Caught in the crossfire

21

Strong arms lifted her limp body and deposited her unceremoniously into the back seat of the SUV. There was an unfamiliar roughness in the way he handled her. Kay didn't understand. She had always thought that they were friends, fairly close ones at that. The sting of betrayal made it almost impossible for her to keep up a convincing act as she felt him tie her hands behind her back. Had she not already known of his involvement with Colt from her Uncle's file this might be a completely different story right now.

She heard the slam of her door then the crunching of earth beneath feet before the drivers door opened and the engine came to life.

As quickly and quietly as she could she began working free of her restraint, taking advantage of his distraction of talking on the phone. The call was short and to the point. She had nearly succeeded when Garreth ended the call and glanced at her through the rear view mirror.

"Awake already? I can hear you moving around back there Kay. Don't even think about freeing yourself. If I have to stop this car to retie you I will not be happy." He warned.

Sighing she maneuvered herself up to sitting. "Care to tell me what's really going on Gare?" She asked but was met with a stiff silence as he fixed his eyes back on the road. "I had hoped you would be honest with me." She continued quietly "You're working with Bardolf. Why?"

"You knew??" His eyes snapped back up to the mirror in surprise.

"I did." She stated.

"Then why on earth did you send away your men and come with me?" He asked in shocked confusion.

"Because I wanted answers Gare. And more importantly, I want my mate. You're taking me to him."

"I'm afraid you've got it wrong there Kay. What on earth made you think that?" He scoffed.

"He went after Colt. Something went wrong though I know. Now, you're taking me to Colt, and if I'm right, Colt has Alaric, so in a round about way you're taking me to him." She continued "I've answered you, now answer me... why are you doing this??"

For a moment all that could be heard was the sound of the road as both passengers remained silent. Finally, Garreth began to speak. Softly at first, "I had a mate Kay. She was beautiful. Perfect. I saw her from across the street. We locked eyes and she smiled the most breathtaking smile. Then she was gone. Killed before my eyes. I couldn't reach her in time. I couldn't save her... I didn't even know her name."

"Oh, Gare, I am so sorry." Kay began.

"You're sorry?!" He spat back, "I'll bet you are! It was your kind that killed her."

"Humans?" Asked Kay

"Hunters."

"Hunters? Gare, I'm not-" she started but again was cut off.

"Don't try to deny it Kay. We both know who you really are." Kay's eyes widened and he continued, voice thick with disdain "I don't guess it would hurt to tell you this since it makes no difference now... there was a time when I thought that we could be mates. We could never be like true mates of course but I could never have that anyway since mine had been taken from me. And the chances of me finding another shifter who was also mateless was slim to none and I couldn't possibly steal someone else's. But you, you were human so you almost certainly wouldn't have one. You were also already part of the pack. And like a fool, I actually liked you... It seemed like the perfect solution. But then I found out who you really are. Kay Marie Rudra. Hunter's spawn. Your parents were among the most prolific hunters ever known. But at least they had the guts to show themselves for what they really were."

"And just what are you implying Garreth?" Kay said cooly, schooling her expression.

"Oh I think you know exactly what I'm implying Kay." he answered, narrowing his eyes, "How long have you been spying for them? How many pack secrets have you sold out? We took you in, raised you, treated you as one of our own and for what? You to come back and bite us like a snake?!"

"I've done no such thing and you know it!" Burst Kay.

"I know for a fact you've been in contact with them Kay! You've even been spotted with one in his car near Silver Fang borders! Don't. Try. To. Deny it!!" He growled.

Artemis, she realized. "I recently met my biological uncle. I will not deny that. When we met though I had no idea he was a hunter. And I have certainly never betrayed the pack!" She maintained firmly "After all these years Gare, you aught to have known that."

"Liar!" He barked, red faced.

"Working with Bardolf... if anything, you're the one who's betraying the pack! So what? Did Colt promise to help you get revenge on hunters if you'd join him? Is that what this is about?"

"No. That's what agreeing to come after you is about. I was already with Colt. My father has been aiding him for years. It sure made things a lot easier when Lowe stepped down from the Betaship and Pa was able to take that position. And for the record, I would never betray my pack! Colt isn't that bad guy he's made out to be. He's trying to help our, no my, kind. With all the propaganda spread about him, people just don't see it."

"What hunk of baloney have you been listening to?! He's not trying to help our people! The only one he cares about is himself!" Kay exclaimed irately.

"You're wrong. You don't know him like I do Kay." Garreth argued.

"I know what he's done! He's killed not only humans and hunters but shifters too. Innocent shifters, women and children, anyone in his way. Tell me how that's helping your kind or anyone? He likes killing Gare. It's what he lives for and no matter what he might say, his actions are proof of that!"

Clinching his jaw, "You're wrong," he retorted.

"I'm not. And some part of you knows it." She challenged.

"Shut up Kay!" He barked.

"You'll be sorry Gare." Fumed Kay "You're a good man at heart and one day you'll be forced to admit just how wrong you are and you will be sorry. I just hope for your sake that that day comes before it's too late."

"Kay!" He warned.

"You'll see." She muttered.

"Lie down on your stomach so I can see your hands." He ordered. "And don't get up unless I say so."

She would have crossed her arms over her chest had they not still been tied behind her back but, huffing, she grudgingly complied. For the rest of the ride the two continued in a tense, suffocating silence.

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Hey! Hope you all are still enjoying my story :) So, thoughts on Gare?? Is Kay right? Is he really a good person, has he just been mislead, or is he finally showing his true colors?