Page 17 of Chosen Destiny

Eyes twinkling, Jack grinned. “You know I’m down. I can’t wait to see what you have planned.”

“It’s a three-hour drive, and it’s getting late.” Miles glanced at the entryway. “Let’s get out of here.”

Everyone was eager to leave. We wrapped Sybil’s body in a white sheet, and the Halfway pack kept a lookout for oncoming cars as we placed her in the trunk of Bodey’s Mercedes SUV.

Heart aching, I climbed into the passenger seat, unable to take his place in the driver’s seat. Samuel slid into that spot, giving me a sad smile as Jasmine and Theo climbed into the back seat. I hadn’t expected Theo to come, but he’d asked to stay close to his dad.

What I had to do would affect him, but I didn’t want to notify him about my plan, afraid of how he would react.

Once Zeke was in the back seat of Jack’s vehicle, next to Miles, everyone else climbed into the cars, and we took off.

* * *

During the car ride,Jasmine filled me in on what had happened during the fight while Bodey and I were split up. He, Jack, and Miles had reached her and helped her and Theo. Then Bodey had left to rush back to me and got cornered.

Somehow, my heart broke further.

Callie, we’ll get him back,Samuel linked, reaching over.I know I wasn’t supportive earlier, but now that things have calmed down, I can see how much this is affecting you. It’s no one’s fault but Queen Kel’s.

Samuel was right. And the bitch would pay for everything she’d done.

* * *

A little overthree hours later, just as the sun slipped below the horizon, we pulled into Lynerd’s neighborhood. Unlike last time, the pack wasn’t blocking our way, but Lynerd stood outside his house with his arms crossed and two male shifters behind him. A group of five women in long dresses also stood in the yard. They had to be witches from Sybil’s coven.

I climbed out of the car, lifting my chin. I needed to address Sybil’s death first—that was what she deserved.

The others followed suit, exiting their vehicles.

Lynerd scanned our group, his gaze landing on Zeke. He scowled, “What ishedoing here?”

“We’ll get to that in a minute.” I pointed at Zeke. “But know that stab wound you see was done by my hands.”

He arched a brow and observed me once more. “At least he got some sort of punishment.”

Zeke had no clue what sort of punishment I was about to inflict.

“Where’s Sybil?” A pale-skinned woman with long ebony hair stepped forward. The scent of herbs hit my nose, confirming they were witches.

I tensed, fearing how they would take the news. “She’s here, but I need to tell you something.” I placed a hand over my heart, trying like hell to feel Bodey as best I could. What I wouldn’t give to have him near. I needed his strength and his support more than I even realized.

Jaw twitching, Lynerd waited, staring me down.

“Sybil is dead,” I whispered, but there was no doubt everyone heard.

CHAPTERSIX

The ebony-haired witch’supper body sagged, and I was surprised she didn’t crumple to the grass. The other four witches’ faces twisted in agony, but their gazes remained on me as they lifted their hands.

Eyes glowing, Lynerd clenched his hands and rasped, “You killed her.”

The witches took a step forward in unison, ready to chant a spell together.

My head jerked back, and I pressed my hand to my chest even harder. “No!” Here I was, trying to handle the situation as delicately as possible, but instead, I’d insinuated I’d killed their priestess. “It was Queen Kel.”

“What do you mean?” Lynerd asked, brows furrowed. “She was with Zeke.”

“She was—just like you were with your pack when the queen attacked here,” Samuel countered, moving around the hood of the car to stand by me. “There was an incident. Sybil was killed, and Bodey was kidnapped.”

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