I rest in Mason's arms as he carries me through the woods towards the pack house in silence. I lean my head against his shoulder and drown out the sharp pain in my ribs from each breath. Despite the constant pain and the horrible situation we're about to walk into, it's very peaceful out here. However, whatever peace I'm feeling right now I have no doubt is soon going to dissipate when we hit those cells. I know that if this Rogue is going to give information away about whatever Dylan is planning, it only means that he's planning on getting something in return. Knowing Mason, the only thing that little fucker is going to get is me being there… and I'm sure Mason isn't comfortable with that. I'm not comfortable with it, but this is a necessary evil to get the information we need to keep this pack better prepared.
"Okay," Mason says as he stops in front of the building. I glance up at the building and keep my breathing even as I push down any nerves in my stomach. I turn my eyes to Mason, and I can see that he's seeing right through my façade. "You are only going down there because we need this information, and you want to face that asshole after what he did to you. I don't like this one bit," he speaks, watching me closely. I roll my eyes and shake my head at him. He may not like this, but we need this information, and he can get over it. Mason sighs and gives me a pointed look but decides to keep his mouth shut this time. He turns his attention back to Jason and Brandon.
"If things go south in there, at all, you take her away and take her straight home," his attention is mainly on Brandon. Brandon nods his head in understanding, and I can't help but roll my eyes again. I get why they are so on edge. Whatever these Rogues did to catch me off guard is unsettling. I may be hurt now, but I'm not completely useless. I can still handle being near a Rogue. "I know he's in a cell, but if he wants her in there then there is no telling what he's going to say or try to do. If anything comes out of his mouth that upsets her, I want her out of the room, Brandon. Is that understood?" I don't appreciate the way he's talking about me as if I'm not here, but I know there's nothing I can do to change that right now. He's uncomfortable with this situation, so I guess I can overlook it… this time.
"Yes, Alpha," Brandon answers right away. He glances at me and sees the annoyed look I'm shooting at him before he continues. "Alpha, are you sure you want me to take her home instead of waiting for you to finish?" Mason growls lowly at him. Brandon lowers his eyes and fights to explain himself. I can see him trying to come up with some excuse as to why he wants to stay close to me, but I can see him struggling.
'I want you to take me home. I know you're going to kick me out if things get bad, but my wolf is not going to want anyone else carrying me around right now, sweetie. I've been asleep and away from you for too long. Please don't make me leave,' I speak into Mason's mind as I squeeze his neck. He glances over at me before looking back at Brandon.
"You can wait for me upstairs. I'll take her home myself. I'm going to need you to follow me to the house though. I would like to talk to you about something, you should probably bring Mary as well." What did Mason need to talk to them about? It has to be important if it's involving Mary. I don't even know if Mary wants to be around me. We haven't been around each other much since that day at the mall. Including this week, even with me being unconscious, that's been three weeks now. I make a mental note to try to smooth things over with her when I get back home. She's Brandon's mate, and I need to fix this rift I've created between us.
"Is everything okay?" Brandon's voice is dripping with worrying. I lift my head and look at Mason as well. Brandon hasn't done anything that I'm aware of that would get them in trouble, which just makes me nosey about why Mason wants to speak with them. Mason squeezes my legs slightly and sends a slightly annoyed look at me. I guess I forgot to put up a block in my mind. I smile at him shyly and glance back at Brandon.
"No," Mason finally replies with a soft shake of his head. "There isn't anything that you need to worry about, I just want to run something by the two of you." Brandon nods his head but stays silent as he lowers his eyes from Mason's. I can still see the worry in his eyes, so I send him a smile to try and ease his worry. He smiles back, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Surely he knows that his friendship means the world to me, and with that friendship comes some of my protection… even if it's from our Alpha.
"Okay," Mason sighs, pulling our attention to him, "let's get this shit over with. I want this Rogue taken care of as soon as we are done, and we have the information we need." I look to Jason to see him nod. His green eyes fierce as he stares at Mason. I swallow as I glance back at the house. This is it.
