Chapter Ten

Mason

Okay, this might be the most romantic perfect moment of his entire life. Leaning against Levi, they shared lunch, water, and finally the chocolate-covered strawberries that Dean had given him.

Levi fed Mason the final bite of dessert. Mason sucked the chocolate off Levi's finger, watching as Levi's gray eyes melted in arousal. Mason swallowed before Levi swooped down and took his mouth in a passionate kiss.

This magical feeling filled him and for the first time that day, Mason really did think that everything might work out. If they were mates like Mason suspected, then wouldn't Levi be able to forgive him? He allowed all the stress and uncertainty to flow out of him. Levi was taking all his attention.

Mason squirmed. His cock was hard, and he panted against Levi's mouth when Levi broke the kiss.

"You gave me one of the most beautiful afternoons I've ever had. Thank you," Levi said.

This man. This absolute sweetheart. Mason wrapped an arm around the back of Levi's neck. "I…" He stopped. Had he been about to confess something that neither of them was ready for?

Levi dropped a hand over Mason's erection. "I'd like to touch you. Can I?"

"Please," Mason begged.

Levi swallowed hard then slowly unbuttoned and unzipped Mason's jeans.

Mason shuddered. Was this actually happening?

Nuzzling Mason's cheek, Levi slipped his hand between Mason's jeans and underwear, pulling Mason's cock out into the open. Levi groaned as he peered down at Mason.

"I've dreamt of touching you," Levi confessed softly.

"Levi," Mason murmured.

Levi gave Mason's cock one long hard stroke.

It was all Mason could do not to thrust up. This was bordering on torture he wanted Levi's touch so much.

Levi chuckled while lowering his head and kissing Mason again.

Straining to lift his head, Mason kissed Levi back, pushing all his want and need against Levi's mouth.

Levi tightened his grip before he began to jerk Mason's cock thoroughly. Closing his eyes, Mason allowed himself to just feel.

"Such a good boy for me," Levi praised.

Mason shuddered.

"With such a pretty cock," Levi continued. He captured the precum from the tip of Mason's cock using the fluid to ease his stroke.

This was… Mason didn't even have words.

"Are you going to come for me, baby?" Levi whispered. "Come on, give it up for Daddy."

Mason groaned as he came hard.

"Good boy."

Opening his eyes, Mason gasped while watching Levi lick the cum from his fingers.

Mason whined. Why was that so fucking sexy?

Levi grinned at him. "Just as sweet as I thought you'd be."

Lurching up, Mason grabbed the back of Levi's head kissing him hard. Thrusting his tongue inside Levi's mouth, Mason could taste himself. Mason pressed himself up against Levi before he straddled Levi's lap.

As Levi's hard cock dug into Mason's ass, Mason ripped his mouth away. "I want—"

The sound of footsteps interrupted what Mason was going to say.

Levi quickly lifted Mason and set him aside then he rose. "That's not someone I recognize."

Mason scrambled onto his knees while trying to get his jeans back up. He stumbled around but Levi was standing stone-still.

"Three maybe four strangers," Levi stated.

Fuck! If Levi didn't recognize whoever was headed in their direction, this could only mean trouble.

"Hunters?" Mason asked in a whisper. Even if he wanted to believe it was hunters, Mason knew his past had finally caught up with him.

"Mason, I need you to run back to the house and get Axel."

Hello no! Mason was not leaving Levi alone in the woods. He dove for his pack still leaning against the tree. Digging deep, Mason frantically searched for his gun. He hadn't wanted to carry when meeting Levi, but he couldn't leave the weapon behind either.

He just hadn't been expecting to be ambushed. With his pants down!

"Mason!" Levi reached for him. "Run! I smell metal and gunpowder and—"

Levi broke off as a shot rang out. Then he was falling. Mason caught Levi as he slumped. Blood coated Levi's front, the tree, and Mason's face.

"No!" Mason wailed.

That was when the monster of his nightmares stepped into view.

"Hurry," his father barked. "Grab them both. Others are coming."

Mason let go of Levi as he tried to bring his weapon up.

A sharp pain exploded in the back of his head before everything went dark. The last thing he saw was the hole in Levi's throat.

