Chapter Thirteen

Levi

Arriving in Bo's shop, Levi raged with a deep sense of revenge. Vibrating with the power of his gargoyle needing to protect his mate. Gargoyles were always highly protective of the people that they loved and considered family.

There were so many stories that Levi didn't know and only time would heal Mason's inner wounds. They would spend eternity getting to know each other, to grow together and love every day. They would not have the monster that was Mason's father hanging over their heads.

He was surprised to only find Axel, Gavin, Tristan, and a man who looked so much like his mate it was strange. There were noticeable difference between Mason and his twin—hair style, and Jason was more tan and leaner, but also similar. The sweet look in Mason's eyes wasn't visible in Jason's. Jason appeared harder, less trusting.

"Where is everyone else?" Levi asked.

Axel strode toward him. "Shawn and Trevor are watching over the boys."

Levi nodded. He knew that.

"Drake and Rainier are in town, making sure there are no other strangers hanging around or asking questions. Bo and Logan are watching the perimeter from the woods. Nate's in his nest." Axel tugged Levi into a hug. "How are you doing?"

Levi allowed his Alpha to comfort him. "I'm so angry. I had to hang there absolutely helpless as two men beat on my mate. Stuck trying to heal. And I couldn't help Mason."

"You can help him now," Axel told him. He pulled back, allowing Gavin to grab Levi and embrace him hard.

"Thanks for being here," Levi told his friend. Gavin was the one who had experience in dealing with real evil and battling for survival. Even more than Axel and the men who'd served in the military. Gavin's story was heartbreaking and sad, but it was his to tell. He was older than Axel and the things that he'd seen made Levi shudder.

"I'll always be by your side." Gavin pounded on his back. "And your father-in-law is a dick."

Levi snorted a laugh. "He did shoot me in the throat."

Gavin pulled back to run his fingers over Levi's healing flesh. "Are you okay?"

"I'll heal," Levi answered truthfully. The wound was something that Levi would easily forget. The feeling of helplessness? That might take a little longer.

"Can we get started now?" Tristam piped up. "I've been waiting, very patiently, I might add, to get my hands on my mate's tormenter."

Levi turned to the demon who had become a brother to him. He grinned at Tristan and the tight hold he had around Jason's waist. "You just had to pick my mate's twin," he teased. "I should have known."

Tristan laughed. "My mate is the most perfect soul in the entire universe. He punched me in the face as a hello."

Jason snorted. "You grabbed my ass in the middle of the bakery."

"It was what I wanted to taste!" Tristan argued.

Striding forward, Levi tugged Tristan into a quick hug before turning to Mason's twin. "Nice to meet you." He held out his hand.

Jason reached over to hug him. "Welcome to the family. You totally got the short end of the stick."

Breaking away, Levi shook his head. "Your brother is everything I've ever wanted in a mate."

Jason pressed his lips together. "I want to threaten you that if you ever hurt my brother, I'd do something terrible."

Levi lifted a brow.

"But there's the whole paranormal thing so that probably won't work," Jason said. He perked up. "Oh! I have a demon! Don't make me sic my demon on you!"

Levi smirked.

Tristan groaned.

"Uh, hon," Tristan whispered to his mate, "that's probably not a good threat either."

Jason whirled. "Demon." He waved his hands in front of Tristan's tall body. "Now, sure, I haven't worked out what Levi is yet but…" He waved his hands again. "Demon!"

"I'm a gargoyle," Levi said.

Jason's eyes widened. "Okay, admittedly that's pretty fucking neat, but demon!"

"Levi is one of the trainers in my realm. He can kick my ass," Tristan told his mate quietly. "And does on an almost daily occurrence.

"Oh!" Jason responded. "Cool. So he's badass and will keep my brother safe. I likey!" Rubbing his hands together, he smirked. "My father?"

"This way." Axel waved toward the back of the shop.

Bo's shop had been a gift from his mates to house the custom furniture he built but the back of the building was where he did the manual work. The tools the hellhound Alpha used were impressive and were also probably pretty intimidating to the humans. Not that they needed to use any tools. They were some of the most powerful paranormals in the world.

Tied up were five men and thankfully they had gags in their mouths. Levi didn't want to ever hear another word from Mason's father and the other man that had hurt Levi's mate.

