Page 30 of Chosen Destiny

Charles didn’t look at me. Instead, he stared at the Snake River as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

Prick.

I hurried back to Dad just as Mom ran into the clearing. She dropped to his side and nuzzled him. His chest barely moved. His link to me was cooling, and sorrow pierced me. I hated that I hadn’t been able to protect him enough to save him.

Mom whined, the heartbreaking sound tugging at my soul. I wished there was something more I could do.

But there were so many more people I needed to worry about as well, so I linked back to Samuel and the others,We’ve lost one, and a second is fading quickly. The enemy wolves are dead or severely injured, so Lucas, Miles, and I are heading back your way.

Now that the imminent threat was over, my adrenaline started to wear off, allowing the pain in my shoulder and sides to filter through. Fucking lovely.

Be careful on your way back,Michael replied.We haven’t been able to accurately gauge their numbers.

Of course not. Kel was all about keeping us in the dark. I had to find a way to take back control.Miles and Lucas, can you come with me to the neighborhood to help fight?

Lucas nodded, but he examined me and huffed.Bodey will kill us for letting you get injured again.

I stared at him intently.You didn’t allow me to do anything. I make my own choices, and believe me, I wouldn’t choose to get hurt like this or lose my dad.

My attention flicked back to Dad, whose chest had stopped moving. His pack connection cooled in my chest, and my throat tightened, nearly choking me. Mom threw her head back and howled, breaking another piece of my heart. My eyes burned, and I linked to Pearl,Get your ass here now. The threat is gone, and Dad just died. Mom needs you.

But—Pearl started.

Enough. I laced my thought with alpha will. If she was going to be selfish, I’d force her to be there for Mom.Say goodbye to Dad and come here to support Mom. I’m going back to the neighborhood to help the rest of the pack.I then linked to Bryson and Charles,You two stay here and alert us if any enemy wolves find you.I couldn’t leave Mom and Pearl completely unprotected, not after what I’d promised Dad.

Lucas, Miles, and I ran toward the neighborhood, my sides and shoulder throbbing with every step. I pushed through the agony and connected to Bodey,Mydad just died.

Dammit, Callie.His pain and frustration merged with mine.I’m so sorry. If I’d been there instead of trapped here—

Don’t. This is all Kel’s fault. You have nothing to feel bad about.

If I’d stayed with you instead of chasing after Jasmine, maybe…He trailed off.

I would’ve done the same if it had been Stevie,I replied, pushing my determination toward him.You did nothing wrong. Kel has been several steps ahead of us all this time.

If anyone can defeat her, it’s you,he said lovingly.

I wasn’t sure about that, but with Bodey now mostly inaccessible, I realized how much I’d come to rely on him saying things like that.Is she with you again?He wasn’t in pain, but given how unpredictable Kel was, I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.

I’m locked in a basement that reeks like urine, complete with rats. I keep thinking I hear someone else in here with me, but it might be my imagination. As far as Kel goes, I don’t think she knows I’m awake or cares that I am. It’s another form of torture.

You won’t be locked up for long.I had to believe that Russell would come through.We’re coming up with a plan.

One that doesn’t involve you sacrificing yourself, right?

I’ll do whatever it takes to save you.

Callie—he started.

I can’t tell you anything, Bodey, not while you’re her prisoner. I need to protect you the best I can, and I need you to trust me.

Always,he replied with no hesitation.

Miles, Lucas, and I crested the highest ridge of the canyon and ran down toward the neighborhood. Snarls and growls from the fight echoed up to us, punctuated every so often by a random shot from our limited guns.

We pressed on through the trees, and I wondered if we might be able to sneak up on some of Kel’s wolves and get some insight into their numbers and their plan.

The first houses appeared in front of us through the trees, and I saw five enemy wolves and one in human form shrouded in darkness at the back door of the first house. I sensed several pack members inside.

---