Chapter Two

Mason

Grinning, Mason stepped into his favorite diner while spotting his prey. It had been two weeks since Mason had first laid eyes on the man who'd answered the door nearly naked and deliciously sweaty from what had clearly been a long hard run. Mason liked hard things. He couldn't get the man out of his head and finally Mason had tracked him down.

It had taken Mason all of twenty-four hours before he realized what had been tickling at the back of his brain.

The scar. The handsome stranger had a scar over his left pec. Over where his heart was. That scar. Yeah, Mason had seen it before. In the profile picture of Stone.

The handsome stranger that had nearly knocked Mason off his feet with need was the same one that Mason had been obsessed with over an online app. The same man that Mason had stupidly told to stop messaging him.

Once he realized the stranger was Stone, Mason couldn't stop himself from needing to see the man again. Mason had become a little too obsessed. Normal people didn't sit out in the woods watching a house full of men waiting to see one in particular. Something kept bringing him and Stone together and Mason just wanted to figure out if that pull meant what he thought.

He'd set out to learn everything he could about Stone's real life, but he hadn't learned much. Mason hadn't seen the handsome stranger at all in the two weeks he'd been watching for him. Although, Mason had learned a whole lot about the men that lived with Stone and had his suspensions already of what might be going on in Mason's new adopted town.

Men of all ages lived in the big house. Although there were no actual children like Mason had first assumed. The men were involved in several very interesting relationship dynamics. At least two relationships consisted of three partners. Mason did not have a problem with poly relationships, but he would not be sharing his gray-eyed man with anyone else. He was possessive enough to know that a poly relationship wasn't for him.

Also, several of the men indulged in age regression, daddy kink, and there was even one young man who dressed as a pup. Mason was intrigued. Mason and his twin had belonged to a BDSM club in the city and had often snuck out to indulge in their own kinks after coming of age.

While Jason leaned more toward the SM part of the community, Mason enjoyed the softer side. He'd gravitated toward the few Daddy Doms in the club, but it had always felt fake since they'd lacked any sort of connection.

Hope bloomed and settled in Mason's chest that this time he might have found where he actually belonged. Someone that might be into the same things as he while also wanting something more than just one night. Stone had to have been on that app for a reason after all.

There was just one concern. Mason knew something strange was going on with the men of the big house. Something that would place Mason firmly in enemy territory if they knew who he really was.

The number of disappearances and sudden appearances that happened around the house astounded him. Mason could sit for hours leaning against his now claimed tree and watch men coming out of the woods and toward the house with no apparent arrival. They just sort of popped into existence.

He'd already known that these men were part of the paranormal or supernatural world and that popping up confirmed it.

Which meant Mason's obsession must be paranormal as well.

Before they could go much further, Mason was going to have to confess his role in the paranormal community and why he was currently hiding out in an abandoned cabin playing at being a park ranger. If Stone found out who he was without Mason being the one to tell him, it would ruin everything Mason wanted with Stone.

First, he had to get his gray-eyed hottie to talk to him.

Mason waved to one of the waitresses he'd become friendly with before pointing over to the booth occupied by one man. He strolled over, trying to appear casual even as his heart raced.

As he walked closer to the booth, he noticed the man's head bent over a sketch pad. Was he an artist? From what Mason could see in the bold strikes of pencil against paper, it would appear so.

Mason stopped beside the table. "That's amazing."

The man startled and squeaked before he slammed his hand over the page.

"Hello." Mason smiled. "I don't think we formally met. I'm Mason Benard. A park ranger stationed about five miles from your house. We sort of met the other day?" He held out his hand.

Now Stone could totally ignore him. Mason half expected him to. Did he know Mason was the person from the dating app? Mason hadn't shared any pictures with his face shown but he'd figured out this was Stone, so it was possible the reverse was true. That would explain the door being slammed in his face.

The man slowly reached out a hand.

Mason grabbed onto it. "And you are?"

Gray eyes widened. "Levi."

Levi, not Stone, interesting. Not that Mason had used his real name. On dating apps, he went by the moniker Ranger Rick with his profile one of his uniform shirt open showing off his hairless and toned chest. "It's very nice to meet you, Levi." Mason forced himself to let go of Levi's hand. "Mind if I join you?"

