He starts to turn his head but keeps looking at me. I can hear him mumbling. “Let’s go.” He sighs like it’s such a burden. When we reach the front, I drop my boots and grab his arm to slide them on. He stops when I touch his arm and looks down. “Are you kidding me with the boots?”

No, he didn’t. “Masen, these are my favorite boots. You better watch it,” I say seriously.

He shakes his head. “Baby, you have no idea how sexy you look, and then, you add those damn boots. All I’m going to be thinking about is fucking you with them on. Just pray no one else opens their fucking mouth.” He keeps mumbling under his breath as he grabs my hand and tucks it into his elbow.

CHAPTER 21

Masen and I walk to the hall. The weather is perfect, warm with a cool breeze, the humidity has dropped finally. It takes us less than twenty minutes to arrive. I’m a little nervous. All these people have known Masen for years. I want them to like me. Plus, I still don’t have much experience with other shifters, it’s intimidating.

He pulls me in for an embrace before reaching forward to open the door for me. It’s not the same door I used a few days ago, it’s around the back of the building. There are a few people dotted around a huge fire pit. Anyone seated stands and nods or raises a hand to Masen in greeting. Before returning to their seat, many look like they’re going to approach, but his surly expression keeps them at a distance.

“They’re going to think you’re miserable, Masen. The way you keep mean mugging everyone that looks at us. I want them to like me, not hate me because their Alpha turned into an unapproachable grump!” The corner of his lips turns up barely displaying a devilish smirk. Well shit, that’s not any better, now, all these women will be fantasizing about his mouth. Goodness, I’m just as bad as he is.

I’ve never been in a bar, but this is pretty much what I expected, lots of tables, a couple booths, and a long bar that runs all along one wall. Stools line the high counter, most are full. I can see a beautiful redhead tending the bar with an equally redheaded male working beside her. They must be brother and sister.

There are a few empty tables. The people seem to group together; everyone looks friendly with each other. As the door closes behind us, every head turns almost in unison as we enter. “That’s not at all creepy,” I say in a hushed tone. Masen chuckles.

Again, they all stand out of respect until he motions for them to sit. With a hand on my back, he ushers me to a dark, corner booth. “Why are we sitting way over here?” I ask looking around to the empty tables surrounding us. “This is weird, Masen. Everyone is staring at us, but no one’s talking to us. This is how I felt at school. Do they always stay away like this?”