"What are we going to do with them?" Levi questioned.

"The hounds will take them down where Mal has a special place he is preparing for them. From what Jason had told us, this group is responsible for numerous deaths and the extinction of a couple species of paranormals," Axel said.

"That many?" Levi asked.

"This goes back many generations," Gavin said. "It wasn't until Jason and your mate broke away that anyone began to question what they were doing."

"From what we've gotten out of them, there are only twelve remaining members of this group. All men. All over the age of fifty. What they called the true hunters," Tristan said.

Levi shook his head. "How did we not know this was happening?"

"We knew about hunters," Axel said. "Mostly, the practice of hunting our kind has died out. People just don't believe any more."

"Which is a good thing," Gavin said. "The old days…they were filled with complete societies wiped out because of fear. Even innocent humans were slaughtered."

This was all interesting, but Levi still wanted to face Mason's father. Levi turned to Jason. "Why did you and your brother walk away? I haven't had the chance to talk to him yet."

Jason sighed. "Other than the lifetime of torture and abuse we suffered?"

That would have been enough for him. Levi nodded.

"It was Mason," Jason said. "He'd been tracking a pack of shifters. Mas, he didn't… He's not violent."

"I know. And he told me that," Levi responded.

"His job was to track down and verify that the people were really monsters." Jason winced. "Sorry, that was what we were raised to believe."

"It's fine." Axel waved his hand. "What happened?"

"Mason did his job," Jason said.

"What do you mean?" Tristan asked.

Jason smiled at his new mate. "Well, hot stuff, Mason tracked down the pack just as he'd been trained to do. Except he didn't call in for an extermination like he was supposed to. Instead, he watched."

"Watched?" Tristan asked. The ridiculous demon was preening for his mate.

"He watched," Jason repeated. "He saw men and women, children, so-called monsters being…well, being people. They didn't hurt anyone. They didn't spend their nights hunting humans down and eating them. They just lived their lives."

"As most of us do," Gavin said.

"Exactly," Jason replied. "Mason saw that the so-called monsters weren't evil at all."

"Wow." Levi was impressed. His mate had managed to stop a generational hunter group by just watching a pack? By using his mind and listening to his heart? Mason amazed Levi.

"What happened next?" Axel questioned.

"When Mason didn't show back up or call, I got worried. I was headed out to find him when our cousin Cassie realized I was going after him. She insisted on coming along."

"And?" Levi pressed.

"We found him right where I knew he would be. He explained what he saw. Cassie wasn't as involved in the group as we were." Jason snorted. "Being a woman and all. My father has very strong opinions of women, well, of women having opinions. There were only three females in the group and they were there to cook and clean."

Tristan sneered at Jason's father where he was still tied up. "What a bastard. I know females that would wipe the floor with your ass." He kicked Jason's father's foot.

Jason laughed. "My father isn't anything but a bully and an asshole. He beat me and Mas because he's weak. Always has been. It just took getting away from his daily torture teachings to realize that."

Jason"s father mumbled behind his gag.

"Shut it." Tristan kicked him harder.

"Anyway, Cassie went into the town. Acting like a tourist. She was welcomed and helped. They were very nice to her."

"Something else happened," Gavin said.

"Cassie found her mate," Jason said with a smile.

"Mate?" Levi questioned.

"We didn't believe it either," Jason said. "We figured the pack knew who we were and playing games. Cassie refused to listen to us. She felt just as strong a connection to her mate as he felt for her."

"That's—" Levi shook his head. Unbelievable. Seb would probably know more about this pack. Maybe Levi could help Mason connect with his cousin again.

"Crazy," Jason said. "I know. We helped Cassie run from the family and she joined her mate. We secretly kept in touch. I also started to pay attention to what my family said and did, especially my father. They didn't even have a good reason for who they attacked. I don't think they went after rumors. It was the younger generation's job to find evidence, but I can't say that it didn't happen."

"It would be hard to always know," Levi agreed.

"It became too much for us. The constant abuse. Sending us after people who hadn't ever done anything to us or other people. We waited, listened carefully, prepared. When we were ready, we ran. We stayed hidden for years. Moved around constantly. Mason got tired of that life and eventually wanted to settle down. He came here."