Levi glanced around the diner. Yes, there were several empty tables. No, Mason did not want to sit at any of them. He wanted to be as close to Levi as possible. In the chats, Stone had always seemed super sweet, well educated, and fun. That couldn't have been an act. Not as often as they messaged. He prayed Levi would give him a chance.

"Please?" Mason asked quietly. He was almost desperate. There was so much he wanted to say but Mason didn't want to scare Stone…Levi away either. His brother often called Mason out for coming on too strong. Or the fact that Mason tended to latch on too hard to other people. It wasn't Mason's fault that he knew what he wanted.

"Okay," Levi responded just as softly.

Mason slid into the booth across from Levi and smiled as he ran his gaze over the handsome man. Levi wore his light hair cut short, allowing Mason an unobstructed view of his face. Levi's high cheekbones were as sharp as that intense gaze. Levi wore a soft gray T-shirt that made his eyes pop. Mason could look at Levi for days. Except his obvious appraisal was making Levi shift uncomfortably in his seat.

"Are you an artist?" Mason motioned back toward the sketch pad.

"Uh." Levi looked around frantically again.

Fuck! Should Mason address the dating app and his fuck-up or not? Would that help or make Levi even more uncomfortable?

Levi suddenly rolled his shoulders back then lifted his chin. "Why do you want to know?"

Damn, this sweet man had some fire inside him. Good. Mason needed a man with a firm hand. He tended to get himself in trouble.

Mason grinned. "Isn't this how you get to know someone? Ask them questions? Talk to them?"

"You want to get to know me?"

"I do." How to phrase this? "We're neighbors so we're bound to run into each other. Maybe we could be friends."

"Friends," Levi repeated.

Or more. Mason didn't think that Levi was ready for Mason to tell him what he really wanted to do. Like pushing Levi onto his back and climbing on top. He could take, what Mason imagined, was an impressive dick and rock Levi's world. Then snuggle for several hours before doing it again. And again.

Fuck, Mason loved bottoming. He loved being fucked. He wanted Levi. Damn it, he needed to get ahold of himself. Spreading his legs, Mason tried to give himself more breathing room as his hard cock pressed against the zipper of his pants.

The waitress walked up to the table and set a mug of coffee in front of Mason before placing a plate in front of Levi.

Great timing. Levi couldn't run until at least after he ate.

"Your usual, Ranger?" Sally asked.

"Yes please." He nodded. He sipped his coffee as she walked away. The diner's strong coffee always gave him a bit of a burst. Fuck! Mason would be lost without coffee.

Levi reached for his club sandwich but quickly dropped his hand back to his side.

"Please eat," Mason told him.

"I…"

"I am imposing on you for company. No need to wait on me. Eat before your food gets cold."

"Not imposing on me," Levi mumbled while reaching again for his sandwich.

Mason smiled. Maybe Levi didn't mind his presence too much. "So, artist?"

Levi took a bite and swallowed then reluctantly answered. "Tattoo artist. I own the shop in town."

"The one across the street?" Mason perked up. He'd been inside the shop, but Levi hadn't been there. Mason would have noticed. "I met with Steve about having some work done."

"Oh." Levi's shoulders dropped. "He's very talented."

But Mason wanted Levi's hands on him. Hopefully Levi felt the same. "I don't remember seeing you there." Mason was being pushy. It didn't seem that Levi wanted to talk about himself though.

Levi shrugged before dipping a fry into ketchup. "I don't take walk-ins and only come in when I have an appointment. Steve does a good job of running the shop for me."

"Which means that if I want to see you, I shouldn't hang around the tattoo shop?"

Levi choked on the french fry he'd just popped into his mouth.

Was it something he said? Mason mentally snickered. Levi was fun to tease.

"Wh…what?" Levi asked.

"If I want to see you," Mason said. "How would I go about that? You don't spend much time in your shop so—" He waved his hand around.

Levi took a drink of his ice water. He slammed the cup down. "Are you messing with me?"

