Page 82 of Poet & Protector

“I wanna talk to you about something,” he said. “But let’s go back to the couches. It’s too loud here.”

Bryn and Fey were dancing with Dax, Sabine, and Cosette. They seemed happy enough, so I nodded. I was also eager to put some distance between myself and the dance floor. When we’d first arrived on the scene, I’d spotted Logan dancing with a few of his Keeper friends and, weirdly, Nurse Flynn. His invitation haunted me and the moment I saw him, my stomach lurched. I was not going to seek him out like he asked, and I needed to avoid any accidental encounters while we were in the club.

I followed Ansel to the quieter lounge area. He likely wanted advice about whether or not to tell Bryn he was head over heels for her…again. We revisited this subject several times a week. He wanted me to make the decision for him and I refused do it. While it wouldn’t be as dangerous a secret as the one Nev and I shared, any couple that formed without the Keepers’ blessing was risky.

Ansel was more nervous about how Bryn would react if he finally confessed his feelings than the looming threat of the Keepers, which was a little concerning. Having spent my entire life around both of them, I was confident that the moment Bryn knew Ansel had been in love with her for years, she’d be all in. When we reached the couches Ansel plopped down.

“Wow.” He eyed the table. “That’s a lot of drinks.”

“Remember how Nev and I did a bar run?” I smiled at him. “You missed the part where we got back and everyone was on the dance floor.”

“Huh.” Ansel shrugged. “Well, finders keepers, I guess. This is like drink roulette. What should I pick?”

“If I were you I’d take one of the beers,” I replied. “It’s the safest choice. You know what you’re getting.”

“Yeah, but that’s no fun,” he said. “I’m disappointed in you, Mason.”

I grimaced. It was true that I’d usually be the one suggesting drink roulette, but parting ways with Nev, only to watch him from a distance for the last hour, had left me in a sour mood.

“I like the shape of this one.” Ansel picked up a martini glass.

I thought about warning him, then decided to go with live and learn. The club, the drinks, all of it was still fresh for Ansel. Ever protective of her little brother and underestimating his maturity, Calla had only recently, and reluctantly, allowed Ansel to join the pack on our rare nights out.

He took a sip and made a face as he swallowed. “Oh gross. What is that? Gasoline with a sprinkle of sugar?”

Taking the glass from him, I sniffed it. “I think it’s a Manhattan. Mostly whisky.”

“Blech,” Ansel complained. “That’s an alpha drink for sure.”

“I think it’s Ren’s.”

Ansel blanched and shoved the glass away. “Don’t tell him I stole his drink.”

“He won’t notice,” I said. “He’s too busy chasing Calla.”

“Mmmm.” His eyes stayed on the cocktail he’d rejected. “They’ve been weird tonight. I see them dancing, then one of them disappears. It seems like they haven’t been together for more than a few minutes. Do you think it’s going to be okay?”

“You mean the union?”

He nodded without looking up.

“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be,” I told him. “It’s a good sign that Ren and Calla wanted to bring our packs together before it happens.”

“But they’re doing that to protect the rest of us.” Ansel frowned deeply. “I’m talking about them. Our alphas. Do you think they’re happy they’re about to be mated?”

I wasn’t sure where Ansel was heading, but the subject and his tone were making me uneasy.

“It’s obvious Ren wants Calla,” I said. “He’s not exactly subtle.”

“Ren wants every girl he can get,” Ansel groused. “And he gets every girl he wants.”

Ansel wasn’t wrong, but I wondered if this complaint originated with him or somewhere else.

“Has Calla said something?” I asked quietly. “Is she unhappy? Does she not want to be Ren’s mate?”

That would spell disaster for all of us. The union would happen whether Calla wanted Ren for a mate or not.

He huffed out a breath. “I have no idea. She won’t talk to me about it when I ask. She’s always on edge when Ren’s around and I don’t like it.”