The twins were brave. So very brave. Levi was impressed. His mate had been through so much in his young life, and he had still reached out to Levi. Mason must have been so scared at times and still he was strong enough to make a life for himself.

Levi stared at the man that had tormented and hurt his mate. He could see the old human for what he was. Nothing. These men didn't even deserve their time. They were nothing. Levi should be with his mate.

"Is there anything you need here?" Axel asked Levi. "Jason and Tristan both had some…interesting ideas on what to do to these men but agreed to allow the hounds to take them."

"To Mal," Levi said.

"Yes."

Did Levi need to get his hands on Mason's father? He wanted to, but in the end would it matter? The hell that awaited these men, especially Mason's father, would be everything they deserve. Plus, really, Levi had enough connections that he could check on these men and their afterlife whenever he wanted.

Levi studied the humans before he turned away.

There was nothing he needed to do. Why was he in this shop when all he really wanted to be doing was holding his mate? This was a waste of time. The evil in these people was their undoing. It wasn't up to Levi to play judge and executioner.

"I don't need anything here," Levi said softly. "I want to be with my mate."

"I'm proud of you." Gavin pulled him into a hug. "It's not easy letting go of the need for revenge. Even harder when the revenge is for another person. They will get everything that they deserve."

And Levi could let this go because he knew that to be true.

The door of the building slammed open. Levi and Gavin both spun and took defensive positions. Axel straightened.

"What?" Jason started.

"Stop!" River called. "Don't kill them yet!"

Gavin snorted. "It's just River and Anton."

Levi placed a hand over his frantic heart. "Shit!"

"What's going on?" Axel demanded.

River panted.

It was Anton that spoke. "Mason is on his way here."

"Why?" Levi stepped forward.

"He needs—" River walked closer and waved at the bound men. "Something." He was still trying to catch his breath.

Levi pushed past River and Anton, racing out of the building. He stopped in the middle of the yard when he spotted the back of a human holding a rifle.

* * * * *

Mason

Climbing down the back steps had seemed almost daunting but Mason clenched his teeth the entire way through them. Sam had an arm around his waist as Ansley held his hand, allowing Mason to squeeze tight.

Bryce and Lawson were in front of them as they slowly made their way across the yard. Lawson pulled Bryce to an abrupt stop, causing Mason to nearly run into him. Mason groaned at the suddenness.

"Who are you?" Lawson demanded of the man standing in the middle of the yard. Right there out in the open. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm just looking for someone."

Mason shuddered hearing that familiar, accented voice. "No," he whispered.

"Who are you looking for?" Lawson asked. "We don't know you and this is private property."

"Oh, I think someone knows me," Mason's Uncle Chad replied. He stepped to the side so Mason could see him clearly. And the rifle in his hands.

"Shit," Mason spat. This was not good. His Uncle Chad was Mason's father's right-hand man. Just as evil and stubborn.

"Come here, boy," Chad demanded. "And we won't hurt your new friends."

"We?"

"Yes, we."

Mason slammed into Lawson's back from a hard shove behind him.

Sam and Ansley whirled around but Mason didn't need to know that the rest of his father's group had found him. And they were all out in the open and vulnerable because Mason had insisted on coming out here.

His new friends, Levi's family, were in danger all because of Mason.

He would not allow them to get hurt though. Mason stepped away from his new friends. "I'll go with you quietly, but you have to promise not to hurt them." He hoped that Levi would find him quickly.

"Walk over here slowly," Chad ordered. "You're going to take me to your father."

"Sure, no problem." Mason stepped forward.

"No!" Lawson grabbed his arm. "You can't."

"I have to," Mason insisted softly.

"No."

A long loud howl echoed in the night.

Sam laughed. "You're in trouble now!"

Chad lifted the rifle then pointed it at Mason. "Get over here now."

"Sure."

"Mason," Bryce called.

He shuffled forward. Mason wanted to keep his friend safe, but he had faith in the rest of the family. That's what they were. Family. Mason had forgotten that. That these men were used to danger. They fought for one another. Mason didn't have to sacrifice himself. He didn't need to be a martyr.

"It's going to be okay," Mason promised.