We enter the house and head down the stairs towards the cells. I have never been down here before, but I have seen the cells that Alpha Dylan threw the Rogues in that trespassed… and anyone who broke one of his many rules. It was cold. I hated being down there, but my father – Robert – insisted that as the daughter of the Beta I needed to be able to handle seeing people down there. I never understood why. I was never going to be Beta or anything of that pack so at the time I dreaded the days he would drag me down there. Now, I can't help but appreciate that this won't be the first time seeing something like this. I don't think it's something I'll ever get used to, but at least it won't be a shock.
The knots in my stomach tighten with each step Mason takes. Sensing the sudden change in my feelings, he stops only halfway down the stairs and looks at me. I don't even have to say anything, he just knows what's going on inside my head, as he usually does. He looks over his shoulder and nods his head down the stairs and we stand to the side as Jason and Brandon continue on their way. He watches the two of them until they pass through the doorway and are out of sight before turning his eyes back to me.
"What is it?" His fingers glide slightly up and down my leg as I lean closer to him.
'Even at my old pack, I didn't like going down to the cells. Robert made me, but I never really got used to it. I don't like seeing the people down there, even if they deserve to be in there,' I explain. I take a deep breath and look at him. 'I just need a minute before we head down. Just a minute and then I'll be fine.'
"Take your time, Red. I know the cells are not a pleasant place to be. I also know that going to see that bastard that did this to you," he leans forward to run his nose along my bruised face, "is hard, but you're one of the toughest people I know. I know you can do this." I smile at him and then glance back at the doorway. I can't hear anyone yelling like they were the last time I was in a pack's prison.
'Are there a lot of people down there?'
"No, it's just him for now. We haven't had any other attacks where Rogues were left alive, so they've been empty until a week ago." I look back at the door again and suck in another breath. Pain shoots through my ribs, but I push it aside as I look into Mason's amber eyes and nod my head, indicating that I'm ready.
We start moving again and I watch as the warm glow from the stairs turns into a cold one as we walk through the doorway. My eyes dart to the left and the right. There are two rows of cells lined with what I'm assuming to be silver bars. Silver won't kill us, but it does weaken us… making us almost human. It slows our healing process and dulls our strength, making it easier for our enemies to kill us. The hallway seems to go on forever, but our journey ends when Mason steps in front of the fourth cell down. I turn to look inside and sitting on the bed, with a smirk on his beaten and bruised face is the Rogue.
The only emotions I can register within my body are hate and disgust. He looks like he's already hurting from the fresh bruises on his cheeks and under his eyes, but that isn't enough for me or my wolf. She wants to rip him to shreds for touching us. She starts pacing my mind, eager to come out. I should be pushing her down, but this is the most I've felt of her since I woke up. Maybe whatever the hell was in my system is finally dissipating. I look away not wanting to look into those cold eyes. He has me here so he will talk, but he isn't getting the satisfaction of my complete attention. I close my eyes and lean my head against Mason's neck, inhaling his scent in hopes of calming my wolf. I'm not supposed to shift right now. With the pain I'm already in, I can't even imagine the pain that would come from shifting.
"I have to say, I'm surprised you actually brought the bitch down here. Most males don't allow their mates anywhere close to anyone who harms them… let alone an Alpha. You must not be as big and bad as everyone says you are," the Rogue taunts Mason. I tense, expecting him to start shaking or at least show some sign that his wolf is surfacing, but he remains hard as a stone. Ever the badass Alpha he is. Mason places my feet on the ground, keeping his arm around my waist to keep my weight rested against him and not on my leg. It feels weird to stand up, and I know the only reason I'm standing now is just in case Mason has to do something. It gives Brandon better access to getting me out of here faster. I wrap my arm around his waist and allow him to support me as I stare blankly at the cell wall behind the Rogue.
"We're both here, now tell me what you know about Dylan's pack," Mason doesn't speak any louder than he normally does, but there's something behind his voice that makes even me want to shy away from him. I keep my gaze fixed straight, hopefully not showing any signs of the emotions running through me right now.
"Now where is the fun in that?" the Rogue says. I glance over at him with a slight glare to find him smirking at Mason with his back pressed against the far wall of the cell. His eyes shift to me and I watch in disgust as one of his lids drops down in a wink as a sick smile spreads across his face. Mason growls and pulls me closer to this body, trying to hide me from the asshole's sight, but with me not being able to stand it makes it difficult. His arm causes some pain in my ribs, but not bad enough to make me voice my discomfort.
