Page 82 of Chosen Destiny

I wanted to sulk, but we had to be there for Dina. She’d lost something precious because she cared about us, not just the witches. “That hurts. I can only imagine how you feel, but it doesn’t change anything. Your place is still with us and the coven.”

Dina shook her head. “I can’t be a priestess. Chelsea will take over that position. She’s the next in line, and the earth and moon goddesses made her stronger than me when my magic was taken to make sure we go into battle prepared.”

“Priestess or not, I need you.” I met Bodey and placed a hand on his arm. “Weneed you.”

She inhaled shakily and smiled. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

“Just because you lost your magic doesn’t mean you’re less of a person,” Stevie added and touched her heart. “Even though I still have my wolf magic, it’s never been strong. I understand what it’s like to feel worthless.”

I hated that Zeke had made her feel that way—correction, madeusfeel that way—until my wolf had broken free. No one should ever feel unvalued. Both these women would do anything to protect the ones they loved, even if it went against their beliefs. I’d always live with the regret of throwing Stevie into that basement when she’d been trying to protect me, but I couldn’t go back in time and change it. We had to move on, and I’d do everything I could to make it up to her in the future.

“Listen, I’m not trying to be ungracious. It means a lot that each of you is looking at me with compassion and not disgust, but I need to head home and get some rest. I need to figure out how to move on from here. Time to pray to the goddesses and come to grips with this loss on my own.” Dina ran a hand down her stomach, smoothing the white priestess dress—a dress I was accustomed to seeing her in and probably would never see her wearing again.

“I need to check on Jasmine.” Michael rose and yawned. “Janet should get home and rest while I help run the perimeter.”

Samuel dragged a hand through his hair. “I’ve got it. You, Janet, and the others should get some sleep. A few of you will be on patrol tomorrow night until we can figure out a way to prevent this from happening again. I know the witches are adding more perimeter spells, so they’ll be alerted before Kel’s people can get to the place where they were hiding tonight, but we can’t let our guard down.”

I hated that Samuel was handling this alone, so I linked,I can go with you.

Please, let me do it.He turned to me.I need to do this. I need to be out there tonight and have this pack see me taking charge after that threat.

How could I say no to that?If you need something—

You’ll be the first person I link to.

“I’m going to find Stella and see if she needs help with anything.” Miles headed to the back deck door.

“I’ll join you.” Phil stretched and made his way to the back door.

We all said good night, and soon Jack, Stevie, Bodey, and I were alone. We went upstairs and retired to our own beds.

As Bodey shut our door, I climbed into bed, but sleep was nowhere close to taking me under. I huffed, wishing there was a way to turn off my mind. “Bodey, we’re screwed. We’ve lost Dina’s magic. Kel keeps attacking us while we’re sleeping, and we have yet to understand the consequences of losing Oregon and if that means other packs or territories will join Kel.”

“Right now, you need your rest. We can’t make good decisions after what just happened.” Bodey went to a corner of the room and grabbed his guitar, and then he slid into bed beside me.

I smiled. “You going to play me a song?”

He winked. “Nope. I just thought the guitar needed some cuddling.”

I stuck out my tongue as I settled onto my side, gazing at him as he situated the guitar and strummed a chord.

“I thought a song might help you unwind.” He tuned the guitar for a minute.

I watched happily as his biceps bulged and he made the sound just right. Then he grinned at me and launched into a song, one I hadn’t heard him play before—“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” by Bryan Adams.

The song spoke straight to my heart, conveying the message he intended. His eyes bored into mine, and in that moment, there was no doubt how much we loved each other and how the words he sang went both ways. There was nothing I wasn’t willing to do for him, even if it meant laying down my life to save his.

After he played the last chord, he set the guitar on the floor, and I was on top of him in a second. With the shitty night, I needed to be in his arms and have him inside me.

He kissed me eagerly, matching my ardor, and I opened my mouth and let his tongue slip inside. As I straddled him, his minty taste overrode my senses, and when his hands slipped under my shirt, grazing my sides, the jolt had my body flooding with warmth.

Pulling away, I removed my shirt, and then he rolled me onto my back. I gripped his shirt and ripped it down the center. He chuckled as he discarded what little was left on his body. Then he lowered his head to my breast and sucked my nipple into his mouth.

My body quivered, and I trailed my fingers along the curves of his abs, a knot tightening in my stomach.

He tugged my pajama bottoms down and slipped his fingers between my legs. His tongue rolled across my breast as he circled the sensitive spot, and I panted, throwing my head back.

Wanting to give him the same pleasure, I slid my hands under the waist of his pants and touched his shaft. As my thumb brushed over the sensitive tip, he quivered.

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