Page 29 of Eclipsed Heart

Bodey’s jaw cracked from how hard he clenched his teeth. “Are you threatening us?”

Someone growled menacingly…and then my chest vibrated, making me realize it was me.

Laughing a little too loudly, Zeke lifted both hands. “You two need to calm down, especially if you expect to rule over our territory. We don’t need a couple of hotheads throwing their weight around whenever someone doesn’t agree with them.”

Michael gasped. “Is that the story you want to create? I’d reconsider whatever you’re planning. They aren’t being irrational—they’re new and worried about their people and an advisor who is clearly out of line.”

“Because I don’t conform to their way of thinking?” Zeke scoffed. “Please, I was respected by King Richard and Queen Mila; otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here.”

“If I remember well, you and she had an argument earlier that day.” Michael’s jaw clenched. “I was waiting for you to bring that up.”

Zeke’s eyes flashed with anger. “That is irrelevant andnoneof your concern.”

“Maybe it is.” I leveled my gaze at him and sneered. “Especially since she died shortly afterward, and I conveniently don’t have any memories.” Ihadto get them back. I suspected if I did, I’d get a lot of answers Zeke didn’t want me to have.

“And there you go again, accusing me of things because you want a scapegoat.” Zeke’s face twisted. “I shouldn’t expect more from the likes of all of you.”

We need to be careful,Michael linked.For him to spew things like that, he’s got an angle, and he could easily influence other packs, especially those in his state.

Bodey froze, and I could feel his revulsion and anger swirling between us. Surprisingly, he held more intense negative feelings toward Zeke than I did, and I’d grown up in Zeke’s pack. We’d come here to prod Zeke into revealing answers, yet he was using the same strategy to gain ammunition against us. We had to stop playing into his hands.

“We aren’t trying to blame anyone.” I spoke slowly, trying to keep my voice calm. “And if we came across that way, my sincerest apologies.”

Don’t apologize to this douchebag,Bodey linked, his loathing choking our bond.He doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you.

I love you.I pushed warmth toward him, wanting to offset his hatred. We had to get through this without creating a permanent enemy who would actively seek war against us. We were already divided enough, and Queen Kel wasn’t going to stop her attacks. She’d put pressure on us while our people were struggling to accept me as the queen when everyone had been prepared for Samuel to rule.And I agree that it’s hard to work with him, but right now, we can’t handle more of a rift between our people.

Bodey blew out a breath.

“Well, I guess that counts for something.” Zeke buffed his nails on his shirt.

My stomach clenched. Yeah, now I wished I hadn’t said those words either, but I already did, so I needed to lean on it. “It’s just that when you said it would be our fault if something happened to Stevie, it did sound threatening.” I tried to smile kindly. “So, can you tell us what you meant by that?”

“What I meant was that the Southwest queen is unpredictable, and she surely has something planned.” Zeke rubbed his hands together like he had all the answers. “If Stevie knows things, Kel will want her captured or dead. So maybe you should spend your time interrogating her instead of me.”

Yeah, he was playing a game, and I hated how smart Zeke was. All the men were tense; I could feel it through my pack links. I gritted my teeth, wanting to lash out again.

He continued. “After all, I’d hate for you to be wasting time here while Stevie’s injured, or worse, due to your negligence. That would be so unfortunate.”

“Ah, yes.” Jack tilted his head. “Because you careso muchabout your pack members. Like when the four of us found Callie being attacked by five of your wolves, and you punished Callie for it instead of them. I understand that you’re such acaringalpha.”

Yeah, there was no way we could accept those accusations after my olive branch and Zeke snapping it in half. He’d always held resentment toward this group, and now that I’d become one of them, I could very likely be the thing that ruined Zeke’s control completely.

Even though Zeke had treated me like shit, could I really complain? At the end of the day, had Bodey, Lucas, Jack, and Miles not run into me during that original attack at Hells Canyon, I might not be standing here with them right now.

“She’s fine now, isn’t she?” Zeke said, motioning toward me as if we didn’t know who he was talking about.

“Because we interfered,” Bodey raged, his chest heaving.Before this is over, I’m going to kill him and relish every drop as the blood flows from his body.

I wasn’t sure how much longer Bodey would be able to not punch him. Michael’s warning that Zeke was trying to make us look bad was the only thing holding him back.

Maybe there was one saving grace. “Where is Theo? Shouldn’t he be present for this conversation? He’s taking over the pack now that the coronation is over.”

All smugness vanished from Zeke’s face. “Under the circumstances, that won’t be happening.” He tugged at the collar of his shirt. “Theo is badly injured, and Queen Kel just initiated a war. Handing Oregon over to him right now wouldn’t be smart.”

“That’s not what we agreed to.” Miles crossed his arms, causing his muscles to bulge.

“I’m well aware, but things have changed. Between the attack on our pack and the turmoil the Southwest queen is creating, it’s better if I stay in charge for now, considering all my years of successful leadership.”

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