Page 95 of Wolf Touched

“Which may include one of our own,” Keagan growled in frustration. “May I talk with Sedona?”

Raffe glanced at the witch and scowled. “Why? She’s already talked to hermother.”

“Because I have a few questions to ask her myself. Or is there a reason you don’t want to put her on the line?”

“Fine, but you only have a few minutes.” Raffe held the phone out to Sedona.

She leaned forward and took it while the rest of us glanced at each other.

What was your read on the call so far?Raffe linked to everyone here.

I think he’s considering it.Adam placed his hands behind his back.He’s nervous, which makes me believe he’s more genuine, but I don’t know if it’s going to work.

“Alpha Keagan?” Sedona cleared her throat. “How’s Mom?”

“She’s beside herself.” Keagan’s tone warmed. “As we all are. Do you trust them? Because his actions sure remind me of King Jovian, despite his words.”

His question was so blunt that it took me by surprise. He should know that every wolf near them could hear their conversation.

“They seem sincere, and they did help me last night and have fed me and changed my bandages this morning.” Sedona glanced down.

“If they are sincere, they would let you go and not hold you hostage.” Keagan’s voice hardened. “Keeping you doesn’t help them at all.”

Unfortunately, he was right. Yes, we might have helped the priestess’s daughter, but that didn’t mean we wouldn’t eventually harm her. They could attack us even if we kept her with us.We should let her go.

Keith’s head jerked toward me, his jaw dropping.What? No way. We should keep her here for security.

That wasn’t the real reason he didn’t want us to let her loose, and I doubted any of us here believed him.

We’re in negotiations because of Sedona.Raffe gestured to the witch as if I hadn’t remembered.

Because her mom called her. Otherwise, we’d still be screwed. We can use her mom’s relationship with her to get Keagan to listen, but he’s still hesitant.I didn’t need to be trained to pick up on that, and if I were him, after experiencing all we had with Olwyn and Aldric, I’d feel the same way.They have no reason to trust anything she says, so we need to give them a reason.

What? No!Keith shook his head, forgetting all about the conversation Sedona was having.She needs to stay with us.

Adam rubbed his hands together.Unfortunately, I think Sky’s right. Just because we have her doesn’t mean they won’t attack again.

And hand her back to the enemy so she can attack us again?Lucy’s brows furrowed.

You’re right.Raffe hung his head. The hope he’d had moments ago vanished.Keeping her doesn’t give us any real advantage. Sending her back might be the only thing that proves we’re different from my dad and the others.

In the end, Priestess Caroline might have been right, but at least we’d tried something. It was better than refusing to speak to the enemy. And though I would never say this out loud, if we were going to be defeated, we’d do it with morals. We wouldn’t resort to the same threats and actions as our enemy, and that had to damn well count for something.We need to show we’re different.

Raffe nodded and held out his hand. “Here, I need to talk to him again.”

“Uh, my time’s up.” Sedona mashed her lips together. “Tell Mom I love her.”

I grimaced. Though I knew Sedona realized she wasn’t at risk here, those words made it sound as if she was afraidshe might not ever get to tell her mom that again. I wanted to smack her, but she had to be scared, and I couldn’t blame her.

Muting the phone, Raffe pivoted to Dru and asked, “How long until she’s stable enough to move?”

“She’s fine now as long as she takes it slow.” Dru snorted. “You supernaturals and your healing. She can’t walk for miles, but she’s fine to move around.”

“Good.” Raffe unmuted the phone. “Keagan, I’m assuming Priestess Ednah is close by, seeing as we have her daughter. Tell her if she comes to the house that they were going to attack, she will find Sedona there, and she’ll be free to take her.”

“What?” Sedona gasped, her uninjured hand clutching her chest.

“Is this a joke, or do you plan on attacking my people?”

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