Lou rolls her eyes, but smiles anyhow.

Uh oh.

Dirk stalks away, and I whip around to my aunt. “I know he’s flirty, but are you and Dirk, like…starting something?”

She rolls her eyes so hard, I worry they’ll get stuck. “He flirts with everybody,” she says flippantly. “I can’t be bothered. I’m more worried about you girls.”

Thea leans over, inserting herself directly into the conversation. “Except that he doesn’t actually flirt with anyone else. I see him a lot, you know, on account of all the patrols Shepherd and I have been doing.”

Lou ignores my triplet, grabbing Thea’s braid and twirling it around her finger. “Your hair looks good like this, Thea. I love it.”

I bump her with my hip. “You’re changing the subject, Louanna.”

She flips me off at the use of her full first name. She never even tells anyone that Lou is short for Louanna. I find myself wondering how Dirk even knows. Come to think of it, the Keeper calls her that too. Hmm.

But then the band starts up, a symphony of sounds from drums and guitars and violins all joining together into a jaunty song that reminds me of an Irish jig.

Leighton’s mother wraps her arms around her husband, and he sweeps them across the parking lot in a rush of movement. They press their foreheads together and dance like they’re the only ones there. The music rises and rises, all the monsters cheering for his parents.

It’s then that I realize I’ll never go back to the human world. I was so torn about Ever with the drama between Abe and me. It was so hard watching my sisters and their instant happiness with Shepherd and Ohken.

But now? I search the crowd for him.

There! He’s across the parking lot speaking with Richard and Connall, although Connall’s eyes are locked on Leighton’s parents as they move wildly around the open space.

Abe must sense me looking. He turns slightly, crimson gaze locking with mine. A slow, sensual smile turns his lips upward. Richard says something, and he turns back with a grin. When they part, I get a view of his back as he stalks through the crowd and to a table filled with flagons and barrels of what I assume is Ohken’s famous mead.

He fills two big glasses and rounds the crowd, never looking away. My skin prickles with apprehension as everyone else fades away.

When my mate stops in front of me, I stare up at him in awe. “You’re so damn beautiful,” I murmur, a smile splitting my lips.

He hands me a drink. “Aren’t I supposed to say that to you, witch?”

I take a sip of the drink—strawberries burst across my tongue, followed by a hint of something hoppy and earthy. “Damn, that’s good.”

Abe winks at me. “Don’t ask Ohken where the earthy flavor comes from.”

“Ewww,” I whine. “It’s worms, isn’t it? Or mold or some other horrible thing.”

He strokes my bangs out of my face. “I can tell you, or I can keep it to myself and simply allow you to enjoy it.”

I consider it for a moment, taking another sip. “Keep it to yourself,” I mumble. “’S really good, and I don’t want it to be ruined. Wait,” I snap. “It’s not some kind of jizz, though, right?”

Abe lets out a loud guffaw, surprise twisting his brows up. “No!” he says. “No, it’s not anybody’s jizz.”

I chuckle and lean in close as other monsters begin to join Leighton’s parents in a rowdy, celebratory dance. “I’d drink yours, Abe.”

Nostrils flare as he leans down, his lips barely touching mine. “Say it again.”

“I’d happily drink you down, Keeper.”

His eyes roll back as he lets out a sensual groan. “The idea of you drinking from me is enough to send me over the edge, mate. Let’s dance for as long as is socially appropriate, and then we’ll go home.”

“Sounds great.” I chuckle as he leads me out onto the dance floor.

He picks a spot for us, turning to face me. Both hands come to my elbows and lift my arms around his neck. “Most monster music for celebrations like this has a rhythm similar to either salsa or bachata, if you ever danced those in the human world.”

“I eat salsa,” I deadpan. “I’ve never danced it.”