Page 39 of Chosen Destiny

Why wasn’t I surprised? Her calling after a day full of agony made sense. She wanted me desperate to end Bodey’s trauma. I swiped the phone and forced myself to stand so I didn’t sound as bad off as I was. “Hello?” I managed to say in a clear voice.

“Ah…Caroline. How are you doing today, my dear?” Kel chuckled maliciously.

I turned to face the others, knowing they could hear everything. Phil, Carl, and Michael stood on the other side of the room, which was part of the kitchen, while Jack, Lucas, and Miles watched from the doorway to the open room. Russell, Katelin, and Lynerd were by the glass wall overlooking the deck at the threshold of the kitchen and living room.

“I’ve been better.” She knew exactly how I was, so there was no point in pretending. I was certain that would bring Bodey more harm. But I wouldn’t grovel if that was what she was hoping for.

“So has your mate.” Shetsked. “Which I’m sure you know.”

My jaw popped from how hard I clenched. “Why are you calling me?”

“To talk about our meeting.” She clucked her tongue. “Why? Is this not a good time?”

Another wave of anguish crashed into me. My blood boiled. “Stop torturing him.”

“I can’t.” She paused. “I have to make sure you don’t do something foolish, like attempt to attack me or not hand yourself over. I have to make my point so you understand what’s at stake.”

A deep groan came through the phone, the sound completely Bodey. “Like hell she will!”

The queen laughed maniacally, and Jasmine winced beside me.

“Aw, love. It’s so stupid.” The queen huffed. “I tried to warn you, Callie—er, Caroline.” She snickered at hermistake.“I told you it’s best if you cut your losses with your mate. Loving people is a weakness. Even against my better judgment, I tried to help you prepare for this day… but you didn’t listen.”

Jack’s nostrils flared, and he took a few steps toward me. Miles and Lucas grabbed his shoulders, holding him back.

What the fuck?Jack linked.

Losing your cool won’t help.Miles squeezed his hand tighter.Let Callie handle it.

Lucas nodded.Queen Kel doesn’t give a shit about you and your threats. You’ll only make things worse for Callie and Bodey.

We were all on edge, which I assumed was the point.

Pain blasted again, and my breath caught as Bodey whimpered. A sob lodged in my throat, and I tried to swallow it, but a faint yelp escaped.

“Oh, you’re still there. That’s good,” Kel said. “I was wondering if you’d hung up when you didn’t say thank you for how I’ve tried to help, even to my own detriment.”

A noise between a laugh and a cry choked me. “You took my mate and had my dad killed yesterday. There’s no way inhellI’ll be thanking you foranything. But I will show you exactly how I feel the moment I stab you through the heart and watch you die.” This woman had uncovered something far darker and more sinister in me than I had ever imagined. I craved her death.

“Your dad was a miscalculation.” She sighed. “I didn’t mean for him to die, but eh, things happen. Besides, you killed many of my wolves in return, so we’re even.”

I blinked, processing what she’d said. “You attacked my childhood pack. We protected our own, so that doesn’t make useven.”

“Unfortunately for you, you aren’t in control, so it doesn’t matter what you think.” She yawned as if the entire conversation were boring her. “Anyway, I’m calling about our meeting tomorrow.”

Make sure you mention the trade,Michael linked with me.She has to think you’re following through on the offer.

My attention landed on the former advisor as I asked, “When and where do we make the trade?”

She chuckled as if already victorious. “Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It’s in northern Nevada, so neutral ground, though it’ll take you over nine hours to get there from Grangeville or eight hours from Oxbow. Either way, I’d like to meet at four in the morning before the humans are out and about.”

Samuel punched buttons on his phone, which revealed we were only twenty-five minutes from the location. My stomach dropped. How had Russell known to stay here? That couldn’t be a coincidence.

I glanced at the time on his phone. It was six thirty. If we’d been in Grangeville, we’d have to leave immediately to get there in time. “We need it to be later.” That was the last thing I wanted to do, but I didn’t want to give her any insight into where we were.

Nodding, Carl gave me a smile. He knew what I was doing.

“That’s all the time you have,” Kel replied. “Make it work, or your mate dies.” The last word lifted as if she hoped it happened.

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