The artwork above is not mine.

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    Sarai stood across from Sabine's desk, trying to ignore the pain that spasmed through her leg. The Dissiri bite on her thigh was one of her wounds that wasn't completely healed, but Sabine didn't care to let her sit down. Rafe hovered behind Sarai, close enough that if she fell, she knew he'd catch her.

    She also knew how much it grated on him, standing in this room and being forced to defer to Sabine after what she'd done. Holly was fully recovered from the ordeal now, but Rafe... Rafe still had wounds of his own. Wounds that couldn't be seen upon his flesh, but would take far longer to heal than physical ones.

    "Do you have any idea how this looks?" Sabine snapped.

    "I couldn't predict that we'd be attacked by a Dissiri," Sarai answered.

    "I don't mean that, although being rescued by the Umbra Mortis for the second time will certainly leave a mark on your reputation. I'm talking about your scene with Ruhn Danaan, in front of dozens of people." Sabine held up her phone, displaying a video of Sarai and Ruhn dancing, their heads close together as they spoke.

    Sarai rolled her eyes, dredging up the cover story she and Ruhn had developed. "We had to blend in. We knew we would get attention, and if the Angel we were following noticed that we seemed on edge, he might've suspected something. We knew our only convincing cover story would have to be that we were there as a couple, so when we suddenly disappeared, no one would ask any questions."

    Sabine shook her head with a growl. "Do you understand the problems you've just caused for me? A Wolf, a mere Second, at that, was seen crawling all over the Crown Prince of the Fae. A Prince who you have a very poor history with, might I add. When Einar Danaan catches wind of this, he'll be breathing down our necks, waiting to see if he's been given a way to control us, just like he's always wanted!"

    "Whose fault is it that I'm only a Second?" Sarai snapped. Rafe cleared his throat, but she ignored him. "We both know I could've been an Alpha, but I was content to be Danika's Second. And you couldn't bear to think that I had more influence in your daughter's life than you do. That Danika would choose me, but never you."

    Sabine stood abruptly, her chair grating against the wooden floor. "How dare you..."

    "How dare you?" Sarai interrupted. "How dare you make me your scapegoat? Not just for your nonexistent relationship with Danika, but for everything! Ruhn and I were given a job, and we were doing it. You have no right to judge our methods and not even bother to listen when I try to explain. If the Autumn King wants to believe he'll gain control over the Wolves through Ruhn and I, let him. He'll be proven wrong. So will you."

    "You are forbidden from seeing that Fae bastard ever again," Sabine snarled. "You are forbidden to contact him in any way."

    "Considering the fact that he has my cell phone and our Aux units run into each other quite frequently, I don't see how that's possible."

    "Perhaps I'll confine you to the Den for the rest of your miserable life."

    "Or you could spare yourself the trouble and do what you've always wished you had done in the first place."

    "Sarai," Rafe hissed.

    Sarai's mouth twitched up in a humorless smile. "It would solve all your problems, wouldn't it? No more Sarai Ilerion to remind you of your failures toward your daughter. No more fearing that I'll be taken into the Pack of Devils, or any other pack for that matter."

    "There will be no need to worry about the Autumn King. After all, why should he care about a shunned Wolf? And if you still don't believe my explanation for Ruhn and I's behavior, what does it matter? Let him sully his own reputation with a cursed, ostracized Wolf." Sarai crossed her arms, holding Sabine's gaze.

    "She's still in shock, Sabine," Rafe said. "She hasn't had time to rest or recover. She doesn't know what she's saying."

    "Oh, she knows exactly what she's saying," Sabine spat. "And while you're right, it would solve all of my problems..." Sarai glared as Sabine sat back down, smiling coldly. "I think I prefer having you on a leash. It makes you so much easier to control." She jerked her chin towards the door. Rafe took Sarai by the shoulder and guided her out of the office.

    "Why the fuck would you say those things to her?" He hissed. "Are you trying to get yourself kicked out of the Den?"

    "Yes."

    Rafe blinked in surprise. "Why?"

    "Do I really need to answer that?"

    "I suppose not. You know she'll probably have Lucas and Cassia monitor you."

    "Lucas and Cassia can go fuck themselves."

    If Sabine thought for even a moment that she could keep Sarai away from Ruhn, she was completely delusional. Sarai hadn't even seen if he was all right yet. What the extent of his injuries were. If he'd been allowed to return home. They hadn't gotten to speak about everything else that had happened. About what might've happened.

    "If this...if I, am what you want, Sarai..."

"Was it really an act?" Rafe asked, his voice unusually quiet.

"No," she answered.

    They reached her apartment and Sarai ducked inside without another word. First things first. I have to figure out how I'm getting out of the Den without Sabine realizing I'm gone. She'd have to be careful for now. Sabine would definitely have Wolves watching her and reporting her every move, but sooner or later, her attention would fade and Sarai could do as she pleased once again.