"You're not in here to have fun, you dick. You're lucky that I didn't kill you along with your pathetic companions. You're here for one reason, and one reason alone. You tell me what I want to know, and I'll make sure your death isn't prolonged and painful," Mason threatens. Both my wolf and I surge with pride with the way our mate is handling this situation. The Rogue really is lucky he's alive after what he did, so he really shouldn't be pushing his luck. If it wasn't for me being so badly injured, ambushed without any sense that I was surrounded, this Rogue would already be in the ground somewhere with his friends.
"Why don't you leave me alone with your little mate and then I'll tell her all of what I know? We had such fun last time we were together, this time should be even better." I flinch away from his voice. I don't want to be alone with him. I glare at him to show that he doesn't hold any power over me. He's just a Rogue, he has no power over anyone here. Mason growls again in warning, the walls seem to vibrate from the sound. The Rogue's eyes stay fixed on me. "Do you even realize the trouble you've caused all because you couldn't mind your own business?" He smirks and continues. "You're going to cause a war between packs. You ran away like a coward and you're going to cause a war to break out." He leans forward and rests his elbows against his knees while shaking his head. "And the information I do have is that it won't be just you against Blue Bloods."
I freeze and stare at him in shock.
A war not just against Blue Bloods? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
"What do you mean? What is Dylan planning that he decided to stoop so low as to seek help from low lives like Rogues?" Mason asks in a demanding tone as he squeezes me slightly with his fingers. I watch as the Rogue's upper lip twitches slightly at the insult, but he manages to keep his composure.
"Did you honestly think he wasn't going to get help from other packs? Whether or not Alaina is your mate has nothing to do with her almost killing a pack member – the Beta at that. She's lucky she left when she did, otherwise, she would be dead by now and you, poor Mason, wouldn't even have known anything about your mate," he speaks in such a condescending tone that I have to fight back the urge to walk forward and beat him myself. His words settle in my mind and I can't help the fear that fills me. Dylan isn't going to let this go, and he isn't going to face us on his own. He will get other packs involved and no matter how many members we have in our pack, it won't be enough against multiple packs. That's more lives that will be lost… because of me.
"Who's joined him?" Mason asks after several minutes of silence. I can feel the hurt coursing through our bond. The thought of not ever getting to meet me because of what I did is painful, for both of us. I wrap my other arm around his middle and press my face into his chest and I feel him calm down. He reaches up and grabs my hand with his free hand before going back to glaring at the prisoner.
The thought of never getting to meet Mason, after everything, is almost too much. I never thought about it like that. If I hadn't run, if I had stayed to stand trial, I would have been killed. I never would have gotten the chance to feel how I feel with Mason. To finally feel like I'm home. I close my eyes and do my best to push those thoughts away because I'm here now, and that's what matters.
"The last I heard, Adam Jones from Nightcrawler, and Roman McKinney from Sunset Fire," the Rogue speaks with raised eyebrows. I glance over at him to see his smirk still present. He knows he's going to die, yet he still has the audacity to sit there like he's safe. Like this information is going to save his life. Then again, maybe he doesn't care if he lives or dies. "Then again, that was over a week ago, so he very well may have more people helping him by now. Face it, your pack may be the largest of the eight, but even it can't withstand the force of at least three packs."
Mason's jaw tightens at this new information. My lips thin into a tight line as I fight to keep my composure. He's right. We could probably hold our own against Blue Bloods, maybe one other pack helping them, but not three. Not to mention Dylan has resorted to seeking help from Rogues, which puts us at a severe disadvantage.
"The best of luck to your pack surviving would be to send that traitor back where she belongs." I can't help but actually agree with him. If I hadn't run away, then I wouldn't be in this position, and neither would the pack. I glance at Mason as he glares at the Rogue who doesn't seem even a little bit affected by his stare. I don't want him to have to worry about this because of me. There are so many innocent people here that do not deserve to have to defend themselves against a threat I brought to them. Mason doesn't deserve to have to sacrifice his pack's safety for me… but I can't leave him. The thought of me leaving him when I first met him was so hard that I couldn't go through with it then. Now that we've completed the bond, I don't think I could survive without him. If I left now, it'll just make everything worse and that's not okay either. Closing my eyes, I suck in as deep a breath as my ribs will allow before I decide I've heard enough of this so-called information.
