Page 30 of Eclipsed Heart

Michael scoffed. “You act as if the other advisors and I, who served alongside you, don’t have any influence over the current royal advisors’ decisions. We do; they listen to us, which Theo would as well. The only difference is they get the final say, but they respect and hear our opinions.”

“Are you worried that Theo won’t listen to you?” Samuel arched a brow.

“My son knows his place.” Zeke slashed the air.

My throat constricted as realization weighed on me. Zeke had always dominated and controlled Theo as he did me, but instead of the hard labor Zeke had always assigned me, he’d controlled his son through words and by threatening others. Having an overbearing father like Zeke couldn’t be easy, so maybe Theo’s strength had been in trying to make Zeke happy and keep the peace so others wouldn’t be hurt.

I swallowed, knowing that Bodey wouldn’t like my next words, but Theo was destined to be an advisor and work with us. “Where is Theo? I’d like to see him, especially if he’s that bad off.” Theo had helped me when I’d been injured and heartbroken; the least I could do was stop in and check on him. Besides, I had a few questions I wanted to ask him.

“He was adamant about recuperating in his own house.” Zeke gestured toward the pale-blue one-story next door. “Tina goes over there five times a day, making sure he’s taking his medicine, eating, and drinking so he can heal, but his injuries were severe. It’s gonna take a couple of days for him to rebound.”

“Why don’t you have a witch heal him?” Miles placed his hands behind his back.

Zeke scowled. “Need I remind you that a witch messed with Callie’s mind and killed my beta?” His jaw twitched. “We just went over what witches are capable of.”

I think my presence is making him even more ornery. I’m going to visit Theo and give you all a few minutes to see if you can get any more information from him since he isn’t thrilled with me being queen.I also wanted a chance to speak to Theo alone, but I kept that part to myself.

Displeasure wafted through Bodey, but he nodded.I’d like to go with you.

He might not say as much if you’re there.I frowned, not wanting to tell my mate no, but also not wanting to just say yes to make him happy.

Babe, he might not, but that prick was trying desperately to get you to agree to form a mate bond with him. Though I trust you and know nothing will happen, the thought of you being alone with him in his house does not sit well with my humanorwolf sides.

When he put it that way, I saw his point. If I were in his shoes, I’d feel the same way.

I wasn’t thinking. Of course, come with me, please.I had no right to make him feel insecure, and the peace that filtered between us after my agreement showed me I’d made the right call.

“So it’s okay if Bodey and I check on him?” I asked out loud while taking Bodey’s hand. I could’ve linked with Zeke, but the thought sent a shudder through me. I didn’t want to share any intimate link with him even if it would feel the same as linking to everyone else. Besides, it would probably help if I didn’t. Doing it would serve as yet another reminder that I was his queen.

Zeke frowned. “He’s probably sleeping and shouldn’t be disturbed.”

“We can be quiet.” Bodey smiled a little too widely, revealing his teeth.

“Fine.” Zeke’s nostrils flared. “Just don’t bother him if he’s resting.”

Bodey and I took off as Lucas asked, “Do you mind if we look at where the prisoner was held?”

“I went over everything,” Zeke huffed.

“I’m sure you did,” Michael agreed calmly. “I’m sure we won’t find anything, but we’d still like to take a look. Five heads are better than one.”

For my entire life, Zeke had been difficult about everything. I’d hoped that the imminent threat would change his tune. Clearly not.

“Fine, but you won’t find anything.” When I glanced back, Zeke was stalking toward the back of his house, followed by our group.

Bodey and I continued to Theo’s door. As soon as I pushed the light-brown door open, Theo croaked out, “Mom?”

My pulse pounded. Thank gods he wasn’t asleep. “No, it’s Callie.”

“Callie?” He coughed and then groaned. “Yer ’ere?” he slurred.

Tina must be giving him that pain medicine she’d tried to give me.

As with the other houses in the neighborhood, the front door opened into the living room. Bodey followed me through it toward the kitchen, passing the small hallway on the right that led to a bathroom and two guest bedrooms. A few steps before the kitchen, I turned left down the other hall that led to two more bedrooms on the left and the garage door in front of us. Through the second door, I entered the master bedroom, where Theo lay in his bed.

Should I be concerned that you know exactly where his room is?Bodey linked, his jealousy slamming through our bond.

I froze.What? No! All the houses here have the same floor plan. This is where the master bedroom is in each one. I’ve never been inside his house before.He was an unmated pack member, and I’d refused to visit him here to prevent us from becoming the focus of rumors. I’d believed his dad would’ve punished him for “dating” me, but now I wasn’t so sure.

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