Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Cedara

My bare feet have left imprints on the dusty concrete floor of my cell. The chill seeps into my bones, but it's a welcome distraction from the agony inside me. How could I have done such monstrous things? The flashes of memory haunt me, horrifying glimpses of a savage beast I can't control.

The clang of the heavy door makes me jump, and I whirl around to see Barrett bursting in. His eyes are blazing.

"What the hell is going on, Cedara?" he demands, stalking toward the bars separating us. "You need to talk to me."

"Why…why did you come here?" I mumble.

"Why do you think? To talk some sense into you!" He's so furious.

I shrink back, wrapping my arms around myself. "I can't…I can't do this to you, Barrett." My voice cracks with the strain of holding back my emotions.

His brow furrows, his gaze boring into me. "Do what? Be my mate? That's not your choice to make for me. I get to choose who I will be with. And I choose you!"

I shake my head. "Don't you see?" I plead, desperation tightening my throat till my voice comes out strangled. "I'm a monster. I can't control…this thing inside me. I could hurt you…or worse."

Barrett tosses his head fiercely. "You're not a monster. You're my mate, my other half. We're destined to be together."

"How can you say that?" I whisper, tears spilling down my cheeks. "After what I've done…"

In an instant, he's pressed against the bars, his face mere inches from mine. "I worship you, Cedara. Every single part of you. The beast, the woman, the incredible force of your spirit. Nothing will ever change that."

His words cut straight through to my soul.

He can't mean that.

How could he truly accept all of me? Even the darkest corners I can't face myself?

"But you don't know—"

"Actually, I do know!" He's still forceful. "I just spent the last couple of hours digging around out there. You didn't do anything to be ashamed of."

"I hurt someone, dammit!" I half-shout the words. "I saw myself tearing into flesh, Barrett…and I liked it!"

"That's because the person you hurt deserved it."

"Nobody deserves what I did."

"Maybe when it's Leadmills trash, they do."

"Leadmills trash? What are you talking about?" I'm bewildered.

He reaches through the bars and takes my hand. "You're right, beautiful; you did attack someone out there. But it wasn't an innocent human or one of us. You got hold of a Leadmills fucker…and from the amount of blood we saw out there, you did a pretty good job of it."

"I don't understand." I start to slump but hold myself firm. Exhaustion is starting to weigh me down.

"I can't be sure of the actual details, but my guess would be that you went out there for some reason and stumbled across a Leadmills killing. You tried to stop them. I can't imagine another reason why you'd get involved. You were trying to save someone, Cedara. You were fighting the killer off."

I stare at him. "I was?"

His shoulder hike, then drop. "Only thing I can imagine it would be. I just wish I knew why you went out there in the first place. Put yourself in danger like that after we…" His eyes lock with mine, speaking volumes.

"Mother Moon," I exhale the words.

"What?"

"I went to find the moon… to tell her about us. How happy I was." I remember the joy of the moment.

Barrett smiles at me. "You deserve to be happy, beautiful."

"And then I saw it." I gasp as the shock of that image hits me. The memories come flooding back in agonizing flashes. I can see myself emerging from the shadows, drawn by the scent of blood and violence. And seeing a hulking beast, muzzle stained crimson, looming over a crumpled form on the ground.

He had to pay!

I'd rushed forward without a second thought. Reason fled in that moment. All I could see was the broken, lifeless form he'd left behind. A surge of uncontrollable rage seized me. I wanted to make them suffer as their victim had. To inflict the same agony tenfold.

I squeeze my eyes shut, fighting back images of snapping jaws and ripping claws…the feeling of fury. The beast in me had taken over then, meting out a retribution that my human side would never be able to stomach.

So much rage…

We'd seen too much violence during our time in the cages…my wolf and I… She stepped in to help me survive it all. And then she'd stepped in again last night.

"She's been protecting me," I whisper. "My wolf."

"And others, too." He leans in, gripping the bars tightly. "Don't you see, Cedara? Your instincts were right on. You defended the innocent against a monster. That monster wasn't you. You did the just thing, the right thing."

I search his eyes, desperate to believe his words. To find solace in his unwavering acceptance.

"You're so brave," he murmurs. "Taking on a killer like that, alone in the darkness. Facing them head-on to protect someone else. Not everyone would have that courage, that sheer force of will…"

"It was her," I whisper. "The wolf. She did it. She's the strong one, not me."

Barrett is shaking his head. "She is you, Cedara. The part of you that steps in when you need it. Maybe you think that side of you has taken over, but it's the side that's shielding you from things you shouldn't have to see."

"I'm not losing myself?"

"No, you're not losing yourself. You just found a different side of yourself. A side that you're not going to have to rely on so much anymore." He reaches through the bars and cups my cheek. "Because now you have me, my love."

My love…

It sounds so sweet on his lips.

