Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Barrett

This can't be happening.

I'm staring at the door as if I can turn back time through sheer force of will.

She's gone.

She's fucking gone!

"No…no..No!" I roar the word with such force that a flock of birds in the tree outside takes to the sky in a rush of wings.

I slam my fist against the wall, feeling the bones in my hand crack from the impact. The pain is nothing compared to the pain ripping through me.

How could they take her?

After everything we've been through?

It feels so unfair.

I prowl around the room like a caged animal, my hands clenched into fists, tendons straining beneath the skin. Anger and fear war within me, making me feel like I'm going to explode out of my own skin.

Cedara…my mate. The one I've waited my whole life for. And they've snatched her away on some bullshit charge that she's a killer?

This is fucked up!

I can feel my wolf straining to break free, to tear and rend anything in my path until I find her again. I have to get control. If I lose it now, I'll be no good to her.

Breathe…just breathe…

I suck in a ragged breath, trying to center myself. My gaze falls on the rumpled sheets on the floor, and something niggles at the back of my mind. I bend and scoop them up, burying my face in the soft cotton and inhaling deeply. It's not just her scent there.

The blood.

That's not…human blood. It's sharper, more musky. Like a…

I freeze, the scent registering.

Wolf.

Whatever Cedara attacked, it wasn't human. Which means the killer is still out there.

They have the wrong person!

Hope surges. If I can prove Cedara's innocence, maybe I can get her released.

I have to get to Jagger! Right now.

Ripping a bloody strip from the sheet, I snatch up my T-shirt, pulling it over my head as I take off running. There's no point in locking the apartment behind me because the front door is hanging off its hinges, its bright blue paint chipped and peeling.

I sprint from the apartment block and make my way through the town center back to the barracks in record time. I'm out of breath, panting as I see the door to Jagger's office ahead, desperation driving me forward.

Tarkin and Callum are there, blocking the entrance like stone sentries.

"Out of my way!" I'm ready to shove past them if I have to.

Tarkin shakes his head. "Easy, Barrett. You can't go in there."

"The hell I can't!" I snarl, fists clenching. "I need to speak to Jagger. Now!"

Callum's mouth turns down. "Not happening. He's in an important meeting."

My heart sinks like a rock in a lake. "With who?"

There's an uncomfortable pause before Tarkin answers reluctantly. "The police commissioner."

Ice water floods my veins. The police? Here? If they've brought Cedara's case to the human authorities…

"He called in the cops?" There's an edge to my voice.

"Not Jagger. They came in themselves – an investigation. This latest incident is too close, Barrett. Right on our doorstep." Callum runs a hand around the back of his neck. "I wish it wasn't going down like this…"

"You have to let me in!" I insist, panic clawing at my throat. "This is about Cedara. I know she's innocent!"

Callum eyes me sympathetically. "Even if we could interrupt, you know Jagger. He'll rip our heads off for disturbing this meet."

I curse viciously. He's right – Jagger has been edgy ever since the killings started. He won't risk jeopardizing this meeting for anything. If the police are already suspicious… Fuck. No wonder he's flipping out.

I can't just stand here!

Every second wasted puts Cedara at greater risk. If the humans take over this case, things could go south fast. I have to get to her before it's too late.

Whirling on my heel, I take off down the corridor at a dead run, ignoring Tarkin and Callum's shouts behind me. My mind is a blur of frantic thoughts as I race through the steel mill toward the holding cells.

I won't let her down. Not after I just found her.

The scene that greets me when I reach them is not much different from the one I just left. Casey and Edirn are stationed at the entrance to the building, their expressions stony. If I'm honest with myself, I'm not surprised.

"You can't go in there, Chord." Casey folds her arms in front of her. "I'm pretty sure you know why."

I slam my fist against the steel door, rage burning through me like acid.

"You can't keep me from her!" I glare at them as they block my path.

Casey's jaw tightens, her ice-blue eyes glinting with a challenge. "Orders are orders, Barrett. Nobody gets in until the investigation is complete. Especially not you."

"That's bullshit!" I snarl. "Cedara is my mate. She needs me!"

Edirn eyes me sympathetically, but it doesn't stop him from saying his next words. "We understand your frustration, but Jagger has implemented a full lockdown. No one gets near her until this mess is sorted."

Fury and desperation war within me. She's caged in there, probably terrified and alone, while I'm out here, powerless to help her.

I thrust my hands through my hair, trying to restrain myself. It's not their fault, after all – this situation is unprecedented. "At least tell me what's going on with her. Is she…okay?"

Casey unfolds her arms, softening slightly. "She's…not doing so great."

My heart plummets. "What do you mean?"

Edirn meets my gaze gravely. "She's shifted again. Into her wolf."

Oh, God…not again.

The thought of my beautiful mate trapped in that cage, a wild beast instead of the woman I love…

I squeeze my eyes shut against the pain in my chest.

"Her mind is in turmoil," Edirn says quietly. "The trauma, the stress of being accused…it's tearing her apart inside."

I lean back against the wall, feeling like all the strength has drained from my body. My mate, my strong, brave Cedara, suffering like this because of a horrible mistake…

Edirn's voice cuts through my despair. "Barrett. I know you're hurting, but you need to hear this."

I open my eyes, focusing on him with effort.

"I'm certain Cedara hasn't killed anyone since coming here," he says firmly. "Her thoughts, her mind…there's no hint of violence or malice."

