Page 66 of Chosen Destiny

Jasmine.

“You’re kidding.” Bodey loosened his hold on Theo’s neck as his brows furrowed.

There was no scent of a lie, which had my mate stumped.

“I’m not.” Theo pointed at him, Stevie, and me. “Stevie won’t be part of the pack any longer, and Julie won’t want to live without both of them anyway. We can join you and help fight Queen Kel. That will give you a hundred more fighters.”

The Oxbow pack was slightly under two hundred, including children. Theo’s offer showed he was willing to have his strongest pack members fight alongside us. Even though it wouldn’t be ideal to have Charles living nearby, he and his father were strong. We needed more numbers.

I don’t like it.Samuel frowned.They have to be up to something.

But if Theo’s pack joined ours, it would be harder for them to hide things from us. Having our potential enemies closer would be ideal, especially now.I always wanted to escape my former pack, but I think we need to accept them.I paused, waiting for Bodey’s response.

I was ready for him to side with Samuel, but he sighed and stepped back from Theo.I hate to agree, but Callie has a point.

My mind went blank, causing Bodey’s shoulders to shake.

You don’t have to be so surprised.He turned around and smiled sadly.I may not like it, but we do need to think strategically.

Once again, he’d reinforced just how amazing he was. Even if he didn’t like Theo and most of Theo’s pack members, he’d put that aside for me and to help our people. Not many would do that, but my mate was nothing less than special.

“Dude, no.” Jack shook his head hard. “You can’t seriously be entertaining this. He’s a fucking tool.”

“Thanks,” Theo deadpanned. “I’m trying to be a good leader for my pack, and I get called names.”

“It’d be nice to have Mom and Pearl here permanently,” Stevie said softly. “Especially if we’re supposed to be enemies now.”

Jack sighed, already succumbing to defeat because my sister wanted them to join us.

At one point, I’d thought the advisors were tough guys. Now I knew they were, except when it came to their mates.

“Why didn’t you just call one of the royal advisors?” Samuel arched a brow. “Or pack link with Stevie?”

“For one, none of you would have trusted me over the phone since you wouldn’t have been able to smell that I wasn’t lying.” Theo crossed his arms. “And two, I’ve shut down my pack link, so Lynerd can’t access me easily. I don’t want him to force me to do something I’ll regret.”

That was fair. He’d have assumed I would be the most likely to believe him—or hear him out.

“Okay, I’ll bite.” I wanted to call his bluff and see if this was a game. “Submit to Bodey.”

“Fine,” Theo scoffed and turned to Bodey, ready to avert his eyes and submit to him.

Bodey tensed and lifted a hand. “No. Wait.”

Exhaling, Jack rubbed a hand down his face. “I thought we agreed to let him join.”

“That’s the thing.” Bodey bit his bottom lip and glanced at me. “Remember when I said I’ve been thinking about some things?”

The conversation replayed in my mind. He’d mentioned it during our link talks while he’d been Kel’s captive. “Yeah.” My pulse pounded. Where was he going with this?

“I want to be at your side the way Ishouldbe.” Bodey clasped his hands and moved in front of me. “I grew up thinking I was responsible for Idaho, and I thought that was my place even after you and I were marked. But I’ve realized that our bond sealed our real fates. I want to be your king consort, help you make decisions, and be by your side.”

Even though I appreciated Samuel’s guidance and he’d become someone I relied on, this was what I wanted too: for Bodey and me to rule together as equals. Smiling, I cupped his cheek. “I’d like that.”

Samuel scowled, and I could see the hurt on his face. I hadn’t meant to cause that.

“Uh… man.” Jack chuckled dryly. “I hate to tell you this, but you’re Idaho’s royal advisor. Someone would have to take your place, and Jasmine’s in school.”

“I was hoping Samuel would take my place.” Bodey turned to my brother. “And if he agrees, Theo should submit to him as Samuel’s first act as alpha of the pack and territory.” Bodey reached out to take Samuel’s hand, and I could feel his nerves. “Will you accept the position and become an official advisor to your queen?”

---