Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Hanging the phone back on its cradle, a long night was in front of Keegan. He had forgotten that his sister and future brother-in-law were doing a complete traditional wedding with all the things with it, including the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Grimly thinking tonight was going to be hell, he donned the appropriate apparel for tonight’s festivities. He loved his sister dearly and even slightly enjoyed the company of her mate. He was just not much for meeting people for reasons other than food or business. His family always thought it weird that even though he didn’t care to be around many others his most lucrative business was the bar he started. People outside of his family just didn’t fit well around him for some reason. He always seemed too serious for others and didn’t understand a lot of what they were saying. But he would go for his sister’s sake. He looked at the address on the invitation. Dreading it all he headed out the door to a place called, Midnight Vixens.

After arriving the owner of the establishment led Keegan to a couple small tables pushed together in the back. The place was crowded for a Tuesday night. He had hoped since it was a mid-week work night for humans that they wouldn’t be so surrounded. He looked at Hanson, Roderick, and his sister’s mate, Chris, sitting back in their chairs trying to not feel too crowded in small area reserved for them. Laughing inside because they were all big, tall men.

“Where did my sister find this place Chris? I couldn’t believe my eyes when I pulled up outside. I thought for sure she’d at least pick one of the bigger name places for your... What did she call this again? A stag’s night?” Raising his eyebrow with a smirk Keegan took the last chair available.

 “She’s been listening to your male customers whisper about it for weeks. She said that the looks on their faces were so dreamy while thinking of this place that she hoped even you would enjoy it.” Chris was full of humor tonight.

“Isn’t she worried you’d enjoy it too much, Chris?” Roderick chimed in.

“We’re mates Roderick. We may be wanting to experience the new human traditions for some fun, but Terry knows that nothing and no one can ever make me as complete as her. She’s not like some of those she wolves out there to be jealous for no reason.” Chris leaned back with a happy and contented face.

Keegan was happy that his sister had found this wolf. What Chris said was true his sister did trust in the mate bond. He was surprised at first that his younger sister found her mate before him. But she claimed it was just because I never leave my office. Dealing with pack concerns and handling all the bar’s business took up a lot of his time. Teresa understood but didn’t like that my job was just never complete and the little time I did take I’d much rather spend alone and quiet. Just then a cute little waitress sauntered up to their tables. She was smiling, but you can tell that for one so young that she had been there and done that.

“How y’all doing tonight, gentleman? Can I get anyone anything to drink before our next beauty hits the stage?”

Hanson leaned forward putting on the charm. “Thank you beautiful. We’re here tonight to celebrate this man.” Slinging his arm around Chris. “Can you start us off with four bottles of domestic, whatever you recommend is fine. Plus, four double shots of your top shelf whiskey to toast with, please.”

“Sure thing. Be one sec as I hand your order to Helen behind the bar. My name is Chesley if you need anything else through the night.” Leaving us with a wink she turned and headed towards the older lady behind the bar.

Keegan watched as Helen filled the order with a quickness while maintaining her flow and conversations of those around her bar. She held herself with respect and laughed with those around her. When she laughed you could see she was a real beauty. From the outside Keegan hadn’t expected much from the inside, but so far was impressed with the people employed here. The music was loud and a little much for him, but after running a bar too for so long his sensitive hearing was pretty used to it.

Chesley returned with our drinks. “I started a tab for your table with Helen. It’s under the name Bachelor Boys.” Just then lights turned down more and the music changed to something instrumental that had Keegan turning his head towards the stage. Chesley leaned down, “Y’all came on the right night. Ember doesn’t work on set nights, but when she comes in, she always puts on an amazing show.” Chesley turned then to check on her other tables then.

Keegan watched as everyone became transfixed on the stage. The music’s beat was starting to pick up its beat. There were no vocals, but it didn’t need them. It was strangely beautiful on its own and seemed to be creating more anticipation as it went on. He looked around the whole place thinking that the hush of voices was a little weird.

Hanson turned to me and pointed out the owner, Robert. He was now positioned near the stage, but not to noticeable. The strange part was he had a baseball bat in his hands leaned back against his shoulder. “This, Ember, must be why Terry kept hearing everyone talk about this place.”

The air was turning smokey it didn’t seem to upset Keegan’s nose like he assumed it would. To him the smoke seemed to be carrying this wonderful scent. It seemed strangely hypnotic that the other customers in the bar were so hushed. Looking at the men with him he could tell they were curious as well and waiting to see what would happen. Keegan turned back to the stage just as lightning seem to strike him and his breath seemed to stop a moment.