Page 114 of Poet & Protector

Bryn laughed at his reply, then asked, “Where did you learn all those dances?”

“I’ve attended a lot of private schools that seemed to have a disproportionate amount of dance units in their phys ed requirements,” he replied. “Tonight is the first time they’ve proved useful.”

“It was great,” Bryn said, smiling.

“It really was,” I agreed, then met his eyes and added quietly, “Thank you.”

He nodded.

Ren arrived at the table with a tray full of drinks. He was alone.

Shay maintained a carefully neutral expression as the wolves exchanged curious glances.

Of course it was Ansel who asked, “Where’s Calla? OW!”

Bryn had kicked him under the table.

Rather than answering, Ren handed out beverages.

He paused, then said to Shay, “I didn’t know what you like, but I brought an extra beer.”

“Thanks.” Shay grasped the bottle Ren offered him. Their gazes locked and they both tensed up.

Everyone else at the table held their breath, then tried to muffle sighs of relief when Ren let go of the beer and sat down.

The subsequent silence that settled over us wasn’t exactly painful, but it was awkward. Calla was missing and the two boys chasing her were stuck with each other…and the rest of the us. Eventually, by tacit agreement we collectively turned our attention to the stage and Nev’s show.

For the most part, I was able to lose myself in the music. Our pack seemed to settle into having a good time as well. Ren and Shay did an excellent job of ignoring each other, though I did catch Ren watching Shay a couple of times. The alpha’s expression suggested he was imagining creative ways to dismember his rival. Shay split his time between listening to the music and talking with Bryn and Ansel.

Normally, I would have taken part in their conversation, but I was still shaken by the earlier events of the evening. My packmates seemed to understand that and left me alone. I was even more regretful now that I couldn’t stay with Nev after the show. He’d be worried about me, and I wanted to take comfort in him.

I’d decided I wasn’t going to tell Nev everything unless he insisted on it. I’d ask Bryn and Ansel to do the same. Nothing good would come of him knowing just how vicious Dax could be, not when we had to coexist as packmates. If Ren determined we all had to talk it out or something, I’d deal with that when the time came.

When the show wrapped up, Nev came over and everyone congratulated him. Bryn even attempted to compliment Sabine. Sabine ignored her.

Nev paused at my side and briefly rested his hand on my back before stepping away.

“See you Monday?”

I nodded, offering him a sad smile, and he grimaced. Weekends meant patrol. There was no time for us to sneak away to see each other.

As Nev returned to the stage, Shay intercepted him, presumably to talk more about the show. Ansel, Bryn, and I gathered our things and put on our coats, waving goodbye to the Banes who left together.

“You guys set?” I asked.

They nodded and we headed for the door.

“Mason!”

I pivoted to see Shay flagging me down.

When he joined us, he asked, “Can I talk to you for a second?”

Bryn and Ansel looked at him in surprise, then at me.

“I’ll meet you guys at the car,” I told them.

When they left, I gave Shay my full attention. “Everything okay?”