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    Ruhn paced the length of his room, as he had for several hours. Days, actually. He'd been pacing since Declan and Flynn finally brought him home. Try as he might, he couldn't sit still. He'd done everything he could think of to wear himself out, but nothing was working. The moment Sarai popped into his head, he was pacing again.

    Not even the mirthroot he was smoking was enough to calm him down. He was furious and worried in equal amounts. He was furious that their assignment had been stolen by the Governor's Triarii. He was furious that his father had ordered him to be moved to FiRo before he even had a chance to check on Sarai.

    He was even more furious that the moment he awoke, still disoriented and drooling, his father had lit into him about how utterly incapable and worthless he was. The Autumn King hadn't reached out to him since, and Ruhn's mother had only stayed with him a few hours each day that he was stuck in the hospital. Declan and Flynn had been his only constant companions.

    Guilt washed through Ruhn as he recalled once more how he'd attacked his friends while trying to free himself. He'd been told that Flynn had suffered a broken nose, although no signs of the injury remained. There wasn't even a ridge to show that it had been broken. Ruhn had apologized profusely to Flynn and Declan, and they assured him that they understood. He hadn't been himself.

    He still wasn't. He wouldn't be until he knew Sarai was safe. Until he saw her for himself. But he was beginning to think that was impossible. He'd been informed that Sarai was confined to the Wolves Den for the foreseeable future. She wasn't even going to be allowed on Aux patrols.

    "If you keep pacing, you'll wear a hole right through the floor," Flynn said, leaning against the doorframe. Declan hovered behind him.

    "I can't stop." Smoke rolled from Ruhn's mouth and nostrils. "I'm trying. I really am. I just..."

    "Why don't you call her?" Flynn suggested.

    "We still have her phone." It was currently sitting on a chair in the corner of his room, along with her clothes and handgun.

    "Oh, right." Flynn thought for a moment. "What if..."

    A knock sounded at the door, cutting him off. Ruhn hurried down the stairs with Declan and Flynn hot on his heels. He reached the door and opened it, revealing a Wolf, but not the one he was hoping to see. Danika Fendyr flipped a pale braid, streaked with rose, amethyst, and sapphire, over her shoulder, studying him through narrowed eyes.

    "What do you want?" Ruhn asked.

    "I came to offer you an update on Sarai and collect her things."

    Ruhn begrudgingly backed away, granting her entrance. Declan vanished up the stairs, likely going to retrieve Sarai's belongings. Danika crossed her arms as she surveyed her surroundings. "Well?" Ruhn urged. He toyed with his lip ring somewhat nervously.

    "She's recovered from most of her injuries, but she's been confined to the Wolves Den. Sabine won't let her leave."

    "Why?"

    "She claims Sarai has embarrassed the Wolves and shone herself to be untrustworthy. Her loyalties lie..." Danika's caramel eyes flickered towards him, "...elsewhere." Anger rushed through him, but before he could speak, Danika continued. "I was hoping you could tell me about any similarities between Marcus Trejon and that Angel's behavior."

    "Why?" Ruhn raised an eyebrow. "The 33rd are handling the investigation now, aren't they?" He glanced at Flynn, who merely shrugged.

    "They are, but if it was the drug making them act that way, I'd like to be aware so I can keep Bryce away from it."

    Ruhn tensed at the mention of his sister. Danika watched him, her features reflecting nothing but sincerity. He sighed, then nodded. "Whatever drug they were using had to be the same. They both used needles to inject it, and both of them went...feral, after they were exposed to the drug."

    Danika remained silent while Ruhn told her what he had learned. When he finally finished, she asked, "Do you have any idea what the drug is? What it looks like? What its properties are?"

    "It's a clear liquid. In fact, I think it might be the same liquid as the sample I gave Demelza, but she was killed before she was able to tell me what she had learned. All I know is that it works like a steroid in some ways."

    "Hm." Danika pursed her lips. Declan returned, handing her the bag of Sarai's belongings. "Thanks." She turned towards the door, then paused and glanced back at Ruhn. "The Devils are going to try to sneak her out of Moonwood tomorrow night. We're going to the White Raven." She left before he had a chance to reply.

    The minutes ticked by until Flynn broke the silence. "Are you going to go? This is your chance to see Sarai."

    "We're scheduled for a patrol," Ruhn sighed.

    "We can handle it," Declan said. "You should go. You won't relax until you've seen her."

    After a moment, Ruhn bowed his head. "All right. I'll go."

    The tension in his body eased almost instantly. He would see her tomorrow. He could make sure she was all right. Maybe they'd be able to discuss a few things. And even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter. He would be content just so long as she was safe and happy.