Page 67 of Callen's Captive
With each minor discovery of how abandoned the place was, Callen talked less and less. “I’ll go start Damien’s generator.”
“The food’s already spoiled. What’s the point?”
“We can have electricity for a bit, while we shower at least.”
She wasn’t going to turn down a shower by any means. An hour later, she’d feasted on canned fruits and vegetables and then showered—with shampoo and conditioner, yay!—and was wearing the softest towel she’d ever felt.
“Do you think the woman who lives here will mind if I borrow some clothes? Mine are crawling away looking for a place to die.”
“Sure, go ahead. Tess won’t mind.”
Twenty minutes later, Kate returned in hiking boots and a towel. “Her clothing didn’t fit. Can I search some of the other homes?”
“Sure.” He had showered and returned to his place for clothes as well, but now he was sitting there on the edge of the sofa with his elbows leaning on his knees and his head bent down.
Kate leaned over him, draping her arms around him. One hand came up and rested on her arm. With a simple kiss to the back of his neck, she rose with his hand in hers.
“Come on, bear. I need clothes and you’re the best tour guide in town.”
“Don’t you mean the only tour guide?”
“That too, but it’s only temporary.”
“How do you figure that?”
“Because once I find clothing that fits, you and I are going to find your pack.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. You know the woods, and I know. . . nothing actually. Crap, I had this speech worked out in my head and it went south fast the moment I opened my mouth. Basically, I know stuff, probably nothing useful out here in the middle of nowhere, but I’m figuring I have to be able to help somehow.”
He squeezed her hand. “You already have.”
* * *
CALLEN
Food, shower, and fresh clothes hadn’t done anything to improve Callen’s mood. The fact that Damien had left nothing behind telling Callen where the pack had gone felt like he’d been abandoned, or worse, betrayed.
Callen had known Damian his entire life. They’d run together as boys, competed in sports, and fumbled through those awkward years when it came time to date. He and Damien had been rivals at one time too, but they’d always watched each other’s back when anything threatened the other or the pack.
When Callen’s sister had died falling out of that tree, Damien had been there, consoling him. Then, less than a month later, when hunters had killed Damien’s sister, their roles reversed. Callen had followed Damien as he snuck out of camp after the funeral pyre had been lit. Damien had shifted and let his wolf take over to exact revenge. Callen had watched over him, from a distance, making sure Damien wasn’t walking into a trap.
They’d always been there for one another, even when Damien’s father had spoken with Callen in private, asking if he’d consider becoming alpha, the position that rightfully belonged to Zach or Damien. Callen was the better fighter, and that’s all that Damien’s father cared about. Callen had turned his alpha down, citing his belief that Damien was the strategist, the shifter with enough heart to lead and protect the pack. His alpha had enough wisdom to listen and weigh Callen’s words. A few months later, their alpha announced Damien would be his successor, even over Zach, the elder brother. And that Callen would be the pack’s new enforcer. Callen had felt such pride that day, as it was a position of honor.
No, Damien wouldn’t flee his territory without leaving Callen a way of finding them, not without good reason. Callen didn’t have the facts yet, but he would soon.
With a single finger, he drew circles on Kate’s back above the terrycloth towel she had wrapped around her. She turned, a smile on her face. She wasn’t a quitter. Just the opposite.
He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I’m lucky to have you.”
“You really go in for that mushy stuff,” she said, but her face lit up. She went for the mushy stuff herself. She just wouldn’t admit it.
“Come on. We’ll find you some clothes then we’ll bunk down at Damien’s and get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow, we restock with supplies and head out.”
“Where?”
He exhaled a long breath. “I wish I knew.”
