His tortured mate

Chapter 8

Craig

I felt her pain through our bond, felt her wolf trying to break through. I was only gone for ten minutes when I felt her pain and I hurried back as fast as I could. It was only when she started crying, telling me over and over that it will never be alright again, that I regret having pushed her so hard. I know it needed to be done, knew that if I hadn't pushed her, that she probably wouldn't have been able to let her wolf in, but seeing her break down, having her sobbing in my arms as every memory flashes through not just her mind but mine, I hate myself for pushing so hard. Not even the comfort of her wolf's conscience brushing against our bond can bring me any comfort. While her wolf is excited to finally be free, Caylle feels trapped by everything that she has done. They have swapped places, Caylee now trapped behind the bars of a past she was forced into.

I know that it doesn't matter how many times I tell her that it doesn't matter, that she didn't know, it won't change that it did happen and she will now feel the weight of every life that was taken not just by her hands, but by Damon's and their vile pack. She is also at war with the person she was before being drugged and tortured and the person after.

It feels like I hold her for hours as she cries, not sure what to do, because I can't fix this. There is nothing I can do to take away this pain and confusion. Caylee will have to work through this on her own, doesn't mean that I won't be there every step of the way. At some point her sobs stop and her breathing gets even. I know she fell asleep, but I am not yet ready to let her go. I gently pick her up and then carry her towards the bedroom. I place her down on the bed and get in behind her, wrapping my arms tightly around her.

I just start to drift off to sleep behind her when my phone rings and I try to ignore it, but I know it might be Katy, following up on her sister and she needs to know that we are making progress, even if it doesn't feel like it.

I slowly get off the bed, careful not to wake Caylee. I head down the stairs and quickly pick up my phone, taking a deep breath before I answer. "Luna." I greet her, knowing she hates it when I call her on her title.

"How is she doing?" She doesn't beat around the bush, and I appreciate it as much as I hate it.

"Her wolf surfaced. She remembers." Saying more than that, I can not. The deep intake of breath on the other side of the line tells me that Katy didn't expect to hear that.

"No matter what she does, Craig. Don't let her go. Don't let her dwell in that dark place and don't let her carry all that guilt on her own. I know I am asking a lot and that this isn't what you signed up for, but you are the only one that can do this for her. I know if she sees me or Cole, it will only drive up her guilt now. Just promise me you will be there for her." As if I would be anywhere else.

"I will be there for her, Katy. And I might not have signed up for this, but I will be here regardless. I know how it feels to be stuck in that dark place, I will get her out." I know I shouldn't make any promises, but I will be damned if I leave Cayle in that place of horrors that is now her mind. I won't let her trap herself there out of guilt.

After talking to Katy, I head back up stairs, finding Caylee tossing and turning on the bed. I quickly get in the bed and wrap my arms around her, my heart breaking as she lets out a small whimper, but she calms down, pressing herself against me. For the rest of the night we stay that way, but I can't fall asleep, constantly worried about what tomorrow will bring.

The sun starts streaming in through the windows and I wish I had the ability to close the damn curtains with my mind, but unfortunately, that is not an ability that I possess. I slowly get out of bed, unwrapping my arms from Caylee. Just as I move away from her, her hand shoots out and grabs hold of my arm. "Please don't leave me." Her voice is soft and I am honestly not sure that she is even awake. Her eyes are still closed and her breathing is still even.

"I am just going to close the curtains. I promise to be back." I tell her and her body relaxes, her grip on my arms softening. I hurry to the curtains, wanting to get back in that bed with her as fast as possible. I try not to make the bed move too much as I get back in, lifting the blankets to pull it over us. Just as I lay my head down and get ready to wrap my arms around her, Caylee sits up so fast, a scream so loud that my first reaction is to close my ears, leaving her mouth. "Caylee!" I try to wrap my arms around her, but it is like something snapped in her and she turns on me, claws out. The first slice of her sharp nails burns, but then comes the second and the third before I can even register that she is scared. The fear coming off her caused me more pain than her claws ever could.

"Stay away from me! Don't f*****g touch me, you f*****g monster!" She screams at me. I try to grab hold of her arms, but she suddenly kicks out, her feet hitting me square in the chest, knocking the wind right out of me.

"You won't touch me again. I won't let you touch me again!"

"Caylee I will never hurt you!" What the hell is going on?

"Like you wouldn't hurt them? You promised me you wouldn't hurt them and you f*****g killed them! YOU f*****g KILLED THEM!" She is lost in her memories. She is still sleeping, living through the time she spent with Damon just after she was turned. She thinks I am that vile man?

"Caylee, stop. I am not Damon. Just stop and take a breath. Take in my scent. Let your wolf decide if I am a threat." I try to lead her through this. I hate that she is stuck there. Caylee doesn't register what I say or she is just too lost in the memory she is living through because she screams again when I try to move closer to her.

Her eyes are open, but they are wild. She doesn't seem to be looking at me, but rather right through me. I know there is only one way that I will be able to calm her down, to get her back to the here and now. I pull on our bond, my wolf pushing against her conscience. "Please baby, let us in." I begged her.