Page 121 of Callen's Captive
“I don’t think she’s in shock. Maybe PTSD. You said she witnessed her parents’ murders?”
“She was five.”
“Could it be an act?” Damien asked.
The rage rose in Callen so fast, he couldn’t stop from taking a swing at Damien. Frank tackled him and pinned him face down into the snow. Callen raged against them and didn’t calm until two more shifters pinned him.
Damien rose, rubbing his jaw. “That’s the only shot you get at me, Callen. The next one will cost you. Release him, Frank.”
“Better not,” Callen warned the three shifters holding him down. He didn’t quite trust himself yet. “I’m having trouble controlling myself and my wolf, Damien. You condemned Kate before even hearing the facts.”
“The facts don’t look good, old friend.”
No, they didn’t, but Callen knew Kate. “She’s confused. She hasn’t been sleeping well. She didn’t know what she was doing. She thinks it was a dream.”
“She knew what she was doing. That picture proves she was looking for Hayden.”
“She believes he’s responsible for her parents’ murders. We all know it can’t be Hayden, but she believes it. You have to take her frame of mind into consideration. She wasn’t gunning for an innocent person, but a murderer. If this is anyone’s fault, it’s mine. I brought her here, knowing her past, knowing she suffers from anxiety.”
“I think Callen’s right,” Pryce spoke up. “Trauma, stress, anxiety, not sleeping, nightmares. All classic signed of PTSD. She may have simply reacted when she saw Hayden. It’s plausible.”
“And the picture?” Damien asked, still doubtful.
“Drake,” Callen said. “He’s been helping her search for her parents’ murderers for months. He took advantage of the situation, of her. Gave her the picture, told her Hayden was the killer. He used her, Damien.”
“Hell, that certainly sounds like Drake,” Damien said, rubbing his face and sighing.
Callen eased somewhat. There was a chance Damien wouldn’t order her execution, if he saw how she’d been used, how fragile she was right now.
“But,” Damien began, sending Callen’s pulse racing. “As your alpha, and as your friend, Callen, I have to wonder which is more probable. Did Drake get lucky and the woman he already had an alliance with hooked up with the enforcer of the brother he’s been trying to kill for some time, putting him in the position to manipulate her into attempting murder? Or did she find and use you to get to Hayden?”
* * *
Two days later,the worst of Hayden’s injuries had healed, but he was still on bed rest.
“You’re sure about this?” Damien asked Hayden.
“I’m tired of getting shot.” Hayden let his head fall back to the pillow. He was already winded. “Let’s get this over with.”
Damien patted his shoulder lightly. “I’ll make this quick.”
“She’s a good person,” Callen said, before they brought her in. He shouldn’t have to defend his mate to his brothers, but he did. The whole pack now saw her as either crazy or as Drake’s hired gun. Callen had given a lot of thought to Damien’s disturbing question earlier. Callen wasn’t one to believe in coincidences either, but he knew Kate. She wasn’t using him to get to Hayden. There was no way she could have known he’d follow her trail that day in the woods, let alone predict that one day he’d take her back to his pack.
Hayden winced as he reached for the glass of water on the small table beside the cot. “All I know about her is that she’s a good shot. I’m entitled to face the person who tried to kill me.”
He was. By pack law, Hayden had that right and more. He could request her banishment or even her execution. She had tried to kill him. Even though she had failed to kill Hayden, she had certainly proved herself a danger to him and the pack. Damien would consider both Hayden’s wishes and the safety of the pack when ruling. A lot hinged on this meeting, and Callen had not been allowed to see her since yesterday morning. Damien didn’t want him to influence her, coaching her on what to say or do, or even give the appearance that he had coached her. The damn pack had already condemned her, and nothing short of a miracle would clear her.
“She’s my mate,” Callen added, as if her being a good person wasn’t enough. They all knew what was at stake for him, and that he’d do whatever it took to protect her. It was the nature of a blood-bond.
“We know,” Damien said, his expression reserved.
There was a knock. Damien opened the door. Kate stood there with two guards flanking her. After Damien ordered them to wait outside, he invited Kate in and closed the door. Her eyes found Callen immediately.
“He’s not allowed to talk to you,” Damien explained when Callen said nothing.
“Why?” she asked, looking as confused as yesterday. He guessed not much had been explained to her, intentionally. Callen hated everything about this. Already he could feel her anxiety rising.
“We have more questions and we don’t want him influencing you. He’s only here out of courtesy to who he is, what he does for our pack.”
