5

Jack snorted. “I think she is serious, 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.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” He blew out a breath, his eyes lowering in submission. “She won’t listen to me.”

My phone rang in my pocket, and I jolted. I’d forgotten it was there. I pulled it out, and Queen Kel’s name scrolled across the screen.

Fuck. Speak of the devil…

   

I froze. I couldn’t bring myself to answer the phone. Obviously, I needed to answer to see what the queen had to say, especially since she had Bodey, but I feared what news she might share.

I rubbed my chest, still feeling our mate link. He wasn’t dead.

The phone rang a third time.

“You should answer that, Callie.” Zeke snickered, glancing down at the phone in my hand. “It’s probably about your mate, after all.” The word dripped with disdain.

“It’s Caroline to you,” I spat as I swiped the answer button on the phone. Michael inhaled as I put the phone to my ear and said, “Hello.”

Theo murmured, “Why is she calling herself Caroline?”

“That’s her birth name,” Miles replied. “She really does have her memories back.”

Of course they’d know that. The former advisors and their sons had been around me as a child. Flashes of memories of them coming to our house to meet with my dad while the guys gave me a hard time played in my mind.

“Ah… I was beginning to wonder if you would answer.” Kel clicked her tongue. “I’m thinking the king consort doesn’t mean as much to you as I thought.”

Her insinuation had me growling before I could stop myself. “I will kill you and relish each moment.”

Jasmine flinched, wrapping her arms tighter around her waist. Her guilt poured into our bond. Even though I hadn’t put the call on speakerphone because Zeke was here, everyone could hear what Kel was saying due to their wolf hearing.

“Now Callie—” Kel started.

“It’s Queen Caroline to you.” That was the name my parents had given me, and I’d be damned if I allowed her to call me anything else.

Samuel went to Jasmine and placed a hand on her shoulder. Theo’s jaw tensed, but I didn’t have the energy to focus on whatever was brewing between him and my new sister.

“See!” Kel laughed, the sound caressing me like a piece of silk—smooth and comforting and a way to hide the evil within. “You did get my present, and you’re still threatening to kill me. Poor form. It’s polite to thank someone who helped you out.”

I laughed bitterly. “Taking my mate is not a present. If you don’t want to make me a real enemy, bring him back to me now.”

“Silly girl. My present was killing the witch for you.”

I gritted my teeth. “How was that a present?” This woman didn’t understand the concept of giving gifts.

“It gave you what you wanted.” She chuckled darkly. “Your memories are back.”

“Sybil was about to unblock them when you attacked and killed her.” I didn’t want Kel to think I was indebted to her in any way. “If you wanted to gift me something, Zeke should’ve been your target.”

She laughed loudly. I imagined her throwing her head back, her dark, full hair flowing around her. “Zeke said you were weak and didn’t have the stomach for such things. I’m glad he was wrong. Tell me, is Zeke still alive, or have you already killed him?”

“He’s alive.” I couldn’t hide the disappointment in my voice.

“Ah… that’s unfortunate. He’s a weasel, but then again, you’d know better than anyone. Did he mention that he was the real reason we were able to attack the coronation?”

Zeke flinched as every person in the kitchen glared at him.

“Dad?” Theo gasped. “That was you?”

“She’s the queen.” Zeke gestured to the phone in my hand. “She could be lying about everything!”

“That’s not an answer.” Samuel marched back to our group and stopped between Lucas and Michael.

“Did he share that he orchestrated getting my prisoner out of his basement?” Her voice was so animated.

I wanted to rip his throat out, but she wanted us to focus on Zeke… to fight among ourselves. That would make it easier for her to take over our territory. I couldn’t allow that to happen.

The former advisors closed in around me, blocking Zeke from attempting to leave.

Samuel lifted a hand. “We need to wait.”

I nodded and linked to everyone but Zeke, This is a tactic to turn us against each other. We can’t fall for it. I was thankful that my brother must have come to the same conclusion I had.

Jack huffed, but no one moved closer to Zeke.

This call needed to end before all rational thought left me. Bodey was way too important to let her distract us from my goal: getting my mate back.

“What do you want?” I asked, cutting through the bullshit. “You called for a reason, and I doubt it was to out Zeke. None of us trusts him anyway, but my memories justified my reasons.”

“Fine.” She sighed dramatically. “I was hoping to have more fun and get you to see how much you should appreciate everything I’ve done for you.”

A laugh escaped from deep in my chest, and I nearly coughed. “Everything you’ve done for me? I fail to understand what you’re insinuating. Once again, I could’ve gotten my memories back from Sybil without you killing her.”