House of Blood and Beasts

31. Infuriating Admonishments

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."