"No." Mason widened his eyes. "I swear."

Levi grunted.

Mason was not giving up. "You should give me your number." That was a brilliant idea. Levi, when he'd been Stone, had seemed much more comfortable talking when they'd messaged through the dating app.

"What is even happening right now?" Levi mumbled.

"I'm hitting on you," Mason said slowly so there would be no more misunderstandings.

Levi shook his head. "I…I don't…what?"

Mason noticed the waitress walking over with a plate. He stole a fry from Levi's plate before pushing it toward him. "Eat."

He was happy when Levi picked up his sandwich and took another bite.

"Thanks, Sally." Mason waited until she'd set the roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn, and roll in front of him. He took a deep breath before smiling. "This looks great."

"Just holler if either of you need anything else." She walked away and Mason glanced back at Levi, who was staring at him.

Mason stabbed his fork into his potatoes. "Here is the thing. I find you incredibly attractive. I think we should go on a date."

"Are you always this forward?" Levi asked.

"No. Yes. Sometimes." Damn, Mason hadn't had to work this hard to get a man in a very long time. He just knew that Levi was going to turn him down and Mason needed to avoid that. It appeared it was time to come clean. At least with one secret that Mason held. "Besides, we're not complete strangers. Are we, Stone?"

Levi jerked back like he'd been shocked. He paled considerably, which was obvious with his smooth tan complexion. "How—"

Mason smiled. "How'd I know it was you?"

Levi nodded, the shock evident.

"The scar on your chest. I saw it in your profile picture and the pictures you sent privately to me and then again when you answered the door without a shirt." The question really was. "How'd you recognize me?"

"I have to go!" Levi climbed out of the booth. He quickly pulled out his wallet and dropped cash onto the table.

"You don't have to run from me again," Mason said quietly. He should have kept his fucking mouth closed. "We need to talk about this."

"Bye!"

Mason reached out and snagged Levi's wrist.

Levi froze.

"You forgot your sketch pad." Mason grabbed the pencil on the table with his free hand then the sketch pad. He flipped the pad over and wrote his number messily on the back. "That's my number." He handed over the pad.

Levi accepted it even though his gaze never left where Mason had grabbed him.

Mason rubbed his thumb over the pulse point in Levi's wrist. "I hope you'll call me. I'd really like to talk to you again. To clear up a few things."

Before he knew it, Levi yanked his wrist from Mason's hold and, clutching his sketch pad, literally ran from the diner.

Mason had to admit defeat. At least for the time being.

* * * * *

Levi

He hadn't been to his favorite spot at home in almost a month. Not since before he left to stay in the Hell realm the first time. Levi had missed his rooftop oasis but knew he couldn't keep himself from peering over to where Mason lived.

Even now his eyes kept sweeping in the direction that he knew Mason would be as he huddled on one of his couches. Levi still didn't understand what had happened at the diner earlier. Mason knew who he was. He'd called Levi Stone. Acting like he hadn't told Levi to stop messaging him. Like he hadn't broken Levi's heart, leaving him devastated.

Pulling the soft blanket tighter around his shoulders, Levi rested his chin on his knee as he wrapped his arms around his legs.

Levi resisted transforming into his other form. He'd be warmer but he would also be stuck in transition for hours. If Mason showed up with another man at the cabin like he'd done before, there was no way Levi wanted to be locked away and have to see. The time that had happened had nearly driven Levi out of his mind.

Not that he expected Mason to be with another man just hours after hitting on Levi, but Levi wouldn't blame him if he did. Levi had run like the coward he was.

The trapdoor from the interior of the house opened.

Levi didn't know who was coming to check on him and didn't know whether to wave them off.

When Gavin popped his head up from the opening, Levi was relieved. He loved all his chosen family, but he didn't feel like explaining what was going on in his head. It was also getting harder to be around the mated couples when his own mate had basically told him to fuck off. The boys wanted to cheer him up, but Levi could only handle so many good intentions and inspirational talks.

Gavin was different though. Gavin would sit with him for hours and never expect Levi to talk. Usually. Gavin was also very opinionated and sometimes he made sure Levi was listening. Gavin disappeared for a moment. He reappeared and climbed onto the roof with a mug in his hand.

