3. Shya

Chapter three

Shya

I closed my door as quietly as I could and leaned against it. Phew! Crisis averted. My nose wrinkled. Mason's scent was getting stronger, radiating his feelings loud and clear through the house. Where was he goi—? Wait, he couldn't be coming here, could he?

I scrambled away from the door, my heart pounding in my chest. The idea of Mason coming to my bedroom was both thrilling and terrifying.

I listened, the sound of footsteps growing closer. What the hell was I going to say to him? I just wouldn't open the door when he knocked; that was it. I'd pretend I wasn't here. Not exactly a great look for the future Alpha of the Pack, but I didn't care. There was no way I could see Mason right now.

The door burst open, and there he was.

Okay, so Mason Shaw is not a knocking-on-doors kind of guy. Good to know.

All the breath left my body as I stared at him. He stood in the doorway, his imposing figure filling the space, his anger filling the whole room. He was in the prime of his life, his body honed by years of training and Shifter genetics. Power coiled within him, ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

His pale blue eyes stood out against his dark hair and blazed with a deep, almost electric sheen. Those eyes, usually so warm and inviting, were now filled with a fury that sent shivers through me. His jaw was clenched tight, the muscles in his face taut with tension. His full lips, which I had so often admired, were now pressed into a thin line, emphasizing the sharp angles of his chiseled features. His hands, strong and capable, which were usually holding something—a pen, a knife, a tennis ball, anything to keep his fingers busy while he thought—were balled into fists at his sides as if he were barely restraining himself.

My gaze traveled down his body, noticing a set of intricate tattoos on his left arm. I'd never seen them before. Mason had always worn long sleeves. Now, his white shirt was rolled up, and the dark ink stood out against his tanned skin, winding patterns that immediately drew my eye.

The air between us seemed to crackle with tension. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All I could do was stand there, transfixed by the raw power and emotion emanating from him.

"There you are." He stalked toward me, his movements fluid and purposeful, like a predator closing in on its prey. I instinctively backed away, my heart beating rapidly now as I tried to keep a bit of distance between us. I moved backward, never taking my eyes off him until I felt the wall pressing against my back.

He kept coming at me, though, stopping mere inches from me, his body so close that I could feel the heat radiating off him.

Mason leaned in, his face hovering just above mine. His eyes roamed over my features, studying every detail as if he were committing them to memory. I couldn't look away, couldn't escape the intensity of his gaze.

Then he raised his arms and placed his hands on the wall. One next to my head and the other by my hip. He'd caged me in without actually touching me. The gesture was both thrilling and unnerving. If I tried to escape, I'd have to touch him to do it. And I wanted to. I so wanted to close the distance between us and feel his skin on mine.

I had to break this spell.

"You're in my bedroom."

Way to state the obvious, Shya.

Mason didn't respond. He just continued to stare at me, his eyes boring into mine. I could feel my knees going weak.

I tried again. " Why are you in my bedroom?"

He didn't answer right away, but his eyes darkened. "You seem to be under the impression that you're going to mate with someone else."

I blinked, surprise and confusion washing over me at his statement. "I'm not under the impression. I am going to mate with someone else. With …" My mind went blank for a moment, and for the life of me, I couldn't remember his name. "Edmond! Yes, Edmond!"

Mason's lips curved into a smirk, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "No. You're my mate. You know it. I know it. There is no Edmond in this relationship."

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog that always seemed to settle over my thoughts when he was near. "Edmond is a logical match. He is exactly what this Pack needs," I argued.

It was hard to focus on my responsibilities, on the duty that had been drilled into me since birth, when Mason was so close. His presence was overwhelming, consuming every part of me until all I could think about was him.

"Is he?" Mason challenged. "What about you, Shya? What do you need?" His voice was so silky smooth, it sent a thrill straight to my core. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. What did I need? In that moment, with Mason's body so close to mine, I couldn't think of anything beyond the desire that coursed through my veins. And I knew he could smell it, the bastard, from the smug expression on his face.

Mason leaned in even closer, his breath ghosting over my lips. "What is it that you need?" he asked again, his voice whisper soft. "Whatever it is, I can give it to you. You need me to lick your pussy until you come all over my face? You need me to fuck you from behind, my cock plunging into you again and again until you're screaming my name? Tell me, princess, what it is that you need."

