Page 117 of Poet & Protector

“But you said we’re doing an intervention.” Sabine frowned at Dax. “And he’s the only one who isn’t here.”

“Yeah.” Dax looked at her, his body agitated. “It’s time to fix this thing. I hoped Nev would get there on his own, but Friday night proved we can’t wait. It’s gone way too far.”

The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stood up and my wolf bristled at the looming sense of danger…and betrayal. Dax had mentioned Friday night and my name. It was too easy to fit the pieces together into an ugly puzzle.

“Fix what thing?” My voice was calm, belying the rage simmering in my blood.

Sabine put her hands on her hips. “Yeah, Dax. Fix what thing?”

“You know what I mean,” Dax said.

“Do I?” she replied, cocking her head in a deceptively innocent movement.

“Also, if whatever we’re here about is so important, why wouldn’t you include Ren?” Sabine pressed. “He’s our alpha. It seems to me that he’s the one who decides when something needs an intervention.”

“Ren has enough to worry about with that stupid human drooling over Calla,” Dax said, baring his teeth. “By rights, he should have already killed Shay for moving in on his mate, but he can’t. If you haven’t noticed how much stress that’s putting on Ren, you’re not paying attention. He doesn’t need to be bothered with this.”

“So you’ve taken it upon yourself to make Ren’s life easier,” Sabine responded. “I’m going to need you to spell out what this other problem is. After all, if it’s something so serious as to require an ‘intervention,’ we should be clear on what’s up. Don’t you think, Cosette?”

Cosette shifted her weight from one foot to the other, glancing from Sabine to Dax, then back to Sabine. “Um, yes. That makes sense.”

A growl rumbled in Dax’s chest. “Mason is the problem. Mason’s thing with Nev.”

I knew what was coming, but that didn’t stop it from feeling like a sucker punch.

He’d been looking at Sabine, but he turned his gaze on me. “It needs to end.”

My reply came out low and steady. “You don’t want to do this, Dax. Drop it.”

He glared at me and I held his furious gaze, unflinching. We both pivoted in surprise when Sabine suddenly snarled.

“You thought I’d back you up on this?” She took a step toward Dax. “What the hell?”

Dax looked genuinely confused at her outrage. “Well…yeah. It’s dangerous for all of us.”

“Everything we do is dangerous,” Sabine countered. “Our lives are on the line every day.”

“To fight the Searchers,” Dax replied. “That’s who we are. This is different. What Mason and Nev are doing is breaking the Keepers’ laws. They’re putting the rest of us in a bad position.”

A river of thoughts flowed through my mind, carried on a current of anger and sadness. There were things I wanted to say. Needed to. But Sabine was on a tear, arguing with Dax for my sake, and I was happy to let her go off. Plus, it was more than satisfying to watch Dax realize he didn’t have the support he expected.

“But you hooking up with Fey?” Sabine said pointedly. “That’s not breaking the Keepers’ laws? You’re not mated, but you don’t seem to think it’s too risky.”

Dax flashed sharp canines at Sabine. “Leave Fey out of this. That’s nobody’s business but ours.”

“Exactly,” Sabine agreed. “And what happens with Nev and Mason is nobody’s business but theirs.”

He shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re okay with what they’re doing. I mean, after all…”

“After all, what?” Sabine asked.

Dax looked from her to me, gesturing between us. “It’s obvious you’re going to be mates in the new pack.”

Okay. That…I did not see coming. His proclamation shocked the rage out of me, so all I could do was stare at him in disbelief.

Sabine’s burst of laughter was so violent, Cosette jumped a foot away from her. Sabine was practically howling with mirth.

Dax scowled at her while she was doubled over. Cosette looked utterly lost…though that was kind of her MO.