Redeemed Read Online Free PDF Page B

know you must be going through some really tough times, but I think I might know something that could help.”
    Ashley furrowed her brow. How could Kenzie know anything new?
    Kenzie visibly swallowed and leaned forward. Katherine and Samantha sat at the seats flanking her. They didn’t seem shocked when Ashley glanced at the other women. They all knew what Kenzie was about to say.
    “Did that man drag you to a dark room and rape you before he took you from The Gathering?” Her words were barely more than a whisper. It pained her to ask the question. She cringed as she waited for Ashley to respond.
    Ashley opened her mouth, stunned by the question. How could anyone know that? She’d never told a soul about that night. It hurt too much and it wasn’t relevant. So many things had happened over the years to make that event pale in comparison.
    Kenzie’s eyes watered and tears dripped from the corners to run down her face. She made no move to wipe them away.
    Ashley swallowed finally and nodded. “He did.” Her voice was hoarse as though she’d been crying for hours. “How did you know?” Her murmured words would barely be heard. She herself detected no sound coming from her mouth over the storm raging in her ears.
    Kenzie glanced down at her hands and wrung them on the table top before she looked back up. “I was there… In the room.”
    Ashley’s eyes shot wide open. Was that possible? The idea had never occurred to her.
    Kenzie continued. “I was hiding from the world because I didn’t want a mate. I was sitting by the far window in a tall armchair, curled up against the world. When the door burst open and that bastard dragged you inside, I was stunned. He didn’t notice me and you were on the floor out of sight. I froze.”
    She paused. Ashley didn’t know what to say.
    “I’ve regretted my actions that night all these years and here you are, the very woman who was terrorized and taken against her will. I’m so sorry.” She leaned forward but quickly ducked back and lowered her gaze as though she had no right. “If only—”
    Ashley found her voice. “You couldn’t have known.”
    “I was right there. It scared the hell out of me. I was only nineteen at the time. I was a coward.”
    “You were hardly more than a child. So was I. It wasn’t your fault. I don’t imagine I would have done anything differently if I’d been you.”
    “I never wanted to mate after witnessing that. It was absurd, but I worried there were other claimings that went that way. He was so mean. He—you don’t need me to rehash what he did. Sorry.”
    Ashley tugged a smile from deep inside her. Somehow, even though she was forced to relive a moment she’d hoped never to conjure again, she was comforted by the fact this stranger had been there with her. It gave the act validity. No one, as far as she knew, had ever seen how Damon had treated her at any point. He’d been careful through the years to keep their unique relationship a secret from the world.
    “Anyway, I only brought this up because I wanted you to know that if you ever need me… Like to testify or something, if they catch him, I’ll be there for you. I won’t let you down a second time.”
    Ashley set a hand on top of Kenzie’s shaking grasp. They’d formed a bond of sorts. It was a small step, but for Ashley it was important. She had an ally. This woman knew some small part of what her life had been like. She was not alone.
    Ashley smiled at Kenzie. “But you did find a mate. And you’re pregnant.” She glanced at Kenzie’s lap, not completely sure how she knew that last part. It wasn’t physically obvious yet. She knew wolves had sharp senses, but she’d never actually deduced something like a pregnancy before.
    Kenzie grinned back. “I did. And I am.” She set a hand over her stomach. The bulge was barely visible. “Three months. The baby is due in the summer.”
    “I’m so happy for you.” Ashley held Kenzie’s gaze. Now that they’d