Page 43 of Chosen Destiny

That was enough to ground me. If I wanted to go home with Bodey, I needed Russell’s group ready to attack. Lynerd’s men were to hold back and keep an eye on Russell. They weren’t part of the attack. With the tense relationship between Lynerd and Russell, Lynerd wanted his men to keep an eye on things.

Jasmine, if there aren’t any signs of wolves nearby, come closer. The exchange is about to happen. They’re bringing Bodey to us.My legs moved of their own accord, and I stepped into the water, getting my socks wet.

“Nu-uh.” Kel waved a finger at me. “You stay put.” She grinned victoriously.

She knew she had me.

After what felt like hours, the tall and hairy wolf shifter she’d introduced before as Hank, her right-hand man, stepped out of the coverage. He smirked as he stomped over, jostling Bodey.

I growled, unable to keep my displeasure inside. “You said you wouldn’t harm anyone here, yet Hank is hurting my mate.”

She rolled her eyes. “Please. Mates are oversensitive. Bodey’s unconscious, so Hank’s not hurting him. He’sfine…if you keep your heads on straight. You did come early, which I already don’t approve of.”

This is good,Samuel linked.She didn’t have the time to take all the precautions she wanted.

Some of that damn hope sprang up in my chest. I tried to squash it, but I felt lighter. Maybe we would pull this off after all.

Hank reached the edge of the trail behind Kel, inches from the water. He dropped Bodey to the ground.

Acid inched up my throat, burning. Bodey was almost unrecognizable. His usual messy chestnut hair lay plastered against his face, and his eyes were bruised purple and green from where they’d punched him. His skin was pale with no hint of his sun-kissed complexion, and his usual scruff had grown into a dark-brown beard. The only thing familiar about him was his lean, muscular form from his wolf keeping up his strength.

A sob startled me until my chest heaved. The noise had come from me.

I stepped toward him, but an arm wrapped around my waist. I almost fought it, but Jack tightened his hold and linked,Not yet. Remember, we’re doing this to save himandyou. He won’t forgive any of us if she takes you.

He was right. If I swapped myself for him, Bodey would come to save me, even if it meant getting captured all over again.

Kel beamed. “Good. This is what I need to see. I need to make sure you won’t do anything foolish. You’re not going to, are you,Caroline?”

I clenched my hands. “I’m going tokillyou.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “Thank you. I needed that.” She tilted her head down, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I haven’t laughed like that in quite a while.”

“Enjoy it while you can.” Jack sneered. “When we slit your throat, that sound will never happen again.”

Kel grinned and scanned him.

He shivered beside me.Gross.

At the last meeting, you said she was hot,Lucas reminded him.

That was before I found my fated mate,Jack retorted.Now I want to get away from her so I can get back to Stevie.

Removing myself from their banter, I linked with Jasmine,Are the guys in place?

Yes. Just tell us when to move,she replied.

“Let’s do this,” I rasped, fighting like hell to stay still. She had to be purposely dragging this out to make me do something rash, and I hated her more for it.

“Fine.” She lifted her chin. “Do you have any plans to attack us?”

I let out a haughty breath. “None of my people would dare attack you with my mate in your possession. They know if their actions bring him harm, I would make them all pay.” The words chilled me because they were filled with raw honesty. I hadn’t realized I’d be willing to harm any of my people, but Bodey was the one person who changed all my rules.

She smirked. “Let’s make the trade.” She snapped her fingers. “Hank, pick him up and take him over to the sexy blond one with the big mouth.”

Other than the sexy part, that description pegged Jack.

Hank arched a brow at Kel, but she nodded, reinforcing what she’d said.

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