Page 47 of Poet & Protector

Ren didn’t appear surprised by my mention of the assignment. He must have already known about it. I wondered what Nev had told him. Then again, it made sense that he’d tell his alpha he had to spend time with a rival wolf.

“So Nev invited you?” Ren asked.

“Not exactly.” I knew it would be a bigger mistake to lie to Ren only for Nev to tell him the truth later.

He leaned forward, resting his hands on the table and baring sharp canines at me. “You’ll need to do better than that, Mason.”

“We were working together yesterday afternoon,” I said, hurrying to get this over with. “I found out he was playing. I was curious and I decided to come, but he didn’t invite me.”

While Ren chewed on that revelation, Ansel regained use of his limbs and gingerly took one of the Cokes sitting in front of me. He lifted the bottle with shaky fingers then chugged half of it. Given he was already freaking out, the caffeine and sugar hit wasn’t going to do him any favors. Moving also had the unfortunate effect of drawing Ren’s attention.

The alpha’s steely gaze slid from me to Ansel. “Does Calla know you’re here, pup?”

Ansel gave Ren a resentful look for insinuating he was too young to be at the show. “Cosette’s with you guys.”

The youngest Bane was the same age as Ansel.

“This isn’t about Cosette,” Ren replied. “I’m her alpha and I’m watching out for her.”

“I don’t need Calla to watch out for me,” Ansel grumbled.

Ren laughed. “Is that what you think? I’m guessing she wouldn’t share your opinion.”

“I dragged him along,” I interjected. Ansel didn’t deserve to get in trouble. “He thought we were going to a movie.”

“I really did,” Ansel said, quickly catching on that I was trying to save his ass. “Though to be honest, this is much cooler.”

“So, Calla thinks you and her little brother are at a movie,” Ren said to me.

“It’s not his fault, Ren,” I replied. “This is on me.”

Ren held my gaze. Damn, it was tough to lock eyes with an alpha, but I knew if I wanted to keep us out of trouble I had to show some mettle. It was the only thing that would garner Ren’s respect.

Finally, he shrugged. “You’d better hope she doesn’t find out.”

Outwardly I checked my reaction, but inside I was a puddle of relief. “You’re not going to tell her?”

“You haven’t done anything to cross me,” Ren told us. “If Nev says you’re welcome, Calla doesn’t need to know you were here.”

That was a close one. “Thanks, Ren.”

“Oh my god.” Ansel almost fell out of his chair. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Ren shot a grin that was all wolf at us. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” I thought we were done, and everything was settled, but the mischievous edge to Ren’s voice made me wary. He was up to something.

“To get Nev.”

He walked away and I swore under my breath.

Ansel gave a low whistle. “Mason, you are soooo busted.”

“Don’t be too happy about that,” I grumbled. “If Nev doesn’t want me here, we’re both screwed.”

“Oh right.” Ansel deflated, shooting me a sullen glance. “Some friend you are.”

“Sorry,” I said, meaning it. Bringing Ansel along was selfish.