Page 61 of Chosen Destiny

“Thank you for your help.” Even though I hated to lose their assistance, I understood. This wasn’t their fight, not yet, and they’d already lost seven men. “I’m sorry for your loss, and your sacrifice won’t be forgotten.”

Russell’s head tilted back. “You aren’t mad?”

“Not at all.” I smiled sadly. “I hate that we cost you so much.” I reached over and squeezed his hands.

“When we can return the favor, let us know,” Bodey added, shaking Russell’s hand.

The witches climbed out of the vehicles and stood at the back.

Prue lifted her chin. “We’re done.”

Then there was no reason for us to loiter here any longer.

Katelin slammed the trunk of the car and jogged over to us, biting her bottom lip. “Can I talk to Jasmine?”

Russell gestured at the SUV. “Make it quick. We all need to get home.”

Katelin hurried over to Jasmine, and I heard the car door open.

“If I could find a way to stay—” Russell started, regret on his face. Despite losing men, he didn’t want to leave us stranded.

I patted his arm. “I promise. We understand. Go home and mourn the ones you lost.”

“Thank you for understanding.” His eyes glowed, and his men moved toward the cars. “You’re a good ruler.”

I wasn’t so sure about that, but I smiled and thanked him.

Katelin hurried to one of the vehicles as Prue focused on me. “We’ll be heading back too. But please let us know if you need anything more from us. It has been an honor.”

“Thank you for your help. I won’t forget it.” I nodded, hating to cut our time short, but my hands were tied. We split up, got into our cars, and headed back home.

* * *

It wasclose to nine when we arrived home in Idaho. We had fifty wolves running the town’s perimeter as we advised the other packs—especially those close to the borders—to do the same.

As soon as we arrived, the mates split apart from the others, needing time alone and time to rest before we helped keep watch.

It bothered me that Stevie didn’t need me to help mourn our father and instead desired to be alone with Jack. Though I was happy that both of us had a mate, it’d been her and me against the world for so long that her turning to Jack had hurt a little. I understood. No one could comfort me like Bodey.

Another thing that both comforted and worried me was that Stevie hadn’t heard from anyone from my former pack, including Theo. Although, with the way she and Jack were looking at each other, I suspected her pack alignment would change tonight.

Are you okay?Bodey asked as he stepped out of our bathroom. He’d turned on the shower and stripped off his shirt, tossing it onto the dark-mahogany floor of our bedroom.

Even stinky and with a dirt-crusted body, he appealed to my every sense. I admired the curves of his muscles and the trail of hair that led to my very happy place, which his jeans obstructed.Very much okay with you here like that.

He smirked and readied to unfasten his jeans. Then he paused. “I’m still sore and can’t raise my arm well. I might need you to get in the shower with me and clean me off.”

My body warmed. I tilted my head and bit my bottom lip. “I suppose I could help you.”

“Suppose?” He unfastened the button but didn’t drop his pants. “I’d hate to be a bother.”

I shrugged. “Whether you’re a bother depends on whether you’ll make it worth my time?”

“I’m eager to please you in whatever way you like.” He leaned against the black dresser close to the bathroom door, watching me earnestly.

My breath caught as I ran my fingers over our cream comforter and walked toward him. “Then… it won’t be a bother.”

I’d missed our flirty banter, but most of all, I’d missed connecting with him in a way that merged our souls and made us complete, if only for a short while. My body thrummed, and my wolf surged forward, needing to unite with him desperately.

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