21. Mason

Chapter twenty-one

Mason

The cabin on the hill emerged from the dense foliage like a specter, its weathered wooden facade a natural extension of the surrounding forest. Derek, AJ, and I had been trekking through the wilderness for two days. Whoever lived out here, like AJ, wanted solitude. AJ was stuck in his human form for now; it was too dangerous for him to let his bear out. It meant that Derek and I had been taking turns to Shift and catch food for us all. We didn't want to leave AJ alone just yet. He hadn't earned our complete trust.

We stopped at the bottom of the hill, looking up at the cabin. Derek and I exchanged glances. We knew little about this mysterious contact of AJ's, and the isolation of the cabin only increased my sense of unease. It could all be a trap.

"Milly's a complicated woman," AJ said, interrupting my thoughts. "She's been through a lot, and it's made her tough as nails. She doesn't trust easily, especially not other werewolves."

I nodded, my eyes scanning the treeline for any signs of movement. "What's her story?"

AJ sighed, his face darkening. "Milly had it rough from the start. Her Pack was down south. It wasn't a stable Pack or a big one. It was run by a sole Alpha, a man. When she was a teenager, her Alpha needed cash. Milly drew the short straw. He trafficked her, sold her to the highest bidder."

My stomach churned at the thought of any Pack selling one of their own.

"Her buyers were humans. There's a good market for werewolves, especially young female ones, for rich men. They like the status of owning a pet werewolf. When she wasn't cleaned up and brought out to be on display, Milly lived chained up in the basement. But Milly's a survivor. She bided her time, plotted, waited for her moment, and then she struck. She killed them and escaped. That's when she found Tristan."

Derek glanced up at the cabin. "I can see how someone with that kind of history might be drawn to Tristan's message. A chance to strike back at the humans who wronged her."

AJ nodded. "Milly was part of Tristan's group for a while. She bought into his ideology, thought he had the right idea about taking back power from the humans. But she couldn't stomach the way he treated the females in his Pack."

Derek looked back at AJ. "I've heard his Pack thinks there is a place for females, and it's not by the side of males."

"Indeed. Tristan's views about the supremacy of werewolves don't just extend to humans. It extends to male werewolves being better than females," AJ explained. "He believes women are subservient to the males and shouldn't try to challenge their place in the hierarchy. Milly wasn't having any of that. She quickly realized that she'd swapped one type of monster for another, one who saw women as nothing more than property to be controlled and dominated."

"And she's never joined another Pack?"

"After what her first one did? Milly has a lot of mistrust for Packs. That's why she's up here, all alone. Thinks any Packs will try to force her to join them, and she's done with all that."

This was not going to be easy. "You sure she knows where Tristan is?"

"No, but if anyone does, it's her. Tristan doesn't trust me or my bear. He sends a text to my phone when he wants something done. Uses a different number each time. But Milly, she's been to a few of his camps. If we can get her to help us, she can lead us straight to him."

"Alright then. How do you suggest we approach this?"

"Milly's not one to be underestimated," AJ warned. "She's fiercely independent, and she doesn't take kindly to other werewolves encroaching on her territory."

Derek frowned. "So, what? We sneak round the back and catch her by surprise? Or set a trap out here and wait for her to walk straight into it?"

"No." AJ shook his head. "We knock on the door."

AJ just straight up walked to the cabin door and knocked. Derek and I hung back a few steps, ready in case AJ was betraying us. Nothing happened. AJ knocked again.

A figure darted out from the side of the cabin, knife in hand. It was a woman in her late twenties with short, dark hair that looked like it had never seen the inside of a hair salon. She was dressed in a maroon, threadbare tank top and cargo pants. Her feet were bare, her skin tanned, and her wiry frame was all lean muscle. She moved with the coiled grace of a predator, her body tensed and ready to spring at the slightest provocation.

"What the fuck, AJ?" the woman demanded, her eyes blazing with suspicion and barely contained hostility. "You brought mutts to my door? You know the rules."

"Milly, wait," AJ said, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "They're not a threat. We just need to talk."

"Talk?" Milly scoffed, her grip tightening on the knife. "Since when do you bring strays to my doorstep for a chat?"

"They're not strays," AJ insisted. "This is Mason and Derek. They're looking for help, same as I was when I came to you."

Milly's icy-blue eyes narrowed, flicking between me and Derek. "I know I owe you a favor, AJ, but Pack wolves? You brought Pack wolves to my door?"

"This isn't about Pack or favors," AJ pressed. "It's about taking down Tristan."

At the mention of Tristan's name, Milly's face hardened. "You think I give a rat's ass about Tristan anymore? I'm done with that psycho and his bullshit. And I'm done with you if you're stupid enough to bring outsiders here."

She took a step forward, the knife glinting menacingly in the sunlight. "Now, I'm only gonna say this once, so listen good. Get the fuck off my land and take your friends with you. I catch you sniffing around here again, I'll gut you like the dogs you are."

AJ opened his mouth to argue, but Milly was done talking. With a snarl, she lunged at him, the knife slashing through the air.

