Page 13 of Mason

Thetensionisthickas Jericho and I stand opposite Hex and some of the Nefarious MC brothers a short distance from the manor.Somehow, we all ended up in the same place looking for Kory.

"Move aside, we're going in," one of the bikers says.

"We can't let you go barging in there.Ravock has already agreed to let us know if he hears anything.If you go storming in, it could screw everything up," Jericho replies.

"You may be Alpha of your pack, but you don't hold any say over us."

"Would you really jeopardize this lead over a dick measuring contest?"I ask Hex.

Before he can respond, Jericho's phone rings.

"I seem to have acquired a pet mouse," I hear Ravock say."And some surprise houseguests you may find of interest."

"We'll be right there," Jericho says, then disconnects the call."It looks like you get your wish, Hex.Let's go."

I can tell the bikers don't like Jericho taking charge, but they decide not to give him any grief.Our interests align at the moment.

As a group, we make our way back to Emberloch Manor.If the demon who answers the door is surprised by the size of our entourage, he doesn't let on.We follow our escort as he leads us to a basement dungeon.

"Hex!"Kory calls from across the room.Hex rushes to him, wrapping him up in his arms.I stand frozen in place as the mate bond surges, a jumble of emotions coming through.

When Hex releases our mate from his embrace, he guides Kory over to where Jericho stands next to me.

"Kory, this is Jericho, Alpha of the Obsidian Shadow Pack, and his brother, our mate, Mason."

Kory bows his head briefly in acknowledgement of Jericho's position of leadership, then turns his warm brown eyes to me.

"While I'm sure this soap opera worthy relationship drama would be highly entertaining, there are more important things to deal with," Ravock says, re-directing us all to the reality around us."These three fine specimens of humanity thought it would be a good idea to kidnap your mouse to help them on a heist.I have no vested interest in that particular aspect of this whole debacle.The important part, to me, is what they were trying to steal."

Ravock walks closer to the humans shackled to the wall and runs his hand over their chests as he strolls by, causing them to flinch."They want a relic containing Morningstar Blood."

"How did these three imbeciles find out about Morningstar Blood?"Hex asks.

"Someone promised these idiots a bunch of money if they acquired the amphora for them.They didn't have a clue about the Blood."Ravock turns back in our direction."I want whoever hired them."

"What are you going to do with Rudy and his sons?"Kory asks, looking at the restrained men.

"Never mind the details, little mouse.But they won't bother you ever again."

The three men begin begging and straining against the chains.

"I do so love it when they fight.Keeps things from getting boring," Ravock says with a sharp-toothed smile."No need to beg for my attention, I'll come back later to play."He pats one of the men on the cheek.

I'm glad Ravock is an ally, albeit a reluctant one.Our pack connection to Isadora ensures our protection.I'd rather not see what it's like to tangle with him.

"Let's chat," the demon says to Jericho and Hex, making it clear the rest of us aren't invited.After they leave, one of the other demons shows us back to the library where the Nefarious members keep to themselves, leaving me to finally get to connect with Kory.

"So… you're the wolf Ravock was talking about – my mate," Kory states."I wasn't expecting that."

I sit beside him on the love seat."It's an unexpected turn of events."

"After Hex told me about you, I wondered what I'd say when we finally met.Part of me is grateful you were able to save him.The other part is angry you chose to leave him.I thought when I met you, I'd give you a piece of my mind for hurting the man I love, and I still might.But us being mates… the only thing I can think right now is, how can I trust you?How can we trust you?"

I don't have an answer for that.

Chapter Nineteen

Hex