* * * * *

Mason

He woke slowly, already knowing that something was terribly wrong. His head pounded, his wrists ached, and he could smell blood. Blinking open his eyes, Mason found himself hanging from his wrists in a damp cramped room.

Moving his head nearly made his vision whiten with pain but Mason forced himself to look at the man hanging beside him. Tears filled his eyes. Levi.

They'd hung Levi's lifeless body beside him.

Both of them were hanging from an exposed beam in the ceiling of some place that Mason couldn't even imagine where they were being held. His father had found him. Worse, his father had killed who Mason was certain was his mate.

They'd never had the talk that Mason had been planning on.

Levi hadn't known that Mason had been prepared to accept him as a mate. They would have had an entire lifetime together. Now all that Mason had were a few stolen moments to look back on before he died. And he had no doubt that he was going to die. He'd taken a chance escaping from his father but now it was time to pay the price.

He hoped Jason got away. Not seeing his brother there gave Mason a small bit of relief. Mason shouldn't have called his brother to him so now all he could do was pray that no one else was entangled in this mess.

Not knowing how long ago he'd been taken, Mason could only wait until his father showed his face.

Luckily, Mason knew how his father worked. Even though Mason couldn't see much in the small, cramped room, it didn't mean his father wasn't watching. His father had always watched his prey. It was part of the rules he'd tried to beat into Mason and Jason.

All he could do was hang around and wait. Literally. His wrists and shoulders ached but that didn't compare to the pain in his head. What the fuck had they hit him with?

Closing his eyes, Mason pulled on every memory he had of Levi. The talks they had on that stupid app. The first time that he'd seen Levi standing in the doorway of the big house with sweat dripping down his chest. The last private moment that they'd shared before Levi was taken from him.

Grief threatened to overwhelm him, but Mason wouldn't give in to that feeling. He might not make it to tomorrow, but he was going to make sure that he fought his father and made the other man regret coming after him. Mason had a few tricks up his sleeve. He wouldn't just die quietly.

He had no idea how long he waited until the door opened, letting in the first wave of fresh air in hours.

Mason lifted his head to glare at the older man that walked up in front of him.

Mason looked just like his father.

It was hard to look into the coldness of his father's eyes. "Hey, Dad, what's up?"

His father Clint sneered. "Always so disrespectful. I should have killed you and your worthless twin when you were still in your mother's stomach."

It wasn't the first time that Mason had heard those words from his father. He laughed. "But you didn't."

Clint turned to where Levi hung. "I thought this one would be harder to kill." He pushed Levi's shoulder, making Levi's body swing.

Son of a bitch! "Don't touch him!"

His father smirked. "I expected your brother to lower himself to possibly be with one of these monsters, but I had thought better of you."

"You"re the only monster in this room," Mason spat back.

Clint shrugged. "At least this one was easy to take out. Now tell me everything you know about him and his pack."

Mason laughed. "I'm not telling you shit."

"I already have people out there looking around this town. All it took was flashing your picture around a few places to track you down. How hard do you think it will be to figure out who this man was?"

As soon as anyone asked about Levi, then Axel would find out. There was no doubt in Mason's mind. Mason smiled at his father, showing all his teeth.

Rearing back, Clint punched Mason in the face, snapping his head to the side. Fuck! That hurt! It was still worth it to see his father's fury.

"Fuck you!" Mason said before spitting the blood in his mouth at him.

His father stepped to the side. "We'll see how long you can hold out. I've always had ways of making you tell me everything I wanted to know."

That might be true in the past, but Mason wasn't the same traumatized kid he used to be. He might have been the reason that Levi had been killed but Mason would protect Levi's family until his last breath.

He knew Levi would do the same if their positions were reversed. All Mason could do now was ensure that Levi's family didn't fall into the hands of his evil father. He had only met them once, but Levi loved them and that was enough for Mason.

The door opened and another familiar man walked in.

Old fear and memories tried to make bile rise. Evan Jones. One of his father's favorite followers and a man that Mason knew from personal experience got off on being cruel.

"It's been a long time." Evan grinned as he stopped in front of Mason. "I've missed you."

