Page 21 of Chosen Destiny

They stared at each other, eyes glowing as their wolves surged forward. I knew Zeke wouldn’t give up without a fight, so I kept watch as I turned my attention internally to my connection with Bodey.

It was still lukewarm, indicating he was unconscious. I wished I’d had the opportunity to talk to him about what I’d done. I wasn’t sure this was the right call, and everyone else seemed uncertain about whether Lynerd should lead.

Maybe my gut was wrong.

Sweat beaded on Zeke’s and Lynerd’s foreheads as they continued their stare-down. Theo kept his face turned away as if refusing to acknowledge what was happening.

Both of their bottom lips quivered, and for the hundredth time today, fear strangled me. What if Zeke won?

CHAPTERSEVEN

Zeke sneered,his hands shaking at his sides. “I will not lose toyouoranyone.” He didn’t have to glance at me for me to know I was included in that equation.

At least we had no doubt that Samuel, the other royal advisors, and I were stronger than him. I wasn’t worried about him taking over, but I feared I’d overestimated Lynerd’s strength and this move was going to crash around me. If Zeke was strong enough not to submit to Lynerd, I’d do what I had to, including making him rogue. Locking him up in the basement would prevent him from causing any more havoc. If he slowly lost his mind too, that might be satisfying after everything he’d done.

If I couldn’t tell which wolf was stronger, what did that say about me and my leadership skills?

“Please.” Lynerd snickered. Despite the sweat coating his forehead and the quiver in his bottom lip, he wasn’t struggling as hard as Zeke. “The only reason you’ve lasted this long is through your last-ditch effort to prove you’re strong, but there’s no doubt my wolf is stronger.” His eyes glowed as he stepped forward, and his voice lowered as power radiated through him. “Stop wasting our time and submitnow.”

Zeke closed his eyes, his chest heaving. Whether his human side wanted to admit it or not, his wolf side was succumbing to Lynerd’s command, and it wouldn’t be long until he submitted.

Samuel placed a hand on my shoulder and linked,What will you do if Zeke pulls through?

I nearly flinched. He still thought I’d decided wrong, but there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. The change in leadership had already occurred.

If he loses, I’ll do what needs to be done, even if it’s casting Zeke out.I winced and hoped I’d hidden it from Samuel. I wasn’t sure what other options I had.

Zeke would not be triumphant.

After what felt like hours but was mere minutes, Zeke averted his eyes to the driveway, breaking contact with Lynerd.

My lungs filled with air, and my body sagged. Thank gods Lynerd had taken control.

In my chest, one of the large warm spots and a slightly smaller one pulsed, and the two spots switched in size. I assumed that was Zeke and Lynerd switching roles. I wondered what it felt like for all the packs affected by the transition.

Hot anger and hate darkened Zeke’s eyes as he stared at Lynerd and me. He snarled, “You two will pay. I don’t care—”

My wolf surged forward. She and I were sick of all his threats and games. “Shut thefuckup.”

His lips slammed shut, which was almost comical, and he went quiet.

I brushed past Lynerd, clutched Zeke’s shirt, and lifted him slightly. He groaned, likely from the pain of his knife injury, but I held strong. I wouldn’t tolerate anyone, especiallyhim, talking down to me. This prick had taken everything he could from me.

I bared my teeth. “If you so much as threaten anyone or say something that doesn’t give us insight intoKel’s plans, I will knock your ass out and injure you again. Do youunderstand?”

He nodded, but his nose wrinkled as ifhewere disgusted withme.

The nerve.

I spat, “Get in the car, and keep your mouth shut.”

Zeke’s nostrils flared as his body obeyed.

Jasmine frowned as she opened the door to let Zeke into the back seat. Luckily, she didn’t say anything, but she didn’t need to. Even though she knew everything Zeke had done, I suspected Theo’s feelings were influencing her.

I hated that I’d hurt Theo, so I understood her displeasure.

Not wanting to dawdle, I turned to Lynerd and linked,We need to put Theo in charge of the Oxbow pack.Even though I was more than able to do that, allowing Lynerd to handle it would reinforce his new role, and that was what I needed: a united front and for Kel to think she could continue to create discord in my leadership team.

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