Page 20 of Chosen Destiny

I still don’t understand how I made it out alive and with Michael,Samuel said.

I winced. I should’ve made telling him the story of what happened during the explosion a priority.You were in bed downstairs when the fireplace exploded. Dad had called Michael back because of how Zeke was acting, and he got to you before Zeke could. It happened not long after the four of us came in from playing chase outside.

Our parents played with us?Longing wafted from him.

Eyes burning, I blinked to hold back tears.They did.

Tapping his fingers on his lips, Lynerd tilted his head. “I suppose you’re right, but I won’t lie. I’m shocked you asked me to take the role and not Theo.”

“It’s what my parents wanted.” I stared into his eyes, hoping he would find whatever reassurance he needed there. “But you don’t have to take it.”

He exhaled loudly. “Being a good royal advisor takes sacrifice.”

I laughed bitterly, the harshness grating my throat. “Believe me, I get that. Having Bodey taken from me isn’t a price I’d ever want to pay.”

“Are you trying to talk me into rejecting your offer?” Lynerd tilted his head, but there was something kind in his face.

I shook my head. “I want to be honest. Yes, you rejecting my offer will put me in a bind, but it’s better than you taking on a responsibility you don’t want.”

Callie.Samuel frowned.I think we should rethink this whole thing. We’re giving him too much power—

“I’ll do it.” Lynerd bowed his head, showing me respect. “If you’re this transparent, you’re someone I’m willing to fight next to.” He smiled wryly. “Besides, the first time I met you and you kept Theo in line even when you didn’t seem to have a strong wolf, you intrigued me. There was something about you I liked.”

My face flamed, but I held his gaze. “Thanks.” I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to channel my embarrassment. “Now we need to make it official.” I cleared my throat as I tried to remember what it took to make someone an advisor. Nothing came to me, so I linked with Samuel,What do we do to make it official?

Zeke has to submit to him,Samuel replied easily.

My heart lurched.He won’t do that.

If Lynerd is stronger than him, it’s inevitable.Samuel shrugged.Or you can alpha-will him to stand down.

I flinched. Zeke would fight this, but if I alpha-willed him to stand down, he’d use that to say I had something to hide. It wasn’t a big deal, but with Kel breathing down my neck, I needed to avoid as much turmoil as possible. The lesser of the two evils was allowing Lynerd to force Zeke to submit and hope that I wasn’t wrong in assuming he was the stronger wolf.

“There’s no time like the present.” I gestured to Jack’s SUV and went to Jasmine’s passenger-side back door, not wanting to make things worse for Theo. I linked to Jasmine and Zeke,I need you two to get out of the vehicle.I opened the door and forced myself not to avoid Theo’s gaze.

His eyes darkened, and he glanced away. All his life, he’d thought his dad would never step down, and here that day was, and I was taking away the future he’d always wanted. My chest ached, but I had to do what was best for my people.

Are you sure this is the right call?Jasmine asked and gnawed on a fingernail.Theo—

Jasmine, you know better than to challenge our queen,Samuel scolded.

I glanced at him and raised a brow.You asked me something similar not ten minutes ago.

But as your brother… not—He stopped.

Jasmine was my sister now, and he caught the error before I pointed it out. I squeezed her arm and forced a tight smile.I promise I’ll make it up to him. He and Stevie are two of the only people I had growing up.

She scowled but nodded, moving out of my way.

I turned my attention to Zeke and allowed alpha will to coat my words. “Get out of the carnow.”

His wolf obeyed, forcing his human body to scoot across the seat and stand. Each movement had him wincing in pain from his injury.

At least now he knew what I’d felt all those times he’d punished me when I was injured.

When he got out, I turned to Lynerd. If he wanted this role, it was time he took action.

Lynerd stepped toward Zeke, and their gazes locked.

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