He couldn't help the absolute terror that filled him. Mason must have given away some kind of reaction—Evan and his father laughed as Evan leaned closer. Mason gagged at the scent of cigarettes, old sweat, and rot. Evan had always stunk. Proper hygiene had never been high on his list of priorities.

"We're going to have so much fun together." Evan licked Mason's cheek.

Knowing it would hurt, Mason took his one shot. He slammed his forehead as hard as he could into the other man's. Pain exploded behind his eyes but it was so worth it to see the blood flowing from Evan's nose.

"Fucker!" Evan cried as he cupped his face.

Mason's father immediately retaliated. He started to beat Mason along his ribs. Mason grunted and tried to fight through the pain, but it wasn't long before Mason just couldn't hold on. He was thankful when his vision began to darken, and succumbed to it.

* * * * *

Levi

Stuck healing, Levi couldn't do anything to help his mate and that had his fury growing to an uncomfortable level. As soon as his body was whole, he was going to tear apart everyone who had the nerve to touch his boy. Mason had been going in and out of consciousness through every beating.

The entire time Mason had been beaten, he'd never stopped his smartass remarks or laughing when threatened.

Levi had never been prouder of anyone.

Mason was truly his perfect match. As soon as Levi could get them out, he and Mason were going to make an awesome team. Levi was a little surprised that his family hadn't found him yet and it concerned him. He knew that Axel and the others would have realized something was wrong by now. So where were they? Had they been attacked as well?

His throat burned as the final muscles stitched themselves back together.

He and Mason were alone in the room together for the first time since Levi had woken. Wherever they were wasn't any place that Levi recognized. Some kind of old cabin or building. The place was currently quiet and still.

Forcing his eyes open, Levi couldn't hold back a groan. It hurt to shove the remainder of what needed to be healed down. He was patched up enough to try to get him and Mason out of this situation.

Mason gasped beside him. "Levi?"

Finally, Levi's body was starting to respond. He grunted when he tried to talk.

"Levi?" Mason said quietly before sobbing out. "Are…are you not…dead?"

He shook his head.

"Oh, thank Christ!" Mason said. "How are you not dead? You were shot! In the throat!"

Some of the conversations he'd overheard made Levi believe that Mason and his father knew more about the paranormal world than Levi would have suspected. Some other paranormals wouldn't have survived but Levi's species was pretty unkillable. Not that Mason would know that.

"I'm so sorry, Levi. I'm so fucking sorry."

Mason sounded wrecked and that bothered Levi. He kicked his legs before yanking down hard on his chains. The bolts holding his chains broke and Levi dropped. The hard landing made his already painfilled body ache, but Levi ignored it. On shaky legs, he stepped over to Mason.

Cupping Mason's battered face made Levi's heart ache. Both of Mason's eyes were swollen and bruised. His boy should never look like this. Levi was so angry but he needed to take care of his mate first.

"I'm so sorry," Mason said as tears fell from his eyes.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Levi rumbled. Okay, his throat was not completely healed.

"This is all my fault," Mason told him. "My father—"

"Is a monster," Levi said. "That's not your fault." They had a lot to talk about. How Mason knew of the paranormal world. Did he know they were mates? All of Levi's questions could wait though. He needed Mason safe and then he'd get his revenge.

"I…I was going to tell you. Today. I swear I was."

Levi believed him. "I was going to tell you my secret today too."

Mason gave him a small smile. "What…how are you still alive?"

"I'm immortal, baby. A bullet can't kill me. Your father can't kill me."

Mason nodded. "Thank God! I thought…I thought you'd died because of me."

"Even if I had, it wouldn't have been your fault." Levi reached for Mason's chains. "Let's get you down." Mason's body had been so abused, cut, blood everywhere Levi didn't know where he could touch him.

"No! Don't…"

Levi paused. Had he hurt his mate? "I'll be as careful as I can."

Mason shook his head while grimacing. "Just go. Before my father gets back."

Levi jerked back. "What?"

"You can get away," Mason said. "Leave me."

"I will never leave you," Levi vowed.

"I don't deserve…I don't deserve you."

