Page 51 of Chosen Destiny

Michael came over and lifted Bodey’s feet off the ground so they wouldn’t drag. I exhaled and smiled at him, thankful for the help.

The two of us worked together to get Bodey to the front door, and inside, we settled him on the couch.

“Whoa!” Katelin’s jaw dropped as she gazed at Bodey’s blood-crusted body. “Wait. Let me grab some towels and blow-up mattresses.”

“Towels first, please.” A mattress could wait. We needed to lay Bodey down.

She raced off and returned, then covered the couch. When he was settled, I leaned over him and kissed his forehead.

Our mate bond warmed slightly, and his eyes opened. The gorgeous indigo color was darker than normal, but that didn’t matter. He was awake.

He lifted one hand and cupped my face as he smiled. “Best dream ever,” he murmured before falling back asleep.

I swallowed a sob. “I love you.”

But he’d already begun snoring.

Turning around, I noticed that Lucas and Jack were still standing. We were all injured, but they were the worst off after Bodey.

“I’m contacting Dina.” I hated to ask the priestess to help us again, but we needed a witch.

There was no doubt Kel would retaliate.

I sent Dina a text message.

Me: We took a beating. We need a healer. Can you help us find one?

I already knew she wouldn’t leave her coven, and I respected that. With Bodey, Samuel, and me gone, we’d left the Grangeville pack exposed, and she’d want to protect the wolves and her coven.

Carl and Katelin left to get more towels for the others to sit on, not wanting to chance leaving blood evidence behind for humans to find.

A few minutes later, the witch replied.

Dina: There’s a coven in south Idaho I can send your way. I just need your address.

Good enough. I trusted her, so I shot off the address. Once we’d rested, we’d determine how to fight back. But we weren’t in a state to even discuss strategy.

The front door opened, and I expected to see Jasmine, Samuel, and Phil.

Instead, I found what could only be described as death.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Heart lurching into my throat,I was almost sick. Russell stood at the door, a few fading scratch marks on his neck and bare chest and a shirt tied around his waist. His skin was pale, and he was clutching his side.

Between that and the fact I didn’t see any other wolves with him, my every limb shook, and I thought I might crumple under the pressure.

My wolf surged forward, keeping me standing. Even though she couldn’t speak, the message was clear—we wouldnotlook weak.

“Dad,” Katelin gasped as she stumbled over to him. “What’s going on?”

If Katelin didn’t know, that was a bad sign.

When she reached for him, he brushed her off. Her expression twisted into hurt, but he held up a hand.

That was when I noticed the blood on his right side. It dripped from the shirt onto the wooden floor. He was hurt, and he’d been in wolf form. He’d shifted from one form to the other while it hadn’t been safe.

“Please tell me you got the bullet out before you shifted.” If the bullet remained inside, it could’ve torn through muscles.

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