Page 99 of Wolf Touched

“Understood.” Keagan waved toward the vehicle. “We should get going.”

The young woman frowned and glanced at Keagan as he moved to climb back into the car.

“Come on.” Ednah held out her hand to her daughter. Desperation clung to her like a cloak, and her eagerness to leave slammed into me.

I noted Keith’s hands clenched at his sides.

My heart ached for him. Even though I could read his emotions, I could only imagine the turmoil he was feeling. Watching Raffe walk away with no certainty of when I’d see him again would be the hardest thing in the world.

“I can’t,” Sedona whispered and remained still. Resolve sang from her.

“What?” Ednah asked as her brows lifted, her emotions a blend of surprise and terror.

My heart dropped into my stomach, fearing what their reactions might cause them to do.

Alarm rang from Keagan as he tensed and growled to the young woman, “Stephanie, get in the damn car.” His eyes glowed, indicating he was linking with his pack. “This is a trap.”

Be ready. He’s going to attack,Raffe linked and grabbed my wrist, pulling me back.

Out of all the situations, I hadn’t expectedthis. Why the hell would she let us set this up only to pretend she couldn’t hand herself over? Had she played on Keith and her connection to finish what they’d started?

How had I been so foolish as to give her another chance? My power hummed, and I readied to connect with the animals.

“It’snota trap.” Sedona took a few hurried steps to stand between the groups. Her determination shot through me like an arrow. She wobbled, proving that her blood loss was still affecting her. “They aren’t forcing me to do anything, and they didn’t tell me I had to.” She turned her back to us, facing the three of them. “I swear to you thateverything I’ve said is true, and I do believe that Raffe can help us break away from the king like he promised.”

“We’ll take that into consideration once we get you out of here.” Keagan’s neck corded. His emotions were those of concern and wariness. “We don’t have to talk about thishere.”

Sedona huffed, and I watched her hands tremble. “I’m sorry, but I can’t leave. I don’t want to.”

“This isn’t a request, Sedona.” Ednah rubbed her hands together. “You need to come back with us. We’re your family and coven.”

If she doesn’t leave, we may have to fight them,Raffe linked, his frustration evident.And this would’ve been better not to do, but that’s where we’re at.

“I know that, but he’s my fated mate.” She looked at Keith and bit her bottom lip before staring back at them. “And I can’t leave him, knowing we might not see each other again because of some misguided quest to break free from King Jovian. They could’ve let the bobcat kill me, but they didn’t.” She gestured to me, and her voice rose. “Shestopped it and convinced the others to help me even after I tried to kill her. If that doesn’t show they’re different, I don’t know what would.”

If she wants to stay, I won’t force her to leave with them,Keith replied, moving next to Sedona.

“Sedona Butler,” Ednah gritted out.

Hand twitching, Raffe leaned forward, readying to grab Keith back.

Instead, I caught his hand in mine. If they wanted to be together, there was no way in hell I would stop them. I squeezed Raffe’s hand comfortingly and linked,Remember what it was like when people tried to keep us apart? Weknow better than to try to do that, right? They’re determined to be together, and who are we to stop them? I can feel their resolve. We don’t want to lose Keith.

Stephanie glanced from Sedona to Adam then back to the young witch. Her emotions flared, and I felt her settle on something.

She shut the passenger side door. “If Sedona trusts them, we should too.”

Shock filtered both ways through our bond, and Raffe interlaced his fingers with mine.

That little action told me everything—he agreed. I didn’t even need to be around to read or feel his emotions, though I could. We wouldn’t prevent her from staying here if that’s what they wanted.

“That’s not your decision to make.” Keagan opened his door wider. Though his face tensed slightly, I could feel panic swirling inside him. “They could attack us at any second. For all we know, Sedona’s been coerced to comply.”

“Has there been any hint of a lie?” Raffe asked, rocking back on his heels. “Have your priestess come forward to see if any magic has been placed on Sedona to hide her lies or force her to do something she doesn’t want to. Also, if we were going to attack, we wouldn’t be standing out here, allowing you to doubt us. We would’ve already taken action. If you don’t want to stay here, that’s fine. You can leave. But if Sedona wants to remain with us to be with Keith, then we’ll accept her.”

Keith turned slightly, a huge smile on his face.Are you serious? I thought you’d alpha-will me to give her up.

My heart ached, remembering how King Jovian had tried to do that very thing to Raffe and me. The regret that pulsed from Raffe made me confident he was rememberingthe same thing. Thanks to our fated-mate bond, he’d been able to fight his father’s control.

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