Page 99 of Chosen Destiny

Bodey frowned, staring at my hand, but he interjected,Chelsea is using her magic. More witches will sense the attack and come here. Let’s move before we get caught up in the mix.

I pushed off the tree, running to the right, away from the witches. I hated to leave our coven there, but they were strong, and I trusted their abilities.

Dammit, Callie,Bodey complained, but I didn’t slow down and soon heard the royal advisors, Bodey, Edward, and King Sutton, following me.

The eight of us sprinted away from the witches, but another pair of footsteps sounded behind us. Unsure who would be following us now, I darted left and stopped in some thick brush between two trees, Bodey and the others right on my trail.

What are you doing?Bodey asked as he settled in beside me.

Seeing who’s following us.

The eight of us were breathing heavily, waiting for whoever it was to stumble into view.

I took a gun in my uninjured hand and lifted the weapon, pointing it toward where the enemy would come. I kept my other hand clutched to my side, the pain intensifying.

My wolf surged forward, helping me focus and protect my friends and family.

Dark-auburn hair peeked from behind a tree, and I put my finger on the trigger. Waiting for the enemy to step out, I got ready to squeeze. Then the person came into view.

Unable to stop in time, I fired the gun to the left. The sound rang through the trees for anyone close by to hear, but I managed not to shoot Dina.

She yelped, her hands clutching her mouth, and I stepped from my hiding spot.

I rasped, “What are you doing?” My hands were shaking, the reality of what I’d almost done rushing through my head.

“I’m sorry.” Dina exhaled shakily. “I saw you all run off, and I followed. The witches are fighting Kel’s, and I can’t help them, but I might be able to help you not fall into any magical traps.”

“Next time, maybe call out to us,” Bodey muttered, rubbing my back.

We need to get going,Miles linked.With that shot, more wolves are bound to come here, if not witches too.

Bodey took the lead, and I kept pace close behind him. We moved slower so Dina didn’t get left behind again, and I kept my ears peeled.

How’s everything?I linked with Reggie and our pack members.

We’re managing. We’re about to head your way,Reggie answered.

That was good news.

A familiar scent hit my nose, and I stopped dead in my tracks.Lynerd is near,I linked with everyone here.

As if he could hear our pack link, Lynerd stepped out of the trees fifty yards away. Twenty shifters in wolf form appeared behind him, all of them glaring at me.

I felt stupid all over again. I’d given him the power to screw us over, and here he was with a huge smirk on his face, gloating as he took us in. The one silver lining was that none of the Oregon wolf shifters were with him. I didn’t have to fight them and potentially kill wolves that had been forced to defect.

“I thought you might sneak up on us.” Lynerd crossed his arms, his eyes hard. “It’s what I’d do.”

Bodey lifted his gun. “Clearly, you aren’t as smart as you think you are. I’m the one aiming a gun at you.”

Something wasn’t adding up.

Lynerd grinned bigger, and his eyes flicked toward a tree between us. I followed his stare, tapping into my wolf, and saw a woman in the tree with a rifle, likely aiming at my mate.

Then the woman fired.

CHAPTERTHIRTY

The world movedin slow motion, and my wolf howled as I launched into action. I crashed into Bodey. As we went down, a sharp sting pierced the back of my shoulder.

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