No, I need to just leave. Get out of bed, pack a few things, and go into hiding. Mason will eventually forget me and stop looking. If I run far enough, maybe I can start again.
My wolf growled at the idea, showing me just how distasteful my musings were. Mason had reached her earlier and she was now fiercely loyal to him. She didn’t want to hear any nonsense about leaving. Besides, she warned me, Mason would never stop looking, and he’d bring in other packs to help. The only way to avoid that was to go rogue, and the idea bristled against my pride. I was too much of a “pack” girl to ever go it alone.
What am I going to do?
You’re going to stop thinking and just let me hold you, a voice as warm as melted chocolate echoed through my mind and slid over my body. I stopped my rocking and opened my eyes, looking for the source.
“Mason?”
I’m here. Just waiting and watching.
A rustle from the corner of the room drew my attention, and I found him-the man who made my heart sing and dance, sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. A closer look showed he was still in the same clothes from yesterday, giving him a crumpled look I couldn’t deny was sexy. Each time I looked at him, it stole my heart, and it hurt to know I’d lost him.
“What are you doing down there? Something wrong with the chair?” I looked over to the plush armchair I had everyone drag in for me, and I instantly saw the problem-it was covered with piles of unfolded clothes. Being a procrastinator, I’d never got around to putting them away.
“I wanted you to rest, but couldn’t bring myself to leave. You tossed and turned a lot.”
Speaking aloud, Mason’s voice had the same effect over me. To some, he just sounded like an ordinary guy, but as a werewolf I could feel the authority and power flowing through it. I could also hear his weariness and sorrow.
“You didn’t want to share my bed?” I couldn’t believe how small I sounded as I spoke my fears. It hurt knowing he found me so repulsive he’d rather sit on a hard floor than beside me.
I closed my eyes again, hoping to hide from his answers. If he was going to break it off with me, I’d rather not see it coming. Maybe I was a coward.
There was a slight noise before I felt the mattress lower as Mason sat down beside me. I instantly began rocking again, my body moving involuntarily, and it was seconds before I was encased in strong arms.
“I’m sorry about Jasmine. I’m sorry I couldn’t save her. I’m sorry…” I couldn’t finish my sentence.
The calming, potent scent of wolf mixed with Mason hit me and I filled my lungs with it, memorizing it for future use. My heartbeat sought out his and slowed itself to match. My chest rose and fell in time with his. For the first time since I awoke, I felt some semblance of peace.
“Darcy, you think too much,” Mason whispered, and he tightened his embrace. “It hurts me to hear you.”
“It’s true though,” I murmured, “Why would you want me?”
“Because you’re mine.”
With that simple declaration, I fell apart.
Wave after wave of every emotion I lived through in the past twenty four hours washed over me, filling me up before erupting out in short, hard gasps. Drawing breath was near impossible as I panted through the pain and sobbed as my heart broke all over again. As one cry finished, another began and everything faded away, leaving me drowning in grief. It was relentless-I couldn’t escape it, forced to ride it out.
Slow, soothing strokes against my back were my lifeline, Mason’s steady presence a reminder I wasn’t alone, and I clutched onto him as my anchor. Gradually, my chest stopped tightening and my cries turned into muffled hiccups as I buried my face into him.
“Are you okay?” Mason asked softly, his hand leaving my back to run his fingers through my hair. His voice sounded thick with emotion, and a quick glance at his face confirmed my suspicions. I hadn’t wept alone.
He’d also lost his sister, and I felt selfish for losing sight of it. He’d gone through the night alone, wanting to let me rest, choosing to see to my needs before his own. Love surged through me over this man, and I offered up a vow right then and there, I’d stand by him forever.
Pulling back slightly, I reached up and tenderly brushed away his tears with the pad of my thumb. Mason returned the favor, his focus never leaving my face. I’m not sure how I missed it before. Yes, there was a look of weariness and deep sadness, but there was also love blazing in his eyes. This was a man who adored me, who would wage war with the Devil himself, and he was all mine. My wolf howled in agreement.
You better believe I’m all yours. It’s you and me forever, Darcy. No matter what.
He spoke again into my mind, and I tentatively reached out to answer him. I love you, Mason. I’m so sorry. I couldn’t help let go of a sigh at being able to connect with him mentally. It troubled me that it hadn’t worked earlier and before I could ask why, he interrupted me.
“There’s plenty of time to talk, babe. We’ll work on it. Right now, I just want to make sure you’re okay. You scared me last night and I hate feeling that way. I’m struggling with the death of Jasmine, but to think I almost lost you too… I don’t think I would survive that.”
“Even a big bad wolf like you?” I offered a weak smile as I stroked his cheek, touched at the emotion he was showing me.
“Yes, even a big bad wolf like me. You’re everything to me, Darcy. So I don’t ever want to hear you think about leaving. Whatever happens, we face it together.” There was a fierceness in his face now as he spoke, a determination that told me what he just shared was as good as law. Without thought, I leaned forward and brought my lips against his, moving them for a gentle, tender kiss.
“Thank you,” I whispered, retreating slowly. A flash of hunger fired in his eyes before he pulled back, a look of concern returning to its place. Without warning, Mason lifted me into his arms, and with his back against the headboard, nestled me on his lap. I couldn’t help but squeak at the sudden movement and blushed at how very un-wolf-like it was.
His slight chuckle resonated through my back as I got comfortable. Trust him to have heard it. Nothing escaped his notice when it came to me, and he brought his arms around my body, folding me into his own.
“Want to talk about it?” The question hung in the air and I didn’t know how to answer. Everything inside me screamed to keep silent, to bury it deep, but the look of concern on his face told me he needed this just as much as I did.
I nodded and searched for a place to start. I wasn’t looking forward to reliving it, but hopefully once it was out in the open between us we could heal together. Without any more thought, I opened my mouth and the words poured out. They came slowly at first, and then rapidly. The purging felt good.
Mason sat quietly, focused on letting me set the pace, but there was no denying the inner turmoil he was going through. As he listened about the threat to me and his sister, and the struggle she went through, electricity churned in the air. His wolf was right at the surface, chomping and snarling, wanting to be released. It showed the amazing strength and control he had, because a lesser wolf would’ve changed under the incredible pressure.
Even with his fury tightly reined, Mason emitted low growls. When I retold the moment where Jasmine was shot, he leaned his head back and let out the most haunted, terrifying cry I’d ever heard. It was full of grief, maddening in its intensity. His arms became like iron rods around me and I knew all his protective instincts had kicked in. Had I not already taken care of Gary, Mason would’ve left right at that moment, and not stopped until he destroyed the monster who dared to steal from him.