Page 1 of Mason

Chapter One

Mason

"TellMasonheowesme."Hex's parting words to Tavian when he rescued him and my brother, Nicola, from vampires rattles around in my head as I stare at the ceiling of the hotel room.My time has run out.I knew it would, but every day that went by allowed me to pretend everything would be alright, that nothing had changed.

Hex has been trying to get me to meet him face-to-face for months, and I've been side-stepping it.Saving my brother and his mate gave Hex the leverage to demand a meeting I can't get out of.But it's not just meeting with Hex that's been weighing on me; it's the secret I've been keeping from my pack, my family.

The Obsidian Shadow Pack is made up of cursed wolves, not bitten or born.When the last of our elders died and Jericho took over as Alpha, the current generations made a promise we wouldn't mate.We would be the last of the pack and not pass on the curse, or bring any innocents into our messed up life.Then Jericho found his Fated, something we didn't think the curse would allow, and the pack decided the promise no longer applied – that maybe we'd been blessed by the Goddess and paid enough for the sins of our ancestors.Except, I broke the promise long before Jericho found Faith.Hex and I have been mated for years.

Absentmindedly, I rub my inner thigh where Hex put his mating mark.I chose that location because it's easier to hide.Not that my family would understand the importance of it.Hex wears my bite, but his mark on me looks more like a tattoo.It depicts a snow leopard baring his teeth with the word nefarious beneath it.Still, I wasn't taking any chances they'd ask questions.

Unlike the three couples in my family who have been Fated, my mating with Hex was more of an emergency situation.While Hex and I do feel a stronger than usual connection to each other, we've never been able to form a telepathic link other than some minor emotions coming through.And there have never been any other overt signs we're destined.

Not being Fated, we should have been able to neutralize the mating bond, but so far, that's proven unsuccessful.Our bond hasn't been right since the beginning.Although, my wolf still gives me grief over my choice to walk away from Hex.To him, we have a responsibility to stand by our mate.

When Hex first asked to meet with me months ago, I thought maybe he had figured out a way to negate the bond, but he's refused to elaborate on what he wants.Whatever it is, it'll change everything.I can feel it in my bones.It's all about to unravel… and I'm not ready.

Chapter Two

Mason

Takingonelastlookin the mirror, I grab my wallet, phone, and room key, then head out the door.Even though Hex and I haven't been together in years, there's still a part of me that wants to look good for him.Something my wolf highly encourages, yet I keep telling him not to get invested in the outcome.Most of the impulse is likely because of the increasing strength of the bond now that we're back in close proximity to each other.

Pulling up the address Hex sent me, I plug it into the GPS and exit the hotel parking lot, heading out of the small town of Bison Ridge.The drive isn't long, but feels like an eternity due to nerves.I have no idea what kind of reception to expect from Hex, or from his chosen family – the brothers of the Nefarious MC.

Their tech guy, Cipher, and I are on good terms.He helps the pack out when we need intel on missions for the Ravenswing Coven.But since I've been stalling about meeting with Hex, even he may be a little testy.If it comes down to choosing sides, Cipher would choose the club witch, no contest.

Pulling up to a non-descript building out on the edge of the forest, I park my truck and take a deep breath.On the exhale, I open the door and get out.Hex must have been watching for me because the door opens before I make it more than a few steps.I pause, and we stare at each other across the short distance.Hex is hot in his leather pants and a mesh shirt.He's always had his own style.Attraction was never the problem between us.

I feel the mate bond pulling us toward each other, but I rein it in, much to the displeasure of my wolf.We're basically mates on a technicality.There won't be any physical displays of the connection.

"You gonna stand there all afternoon and stare, or can we get on with it?"Hex asks.

I resume my steps and follow him inside.Instead of being full of his club brothers, we're alone in the building.I wasn't looking forward to everyone witnessing whatever is about it happen, but somehow being completely alone isn't any less nerve-racking.

"Drink?"Hex pulls a beer from behind the bar.

I take it from him while he grabs another, then have a seat on one of the barstools.

"Let's get this over with," I say after taking a long drink.

"Do you honestly feel nothing?"Hex asks, sadness in his eyes.

"You know I do.But you deserve to live your own life, not be shackled to a mate you didn't ask for."

"You saved my life, Mason.That means something to me."

"I know.But don't confuse that with love."

"I'm not, and you damn well know it.I also know we can't break this bond.Why not at least try to make a go of it?"

So that's it, then.He hasn't found a way to break the bond.We either try to make this work, or live the rest of our lives estranged mates.We'd never be able to formally take another mate.

I can't walk away from my family's responsibility to the Ravenswing Coven, and Hex won't leave the MC.I won't lie to myself and pretend I'm not tempted to throw it all out the window for a life with my mate, but I've dug myself into a pit it'll take me a while to pull myself out of once my pack finds out about Hex.I've kept my association with the MC vague.To my family, they're just mysterious contacts.But it's going to come out now, and mending that betrayal… that may take the rest of my life.

"I care about you, Hex.But we both have complicated lives outside of the mate bond."

He sighs and takes a drink, then sets the half-empty bottle on the bar."I've met someone."