Fuck this. Levi kissed Mason hard, ignoring the split lips and cuts. He tasted his mate's blood, which helped fuel his need for revenge. Mason kissed him back. While his mate was distracted, Levi yanked on the chains, catching Mason as he fell.

Levi caught his mate before easing him up and into his arms.

Mason broke the kiss as he groaned.

"I'm sorry you're hurt," Levi said sincerely.

"Don't…don't apologize to me," Mason responded. "I…this is all my fault."

After carrying his mate to the corner, Levi crouched and sat with Mason on his lap. Levi needed to find a way out of the room or at the very least prepare for when Mason's father and that horrid other man returned.

"Nothing that happened today is your fault." How did Levi make Mason understand? "You didn't do this."

"I didn't warn you though. I suspected my father had found me. It was why I called Jason down here. I needed his help to keep you and your family safe."

Levi had to think about Mason's words. Instead of dismissing Mason's concerns, it was time for Levi to listen.

"Why was your father looking for you?"

Mason sighed. His wrists were bruised as Mason curled his fingers into Levi's blood-stained shirt. "I was born and raised to be a monster just like my father. My entire life I've been told that my sole purpose was to rid the world of people like you. I knew it was wrong. I knew the real monster was my father and his group."

"It must have been horrible growing up that way," Levi said. He couldn't even imagine it. His birth parents weren't exactly loving but they had taken great care of Levi and his siblings.

"It was awful," Mason confessed. "Jason and I…we had each other at least."

"I can't wait to meet your brother," Levi shared.

Mason shook his head. "He's an asshole. But he's also my best friend." Mason's eyes darted around. "I don't know if my father realized Jason's in town. If he's in another room or something."

"No," Levi assured. "The house or wherever we are is empty except for the two of us."

Mason relaxed. "We need to get away. If my father realized that you"re not dead, he'll… There are worse things than being killed."

"I'll take care of your father," Levi vowed.

Mason tightened his fingers in Levi's shirt. "No! What if he hurts—"

Lowering his head, Levi nuzzled Mason's cheek gently. "I promise it's all going to be fine." He pulled away to meet Mason's eyes. "I can't leave them out here where they could come across Axel or anyone in my family. The boys…I can't let them get hurt."

"I understand that," Mason said. "I don't want them involved either. And Jason went into town. If my father—"

"I'll make sure that you and Jason are safe as well," Levi vowed.

"I should help you." Mason attempted to sit up.

"No!" Levi tightened his arms, making Mason wince. "Sorry! But you're too injured. I need to get you back to the big house. You'll be protected there."

"It's… I should have killed him instead of running," Mason said. "Jason said we wouldn't be safe but—"

"What is it?" Levi asked gently. He didn't want to push his mate but Levi needed to know what Mason was thinking. Levi couldn't, wouldn't, allow Mason's father to live. He was too much of a threat.

"I know I was supposed to kill but…I can't. I just can't. I can't kill. My father always called me weak because—"

"No, baby." That fucker. Levi was going to take his time with Mason's father.

"I could track," Mason said quietly. "My father didn't push too much after I got older and had me track…others like you."

Levi's heart broke for his mate. Mason was such a loving and kind person. Levi wasn't wrong about his mate. He'd known that Mason's heart had been pure. "It's okay."

"I did bad stuff, Levi," Mason confessed. "If you can't, won't, forgive me, I understand. If you don't want to mate…"

He couldn't help but tighten his arms again and Mason cried out.

"Sorry," Levi mumbled. "But you know about mates?"

Mason gave him a small smile, making his split lip begin to drip blood. "I was hoping that was why we are so drawn together."

"It is," Levi confirmed.

Mason nodded. "I wanted to be your mate so bad. I was going to tell you everything today. I wanted you to know before…before we went any further."

"It wouldn't have changed anything. Not for me," Levi assured his mate.

"Maybe not for you," Mason said. "But what about your family? What will they think when they find out about my past?"

That was a good question. Levi couldn't say for sure, but he did know one thing. "The only thing that matters is getting you out of here safe. Everything else we will work out later."

Mason hummed.

Levi would have to think about how to reassure his mate later. First, Levi was taking Mason home. To his home. Mason would be lucky if Levi ever let his mate out of his sight again.