Page 27 of Destined Mate

Jerome slowly turned around as Albert and Clyde shoved Henry, Lakisha, and Marcia inside. Even more shocking were the guns Elmer’s betas pointed at them.

Jerking back around, Jerome faced Elmer. “Guns? Seriously?”

“I’ll use whatever I must to ensure I get what I want. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll shoot each of them in front of you. If you still resist, then I’ll start on pack members—the pups, I believe, would get your attention quickest.”

What Jerome ate for dinner threatened to reappear. “You’re disgusting.”

“I’m efficient. And I have no use for you.”

“Sell him? If all you’re interested in is money, sell him back to his birth pack!” Henry exclaimed.

“I’ll make more selling him to a South America pack, plus, his birth pack is going to be told that he ran off, that with the death of Li Li he could finally be free since he never wanted to be mated to her.”

“How did you know I wasn’t—”

“A certain elder has been very talkative, shall we say,” Elmer said.

“Elder Rodgers,” Jerome said quietly. “So, what did you promise him to betray me in such a way?”

“You’re very perceptive, which is another reason you have to go. But yes, he does not like you and feels his omega son should hold the title of alpha mate. And he shall.” Elmer shrugged. “He has the look I like.”

Jerome swallowed heavily. Young, Elmer meant. Young and dumb. And that omega was the very definition of that.

“Now, Clyde will escort you to the room you’ve been staying in,” Elmer said. “You’ll be locked in, and food will be brought to you twice a day.”

“That’s not nearly enough for a shifter, and you know it,” Henry argued. “You can’t do that to Jerome. He’s a sweet wolf.What you’re doing is nothing more than sexual slavery and it’s disgusting!”

“The online auction will take place this Tuesday night, and he’ll be shipped out immediately afterward. He won’t starve to death in that time.”

Henry took a threatening step toward Elmer, and Clyde cocked the gun and pointed it at Henry.

“Henry, stop.”

Wolves fought with fangs and claws, not guns. Still, dead was dead regardless of how it happened, and Jerome had to do something before Henry got himself killed.

And it would be so completely useless. He said nothing—because why give Elmer a heads-up?—but he hadn’t had a vision showing him this outcome.

Last he saw, Wesley challenged Elmer and won. Jerome was there, so he hadn’t been shipped off… and Wednesday was the day the challenge was set. He only had to hold out for a few days.

“It’ll be okay. It won’t kill me to go a few days without enough food. But a gunshot to the headwillkill you,” Jerome desperately said. Hopefully, Henry would pick up what he meant.

Henry stopped, his chest rising and falling rapidly, though. A pain-filled look crossed his face.

“Smart move.” Elmer smirked. “Now, Jerome, remember what I said about giving either of my betas any trouble? I’ll start killing your pack members if you do. Are we clear?”

“We’re clear.”

“Good. Albert? Escort Jerome to his room. Clyde? Get those three out of my pack house.”

As they led Jerome away, he caught Henry’s gaze and gave a slight, reassuring nod.

Chapter Eight

Wesley

MORNING ARRIVED with a flurry of activity as Wesley and his pack prepared for the first meeting he had with one of the prominent leaders of San DeLain.

The sun cast a golden hue over the city, illuminating the streets with a warm glow. Wesley sipped his coffee from the in-room coffeemaker, staring outside.

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