Page 54 of Chosen Destiny

Probably best if you don’t, and it doesn’t matter.He took the second bottle and drained it as well. Then he lay back on the couch and spread his arms.

Not rushing into them was the hardest thing I’d ever done, but I hated to think about how much damage he’d taken, and I didn’t want to hurt him worse.

When I didn’t move toward him, he raised a brow and asked,I will force you into my arms if you don’t come willingly. I’ve gone too long without holding you.

The determination wafting from him into me almost had me panting. His fierceness made me want to strip him down and have my way with him. The sweet stench of my arousal swirled between us, and he grinned victoriously.

I snorted unexpectedly and tried to keep the noise quiet.Even though I might want to have my way with you, there are two reasons I shouldn’t.Really, there was only one, but I knew the main one was a deal breaker for me, even if it wasn’t for him.

Let’s hear them.He tilted his head.

I lifted one finger.You’re still injured.With the dark circles under his eyes and the way his body was so stiff, it was apparent.

Maybe you should kiss all my boo-boos.He winked.

This leads me to reason two.I lifted a second finger.You stink and are dirty.

His face fell, and he flinched.

I reached over to comfort him, but he lifted a hand and linked,Yeah, I probably am. She kept me in a cell that smelled like piss and feces.

We should get you into a bath.If he was injured, especially with open cuts, he needed to clean up. Infection could occur even though it was rare for shifters.

Once I’m clean, we can have sex.He started to get up and grimaced, his body falling back down. His breathing became ragged, telling me everything.

I squatted beside him again and set my water on the floor.Babe, you can’t even sit up, and you want to have sex?

He rolled onto his back, his face twisting in agony even though he tried to keep his expression neutral. He pointed to his lap.You can be on top.

With your dad and sister able to walk in any time, and Carl and Phil able to look inside and watch us?I leaned back on my heels.Not happening.

The sound of the chairs sliding sounded outside, and I looked out to see Phil and Carl talking furtively, their rifles in hand.

Russell and the others must have made it back.

Is something wrong?I linked to Jasmine and Michael.I tensed. Maybe they were going to the front to help carry the injured inside?

A car is driving up, and it isn’t ours,Michael replied.Jasmine,Katelin, and I are hiding in the bushes out front, watching them.

I glanced at my phone for the time. The witches wouldn’t be here for another hour. If it wasn’t them or Russell, I could think of only one option.

Kel.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

My tongue stuckto the roof of my mouth. Two of the people Bodey and I loved most in the world were out front, hiding behind bushes. Even though I didn’t know Katelin well, I didn’t want her harmed either.

It was too late for them to move. I’d hoped they could sneak inside, but Michael had been adamant that both sides of the house needed to be watched.

This had to be the attack we were waiting for, but the lone car puzzled me. Was it a decoy?

I thought through our situation. The three former advisors and I had had time to heal, though they wouldn’t be as far along as me since my injuries weren’t as extensive. Bodey was still in a bad state, but he was well enough to be conscious. He might not have been that far along if I hadn’t slept while touching him, allowing our bond to thrum to life even more.

Katelin and Jasmine weren’t fully trained to fight. Between that and our weakened position, we were at acleardisadvantage. The one plus we had was our rifles, but Kel would know about those, seeing as we’d taken them from her people.

We’d have to do the best we could, and I was willing to die to protect my people if that’s what it took.

Phil and Carl gestured toward the stairs. Their faces were grim as they attempted to communicate without words, unable to pack link.

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