A spark of hope flares in me. I don't need to ask him how he knows this; Casey already explained his abilities, and as implausible as it seemed at first, it works for me now. "You're sure? What about when she's shifted?"

He shakes his head. "Even then, her core personality remains intact. She's still the same Cedara you know."

Relief floods me, leaving me lightheaded.

She's still in there, still fighting…

My fists clench at my sides as a fresh wave of protectiveness surges through me. She's battling demons I can't even imagine, all alone in that cell.

She's not alone. I'm here.

I straighten, resolve hardening. "I'm going to fix this." If Jagger won't let me in, I'll find another way.

Casey looks sympathetic. "If it were up to me…"

Edirn is eyeing me strangely, though. "You've found something."

"Yes." I dip my head. "When we woke up this morning, there was blood on the sheets. The others thought it belonged to the victim. But they're wrong. It's not human."

"It's not?" Casey's eyes widen. "Then what?"

"Wolf. I'm sure of it." I have the fabric bunched in my fist. The pair exchange glances, nostrils flaring as they take in the scent. "If Jagger would only speak to me, I'd be able to prove it to him."

"It's hard to say for certain what it is." Casey doesn't look convinced. Edirn is frowning, his eyes narrowed in thought. "Which means that Jagger won't believe you. He's convinced you've lost your mind over this woman."

"Maybe he's right. Doesn't mean she's guilty, though," I retort.

"Why don't you get the doc to confirm it?" Edirn asks. "She'll be objective."

I stare at him. "That's a good idea." I turn to leave, mulling this over.

"Barrett," Edirn calls after me. "I know what it might look like, but I've got your back on this. I don't think she could do it."

I stride away with purpose. No more headlong rush this time. I need to keep my wits about me.

When I reach the clinic, Dr. Bea is packing small brown bottles into shelves. She turns as I walk in.

"You heard," I say. There's no mistaking the look she's giving me.

"Barrett, I'm so sorry. I warned you that—"

"She didn't do it." I close the distance between us.

"Honey, I know you want to believe that, but you have to be realistic." She puts her hand on my arm. "If she's too far gone…"

"She's not gone. She's there. And she didn't do it." I hold up the scrap of linen. "I have proof."

"What is this?" The doctor steps closer.

"Blood. It was on her this morning. Everyone assumes it's from the human who was killed. It's not. This is wolf blood."

Dr. Bea cocks her head in thought and reaches for the cloth. She doesn't say anything.

"Can you test it somehow? Run DNA or something?" I'm grasping at straws, but it's all that I have.

She purses her lips. "DNA tests will take a bit of time. But I can confirm whether or not it's human. It won't take long. That should give you a starting point."

"I'll take it." I'm eager.

"First prize would be to pinpoint the source." She remains thoughtful. "I'd like to run it against the database I have here. I've logged in blood samples for everyone in Steel Lakes. If it's someone from here…"

"It can't be." I don't want it to be. Because I don't know what would be worse – knowing that Cedara attacked some random human…or one of our own.

"It's not anyone from Steel Lakes," a voice interrupts us. Edirn is standing in the doorway. "It's Leadmills."

"Leadmills?" I'm confused.

"That's a Leadmills wolf. I recognize it." Edirn's jaw sets. "I thought I picked it up when you showed it to us earlier. Just didn't realize it at the time."

"How can you be sure?" asks the doctor.

"It's one of the fuckers who beat the shit out of me before I came here. It's not the kind of thing you forget in a hurry."

"They worked you over pretty well," the doctor says. She'd know better than anyone. She'd been afraid Edirn wouldn't pull through after he'd been brought here, bloodied and broken. They say no good deed goes unpunished, and the man certainly got more than his share of punishment for helping our team get Savannah out of that hellhole.

"So, what does that mean?" I rub the back of my neck where a knot is forming.

"It means she had to have been outside Steel Lakes, Barrett," the other male says. "Which isn't great. But if she was out there fighting off someone from Leadmills, there's a good chance she wasn't killing humans."

"Fuck." I don't like either option at all.

"What do you intend to do about this, Barrett?"

I stare at the doctor. "I need to find out more. Now. She can't stay in there much longer. I won't allow it. It'll push her over the edge." I'm so afraid that she's already too close.

"How can I help?" the doctor asks.

"Can you go to her? I may be barred, but as our doctor, you'll have access."

"To do what?"

I consider this for a moment. "Could you give her another shot of the antidote?"

Dr. Bea chews her lip. "I don't know, Barrett. We don't know how safe that stuff is. It might make things worse."

"Or it might help. Besides, they pumped her full of the other stuff for months, and she survived." It reminds me of how strong my mate is.

"You're right." She nods. "I doubt it will hurt her. I'm just not sure if it'll help. That's if she'll even let me close enough to administer the shot."

"Try. Please?" The words come out rough. I'm not used to pleading. "If nothing else, you could reassure her that she's not alone."

"Sure," she says. "I'll do whatever I can."

I look over at where Edirn has been following this exchange. "I'm going out there. I need to figure this out."

"I'll go with." He starts heading for the door.

"Why?" I can't understand why he would help – especially when I'd basically abandoned him that day when he was trapped and caged at Whispering Pines.

"Because she deserves a fair chance," he says, then pauses. "And because I'd like to see what damage she did to the fucker." His smile is dark.

"What about your post?"

"Casey will cover for me. And Jagger will cut her some slack. They have history. Now, are you coming or what?"

With a wave to the doctor, I follow him out the door. I'm going to get to the bottom of this. I'm going to get her out of that place.