Page 79 of Chosen Destiny

I’m fine. It’s just Jasmine. We talked, and she pretty much told me that I may be her king, but I’m not her master. That she can handle herself and wants to help her fellow pack members when they’re at risk.

I mashed my lips. I wasn’t surprised, but Bodey was super protective of the ones he loved.Babe, she’s an adult, and she’s right. And if you let your anger lead you out here, you might not notice if something’s amiss.

He huffed.You’re right on both counts, even if I don’t like it. Let’s hurry up and get the hell away from here.

I went to the farthest wolf, each step raising goose bumps on my skin. Bodey, Jack, Samuel, Lucas, and I took our time. When we reached the end of the line of fallen wolves, something caught my eye.

Three piles of ash.

What the—I started but cut myself off as I took another step closer.

The sandpaper sensation morphed into intense burning. I glanced at my arms, but nothing seemed physically affected. The agonizing sensation of being burned swirled over me so hard that I stepped back.

Bodey’s hands settled on my shoulders, the jolt of our connection easing my anxiety.

Is that ash?Jack asked, his gaze on the place where I’d been standing a moment ago.

Looks like it.Bodey’s grip tightened.Something feels sinister here. Let’s get the wolves and go.

I wouldn’t argue with that.

More people joined us, and we moved the wolves to the witches quickly. I scooped up a female wolf, and as I lifted her over my shoulder, Bodey grabbed two shifters on his own and carried them to the witches. They began spelling the wolves awake.

When everyone was accounted for, I walked the territory boundary, searching for the enemy. There was no hint anyone had been here except for the wolves and the piles of ash. I was becoming more certain those ashes had once been the witches who’d attacked us.

Had Dina done this to them to protect us?

I’d never seen anything like it, and I was certain I didn’t want to ever again.

Bodey came to my side and took my hand, his dark hair disheveled from our work. He linked,Let’s get back and check on Dina. Dad told me she was awake. They’re waiting for us to talk to her.

I nodded as I found another pile of ash a few feet away from where the wolves had been unconscious. It was the thirtieth pile I’d counted, and I hadn’t gone deeper into the woods to look for more.

We split up and headed to our homes. Jasmine headed back with Theo, a scenario I’d expected Bodey to protest, but he said nothing. I suspected he was preoccupied with Dina and what waited for us back home.

My body was tired from the work, the stress, and the strange sensation that followed us back to the house.

As we reached our backyard, I looked for Dina and Chelsea, but they were no longer outside. I could see Chelsea inside the house, standing at the back door, her gaze on me.

We reached the deck, and Chelsea opened the door, stepping out. Her expression was strained, and her hair hung in loose waves down her back. She cleared her throat and nodded. “I hate to leave like this, but I must go and help the coven. We need to cleanse the area so we can spell the perimeter to prevent this from happening again.”

My brows furrowed. “Shouldn’t Dina go with you?”

“No. She’s the last person who should be involved.” Chelsea scowled. “I’ll be back shortly.”

As she breezed past me, I touched her arm and whispered, “Thank you for saving her.”

“Savedisn’t quite the word I’d use.” Chelsea’s eyes glistened, and she pressed her lips together. “What she did should’ve cost her life.”

That sounded ominous. “What do you mean?”

“She practiced death magic.” She huffed. “And she didn’t have a proper sacrifice for it.”

“Death magic?” I knew about blood magic, but this was new.

“It should’ve been blood magic, but she didn’t sacrifice anyone, so the spell damn near took her life instead.” Chelsea blew her long bangs out of her eyes. “If I hadn’t gotten here when I did…” She exhaled. “I did, and she’salive.But all magic comes at a cost.”

I’d heard that mantra repeated several times.

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