Page 32 of Pledge Of A Bobcat

We made our way inside, and he took my hand, leading the way through the crowded bar. The place was filled with people chatting, drinks clinking, and that hum of energy that only comes from a room full of people having a good time. It didn’t take long for us to realize it was karaoke night. There was a man on stage, singing slightly off-key and a group of his friends cheering him on. I felt a little overwhelmed but forced a small smile on my face as I kept close to Ellis. I scanned the room, trying to spot his friends. He weaved us through a thick section of people, and I realized he was heading toward a table near theback. There was a group of people sitting there with a pitcher in the center of the table.

A blond guy with a smirk that said he was trouble and a handsome face took notice of us first. “Y’all are mates, aren’t you?” he asked the instant we reached the table.

My eyes widened, and I felt my face heat up instantly. I wasn’t expecting to be called out like that right away and to be under such scrupulous stares.

“Waylen, good grief,” the woman beside him said, nudging him in the side with her elbow.

I remembered her from when we got the sage the other day.

Lyra.

Waylen shrugged, completely unfazed. “What? It’s like a tradition now. Everyone brings their mate to Last Drop for an introduction. He has someone with him, so I assume she’s his mate. Am I right?” he asked, shifting his attention back to me and Ellis.

“Yes, Waylen, she’s my mate,” Ellis said as we settled into empty seats at the table.

Waylen’s grin stretched wider, and he clapped his hands together, letting out a whoop loud enough to draw a few curious glances from the other tables.

“I knew it!” he exclaimed, like it was the best news he’d heard all night.

“Sorry about him,” Lyra said, shaking her head. “We’ve learned to live with Waylen’s lack of filter.”

“It’s okay,” I said, smiling.

Ellis introduced me to the rest of the group, starting with the man I recognized from the diner. “You already met Dean at Mariam’s Dinner,” he said, nodding to the massive man.

“Hey,” he said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Hi.”

“This is his mate, Astrid,” Ellis continued, motioning to the woman with dark curls next to him.

“Nice to meet you,” Astrid said, her tone warm and genuine.

“That’s Waylen. Clearly.” He motioned to him. “And you met Lyra the other day, too.”

“Hi,” I said to them both.

“And last but not least, this is Sienna,” Ellis said, motioning to the redheaded woman at the opposite end of the table who raised her beer in a little toast.

“Hey,” Sienna said. Her full lips formed a slight frown an instant later. “I guess I’m officially the last single one now, huh?” There wasn’t any bitterness behind her words, but I could tell there was still some unease shifting through her eyes.

“It’s because you’re a redhead,” Waylen said before taking a long swig from his beer.

Lyra elbowed him in the ribs again. “Seriously, I think I need to get you a muzzle.”

“What?” Waylen shrugged. “Everyone always says redheads are trouble.”

Everyone laughed, and I felt myself relax a little more. Sienna reached for the pitcher and poured beers for me and Ellis.

“Cheers,” she said, raising her glass. “To new friends and old traditions.”

“Welcome to the Misfit Shifters,” Dean added, and I remembered Ellis saying once that if they had an alpha, it would be him.

I clinked my glass with theirs, a genuine smile on my face. These people were open and warm, and even though I was just getting to know them, I could see why Ellis cared about them so much. Their energy felt good.

“All right, we’ve had our fun,” Dean said, his demeanor turning serious. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on thetable and fixed his stare on Ellis. “Let’s get down to business. How’s it going with gathering the items for Maribel?”

“We’ve almost got everything,” Ellis answered. “The only thing left is the feather from Xander’s raven.”

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