14. Mason

Chapter fourteen

Mason

I glanced around AJ's campsite. It was clear that he'd been living a solitary existence here for some time. A small, weathered tent was pitched nearby, its canvas faded and carefully patched in places. Beside it, a few supplies were neatly stacked, including a worn backpack, a coil of rope, and a small hatchet with a well-worn handle. A couple of water canteens hung from a nearby tree branch.

Near the fire, AJ's cooking setup was simple but efficient. A grill made from an old metal grate was balanced on a couple of rocks over the flames, the rabbits that Derek had caught sizzling as they cooked. A battered metal pot sat nearby, likely used for boiling water or making simple stews. A few tin plates and cups were on a flat rock, ready for use.

A low groan drew my attention to AJ. He was back in human form, having Shifted while he was unconscious.

"Wakey, wakey, sunshine." Derek grinned down at him, a mug of steaming coffee in his hands. "You've been out for six hours."

His eyes fluttered open, confusion and pain etched across his face. "Fuck!" he groaned.

Derek and I had had time to prepare for AJ to wake up. As soon as AJ morphed into his human form, we'd done the same. Then we'd followed his scent back to his campsite and set about utilizing all his supplies. Both Derek and I were dressed in clothes we'd found in the tent, and we'd eaten most of his cans of tinned food.

AJ blinked up at Derek. "Who the fuck are you?"

"We're the guys who beat your ass, AJ." Derek tilted his head to one side when AJ just frowned at him. "You don't remember the ass-kicking, huh?"

AJ winced as he tried to move. Bruises and cuts covered his skin, but they'd heal when he next Shifted.

"You're wearing my clothes." AJ sat up, his eyes darting around at the campsite. "And you ate all my fucking food!"

I shrugged. "We've been tracking you for six days. It made us peckish. Besides, we figured you'd rather wake up to this than two naked men standing over you."

AJ eyed us warily. "Just who the fuck are you?"

"Mason Shaw. This here's my brother, Derek."

"You're werewolves."

I nodded. "That we are. And you're AJ, the cursed bear Shifter who works for Tristan Munroe."

AJ's eyes narrowed at the mention of Tristan's name. "You've gone to a lot of trouble to find me. So, why don't you cut the bullshit and just tell me what you want?"

A straight talker. I was beginning to like AJ. "We need your help. Tristan has taken someone important to me, and we're going to get her back."

AJ stood up and started to pull on the set of clothes we'd left next to him. "Well, good luck to you both."

He was a mountain of a man, standing at an imposing 6'4" with muscles that bulged beneath his skin, hinting at the immense strength he possessed in both human and bear forms. His dark blond hair fell onto his face, and a rough, untrimmed beard covered his jaw.

But it was his eyes that truly captured my attention. They were a deep, rich brown, almost black, and they held such a haunted look. This was a man who carried a heavy burden day in, day out.

I exchanged a glance with Derek before responding. "We figured, seeing as you work for the guy, that you might have some idea where we could find him."

AJ scoffed, shaking his head. "Look, I'm sorry you've come all this way, but you've got the wrong guy. I'm not getting involved."

I stepped closer. "Listen, AJ, we know about your mate. We know Tristan's holding her captive to keep you in line."

"You don't know shit. If I make a move against Tristan, he'll kill her. I'm sorry for your friend, I really am, but I'm not risking my mate's life."

"And what kind of life is your mate living now?" I challenged. "Tristan will never let her go, AJ. This is your reality and hers until the day you die. You're condemning your mate to a life under his control."

AJ's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. "What fucking choice do I have? I can't fight him alone."

"You're not alone now," Derek interjected. "You've got us. Two wolves, ready to fight by your side."

I nodded, my voice firm as I added, "This is the best shot you'll ever get to save your mate, AJ. Work with us, help us take down Tristan, and you get your mate back. Or continue living this life, barely surviving out here in the forest, being Tristan's lapdog, while you leave your mate to rot in his cages."

AJ was silent for a long moment, his look distant as he considered our words. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh. "My bear … I can't control him when I Shift. He's a liability."

"Then you fight in your human form," I said, my determination unwavering. "With two wolves by your side. We're stronger together, AJ. Tristan won't expect us to come at him like this."

AJ's eyes met mine, a flicker of hope in the haunted depths. "You really think we can take him down?"

"I think this is the best chance any of us will have."

AJ's eyes shifted between Derek and me as he considered our words. I could see the internal struggle playing out behind his eyes, the desperate desire to save his mate warring with the fear of what Tristan might do if he betrayed him.

"I don't know," AJ said, his voice strained. "Tristan's not a man to be trifled with. He's got resources, manpower. Even if we manage to get to my mate, he'll come after us with everything he's got."

"He won't come after you on account of him being dead. I have no intention of letting Tristan survive this."

AJ studied my face. "He has your mate, too."

I showed him my teeth. "And he'll die because he touched her. You in?"

AJ's eyes widened at my words. For a moment, he seemed to be weighing his options, the desire for revenge and the chance to save his mate battling with the fear of what Tristan might do. But as he stood there, I could see a change come over him, as if a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Slowly, AJ straightened up, his posture shifting. His broad shoulders squared, and he lifted his chin, a fierce light igniting in his eyes. For a brief instant, I caught a glimpse of the bloodthirsty bear within him, the raw fury that lurked just beneath the surface.

"I'm in," AJ said, his voice low and steady.

Thank fuck for that.

"You know where Tristan is?"

AJ shook his head. "No."

Disappointment crashed into me a second before AJ continued, "But I know someone who might."