Page 103 of Poet & Protector

“I do.” She met my gaze. “So do you. Mason is strong.”

“But what if Logan⁠—”

“Don’t!” Her voice snapped, demanding my full attention. “Don’t chase after the worst things that could happen. Never do that. It will kill you.”

I already felt like I was dying. My breath came in painful, ragged pulls. Knives plunged into my heart over and over.

What was I if I couldn’t save the person I loved most in the world?

“Get in.”

Sabine had taken us to her car.

“Sabine,” I growled.

“Get in, Nev,” she repeated, opening the passenger door. “I’ll drop Cosette at home and then we’ll go wherever you want. Or nowhere. We can drive in circles for all I care, but I’m not leaving you alone.”

Cosette?

I turned to see my youngest packmate a few feet away, watching us with anxious eyes. Of course she was here. Sabine always gave Cosette rides to and from school.

“I don’t want to get in the way,” Cosette said quietly. “I can call a cab.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You’re not in the way. Let’s get you home.”

It helped to have something else to focus on, a responsibility for another member of my pack.

Cosette bit her lip and looked at Sabine.

“You heard him,” Sabine said. “Let’s go.”

Cosette walked to the car, but before she opened the door she paused.

“I’m sorry, Nev.” She hesitantly reached for my hand, taking only the tips of my fingers in a light clasp. “I really like Mason.”

Before that moment I’d been ravaged by anger and frustration, all my other emotions dammed off. Cosette’s hesitant, gentle touch, the deep sorrow in her fawn-like dark brown eyes, were what broke me.

She gasped when I went to my knees, wrapping my arms around her legs and leaning my head against her stomach as sobs sawed out of my lungs. Cosette was so small, her bones felt birdlike. I worried if I gripped her too tightly I’d crush her, but I couldn’t stop myself from clinging to her as grief took me hostage.

She placed her hand on my shoulder, a soft but reassuring weight. Sabine’s jasmine scent became more pronounced and I felt her gently touch my nape.

I had no idea how long we stayed like that: me on my knees, weeping, Cosette supporting me while Sabine’s fingers made light circles on the back of my neck. Finally, I had no tears left. I pulled back, letting my arms drop away. My head was still bowed as I tried to collect myself.

“Thank you, Cosette.”

Cosette made a little sound but didn’t otherwise reply.

“We really should go now,” Sabine said, her voice thick as she stepped back. “Come on.”

I stood up, dragging my palms over my face to erase the evidence of my grief.

“There are tissues in the car,” Sabine told me. Her next words had a familiar caustic bite. “You have snot coming out your nose. It’s disgusting.”

I barked out a laugh and threw her a grateful look. I needed to get my mind somewhere else as quickly as possible. Snot worked.

Cosette and I climbed into the car as Sabine walked around to the driver’s side. After she settled behind the wheel, she opened the console and tossed a packet of tissues at me.

“You’re welcome, mucus monster,” she said, smiling.