Page 79 of Poet & Protector

“If I win, you have to sing a show tune in front of both our packs next lunch period,” he said. “Name your price if I lose.”

“Sounds like the theme is public humiliation.” I folded my arms across my chest, enjoying the challenge in his eyes. “If I win, you have to tell my pack about the time you almost lost a fight to a feral kitty cat.”

Mason shuddered. “Ugh. Don’t remind me about that.”

“Do we have a bet?” I held out my hand to shake on the deal.

“We do.” Mason laughed and took my hand, but he didn’t shake it. The moment he touched me we both froze.

My smile faded as his laughter died.

Our eyes locked and my heart knocked painfully against my ribs. Time stretched as we stayed completely still place, staring at each other; I felt like I would shatter into a million pieces if I couldn’t pull him into my arms.

No.

I ripped my hand away from Mason’s grasp. The movement was violent enough to make him flinch.

“I’m sorry,” I said, then shook my head. “That was…you should go dance.”

“Nev.” Mason’s voice was strained. He stared at my hand, flexing his fingers at the sudden absence of our physical connection. “Nothing happened.”

“Yet,” I replied stiffly. “We’ve been away from the others for too long. You know it.”

The longing in his eyes sank into me like a knife. “But maybe…”

“Mason,” I pleaded. I didn’t want to walk away from him but if he didn’t leave in the next few heartbeats I would have to.

“I know,” he said, deflating, then in a more hopeful tone added, “You should come too. Dance with all of us.”

That was a bad idea. Watching Mason dance would be throwing gasoline on the flames he’d already lit inside me.

“Later,” I told him.

He held my gaze briefly, then turned away. I wheeled in the opposite direction and returned to the bar.

Caleb was busy, talking with one of Eden’s servers. I pivoted around and leaned against the sleek silver counter while I watched my packmates dance. Ren had joined them, but Calla was conspicuously absent.

What’s the story there? I would have thought my alpha would try to keep his counterpart as close as possible all night.

Bryn was dancing between Ansel and Mason; by contrast, Ren was playing the thorn to Cosette and Sabine’s roses. Fey and Dax were now all out grinding on each other. I shook my head at the sight.

More things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio.

My attention returned to the first trio. Ansel was in front of Bryn, one arm locked around her waist, his other hand molded to her hip. He’d either been an A+ student of Bryn’s lessons or had been hustling her into ‘teaching’ him because, damn, that kid could dance. And his skill wasn’t escaping Bryn’s notice.

I shouldn’t have made that bet.

Inevitably, my gaze strayed to Mason and lingered. He stood behind Bryn. Her arms stretched up and back, circling Mason’s neck with her hands clasped at his nape. I could see his lips moving and whatever he said made Bryn laugh.

Jealousy kicked me in the gut.

I want that.

“You need to stop watching him.” Caleb’s low voice startled me.

I forced my attention away from Mason and spun to face the bar.

“Sorry, what?” I asked Caleb, keeping my tone neutral.