Page 19 of Targeted By Fate

“Let me guess. They want to muscle in on our territory.” Thiago punched a sofa cushion.

“They weren’t explicit in their messages, but that was what we gathered,” Alpha added. He glanced at Ezra who nodded.

Everyone in the room bristled, and Riggs was on the edge of his seat. I half expected him to race out the door, yelling, “Now we go after them.”

I wished Keane’s introduction to the family could have been more relaxing, with everyone getting to know one another over dinner. My brothers would all talk at once, my mate would forget who said what, and we’d all laugh and argue about which TV program to watch.

But Keane’s presence in my life was because of his near-death experience and the deliberate killing of our kin. This had to be addressed, and there was only one way to do it.

Alpha’s expression, which was always… dour… became more serious. His brow wrinkled.

“So the drugging wasn’t accidental, they intended to kill shifters and send a message to our pack.” Thiago got up and paced the floor.

“Exactly. If we don’t deal with the Ironclaw shifters, they’ll keep killing us.” Alpha sank into an armchair.

“We have to go to war, don’t we?” Lake’s expression was serious, but there was no fear in his eyes. He’d killed before and was one of our best fighters.

“Yes,” the rest of them, except for Keane, said in unison.

“I want to be involved too.” My mate stood up.

Now everyone’s mouths gaped, and everyone looked at Keane and then at me. They expected me to say what they were all thinking because I was the one who always stated the obvious.

But I was Keane’s mate, and I hated to hurt his feelings.

While I hesitated, Maynard spoke up. “But Keane, you’re a cat!”

10

KEANE

“I’m not just a cat!” My entire life, I’ve been underestimated because of my beast. Fuck, I was one of the worst culprits in that—always thinking I was useless, not good enough, weak. But something had changed now that I’d been mated.

And it wasn’t that I felt stronger—I didn’t. I was woefully unprepared for all of this. But I was determined to be exactly what my mate needed me to be. I was going to be strong. Fierce. And I sure as shit wasn’t going to be a weak point in his life—someone he needed to worry about, someone he needed to rescue, someone who would hold him back.

“We need a minute alone. Let’s finish this later.” Power radiated off my mate.

I started to go toward the door, and my mate’s hand rested on the back of my neck. His lips were near my ear, his voice calm and soothing. “Not you. You stay. They need to leave. We need to talk.”

I leaned into his touch, and he let out a growl—and everyone left. Every single one. And without a single question. At least not one spoken out loud.

The power emanating off him surprised me. I knew he was strong. I’d witnessed it first hand. But he wasn’t the Alpha or the head of the family. I’d very wrongly thought that meant he would stick to the hierarchy. Nope.

It was hot as fuck.

“Here.” His voice was low and calm as he guided me down to sit and knelt in front of me. His hands cupped my cheeks, holding me in a sweet, steady grip. Gone was the wolf that gave no room for disobedience, and in his place was this sexy, sweet man. I liked to think that this side of him was reserved only for me.

“Listen to me, omega mine. You’re not just a cat. You’re my everything. My job, my sole purpose for being, is to make you happy and to keep you safe. I will not let you be in harm’s way.”

I pulled back. “Let me? You think this is a case of you allowing me to do anything?” The anger boiling up from me was disproportionate to his words, but I couldn’t help it. I was pissed. “I’m your mate. I’m your equal. Yes, you’re a wolf, and you’re strong and fierce and have a jaw that could snap me in two, but make no mistake—the Goddess sent me to you because I am yours. Not to own. Not to coddle. But to walk beside… until we go home to Her.”

Never in my life had I stood up for myself like this. Not once. But with Boaz, I felt safe enough to let him know exactly how I felt.

His jaw dropped. And then… out came a chuckle.

“Don’t you mock me.” I pushed him back onto his heels. Or more accurately, he allowed me to push him. Had he wanted to stay exactly where he was, I didn’t have the strength to do anything about it.

“I wasn’t.”

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