Page 41 of Chosen Destiny

A snarl vibrated from my chest, and I spun, getting in Samuel’s face. Between him stopping me from reaching my mate and the way he’d grabbed me, my blood boiled.

“Listen to me,” he snarled. “If you charge in there, you’ll get Bodey killed. I realize I don’t understand what you’re going through, but Callie, forhissake, you need to keep your head on straight.”

That was just the slap in the face I needed. Knowing Bodey was so close and not being able to feel him properly tore me up inside. He was either bad off enough that he was still unconscious, or a witch was involved. Neither option was good.

Michael hurried over and placed a hand on my shoulder. “His link’s cool to me as well. It’s not just your bond that’s affected.”

That didn’t provide much comfort. “What if a witch is blocking him from us?”

“He’s alive. That’s what we need to hold on to.” He squeezed me comfortingly. “We’d know if that changed because Samuel would take his spot. A pack can’t be without an alpha.”

Bodey was alive, and that was all that mattered. I took a deep breath and turned to Samuel, whose brows were furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

He scratched his neck. “Why would I be the alpha that replaces Bodey?”

Michael arched a brow. “You’re part of our pack and the strongest wolf in the region. You could’ve taken over Bodey’s position if you wanted, but we always assumed…” He dropped his hand from my shoulder. “You know how that story ends since Callie was crowned.”

“Let’s talk about it later.” My voice cracked, emotions flooding through. “I don’t want to think about that.” Losing Bodey would break me, which was what Kel wanted. But surely she knew that if she killed him, there was no way in hell I’d hand myself over or submit to her. I had to hope she was as determined to capture me without incident as I was to save my mate.

Jack marched over to me and turned me toward him. His cobalt eyes glowed as he vowed, “This will work. Bodey is like a brother to me, and I’ll be damned if we don’t save him. If nothing else, you need to believe that.”

Following a few steps behind, Lucas came up beside him. “You need to trust we’re all going to come through but don’t be afraid to let her see your pain. She needs to believe you’re turning yourself in to save your mate, so the anguish should be visible.”

“It will be.” Miles frowned. “She’s already struggling, and she hasn’t even seen him.”

Some of the pressure eased. I wasn’t expected to act strong. I feared I wouldn’t be able to hide my emotions even if they needed that from me.

My wolf whined in my head, and I couldn’t stand there any longer. I needed to get to Bodey. “Let’s go.”

Carl, Phil, and Lynerd were near, so we were all together and ready to move. I followed the musky shifter scents. Kel hadn’t lied—I smelled a total of twelve scents: ten of her people, her overly sweet smell, and Bodey’s cinnamon and sandalwood.

With each step I took, the scent grew stronger, and my heart yearned harder. My mate was close, and I hadn’t realized the magnitude of what our separation had done to me. I hadn’t been myself, and getting closer to him had me feeling more whole than I had since his capture.

The terrain was easy to navigate. A moderately challenging path for humans was easy for us. The rustle of elk roaming in the distance sounded normal.

If a ton of magic was being used, the animals wouldn’t stay so close.

The trees crowded in, and a stream trickled nearby. As the scents became stronger, my legs wanted to move faster.

Lynerd broke through the group and came to my side. He glanced at me.Hey, we’re going to get Bodey back. I promise.

I almost missed a step, but my wolf surged forward, helping me to catch my balance.I’m not sure you can promise that.

He winked.It’s going to happen, and I want you to remember you owe me.

I snorted, the sound surprising me. His confidence made it seem as if he knew something I didn’t.If you can get Bodey back to me, I’ll have no problem remembering that.

The hairs stood on my neck. Were we being watched? We had to be getting close. If she’d brought ten men and one of them was watching me, he wouldn’t stray far.

Just know it means a lot to me that you gave me this position.Lynerd rubbed his hands.Not many people would’ve done that. It would have been easier to hand things over to Theo, but you’re clearly like your father and don’t mind taking the hard road. I always respected him for that, even when it worked against me. I strive to be the same type of leader he was.

Even though I appreciated Lynerd wanting to chat and form a relationship with me, this was not the time or place. All I could reply with was,I’m glad.

I stepped through the next set of thick trees, and the stream came into view, as did the enemy standing beside it.

My gaze first went to Kel, who, despite her vileness, was more gorgeous than I remembered. Pieces of her dark hair fell artfully from the bun on top of her head, framing her face, and even though the moon wasn’t high, her tan skin glistened as her haunting gray eyes focused on me. She pursed her bloodred-stained lips. “You’re early and without a certain royal advisor. Where’s Zeke?”

Stomach hardening, I searched desperately for my mate, but he was nowhere in sight. Eight men stood behind Kel, blending in with the trees. I could feel their gazes on me.

---