Page 60 of Chosen Destiny

“Sounds good.” Bodey winked and then linked,And I’m contacting the alphas of Idaho now about what happened. Miles, Lucas, and Jack are handling their states.

Some of my worries eased. Maybe I should’ve handled that sooner, but I hadn’t yet established those relationships. Yet another issue to address quickly.

“First, let’s put the towels in the washing machine with bleach, and then we should be ready.” Jasmine jogged over, gathered the dirty and bloodstained towels, and ran toward the kitchen. “The directions say to run the washing machine when we leave and strip the beds, so you all help do that so we can get out of here.”

Everyone sprang into action, and within minutes, we were walking outside and getting into the vehicles. I linked with Miles for directions to wherever they were.

I pulled out, Bodey right behind me with Jasmine at the rear, and we made our way to our people.

They’d wound up in a park ten minutes away where only a few kids were playing on a playground hidden behind trees and bushes. Five cars were gathered in the lot’s back corner, and a few of the more healed wolf shifters were hanging out by a car’s trunk as if they were meeting up to talk. Despite the tinted windows, my wolf eyes noted the witches in the back seat, the faint glow of their hands barely noticeable even to my shifter vision.

Another vehicle was there, which had to be the second group of witches.

I pulled up beside the closest vehicle to Samuel, Miles, Jack, and Lucas. All three of them looked better than they had, despite the splotches of blood on their clothes. Luckily, we had a change of clothes in the back of the Navigator.

Bodey and I climbed out. My mate met me at the back of the Mercedes and took my hand, and the royal advisors and Samuel joined us, getting distance from Russell and his men.

Katelin rushed over to her dad with their two large suitcases.

Jack glanced over his shoulder and wrinkled his nose.Russell’s guys were murmuring. But we’ve picked up enough to know they’re planning to head home.

There it was. Confirmation.

Lucas tilted his head, watching my expression. He linked,You’re not shocked.

Not with the way Katelin was acting when she left.Guilt had been written all over her face, and with Russell wanting her to go, it had been an educated guess.We all need to go home. You can sleep in the car.

Wait.Jack lifted a finger.I can sleep in the car? My car? Who do you think is going to drive my baby?

Oh, great. He was one of those guys.Bodey.

No one drives my car but me.Jack pointed to his chest as he yawned.

I arched a brow.Says the guy whose yawn almost swallowed his face. What would you prefer? Letting Bodey drive and get you back to Stevie quicker, or having to pull over and sleep somewhere for several hours, knowing Kel is planning retribution?

He scowled, and his gaze flicked from his Navigator to me. He sighed. “Well played. You’re learning the art of negotiation.”

I laughed. Jack cracking jokes while grumbling and Bodey almost being back to normal beside me made things feel a little less dire.

But the moment I noticed Russell heading toward me, I straightened. He grimaced.

I licked my lips.I’ll be right back.

Bodey surprised me by walking with me.

I paused, glancing at him.

He stiffened.Is it not okay for me to go with you? I mean—

No, it’s fine.When it came to royal duties, he usually stayed put, letting me handle it alone or with Samuel.I’d like you to come with me.Having him beside me felt right. Bodey viewed himself as the alpha of Idaho, and he was, but him standing beside me as my equal was what I’d been wanting all along.

Good.He smiled and moved in sync beside me.

As we met him at the witch’s car that separated us from their vehicles, Russell stopped, waiting for us. When we approached, he put a hand into his pocket.

“I hate to say this, but King Sutton has requested that we come home.” Russell frowned, and there was a sniffle behind us.

I glanced over my shoulder to see the passenger window of the SUV cracked open. Jasmine could hear the entire conversation.

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