Six steps. He'd only taken six steps when he spotted his man. His sweet and protective mate burst into view. The moment that Levi spotted Mason's uncle, his body began to change. The way it had when Levi had first transformed for him. His gorgeous tan skin went gray, nearly marble, as his wings spread behind him.

A roar sounded behind Levi as Axel ran and passed Levi. Launching himself into the air.

More sounds, another howl, a growl, an angry shout. Everything happened at once. It was absolute chaos and Mason didn't have to do a thing. He just stood there as his new friends—no, his new family—took care of the men that had threatened them.

It was violent and nauseating, but Mason kept his eyes on his mate. Levi yanked the rifle from his uncle and hit him with it before tossing the weapon away. Levi then ripped Chad into shreds. Those sharp claws deadly.

Once Chad stopped screaming, Levi rose off his body.

Levi stepped toward Mason before he stopped and looked down at his bloody hands. Levi's eyes widened while looking around frantically. Mason didn't know what to do other than go to his mate.

Mason ran the best he could with his battered body. "Levi!"

"Mason." Levi shook his head. "I…I need to—"

He didn't care what Levi needed to do. Mason rushed straight into his arms. He held Levi around the waist. "Levi."

"It's okay," Levi soothed. "Are you injured? Did they hurt you?"

"No," Mason said. "I'm fine. I was just scared."

"You don't have to ever be scared again," Levi told him. "I'll always protect you."

Mason kept his face buried in Levi's shirt. "It's all just happened so fast. I spent my entire life in this sort of fight for survival. On constant guard. As soon as I saw my uncle again, I was ready to sacrifice myself to save everyone else. Even with the other boys telling me not to. Then I heard the yowl. I think it was Shawn. Sam sort of laughed and I knew. I remembered."

Levi cupped his face, forcing Mason to lift his head. "Remembered what?"

"That I wasn't alone," Mason said. "Not that I've ever been alone with Jason. But it was always us against the world. It's not true anymore though."

"It's not." Levi smiled. His fangs glistened in the moonlight, but Mason wasn't afraid. He would never be afraid of his mate.

"That howl. It was like it echoed all around me. Hugged me. Told me that it would all be okay. I just needed to be brave one more time. That you would come."

"Yes," Levi said. "I will always come." Lowering his head, Levi kissed him, fangs and all.

Mason ignored the ache in his body and pushed closer. He opened for Levi and accepted the deep kiss.

"What were you boys doing out here? I told you to stay in the house," Axel rumbled.

Shit! Mason pulled back. "I need to see my father."

"Your father?" Levi questioned. "Why?"

"I need something from him. Is he still alive?"

"He is," Levi told him. "We're not killing him."

Mason looked around the yard.

"Ugh." Levi winced. "They were threatening you all. Your father and the other men are tied up. They'll be taken to hell by the hounds."

"Oh." That…that was perfect. His father having to face a fiery judgment and getting what he deserved? It was what Mason had always wanted.

"Is that…" Levi frowned. "I can kill him—"

"No, sweetheart." Mason patted Levi's chest. "It's… Thank you for offering. I never wanted to have to kill my father. I just wanted him to stop. To go away. To leave us alone. Him going to hell? Perfect."

"Good."

"But I need to talk to him first," Mason said.

"If that's what you want," Levi replied then motioned Axel over.

"Everything okay?" Axel asked.

"Mason wants to talk to his father," Levi said.

"No." Jason joined them while dragging Tristan along. "You don't need to ever see him again."

"I have questions for him," Mason argued.

"This is up to you," Axel said. "Whatever you want."

Mason nodded. "First." He turned to Axel. "Thank you."

"For what?" Axel asked.

"Accepting me and my brother into your family. Protecting us."

"That's what family does," Axel told him.

"Not in our experience," Mason said.

Axel shook his head. "I understand that. I've also struggled with my family bonds. My found family has helped me move past that and we offer the same place for peace that I've found."

"I want to help you," Mason said. "All of you. Please take me to my father."

"I'm going with you," Jason demanded. "Tris?"

"By your side, my mate," Tristan stated clearly. "Always."

"Everyone back in the house," Axel ordered. "No one leaves this time."

Bryce shot Mason a brief smile before grabbing Lawson's arm.

