Page 21 of Mason

"I don't hate you, Mason.That's the problem.I wanted this to be real from the beginning, Fated or not, and you fucking left.You threw me away like I was trash.The only reason you're even here now is because of Kory.I'm just someone you're tolerating.But I swear to the Goddess, if you hurt him, I'll never forgive you."

"Hex, you know I'm not only here because of Kory.Deep down, you know I'm here for you, too.I know you can feel that.At some point, you're going to have to decide to trust me, or this isn't going to work.I know I haven't given you a reason to in the past, but I'm here now.I'm here, love."

Mason takes my hand and puts it on his chest.

"Feel me, Hex.Feel my wolf.Feel Kory and our bond.Feel us."

I close my eyes."I'm scared, Mason.If I let my guard down and you leave again…"

"I'm not leaving.Never again."

Opening my eyes, hand still on his heart, I meet his gaze."It's not that simple, though, is it?You have a pack.I have the Nefarious.How long before we have to choose between them and each other?You may have temporarily left the pack, but it's your family, your blood.We both know you'll never leave permanently.And you'd resent me if I asked you to."

"You know that's part of the reason I left you back then.I couldn't ask you to leave your entire life for me.But I've been thinking about it.What if we split time between the Nefarious and the pack?"

"You'd be okay being away from the pack land for six months out of the year?"

"I'll adjust.They're still my pack, I'll see them less, that's all.Also, they have this cool thing now called video calls.Maybe you've heard of it?"

"Shut up," I say, with a soft smile, but then turn serious again."So, we're really going to do this?It's actually happening?"

"You're mine, Hex.You always have been."Mason touches the mating bite he gave me years ago."It just took me some time to realize it."

Goddess help me, there goes my heart.

Chapter Thirty-One

Mason

Ithinkwe'reontrack now.It's often difficult for a man to admit he's scared, but Hex was willing to be vulnerable with me.I need to remember this moment when he starts nitpicking and arguing.It's a defense mechanism.Eventually, he won't need it anymore, but those kind of things don't change overnight.I need to make sure I remind him all the time, I'm here.I'm not leaving.This is how we begin building trust.

Now that we're moving forward, I let myself take what I never allowed before.Going slow, giving Hex time to pull away, I bring my lips to his.I meant for it to be a soft kiss, a promise, but the second we touch, our bond flares to live and we're devouring each other.

"Break it up, lovebirds," Nicola yells through the door."Poor Kory looks like he might combust, and we don't need that before dinner."

"Fuck, I forgot they were all hovering out there," I say, pulling away from Hex.

"Get your asses out here so we can celebrate.We're starving!"Ransom shouts."Last one to the house goes without."

"He's kidding, right?"Hex asks.

"You'd think so, wouldn't you?But around here, you never know.Wolves have healthy appetites and meal time is like free-form sparring.All bets are off."

"Shit.You distract them.I'll grab Kory and go stake a claim at the table."

"You're going to fit perfectly around here," I whisper, wrapping my arm around his waist."But they know my moves.I say, you distract and I'll grab our mate and make a run for it."

I test the door and when it swings open Kory is standing next to it.Hex throws some kind of spell that catches the attention of my family.Tossing Kory over my shoulder, I book it to the house, Hex not far behind.

"Faster, Mason.That mesmerizing spell won't hold them more than a few more seconds, a minute tops.I don't have enhanced speed," Hex calls."I'll catch up."

I tap into my shifter speed and get Kory to the house in record time.

"What in blazes is going on?"Kory asks, righting his glasses as I set him on his feet.

"Had to beat my family to the table so you could eat dinner.Quick, let's get in there and get our plates loaded."

Hex comes in a few moments later, slightly winded, but looking pleased with himself.