Page 7 of Chosen Destiny

The warmth I now knew was my wolf burrowed deep inside, and something cold covered it like a blanket. I wished I were old enough to shift and pack link with everyone, but all I could do was scream, “No! Please.”

But it was done, and I knew it would take me seventeen years to feel her again.

“Now heal her and make her forget everything,” Zeke commanded.

My eyes were already closing, the agony of losing my wolf and the pain of my injuries taking me under.

I woke up in the present, inside the real estate office. Michael, Dan, Phil, and Carl were pacing in front of me, and a woman I didn’t know was standing in front of the human, touching her fingers to his forehead.

When I sat up straight in the chair they’d placed me in, Michael turned to me. He looked relieved. “Thank gods you’re awake. We were worried.” Michael’s chestnut hair had a bit of gray coming in on the sides, and his jade eyes were darker than normal from everything that had gone on.

“I remember everything.” I stood, wanting to find Zeke. Rage charged through me. “Where’s Zeke?”

“He’s in the kitchen.” Carl gestured toward the door behind me. His blond hair was messier than usual, giving him a younger appearance.

Phil took a few steps closer to me. His dark-bronze skin hid the faint scars of his wounds, which had mostly healed, and he rubbed his ebony beard. “What did Zeke do? For you to beat him up like that—”

Dan lifted a hand. “I’m sure we’re about to find out.” His spiked brown hair stuck out in every direction, and his tan complexion emphasized the dark circles under his eyes. “My son, Miles, Samuel, and Jack are back there with him. We should join them now that she’s okay.”

That was fine with me. We needed to come up with a plan. I spun on my heels and headed toward the kitchen as I linked with everyone—the royal advisors, Samuel, Jasmine, and the former advisors.Did we pick up signs of Bodey?

No. We found tire marks and his scent before it vanished,Michael replied, tensing beside me.

In the kitchen, Jasmine hovered in one corner with her arms around her waist. Her strawberry-blonde hair was tangled, and her jade-green eyes were cast downward. She looked guilty.

Theo hovered next to her. His caramel-brown hair fell into his face, and his topaz eyes were locked on her. He stood a little in front of her, ready to defend her if anyone attacked.

Zeke was sitting at the table with Jack, Lucas, Miles, and Samuel around him. Even better, the knife was still protruding from his chest, so obviously, the witch hadn’t healed him.

Samuel’s shirt had blood on the front, but I was relieved to see his nose was no longer bleeding. At least that had healed.

The former advisors surrounded me as Miles and Jack stood from the table and took a few steps back, making room for me. I moved between them as Jack’s cobalt eyes flicked to me before focusing back on Zeke. Miles crossed his arms, emphasizing his thick build, and his dark-green eyes narrowed.

Queen Kel’s promise from the night we met rang in my ears. She’d vowed to take everything I loved from me, and I feared Bodey was the first part of her fulfilling that vow. “Are you working with the queen?”

Zeke’s brows lifted almost comically. “That wasn’t the first question I expected you to ask.”

Fury rose inside me once more. “Oh, I’m sure you know what I remember.” I pointed at the knife. “To be clear, that was meant for your heart. Be glad Lucas and Samuel were trying to pull me away from you.” I leaned forward, getting into his face.

He winced before his mask of indifference slid back into place.

I smirked, enjoying causing him discomfort. “You see, I don’t need to ask any questions about my parents’ deaths or how my memories got locked. I remembereverything. What I don’t know but suspect is whether you’re working with Queen Kel. Tell me the truth, or I’ll cut it out of you.”

Part of me hoped he didn’t tell me. The thought of causing him more pain sent a thrill right through me.

He must have seen it because his Adam’s apple bobbed. “Yes. That’s who I was texting the entire time.”

Though I wanted to hurt him, my desire to get my mate back was stronger. “Good. Then you’re going to get Bodey back for us.”

“What?” Zeke’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t be serious.”

I punched him in the face, and his head jerked to the side.

Jack snorted. “I think sheisserious, but if you need to ask her again, I’m here for it.”

Normally, Lucas would have smacked Jack in the back of the head and told him this wasn’t the time, but everyone wanted to see Zeke get punched again.

“Let me say this again.” My wolf surged forward, brushing my mind as power laced my voice. “You will get Bodey back. I don’t care what it takes.”

---