Levi really hoped that mug was for him.

Crossing the roof quickly to pass Levi the mug of hot tea, Gavin frowned at him.

"Thank you," Levi told his friend.

"I figured you might be cold out here. The nights are still chilly even though spring is trying to break through."

Levi nodded, it was chilly, but he loved his special oasis. He took a sip of the hot liquid. Mmm, the special tea that Drake made him.

Gavin sat beside him. His shoulder against Levi's offering silent comfort. "You want to talk about it?"

He quickly shook his head.

"Okay." Gavin shrugged. He seemed to settle in next to Levi by slouching and stretching his legs out.

It appeared that Gavin wouldn't push Levi but also wouldn't let him suffer all alone. Levi really did appreciate the support that he received from everyone. At least he knew that Gavin understood more than most the loss that Levi was feeling. Gavin might not have met his mate yet but the emptiness that Levi felt was shared by his friend. They'd filled long nights together just talking about what they were hoping to find with their mates.

Levi sipped his tea before he rested his temple on Gavin's leather-clad shoulder. The familiar scent of leather, oil, and sweat from the older leather jacket Gavin favored was a comfort. Gavin's natural scent of smoke, rain, and something dark was nearly hidden behind the other scents but it was there.

"Adam showed me the sketch for his tattoo. It was amazing."

He stiffened. Levi couldn't help it. He'd been working on the sketch for Adam. Adam's Mate Mal had been promoted to one of the Duke's of Hell. The symbol of his position had appeared on Mal with the promotion. Adam wanted to surprise Mal with a matching mark. It was a nice idea and Levi wanted the tattoo to be perfect. He'd finally finished it right before Mason had approached his table.

"Trouble at the shop?" Gavin growled.

Levi snorted. "No." His friends meant well but just because Levi didn't like confrontations didn't mean he was helpless. If Levi needed, he could take care of himself and his business. He was a freaking guard for the family. He'd defended his family numerous times. Just because he was hurting didn't make him weak. He was still a badass even if he often cried himself to sleep. No one needed to know that detail anyway.

"You sure?" Gavin pushed.

It appeared Gavin wasn't going to let this go.

"I was working on the sketch when my mate approached me today," he confessed.

Gavin nodded slowly.

Levi sighed. Maybe he did want to talk to someone about earlier after all. "I was at the diner waiting for my lunch when he stopped by my booth and asked to join me."

"He just walked up and asked if he could join you?"

Keeping his head on Gavin's shoulder, he nodded.

"Why?"

"That's what I was wondering. He said that we should be friends. Friends!" That still flabbergasted him. How could they be friends when all Levi wanted to do was touch Mason? To hold him?

"If he doesn't know the two of you had chatted before—"

"He knows," Levi interrupted. "He even called me Stone."

"How?" Gavin demanded.

"The scar." Levi rubbed his palm over his heart where his shirt hid the mark his father had left on him when Levi had left the clutch. The reminder that he had abandoned his family.

"Fuck!" Gavin spat.

That pretty much summed up how Levi felt. He'd had the scar for so long that he didn't notice it much. He'd considered tattooing over it, but Levi wasn't ashamed of the choice he'd made. All his life all he wanted was to find his mate. That would have been impossible if he'd stayed with his birth family.

His parents' decision to isolate the clutch from both other paranormal and humans before Levi had even been born was stated as a protection for him and his siblings. Levi had disagreed. His parents had been true mates and Levi didn't understand why they would deny their children the same love. The decision to leave had cost Levi the only family and connections that he'd ever known. If it wasn't for Axel and the rest of his found family, Levi would have been utterly alone.

"What are you going to do?" Gavin asked, pulling Levi from his thoughts.

"He gave me his phone number," Levi said.

"Are you going to call him?"

That was what Levi had been sitting up here contemplating. "No, I don't think so."

"Levi," Gavin said quietly.

"I…can't. I won't survive him changing his mind again. It's better to just leave everything as is."

"Maybe give it some more time."

No, Levi was sure this was for the best. "I'll think about it."