Page 38 of Chosen Destiny

Russell exhaled, his face smoothing as he shook my hand. “Well, it’s Jasmine’s brother that Queen Kel took hostage, and if we help you, I’m hoping you’ll return the favor someday.”

“Of course.” I was willing to do almost anything as long as it got Bodey home to me. “Jasmine has only good things to say about you and Katelin.”

“The girls have become close friends, and Jasmine spent some weekends with us, so the feeling is mutual.” Russell’s attention went to my neck.

I swallowed and fidgeted, uncomfortable with the intensity of his stare.

“Sorry.” He flinched. “It’s just, well, King Sutton’s tattoo doesn’t move. I didn’t expect that. It’s damn near mesmerizing.”

“You better not let Mom overhear that.” Katelin stepped down and laid her chin on her father’s shoulder. “But damn, you’re right. That’s sick.”

All the attention on me had the hair on my neck rising. I pulled my fuchsia sweater a little higher on my collarbone to hide the moving portion of the tattoo. “Sorry, I’m still getting used to it.”

Russell cleared his throat and glanced at the three vehicles. “Who did you bring with you?”

I introduced everyone, pointing to them in each vehicle. “I told them to stay put until you felt comfortable with everyone getting out.”

“Why?” Russell’s brows rose. “You don’t think Katelin, my men, and I could take you?”

“Your men?” I didn’t see any other vehicles here. If he’d considered Lynerd a real threat, I expected he would have called his men out here.

He laughed. “You think Katelin and I are it?”

“Why wouldn’t I think that?” My wolf growled in my head, inching forward. She didn’t like what Russell was insinuating. “You thought Lynerd was a threat.”

“A threat I could handle.” His eyes glowed, indicating he was using his alpha link. “Come on, bring your people in.”

Katelin and Jasmine hugged as our group got out of the cars and headed over. When we stepped inside, I realized the house was actually huge. It was built longways, and the den was massive. The back porch ran the length of the house and overlooked a dock on the lake.

Walking past a tan cloth couch and sectional, I moved to the glass door that led out back. I could smell twenty different shifter scents, but they were fading, suggesting the shifters hadn’t been in here for the last thirty minutes. The trip here had taken most of the day, but I wasn’t tired, more like worried and wired since tomorrow was the day.

The sun was setting, and smoke rose from below, along with the smell of cooking meat. My mouth watered.

As if the queen knew we were up to something, Bodey’s link warmed in my chest. This was the fourth time today, and I knew what would follow.

Immense pain.

Callie,Bodey linked, tugging on our connection. I could feel him clinging to me to get through the pain. He’d fought against using our connection for relief at first, but the beatings had gotten so bad today that I didn’t think he realized he was doing it. I’d gladly embrace his agony if it gave him a reprieve. At least I could do that for him.

A sharp jolt sliced through our bond, and I sank to my knees. I reached out and grasped the back of the couch to keep myself upright.

Samuel and Jasmine appeared on either side of me, their scents informing me who they were, but I couldn’t lift my head as I focused on the agony swirling inside me.

“What’s going on?” Russell asked with concern. “Is she spelled or something?”

I wanted to reply and assure him that wasn’t the case, but hell, what Kel was doing to me was far worse than any curse.

“Queen Kel has her fated mate, my son.” Michael’s voice shook with his own pain. “The queen has been beating him to break Callie.”

“That’shorrible,” Katelin murmured. “She’s more of a monster than we realized. To torture someone like that… it’s unthinkable.”

Lynerd scoffed. “It’s an effective strategy. Kel wants Callie to trade herself for him, so the best way to ensure she’s willing to do that is to torture her mate. She’ll do just about anything to give him peace.”

“Yeah, your asswouldfind it effective,” Russell growled.

As I was about to intervene, another blow pounded through our bond, stealing my breath. I crumpled over the couch just as my phone rang from my back pocket. Gritting my teeth, I reached for it.

“Here.” Samuel removed the phone and handed it to me. He tensed as he relayed, “It’s the queen.”

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