I sigh and press my face to his hand. For a moment, it feels good to believe that this nightmare might just come to an end.

"Now, come closer," he says, his hand sliding to clasp the back of my head and draw me in. I don't resist.

The kiss takes my breath from me, a passionate promise that leaves my lips tingling. Barrett's mouth moves insistently against mine, his tongue teasing in a way that ignites sparks of desire low in my belly. I grip the cold metal bars, pulling myself flush against them as I surrender to the searing heat of his kiss.

For that endless moment, the world beyond the cell walls fades away. There is only the slick slide of his lips, the earthy scent of his skin surrounding me, the need that burns through me. This is where I belong – right here with this incredible, unstoppable man.

When he finally breaks away, I'm left breathless and dazed, clinging to the lingering sensations. He rests his forehead against the bars, his gaze burning into me with an intensity that makes me shiver.

"I love you, Cedara," he says earnestly. "Nothing will ever change that."

A tremulous smile curves my lips as I reach out to caress his face. "I love you too, Barrett. So much."

He covers my hand with his, pressing a fervent kiss to my palm. "That's all that matters, beautiful. I'll make everything else work out, I promise."

With one last searing look that leaves me weak in the knees, he turns and strides from the cell. The door clangs shut behind him with a dull finality that should chill me. Instead, it's a seed of defiant hope taking root. He hasn't given up on me…on us.

And neither will I.

???

Barrett

"Where the hell are you off to now?" Casey calls after me. I'm half-jogging away from the holding cells.

"Back to Jagger," I yell back, then glance toward where Edirn is standing near her. "You coming with? I'm gonna need your help on this one."

"Figured as much." He's already catching up.

"Keep those keys ready," I shout to Casey. "I'll have her out before the end of the day."

"Yeah. Right. And Jagger will have kittens." She leans against the wall, arms folded over her chest. I don't bother responding; I'm too busy formulating my next plan.

I stride through the Steel Lakes headquarters, Edirn hot on my heels. My mind is racing with the evidence I've uncovered. I have to convince Jagger to release Cedara.

"What do you think about this police involvement?" Edirn says, keeping up with me.

"I'm worried." I grit my teeth.

"Jagger wouldn't be thinking of handing her over to them, would he?"

I snap a look at him. "I can't imagine that he would do that."

Would he?

A wolf betray another wolf like that? It's impossible. I won't believe it.

But for the sake of the pack?

Never.

However hard-headed our Alpha may be, he's fair. And turning her over would serve no purpose. She'd only end up exposing us, anyway.

Not that I'd ever let it get that far.

As we approach Jagger's office, I spot Sybil and Sierra waiting outside the door.

"Barrett!" Sybil looks anguished. "I can't believe what's happened. Did he really take her?"

I give a tight nod. "It's all a misunderstanding. I'm here to clear it up."

"Perfect timing," Sierra says. "That's exactly why we're here too. I'm going to make him change his mind, even if I have to shake sense into him."

"You won't have to. I've got proof she didn't do it." I go on to give them a rundown of what we've uncovered so far.

"This is great!" Sybil is jubilant. "He'll have to relent once he learns this."

"And I'm going to make sure he learns it right now!" With a look of determination, Sierra heads toward the door. When Callum and Tarkin try to block our way, she stops and glares.

"Callum Carter! Tarkin Redburn! You step aside…right now!"

"I'm sorry, Sierra. He said nobody can go in. That includes you." Callum looks sheepish.

Sierra rises to her full height. "Are you kidding me? This is the mate of the pack Alpha you're defying."

"I… Uh…" Callum looks over at Tarkin, who stares down at the floor.

"Step aside, Callum." Sierra's chin is raised high.

Callum exhales deeply. "Fuck. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't."

"You're going to know the true meaning of being damned if you don't fucking open that door!"

The pair exchange a hesitant glance, then reluctantly open the door, allowing us to enter Jagger's office.

Jagger looks up, his features darkening. "Chord, I fucking told you—" He stops short as Sierra pulls up beside me. "Shit," he mutters.

"I'm guessing you know why we're here, Jagger." She folds her arms. Jagger's eyes drop to her cleavage briefly before snapping back up.

"Cedara." He huffs out a breath. "This isn't something you can get involved in, my love." His voice is gentle.

"I think it is. She's my cousin. And what you're doing is wrong."

"It's not wrong. Sometimes, I have to make hard calls for the sake of the pack."

"Well, this time, you're doing the wrong thing. You have to let her go." Sierra stands firm. "Barrett has something to tell you. I want you to listen to what he has to say."

"Fine." He exhales the word. "Spit it out." He looks at me.

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before addressing Jagger. This is my chance to convince him, to get Cedara freed.

"Listen, Jagger. I know this whole situation has been a mess, but it's not what it looks like."

"You mean the fact that she was covered in blood after there was an animal attack outside," he says drily.

