Page 87 of Chosen Destiny

“Dear…” His mate patted his arm and shook her head before turning to me. “I’m Brittany, and this is our son, Edward.”

Edward jerked his head to the side, flipping his light-brown bangs out of his eyes. “You two are the ones we’re visiting? I thought you’d be older. You’re almost my age.”

Hazel eyes glowing, King Sutton turned to Edward. Edward winced due to whatever King Sutton had told him through the pack link.

Not wanting to dwell on my parents’ deaths, I gestured to the trunk of the Navigator. “Let’s get your things in there.”

King Sutton didn’t hesitate, wheeling the sizable bag toward the trunk with Edward on his tail.

Bodey opened the back for them but didn’t help them get their things inside, which I knew went against his nature. I could feel his discomfort, and I pushed warmth to him.

If you want to help him, you can,I linked, brushing my arm against his.

Not if I want him to view me as his equal and worthy to be by your side.Bodey glanced at me sideways.Which is one of the most important things in my entire world—deserving to be your king consort and stand firmly beside you.

Brittany chuckled, and I turned to find her beaming at the two of us. She sighed dreamily. “I remember what that felt like—the newness of our relationship. I would say I miss it, but honestly, time only makes it stronger.”

I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed to hear that, but I had so many questions I couldn’t ask right now.

The SUV dipped as King Sutton put the larger luggage inside, and Bodey’s brows rose. My mate cleared his throat. “Uh… what’s all in that?”

“Clothes and shoes.” Brittany smiled even bigger. “Just the usual things any woman needs.”

Without a struggle, Edward put his carry-on in the trunk, and the vehicle barely moved.

“For a short visit?” Bodey blinked, his suspicion getting the best of him.

“Are you telling me Caroline doesn’t pack like that?” Edward shut the trunk.

“If I had to pack Bodey’s stuff with mine, then maybe.” I didn’t have enough clothes to fill even half her suitcase, but I didn’t want to let Brittany know we were wary of them.

King Sutton bellowed, startling me.

“Oh, don’t give her that much credit.” He strolled to his mate and slung an arm around her waist. “She wouldn’t let me put my things with hers. Edward happily obliged, though, and we managed to fit all our things into one carry-on.”

“A woman always needs to be prepared.” Brittany lifted her chin. “There’s no telling what tools I may need, so I brought something for every possible situation.”

Kissing her forehead, King Sutton rolled his eyes. “And don’t worry. She did just that.”

Edward yawned. “I hate to rush the introduction, but I’d love to get settled in. We’ve been traveling nonstop.”

I didn’t miss Bodey’s jaw tightening, and he didn’t miss a beat as he opened the front passenger door and waved me inside.

As I slid into my spot, Edward opened the back seat and crawled into the back row, where he stretched out. His lackadaisical demeanor settled my nerves. If I were planning to betray someone, I might be able to sit back and relax, but I wouldn’t be able to lie down and take a nap.

Brittany moved into the seat behind me as King Sutton and Bodey opened their doors at the same time.

As Bodey drove off, I took a deep breath. They’d arrived, and we’d gotten out of there with no issue. It was promising, but that could change at any time.

Merging onto the main road, Bodey glanced into the rearview mirror. “We were getting worried that something might have happened.”

I faced the back so I could watch the three of them and their body language.

“Sorry about that.” King Sutton buckled his seat belt and adjusted his seat backward to give his long legs more room. “I hadn’t planned on checking a bag.” He looked sideways at his mate. “It seems we need to take most of our closet with us when we travel, even when we’re in a hurry.”

“In fairness, I didn’t realize I packed so much until we arrived at the airport.” Brittany huffed. “Greg put everything in my bag for me, and then he took it to the car and didn’t say a word.”

Edward lifted his head and snickered. “Greg is our butler. Of course, he won’t say anything. He gets paid to be accommodating.”

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