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Isam’s words warmed Servas’s insides. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad Lidon and Palani saw your worth.” Isam’s expression sobered. “Though it’s horrible that Jawon died. I know you were close.”
Servas had to swallow. “He was my boss and my cousin, but also my best friend. We grew up together, more like brothers than cousins.”
Isam’s strong hand landed on Servas’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know him very well, but from what I’ve heard, he was a good guy.”
“He was. And thank you.”
Isam gave him a few beats to compose himself, then asked, “So why did you want to talk to me?”
Right. Servas straightened his shoulders. “I wanted to meet Mostyn, but he’s not in his cabin. I figured you might know where he is.”
“I do, actually. He’s in the clinic, getting a tour from Lucan.”
“He wants to work in the clinic?”
“I don’t know. He may have just run into Lucan, who is his housemate, and been curious about what we do here. But the clinic would make sense given his background, right?”
It would, and if that was the reason for the tour, it spoke to his character that he was already investigating possibilities to make himself useful. “I guess I’ll have to catch him later then.” He sighed. “I wanted to meet him and see if there was a…a spark? Some kind of recognition.”
“You really are thinking about it.”
“Of course I am. Hard not to take it seriously, considering what we know about this pack and the shifting.”
Isam let out a dreamy sigh, his eyes staring into the distance. “I can’t wait to shift. It just seems so…so majestic, so special and powerful.”
“Same.”
“Well, thank you for considering it. I’ll see you at the pack meeting later today?”
Another one had been called where people could indicate whether they had any plans to leave. “I doubt anyone will choose to leave. We’re family now, and family stands together.”
“I couldn’t agree more, but I do appreciate that they’re giving us a choice. Let’s be honest: after what happened, you couldn’t blame anyone for wanting out. We know that at some point, they’re gonna come for us again.”
He wasn’t wrong, and that knowledge lay heavy on Servas’s heart. “At least we have you to keep us safe.”
Only when Isam’s eyes widened did Servas realize that had come out a lot flirtier than he’d intended. “Not just you,” he added quickly. “The whole team of guards.”
“Aw, don’t ruin the moment now,” Isam teased him. “You were doing so well.”
Servas’s cheeks heated, and oh, how he hated that stupid blush he still got from time to time. “Shut up.”
Isam laughed. “You’re telling an alpha to shut up? I love it.”
Well, at least there was that then. “I’ll see you at the pack meeting.”
“I can save you a seat if you want?” Isam offered.
Servas hesitated, then nodded. “I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”
He walked away, the embarrassment over what he’d blurted out slowly making place for something else: excitement. Isam had said he liked Servas. That was good. That was really good. Now, if he could just manage to introduce himself to Mostyn, things could be even better.
But the rest of the afternoon got crazy as they worked on fixing the big beams in one of the barns, only to discover the wood rot had spread much farther than expected, so they ended up having to replace half the barn. He barely managed to shower and get dressed in time for the pack meeting to start, still munching on a sandwich as he entered the meeting barn.
He was about to sit in his usual spot in the back when Isam half-rose and gestured him over. Servas’s belly fluttered. Isam had kept his word and saved a seat for him. It was the first time someone had done that for Servas. Hope bloomed inside him.
Then he spotted the unfamiliar beta next to Isam, and he all but tripped over his own feet. God, Mostyn was gorgeous. He had messy blond hair that was slightly too long, a pair of gorgeous green eyes, and pale skin with freckles, but what stood out most was his mouth with full, sensual lips that Servas wanted to kiss until they were both out of breath. But he was in no hurry. They had time because…
