Page 136 of Callen's Captive
“Which is what I’m doing. I’m making a change as well, to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I’m taking the files and I’m going to send them to every news outlet I can, hoping I find one that the WSSO hasn’t corrupted.”
“What’s on those files that makes them more important than me?”
“Nothing is more important than you. This is why I’m leaving, Callen. The files contain proof of the WSSO’s ties in different levels of government. When I expose those officials, the WSSO will lose a lot of power. This is what I’ve been working on for a very long time. I need to do this.”
“You’re pushing me away again.”
“This isn’t the same. I’m not pushing you away. I’m goingtowardsomething.” She cupped his cheek. This is bigger than you and me. This can help all shifters, everywhere. There isn’t a choice here. I have to do this.”
“Then I’m coming with you. You need someone to watch your back.”
“I have my gun, and a wolf inside. I’d say that’s the ultimate backup weapon that no one will be expecting.”
“You haven’t even trained. You don’t know how to call your wolf at will, Kate. There’s so much I can teach you.”
“I need to do this alone.”
“But you’re not alone, not anymore.”
“You’re right. I’ll carry you in my heart. And the bond will remain. But if I think you’re in danger, or they capture you again, I’ll cave. I’ll give them what they want. I can’t take that risk.”
“Then we’ll take Frank and Blade and anyone else. There’s strength in numbers.”
“You believe that because you grew up with a pack. I basically grew up alone.”
He felt like his heart was tearing in two. He was losing her, and he didn’t know how to make her understand that they needed one another.
“So, what does that mean? You’re giving up? You’re going to release the files to the media and let the WSSO catch you?”
“I’ll do whatever I can to stay out of their hands, but at least this way I know even if I get caught no one else will suffer, especially you.”
“Please don’t do this,” he begged, his forehead against hers. Even as her scent washed over him, and her touch awoke every nerve in his body, he could feel the bond closing between them. She was shutting him out, pushing him away for good.
Frank appeared behind her. He said nothing as he stood there, waiting—for her. He was her escort. Frank, Damien. . . Callen’s pack all knew what was happening. They had approved her plan, supported it, because she didn’t mean anything to them. They didn’t see her as part of the pack, as Callen had fooled himself into believing. His packmates were happy to see her leave, to take the trouble of the WSSO with her and never return.
Kate hugged him and kissed his cheek, then her mouth moved to his ear. “You saved me, more than once, Callen,” she whispered. “And I don’t mean my body, but my soul, too. Let me do this, please.”
“I love you,” he said again, not sure what else he could do.
“Then prove it. Respect me and my wishes. Let me leave and don’t come after me.”
* * *
Callen had watched Kate—thelove of his life, his mate, his blood-bonded soulmate—walk out of camp, with Frank at her side. He had fuckinglether walk away. They were a blood-bonded pair. They should be with one another, even if it meant leaving the pack.
“You had to let her go,” Damien said, even as Callen stared at the spot where she disappeared through the trees.
“I’m going after her.”
“She asked me to keep you here.”
“I don’t give a fuck what she asked. I’m going after her.”
“Would it help you to know I’ve assigned someone to watch over her?”
“It won’t change my mind.”
“Then how about the fact that we have nearly two hundred shifters here who are depending on her to get the job done.”