I reacted on instinct, diving forward to intercept her. She was fast, but I was faster. I caught her wrist in an iron grip, twisting hard to force her to drop the knife.

But Milly wasn't going down easy. With her free hand, she clawed at my face, her nails raking across my cheek. I felt the sting of broken skin, the warm trickle of blood, but I didn't let go.

We grappled for a moment, a tangle of limbs and snarls. She was strong for her size, her wiry muscles straining against my hold. I had the advantage of size and leverage, but I didn't want to hurt her.

I tried to grab her other wrist, but she was too quick. She wrenched free and threw a wild punch at my jaw. I dodged, but barely. Her knuckles grazed my chin.

I needed to end this fast. With a growl, I surged forward, using my body weight to drive her back. She stumbled, off balance, and I pressed my advantage. In a heartbeat, I had her pinned against the rough wood of the cabin, my forearm pressed across her throat.

"We're not your enemy, Milly," I gritted out, my face inches from hers. "But we're not leaving until you hear us out. So, you can either cut out the fighting, or I'll truss you up and sit on you until you listen. Your choice."

Milly glared at me, her icy eyes burning with fury. For a moment, I thought she might keep fighting. But then something in her expression shifted.

"Fine," she spat. "Talk. But make it quick. And get your fucking hands off me."

I hesitated for a moment, gauging the sincerity of her surrender. Then, slowly, I eased my grip, stepping back to give her some space.

Milly rubbed at her throat, shooting me a venomous look. But she made no move to attack again, instead crossing her arms and leaning back against the cabin wall.

"Well?" she demanded, her eyes flicking to AJ. "Start talking. And this better be good."

AJ took a deep breath, his eyes locking with Milly's. "We need your help, Milly. This is Mason and Derek Shaw." He indicated us both.

"Mates?" she asked.

"Brothers," I replied.

Derek snorted, a mischievous glint in his eye. "And thank the Goddess for that. Can you imagine being mated to this guy?" He jerked a thumb in my direction. "He snores like a bear and hogs all the blankets. I'd rather cuddle with a porcupine."

I knew Derek was trying to put Milly at ease with us, so I shot him a look, half annoyed, half amused. "Please. You'd be lucky to have a mate as ruggedly handsome and charming as me. I'd have you eating out of the palm of my hand in no time."

Derek laughed, shaking his head. "In your dreams, brother. You'd be bringing me flowers and begging me to move in within a week of dating me."

Milly watched our exchange with a raised eyebrow. "If you two are done with your comedy routine, can we get back to the point? What exactly do you want from me?"

AJ cleared his throat, drawing her attention back to him. "You know Tristan has my mate. Well, he's also taken Mason's mate, Shya. We need to find his camp and get them back."

Milly's eyes narrowed, her lips twisting into a scowl. "And what makes you think I know where that bastard is hiding?"

"You were part of his Pack," AJ pressed, his voice urgent and pleading. "You know how he operates, where he might go. Please, Milly. You're the only one who can help us."

Milly's gaze flicked to me, then to Derek, her expression calculating. "And what do I get out of this little rescue mission? Tristan's not exactly the forgiving type. If he finds out I helped you, I'm as good as dead."

"We'll protect you," I said, stepping forward. "Milly, I know we're asking a lot. But Shya … you were there. You know what he's like. You must have some idea of what he's doing to her. I can't leave her there."

Milly's eyes bore into mine. I met her look unflinchingly, letting her see the raw desperation and determination in my eyes.

"This isn't just about Shya," Derek added, his voice measured and strategic. "This is about taking a stand against Tristan and everything he represents. You have a chance to strike a blow against him, Milly. To make sure other wolves don't fall into his hands, don't get brainwashed with his twisted ideology."

Milly was silent for a long moment, her brow furrowed in thought. I could see the conflicting emotions warring in her eyes—the distrust, the fear, the hunger for revenge.

"You think you three are just going to waltz in there like some band of avenging superheroes and take Tristan and his Pack out?"

"Yes. I do."

"Then you're as mad as his bear," she scoffed, pointing at AJ.

"Milly—" AJ started.

"Don't Milly me! You brought these two idiots to my land, my home. You're on my shit list, AJ."

"Mill—" Derek tried this time, but Milly held up her hand, cutting him off.

"If I do this, I'm not doing this for you, although someone needs to go with you three dooffusheads to stop you from getting killed," she said at last, her voice fierce. "I'll be doing it for AJ's mate and for Shya. And for every female who's ever had to put up with sick, twisted males like Tristan."

She pushed off from the wall, her posture straightening with newfound resolve. "I'll take you to his camp. I'll help you get your mates back. But after that, we're even, AJ. Understand? I don't owe you any more favors."

I nodded, relief and gratitude surging through me. "Thank you, Milly."

Milly just grunted. "Save the thanks for when we're done. We've got a lot of ground to cover and not a lot of time to do it."

She ducked down, picked up her knife, and sheathed it with a decisive snap. Then she strode past us, heading for the treeline. "Well? You coming or what?"

I glanced at Derek and AJ, then turned to follow her.