Page 74 of Chosen Destiny

Kel had called to gloat. She didn’t even pretend not to know what was going on. My blood boiled, adding to my shock.

She was a sick, sadistic bitch who needed to learn a lesson.

My wolf brushed against my mind, growling. She wanted the queen to suffer, and I was fully on board. Each time I spoke with her, I hated her more, which wasreallysaying something. “Well, I’m not sleeping, but I’d rather not have taken this call. Thanks for your strange concern, but I’m going to hang up.” I refused to pretend to be scared. That would only make her feel more in control. I needed her to come a little unhinged and let some of her secrets slip.

“And hanging up has nothing to do with your wolves, who are supposed to be running perimeter, taking a nap? I’ve heard that even the backup you sent out is sleeping next to the original guards.” Her voice dripped with amusement, and I could hear the smile in its tone. “If you hand yourself over, no one else needs to be harmed.”

She was so damn smug, and I was thankful she wasn’t here and able to smell my lies. “Ah… so thisisyour attack. Samuel suspected it, but I wasn’t convinced.”

What are you doing?Samuel asked. His brows furrowed as he moved beside Bodey.

I didn’t have time to answer him, needing to focus on what Kel said next, but my mate smirked and replied,Pushing her buttons.

“That’s why the ink should’ve chosen Samuel instead of you, but that wouldn’t have mattered,” Kel replied, her voice obnoxious. “He has the brains for this, but you… you have the heart. That’s the only reason you’ve made it this far, but I’m tired of humoring you. This shit ends now.”

That almost sounded like a compliment, and this was the first time she’d revealed her frustration about me. I went in for the kill. “Yeah, well, he thought this was a clear move of yours, but I thought you’d finally come along with your wolves to attack instead of staying behind. I didn’t expectthis.Not only did you not show up, but you sent witches in your stead. I guess that’s what happens when you lose too many wolves and don’t feel safe. You send other beings in their place. What did you do to force the witches to attack us?”

She scoffed and growled, “You haven’tweakenedme. My wolves are attending to other pressing business, and the witches want to prove their worth to me. A real leader stays behind and doesn’t foolishly put themselves in harm’s way. That is how I win.”

I forced myself to laugh. Nothing about this situation was funny, but I had a role to play. And Kel had dropped some information, maybe without realizing by trying to prove she was smarter than me. “How are others supposed to be willing to die for your cause when you aren’t willing to yourself?”

My gaze landed on Bodey, who nodded and linked to everyone in this room,Her wolves may not be here with the witches, but we can’t let our guard down. There’s no telling what else she might have up her paw.

“If I die, I don’t achieve what I’ve been planning all these years.” She paused, which had to be a tactic.

I wouldn’t ask her to continue because I already knew where she was going with it. Plus, I’d hate for her to be under the impression that I cared.

“I’ll be taking over your land and your reign. This is the last time I’ll offer this—hand yourself over now, and your loved ones will be given grace.” Her voice lowered to almost a purr. “If you don’t, I’ll make you watch everything I do to your packs, as well as to your mate. Heisgorgeous, and it’s been quite a while since I’ve had any sort of attention from a man.”

I snarled, my wolf soaring so damn close to the surface that my skin tingled. Every time I thought she couldn’t get any worse, she proved me wrong. I had no doubt she was evil incarnate, and I’d be damned if she ever touched my mate again. “I’ll never turn myself over to you, and I look forward to the day I get to kill you.” I’d never relished taking a life before, but she’d just become my exception.

“You lost Oregon, and you still think you have a shot in hell at winning against me.” She snickered and cleared her throat. “I tried to be diplomatic and even gave you one last chance. I just hope Stevie isn’t fatally hurt tonight. Too bad you weren’t willing to protect her before.”

Stevie.

Lynerd must have told Kel she was still alive. I wasn’t surprised, but I wished he’d kept my sister out of it.

“Listen here,” I started, but the line went dead. She’d made sure to have the final word, and I’d foolishly let her have that control.

A faint sob came from Stevie, and I tossed the phone onto the end table.

Jack pulled her into his arms and cradled her to his chest as he murmured, “They won’t get anywhere near you or Callie.”

“What was the point of calling you?” Stella wrinkled her nose.

“To gloat?” Lucas pursed his lips.

“I think she meant what she said about Callie’s heart. She knows if she takes us over by force, she’ll lose more lives and loyalty, and she was giving Callie one more chance to surrender before she orders the witches forward.” Michael pinched the bridge of his nose. “The death of witches won’t be as easy for her to wash away, but if she promised the witches something they want badly enough, they’re more likely to overlook a few of their own casualties. She was trying to eliminate a fight.”

Phil blinked. “AndKel got clues about where Callie’s staying and who she’s with. With the lack of outside noises, she’ll know Callie is in a house, and from Stevie’s reaction, Kel knows Callie’s sister is with her.”

I fisted my hands. “I shouldn’t have answered.”

“You had to. If you hadn’t, her actions would have become more volatile. At least, this way, you were able to get information too. Her wolves are somewhere else, so there’s no telling how many witches she has surrounding us.” Miles tightened his arm around Stella’s waist, tugging her closer. “We need to get out of here.”

Leaving the neighborhood would be problematic with over four hundred wolves and Dina’s coven, but I wasn’t sure what other option we had. My wolf howled inside my head, opposing the idea of running from our home, but I couldn’t let my pride be the reason more of my people wound up injured or dead.Babe, we can’t leave the wolves that are asleep behind.My heart revolted at the thought alone.

We won’t.

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