"I'll stay inside with them," Shawn called. He was naked and Sam clung to his neck. They were a cute couple together. Mason couldn't wait to get to know them better.

"Bo. Gavin. Come with us please." Axel looked around. "Someone get this mess cleaned up."

"Yes, Alpha."

They headed in the direction of the building farther from the main house. Mason holding Levi's hand. Jason beside him clutching tight to his mate. Axel in the front and Bo and Gavin bringing up the rear.

His first steps in the building, Mason found himself in awe. It was a huge building filled with the most beautiful wood furniture that he'd ever seen. Mason stopped in the middle to just look around.

"Gorgeous. Isn't it?" Levi said. "This is Bo's workshop. He builds all this custom furniture."

"Wow." Mason was amazed.

"I would be more than happy to make you something special as a mating gift," Bo said.

Mason turned.

The tall broad man smiled at him.

"It would be an honor really. Levi has never asked for anything."

"I don't want to be a bother," Levi said.

Bo nodded. "I know."

"I think we'll take you up on that offer." Mason grinned. "After we work out a few things." Like where they were going to live.

"We'll talk."

"What about us?" Tristan said. "What if we need a bed or two?"

"Why's it got to be a bed?" Jason asked.

"Because I plan on breaking a few with you." Tristan leered at his mate.

Mason groaned. "TMI, demon!"

Tristan waved him off. "Remember when we first met in the woods? I knew there was something about you." He winked at Mason.

"I remember you trying to talk me into a threesome with you and Levi," Mason retorted.

"You did what?" Jason spun on his mate.

"I—" Tristan rubbed the back of his head.

"You propositioned my brother?" Jason demanded.

"He did." Mason threw fuel on the fire.

"I—"

"When we're alone, I'm going to grab you by the horns and—"

"Horns?" Mason gasped. "You… Are you glamoured?"

"Of course. I didn't want to send all the little humans fleeing in terror," Tristan responded.

"Oh." Mason didn't know what to think about that.

"Several members of our family use glamour unless they are in their home realm," Axel explained.

"That's sad." Mason hated that anyone had to hide who they truly are.

"It's not that big of a deal," Tristan said. "Most of us that have to glamour don't live here."

"I…" Mason needed to think more. It didn't seem right to him. "Where's my father?" He needed to get back to his mission. He knew that Levi's family didn't blame him or Jason for what their father did but they'd made mistakes too. They weren't completely innocent.

"Here in the back." Axel strode forward.

Mason followed behind until he came to the men tied up. Or mostly bound. It was obvious that they'd been working on the restraints. Axel growled before he rushed forward, throwing the men back against the wall.

"Do you need all of them here?" Bo questioned.

"Just my father," Mason replied. He looked at the other men. Men that had helped his father. Had abused him his entire life. They didn't hold any power over him. Not any longer.

"I can call my pack and have them come get the others," Bo offered.

Tristan clapped. "Yes! Release the hounds!" He swung an arm over Jason's shoulders. "You'll love the puppies. They are so cute. Seb even got a little one all his own. She's adorable."

"They are not puppies. They are ferocious beasts from hell," Bo corrected with a scowl.

"Puppies!" Tristan whispered to Jason. Mason still heard so he was certain Bo had as well.

"Mason?" Levi tugged him into a gentle embrace.

"That's fine." Mason wasn't going to ruin everyone"s fun even if he was beginning to get overwhelmed again. This…all of this was so much more than he ever imagined. This wasn't a simple pack of shifters. He didn't see how he would ever fit in.

Bo smiled before closing his eyes and when he opened them again, they burned red. Howls filled the building as something opened…something black, and five large…dogs walked out.

The black dogs with flames covering their fur looked to Bo.

"Take them to the Master," Bo ordered. "All except that one." He pointed to Mason's father.

The hounds howled once again before they each grabbed a man by the neck.

There was screaming but the men were no match for the huge beasts.

As fast as they came, the hounds went back through the portal, taking the men with them. The portal? Whatever it was closed.

"Now." Bo knelt in front of Mason's father. "Your son would like to ask you some questions."

Mason stepped forward. "Can you remove the gag?"

"Sure."

Bo stepped back after he pulled the cloth from Mason's father's mouth, who started to scream.