'I don't want to hear any more of this shit,' I speak to Mason through our mindlink. He glances at me, his eyes softening. 'Can Brandon take me upstairs now, please?' Mason studies my face for a second before nodding his head. He looks at Brandon and without even saying a word, Brandon moves forward and gently wraps his arm around my back and under my legs. I wrap an arm around his shoulder and glance one last time at Mason before Brandon moves us down the hall and up the stairs. Mason growls softly but quickly stops when he remembers that Brandon is nothing more than a friend and mated wolf. I shoot him a slightly annoyed look and he just keeps watching us until we are out of sight.
My wolf doesn't like having Brandon's arms around us, but I fight the feeling down as we head up the stairs. The pack house is very busy now. Brandon carries me into one of the rooms not far from the stairs and sits me down on one of the couches. I watch the people bustle around as they do whatever jobs they're supposed to be doing. They all smile and bow their heads to me as they pass by in respect. I smile softly back at them. That's all I can manage right now. I just want to go home and relax with Mason. I want to forget all the trouble I'm causing just for a few hours.
"Do you need anything?" Brandon asks as he sits down on one of the chairs beside me. My throat feels kind of scratchy and dry again so a glass of water would sound nice. "A glass of water?" he asks, smiling at me. I look over at him confused but nod my head anyway. He quickly gets up from the chair and moves towards the kitchen in the next room. I look around the house for the first time. I've been outside the pack house many times with Mason, but I've never actually been inside before today. Mason is usually outside or in his office at our house when he's working. And since we have our own house, we don't live in the pack house like other members of the house. My mom is living here, but since our relationship is still pretty rocky, I'm ashamed to admit I was avoiding the place.
When Brandon makes it back he smiles and hands me a glass filled with ice water and sits back down on the chair.
'Are there a lot of people living here?' I ask Brandon through our link. He nods his head and looks around at the people moving around. A group of kids go running by pushing each other and laughing loudly. I smile and watch as they disappear into the kitchen. I hear someone talking that sounds familiar as they come into the room and I turn my head to see who it is. Just my luck, Nikki comes walking into the room talking to someone on the phone. I turn back around to face Brandon and do my best to ignore her presence. I know I can't really do anything to her because she is part of this pack, but that doesn't mean I have to like her.
She walks around the couch and looks over and sees me. I watch her eyes widen and I can't help but hope that she'll just leave the room without saying anything. She mumbles, "I'll call you back," and then she ends the phone call. I glare at her as she comes closer to the couch and just stares at me. I can't help but dislike her. She's been with my mate, and then she dares to flaunt it in my face when Mason takes me shopping. I haven't seen her since then – until now that is – and I'm not upset by that. I know she is to be treated like the rest of the pack members, but honestly, I could care less about what happens to her.
"Oh, look… the Luna finally decided to come see everyone else in the pack. Even if she's been here for a while now," she snaps at me. I guess she isn't too fond of me either. "Where's Mason, Brandon?" she asks, looking right over me. I growl at her as she talks about my mate. Pain erupts through my throat. She glances back at me and smirks before turning right back to Brandon.
Brandon looks at me, not knowing what to do. I glance at him and shake my head before returning my glare to Nikki. She has some nerve. The disrespect she gives her Luna is unheard of and shouldn't be allowed. Why Mason lets it happen is beyond me. I may not be able to talk right now, but hurt leg or not, I will take her ass down for even thinking about my mate in any other way than as her Alpha.
"Maybe you should just go, Nikki. You're upsetting the Luna and she's been through enough this last week," he speaks sternly to her. She scoffs and glares at me. I can see her wanting to say something but stops short. I outrank her, and with Brandon being my guard, so does he.
Eventually, she shrugs and turns to leave. I relax further into the couch with each step she takes away from me. When she makes it to the door, she turns and looks right at me. I brace for whatever hateful thing is going to come out of her mouth this time. "I'll just see him later anyway. He's been rather needy this week. Apparently, you don't know how to take care of him the way I do," she speaks. I can't help the loud growl that erupts from my chest as I jump off the couch and stalk toward her.
