I refused to pollute our relationship that way.Bodey.

Promise me, Callie,he insisted, his fear nearly strangling me.I need to hear you say it.

I can’t. She took you to get to me. Don’t you realize that losing you would destroy me?My chest constricted at the thought of never seeing him again, let alone the queen torturing him to the brink of death.I would be more sane if I were in your place, knowing you were safe.

What about me?He nearly growled, even through our connection.You think I’d be better off if you were here? I’m only the king consort—you’re the actual monarch.

We could argue all day, but we were wasting our energy.If you aren’t careful, your heart rate will pick up, and they’ll know you’re awake.

Sorry if the thought of you getting beaten or killed upsets me.His frustration enveloped our bond.

I feel the same way.I didn’t want to waste our time fighting. There was no telling what they had planned and how long we could communicate before they knocked him out or something worse happened.We can agree on one thing: Neither of us wants the other to be in your situation, so let’s focus on a way to free you without me getting captured.

If it hadn’t been for his bond remaining warm, I would’ve thought he’d gone back to sleep.

You’re right,he finally replied.I can’t look out to see where we are, but even if I could get up, I don’t think there are windows back here.

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