Page 36 of Chosen Destiny

Outside with Samuel, I found twenty witches in our yard. The one who had cast the spell stood in front of the group, flanked by two older witches. The other seventeen were searching the area for threats.

Like every other witch I’d seen, they all wore long, flowy dresses in earth tones, emphasizing their frames while looking boho-chic.

I strolled over, trying not to panic as Bodey’s link cooled. He’d told me he was going to sleep but to do so that quickly, he must be exhausted.

“Samuel informed us that you thought you were under attack when I lifted you in that tornado.” The cognac-eyed witch frowned. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t realize Nate hadn’t informed you we’d arrived.”

I rolled my shoulders to relieve some tension. Shifting back hadn’t been painful, and with the burst of magic, my wound had healed. But the tightness from stress remained. “Okay, but why was that necessary?”

“Two wolves tried to attack you from behind.” She shrugged. “We were worried you might not sense them, and lifting you out of the way was the simplest choice.” She held out her hand. “I should introduce myself. My name is Iris, the high priestess of the Joseph pack’s coven, and these two ladies are my right hands.” She pointed at the woman with dark-bronze skin and dark curly hair to her left. “This is Louise, and this”—she pointed at the witch with pale skin, ash-blonde, almost white hair, and ice-blue eyes on her right—“is Bonnie.”

I shook her hand and nodded to the other two women. “I’m Cal—” I paused, knowing I should use my birth name to reinforce my position. “Caroline, and thank you for the help.”

“We know who you are.” Louise beamed. “It’s an honor to meet you and work beside you.”

Bonnie lowered her head. “How can we help you?”

That was a hard answer, but I had one, nonetheless. “We need to make sure the enemy doesn’t come back while we bury our dead.” I rubbed my chest. “We’ve lost five of our own, and we’re lucky it wasn’t more.”

“And we need someone to help one of the wounded advisors.” Samuel pressed his lips together to keep his smile away.

I arched a brow. “What do you mean?” Then I remembered Jack had gotten shot. “Is he not okay?”

“Let’s just say he couldn’t help us more because he can’t shift out of animal form.” Samuel rubbed his temples. “The bullet is in his muscle and causing damage.”

“But my dad—” I flinched, thinking of Charles or Bryson touching him. I didn’t trust either of them, especially with their dislike of me.

“Miles went with them.” Samuel touched my arm.

“Let’s get to work.”

* * *

Three hours later,we were honoring the five fallen in the graveyard a mile away from the pack neighborhood. The witches had spelled the perimeter and healed Jack while Theo, Miles, Lucas, Samuel, and I, along with the families of the dead, had dug the graves. The former advisors had offered to help, but I’d sent them to check on everyone, hoping our assistance would help eliminate the distrust between this pack and the rest of the advisors.

Stella had driven Stevie here, and once they arrived, it was time to bury the dead.

Tears fell down Pearl’s cheeks while Mom completely broke down, and Stevie clung to Jack. I was damn thankful that Stevie had found her mate, even if they hadn’t completed their bond.

When Zeke had tried to lead the memorial, Theo had shut him down. I’d thought I might have to intervene, but when Zeke saw me step toward him, he backed off. I assumed he didn’t want everyone to see me alpha-will him.

I stayed strong until it came time to cover the dead, and then something inside me snapped. Samuel wrapped his arms around me, giving me the support I needed while I sobbed and watched them bury my dad.

When it was all done, the Joseph and Halfway packs left five of their strongest wolves, and five of Iris’s witches stayed as well. Until we knew my family was safe, we were adding extra protection. Stevie, Jack, Miles, Stella, Lucas, Samuel, Jasmine, and the former advisors decided to stay in town and get some rest.

Pearl and Stevie crawled into bed with Mom while Samuel and I slept in Stevie’s and my old room. Jasmine, Lucas, Stella, and Miles stayed with Theo, while the former advisors elected to stay in Zeke’s house and secure him in his own basement. They would take turns keeping watch to ensure Tina didn’t try to let him out, and tomorrow, Stevie, Stella, and Dan would escort him back to Grangeville to keep him there until we decided what to do with him.

Somehow, I got a few hours of sleep.

* * *

I wrungmy hands in the front passenger seat of Bodey’s Mercedes. As usual, Samuel was driving. We were on our way to meet Russell and his pack members, following directions to the address he’d sent Jasmine earlier today.

The over eight-hour drive to Cold Springs, Nevada, had made me restless. Bodey had been hurt twice already, and I wanted to pull out my hair. I hated that I was safe while Kel was doing whatever the hell she wanted to him.

Between that and losing Dad, my emotions were swinging like a yo-yo. I’d tried to play music, but inevitably, a sad song had come on, the lyrics pulling at my heartstrings, and I’d had to turn it off.

As we drove into the neighborhood, my heartbeat quickened. Russell hadn’t said how many wolves he’d brought, but at least he’d come.

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