I glance at Sierra. She's nodding encouragingly. "It wasn't human," I say bluntly. I pause, letting that sink in. Jagger's brow furrows, but he doesn't interrupt.

"When I took a closer look, something didn't seem right. I showed it to Dr. Bea, and she confirmed it – that blood on the sheets isn't human. It's from a wolf."

Jagger leans back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk. "You're sure about this?"

"Positive. Dr. Bea can back it up. She's running tests."

Edirn steps forward. "There's more. Barrett and I went to investigate the crime scene from last night. We found signs of a struggle, along with more blood. I recognized the scent – it was a wolf from Leadmills."

Jagger's eyes narrow, but I can see the cogs turning in his head. I press on.

"Our theory is that Cedara went out last night; while she was out, she must have stumbled across a Leadmills wolf attacking someone. She intervened to protect the human, fought off the wolf, and injured him. That's where the blood trail leads – back toward Leadmills territory."

I take another breath, steadying myself. "And that's not all. I spoke to Cedara after Dr. Bea gave her another dose of the antidote. She's starting to remember what happened. Her recollection matches up with our theory."

Sierra steps up beside me. "You know how devoted Barrett is to Cedara. To his mate. Just like you'd do anything for me." She reaches out, placing her hand on Jagger's arm. "But he's not letting that cloud his judgment here. The facts back up what he's saying."

Jagger is silent for a long moment, weighing everything. Finally, he lets out a slow exhale. "Say I believe you…" He levels his gaze at me. "Why the hell was Cedara out wandering around in the first place?"

"She told me she needed to find a place surrounded by moonlight. To…speak to Mother Moon." I can't help the faint smile that touches my lips, thinking of Cedara's wolf tendencies.

Sybil speaks up then, her voice thick with emotion. "That's just like her. Ever since she was a little girl, Cedara would wander out at night sometimes. To talk to the moon. It's…it's just something she's always done."

Jagger shakes his head, but I can see his resolve weakening. "I still don't understand why she felt the need—"

"She was celebrating," I interject, realization dawning. "We'd sealed our mate bond. She wanted to honor it, to sing to Mother Moon in celebration." I meet Jagger's gaze steadily. "It's what any wolf would do. And hers is strong right now – after what happened at the sanctuary, her wolf has been close to the surface."

A heavy silence falls over the room.

Jagger studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. He heaves out a breath. "Alright, Chord. You've made your case." He rises from his chair. "I'll have her released from the cells."

Relief almost overwhelms me, and I catch Sierra's brilliant smile out of the corner of my eye. But Jagger's next words stop me short.

"Unfortunately, it will have to wait, though." He holds up a hand to halt our protests. "The police commissioner is here, being given the full tour by Raura."

"The full tour?" Sybil looks confused.

"It's what we do when humans show an interest in Steel Lakes," Jagger explains. "On the surface, this place is supposed to be an artist commune. A place for creative folk to find inspiration."

I fight down a snort because it couldn't be further from the truth.

"I don't see why that should make a difference, Jagger." Sierra is frowning.

"Because if Cedara were to shift while he's on the premises…" He shakes his head. "It would blow our cover in an instant. We can't risk it."

"She's not going to change. She'll be able to control it, I'm sure of it. After the doctor gave her another dose of the antidote, she shifted almost immediately. I think it must be working," I interrupt.

"That's good news." Jagger looks sincere. "But can you guarantee it?"

"I… Well…" My heart sinks, but I know he's right. I can't. As much as it pains me, Cedara will have to remain locked up for now. At least until the commissioner leaves.

"It shouldn't be more than an hour or two," Jagger continues. "Raura knows how to spin a story. Once the commissioner is gone, Cedara can be released safely."

It's not ideal, but it's the best I can hope for right now. I nod reluctantly.

"Why is the police commissioner even here?" I can't help but ask. "What's his interest in all this?"

Jagger sighs again, sinking back into his chair. "Early this morning, the local police showed up, asking questions about the attacks. Nosy bastards. Not long after, the commissioner arrived – apparently, he's taking a personal interest."

He shakes his head in disgust. "I had to go into the full song and dance. Spent over an hour laying it on thick for that smug prick."

My jaw tightens at the thought of having to hide our true nature, to grovel and deceive. But I know the risks of exposure, especially now, while there's a wolf hunt in progress.

"Raura's good at that sort of thing," Jagger continues. "She's been giving him the grand tour, really selling it. As long as the commissioner buys our little act and leaves satisfied, we'll be in the clear."

He hits me with a stare. "Which is why Cedara can't be released until he's gone. I won't risk jeopardizing the entire pack over one wolf, mate or no mate."

The words sting, but I know there's truth in them. As much as it kills me, I'll have to be patient…to trust that Jagger will keep his word once the threat has passed.

For Cedara's sake…for all of our sake, we'll have to hold on a little while longer.