Page 23 of Chosen Destiny

Theo hung his head. “How else am I supposed to take it?”

This was one of those times when it would have been amazing to know how to lead. If my parents had raised me, I’d be able to think of the perfect words to make him understand. But I only had myself to go by, the former omega of the Oxbow pack whose existence most hadn’t acknowledged unless they needed me to clean or do yard work. “You might think of it as… you’re off the hook.” Something I would never be, especially with the queen’s mark on my collarbone and chest.

He huffed and glanced at Jasmine. “See, I told you talking to her was pointless. She can’t even give me a real answer.”

“You shouldn’t speak to her like that.” Samuel frowned, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “I get that you two grew up together.” His lips curved downward. “She and I didn’t have that privilege, but you can’t talk to her like she’s in your pack anymore. She’s your queen.”

Theo snorted. “Oh, believe me, I know. I see her tattoo every time I look at her, and she just yanked my future out from under me.”

He was taking it personally, proving he shouldn’t be in charge. My decision hadn’t been an act of retribution.

Jasmine squeezed his hand and glanced at me. “Can you give him more context?” She then linked to me,He’s really hurting, and I don’t know how to help him. Only you can do that. Imagine how Bodey would react if his title was taken from him.

That wasn’t the same thing, and I was surprised she didn’t see that, but she hadn’t been around Theo long enough to know how he’d acted around Zeke. Not wanting to make an enemy out of him, I kept hold of my calm. “Theo, your attention needs to be on your pack.” I lifted my hands. “Your father allowed people to treat each other like crap, and people were afraid to bring their concerns to him the way you’re doing with me. To do this job correctly, you need to heal and transform the pack. You can’t do that if you’re focused on all of Oregon. It’s not a demotion but a way to help you be a successful and strong alpha.”

His forehead lined. “I have authority over one pack and not all of them. How is that not a demotion?”

“How fair would it be for me to ask you to not only fix and make your pack stronger but take on all the other packs as well?” I shrugged, wanting him to understand. Maybe that wasn’t the whole reason, but it was a strong one that would hopefully make sense to him. “I’d be setting you up for failure. Besides, once things are going better with Oxbow, I’m sure Lynerd and I could give you more responsibilities.”

He tapped his fingers on his legs and frowned. I wasn’t sure how else I could justify my decision without destroying our relationship.

When I was about to give up hope, he said, “Yeah, okay.” He bobbed his head. “That makes sense. Dad did make a mess of things.”

Thank you,Jasmine linked just as Samuel replied,Good job with the spin. I don’t think I could’ve done that half as well.

I nodded at Jasmine and Theo and turned around as I replied to Samuel,It wasn’t all spin. Just enough truth for him not to feel hurt.The last thing I wanted to do was to call his wolf weaker than his father’s and Lynerd’s, especially in front of Jasmine.

My link with Bodey blazed. I rubbed my chest, both relieved and terrified that our connection was strong again.

Bodey?I linked, closing my eyes to focus on the warmth.Are you okay?

I’m…He grew groggy.Fine. But the queen is with me.

My heart raced, and I prepared for the inevitable pain. The longer it took to come, the more worried I became.What’s going on?

She’s trying to get information out of me by promising me food and water,he replied.

Throat drying, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.Tell her something. You need to eat and drink.As long as the information kept him alive, I didn’t give a shit how bad it hurt us. I just needed a chance to bring him back to me.

Like hell I’m telling her anything,he rasped.Anything she learns about us, she’ll use against you, and that’s not happening.

He was just as stubborn about protecting me as I was about protecting him.I can’t—

Agony surged through the bond, slamming into me.

She’d told me that having my fated mate taken away would weaken me, but I’d never believed her until now. Not having him near me had my heart in tatters.

And she was right. I’d gladly hand myself over to her to protect him. What kind of queen was I? I grunted from the shock of anguish that shot into me again.

“Callie, what’s wrong?” Samuel asked, the car swerving.

“Bodey,” I groaned and hunched over, clutching my chest. “He’s awake, and the queen’s hurting him.” My vision blurred as tears dripped down my cheeks. I needed Bodey to know that I would always be with him.

Babe, I’m going to get you out of there. I promise.I tugged on the pain, trying to bring more into me. Anything to give him some relief.

The throbbing in my body increased tenfold.

After a long moment of torment, he finally replied.No.His fear mixed with mine.You can’t take my place.

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