Page 165 of Poet & Protector

A terrible suspicion slipped into my mind. Shay’s scent was in the clearing. Now there was a strange wolf’s scent mingling with Calla’s trail. Could she have…She wouldn’t…would she?

A long, piercing howl cut through the night. I knew that voice.

Ren was calling us.

As one the Banes turned, chasing the sound like a wave of wolves cresting toward a new shore. We ran toward my alpha. My chest tight with conflicting impulses. On the one hand, I wanted Ren to have found Calla so we had answers. But if he did find Calla, and if Shay was with her, the consequences for both of them were unthinkable. I didn’t want Calla dead. As for Shay, the Keepers were intent on getting him back, but only to make him a sacrifice. I didn’t want that either.

Hold. Emile’s command snapped into my mind.

The wolves around me skidded to a halt at the command. Emile must have reached Ren.

I slowed to a walk but continued to stalk forward, making my way to the front of the pack.

Ren stood facing his father. Both wolves’ hackles were raised, not threatening each other, but riding the edge of hostility amid the stress of the night.

I found Calla. Ren’s voice reached out to all the Banes. She betrayed us. She took the Keepers’ human.

Where is she? Emile demanded.

She was laying a false trail to keep us away from Shay, Ren answered. I fought her, but when I injured her, she ran. I didn’t pursue because Shay wasn’t with her. We need to find his trail. He’s the Keepers’ priority.

Are you certain he wasn’t with her? Emile asked, growling.

Yes, Ren replied. But he’s human. He can’t have gone far. I’ll lead you to where I last had his scent.

Good. Emile bared his teeth. We’ll have that human back to Efron in no time. Once we find Shay Doran, you can track Calla down and finish what you started.

Ren lowered his muzzle in deference. Yes, father.

I bristled.

Ren’s words echoed in my mind. He’s human. He can’t have gone far.

The seed of suspicion planted in my mind took root and began to grow. We all knew Shay was human. It was self-evident. Ren didn’t need to tell us that, yet he had, which made me think my alpha knew Shay wasn’t human anymore.

Holy fuck. Calla turned Shay. He was the lone wolf. He was in Haldis cavern, which meant he’d been a Guardian for over a week.

If it were true, which I was convinced it was, the implications were shattering. For Ren. For my pack. For the Keepers.

It also meant we shouldn’t be trying to track a human scent. We should be seeking the lone wolf’s trail…and Ren didn’t want us to.

Ren was already off and running with Emile on his heels. The rest of the pack chased after them. Ren led us at a breakneck pace, which again was a bad sign. Tracking was methodical. Running wild through the woods wasn’t hunting.

Sabine. I sent my thought to her. Catch up to me. We need to get close to Ren.

In a few seconds she was at my side. What’s going on?

Something’s wrong, I told her. Very wrong. Ren isn’t tracking Shay. Did you smell the lone wolf from near Haldis?

I…yes, I did, but I thought I was imagining it because it made no sense, she replied.

I think it does make sense.

There was a long silence, then her voice was in my mind. No. She couldn’t have.

She did. I hesitated, then added, And Ren knows.

Oh my god. Her gasp echoed in my mind. What the hell is he doing?