I make it about three steps away from the couch when an excruciating pain shoots up my leg, causing me to cry out as I crumple to the floor. The pain seems to suck all the air out of my lungs, and I can't breathe. I fall to my side, shooting more pain across my ribs as I grab my leg and pray for the pain to go away. I can hear Nikki laughing off in the distance, but everything seems to be foggy as the pain pulses through my entire body. I want to try and go after her again, my wolf is pushing me for it, but the pain is too much to bear.
"What a strong Luna this pack has! You're pathetic!" she laughs out. I want to say something back, but nothing comes out. I focus on forcing air back into my lungs and curl into myself on the floor as I wait for the pain to go away. I feel Brandon's hands on my shoulders as he tries to get me off the floor, but I don't want to move.
Everything hurts so much.
"Nikki!" Mason yells, causing everyone around me to stop talking. I hadn't even realized how many people had gathered around me. I guess when they hear their Luna yell out in pain in the middle of the pack house, it would create a crowd. I tune in to Mason's voice, hoping his being close will ease this pain. I can feel him getting closer to me, but when he walks right by me crumpled on the floor – towards that bitch – it feels like the pain escalates from his rejection of me. I close my eyes and press my face against the ground. I don't want to see him go to her. I can't.
"You will not speak that way to my mate! She is the Luna of this pack and if you can't keep your mouth shut and show her the respect she deserves then I will make sure you will have to find another place to live from now on." The threat in Mason's voice is nothing to be messed with. The anger radiating from him is serious. I glance up at him, but I don't try to move.
"Mason, you can't just kick me out of the pack because of –"
"You will no longer call me by my first name!" he growls out, his Alpha tone present in every word. "Everything that was between us is over and it never should have happened in the first place. You were a mistake that I will have to live to regret for the rest of my life." Nikki flinches and takes a step away from him. "You will address me as Alpha, and my mate as Luna, or you simply will get someone else to inform us of anything you have to say in the future. I will not have this conversation again, is that understood?" I watch as Nikki bows her head in defeat. I'm not sure if it's because her wolf is making her bow to her Alpha, or if she finally realizes she will never have Mason, but either way, I'll take it for now.
"Yes, Alpha," she whispers. I would smile at her reaction if I wasn't in so much pain at the moment.
"If I ever hear you telling Alaina lies like that again, I will personally see to it that you never see the sun again. You will rot behind those silver bars in those cells like a Rogue until you take your last breath. I haven't touched you since I found her, and I will never touch you again. Those words better not fall from your lips again."
I'm conflicted about how I feel about him threatening to throw her in those cells. I may despise her, but I would never wish for her to have to stay in one of those cells for the rest of her life. It's awful being down there, and I have no doubt that anyone down there isn't treated in any way that is wanted – granted they are down there for a reason, but still. I can hear in the sound of his voice that this is not a subject to be discussed with Mason. I'll bring it up to him later after we've all had a chance to calm down. If it comes to that, I'd rather her just leave the pack forever. At least that way she'd be out of our hair and we wouldn't have to deal with her anymore.
Another shock shoots up my leg, causing a whimper to escape past my lips. I close my eyes and press my face against the floor as I wait for the pain to dull again, but it doesn't. electricity explodes across my skin as Mason wraps me up in his arms. I try to relax as best as I can against him, but the pain is too much for me. "Why did you do that? You know the doctor told you to stay off your leg, and what do you do? You try to run and attack someone right after we leave the hospital!" he speaks harshly. He's irritated and on edge with everything going on, and he has every right to be. His amber eyes are swirling with black as his wolf surfaces. I know he's right. I just did further damage to my leg, but right now I don't need him yelling at me. I need him to make the pain go away and just take me home and away from everyone's prying eyes.
I look up at him with pleading eyes, hoping he understands what I need right now. If he's going to scold me he can at least do it in the privacy of our house, not with the audience of half the pack members in this pack house staring at their leaders.
He sighs and shakes his head slightly. I gasp as he quickly lifts me into his arms and tucks me against his chest. I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze, begging his touch to ease my pain. "Let's get you home," he whispers in my ear as I feel his lips press against the side of my head. I nod stiffly and tuck my head against his neck. If I can focus on him then maybe I'll be able to ignore the throbbing. My ribs still hurt from the fall, but I'm at least able to breathe normally now. I close my eyes and inhale his scent. "Brandon," Mason calls before we start walking. I keep my eyes closed and relax into my mate's hold as he carries me home.