I couldn't think clearly, could barely breathe. I had never, ever had anyone talk to me that way before. It was crass and shocking and explicit, and all I could focus on was the way his lips moved as he spoke, the way they seemed to beckon me closer. I wanted exactly what he had said, wanted it so badly I thought I would faint with pleasure if he actually did it.

My eyes dropped to his mouth, and I felt my own lips part slightly in anticipation. I wanted to close the distance between us, to give in to the longing that had been building inside me for so long.

In that moment, something within me snapped. The rational part of my mind, the part that had been telling me to resist, the one whose job it was to protect my heart, went silent. All that remained was the overwhelming need that consumed me, the desire that had been building since the moment he'd stepped into my room.

I surged forward, closing the distance between us as my lips crashed against his. Mason's arms wrapped around me, pulling me impossibly closer, as if he wanted to meld our bodies into one. I moaned against his lips. Every nerve ending in my body felt alive, electrified by his touch. Mason's hands roamed over my body, tracing the curves and lines of my form as if he were committing them to memory.

I trembled, and a low growl rumbled from his throat. His hands drifted lower, squeezing my hips as he pulled me closer. I could feel a fire starting to burn low in my belly, and I was already wet with anticipation. Mason's hand continued its descent, slipping beneath my jeans and into my panties. I gasped against his lips as his fingers grazed my clit, sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through my body.

"Fucking hell, the princess is so fucking wet already."

I clutched at Mason's shoulders for support. His thumb gently flicked my clit, and I gasped into his mouth.

"Yes, my princess likes it." He smirked as he slid a finger inside of me, and I honestly thought my whole body was going to explode. The sensation was unlike anything I had ever experienced. He pumped his finger in and out, his thumb still slowly stroking my clit, and I could feel a building heat within me. Then he added another finger, and I knew I was going to explode. The sensation was so intense, his fingers filling me so completely as he stretched them apart as he slid them out before thrusting them back inside of me.

It was as if Mason had unlocked some primal, untamed part of me that I never knew existed. My fingers dug into his muscles, his skin warm and firm beneath my touch. I wanted more; I wanted him, all of him. I could feel the orgasm building, the heat and intensity growing. I couldn't hold myself up any longer, my legs weak, and I clutched at him for support.

"Mason," I gasped.

He grinned as his other hand stroked my hair, his touch gentle yet possessive.

"That's it. Come for me, princess."

I could feel his dominance, the way he took control of me without even trying. And I loved every second of it. My hips rolled, wanting more, needing more. He slid another finger inside of me, stretching me further. I cried out into his mouth, my body arching toward him in pure, unadulterated need. Mason's eyes never left mine as the most amazing orgasm I'd ever had exploded within me. His thrusting fingers matched the rhythm of my whimpering cries. The pleasure built up and crashed over me, over and over again, sending waves of ecstasy coursing through my veins. My body writhed and bucked against his hand, every nerve ending exploding with exquisite pain and sweet release.

I was dizzy with pleasure and need, my body trembling from the intensity of my climax. But I wanted more. I wanted all of him. I wanted that connection that could only be achieved through mating. Mason's eyes locked onto mine, his face a mix of hunger and dominance.

"You want me," he smirked, his voice full of cocky confidence.

I did. I really did. I opened my mouth to agree when a voice from the doorway snapped me out of my Mason fog.

"Shya Little!"

My eyes widened in panic. My mom, like my actual mom, was behind Mason at the entrance to my room.

Oh, the ever-loving Goddess! This couldn't be happening. I was going to die of embarrassment.

Mason's gaze never left mine as he gently slid his hand out of my jeans, and then the arrogant bastard winked at me as he sucked the fingers that had been inside of me.

Holy fuck!

I tried to push Mason away, but he didn't move.

Fine. I ducked around the side of him and walked to the middle of the room, trying to put as much distance between him and me as possible.

What the hell had I just done? What had I been thinking?

I hadn't been thinking, that was the problem. Mason and his fucking brain fog had struck again.

I couldn't allow this to happen again.

Mom's face was shocked as she watched us both; she knew exactly what had happened here. My whole body was burning. I couldn't believe my mom had just caught me with Mason's hand down my panties and a blissed-out post-orgasm look on my face. Could this get any worse?

"I think it is time you left, Mason Shaw," Mom said coldly.

Mason didn't move. Most people moved when Mom gave them an order.

"I'm not done talking to Shya."

Mom looked furious. "I tell you to leave, you leave."

Okay, so yes, it could indeed get worse. My mom and Mason were going to start a war between our two Packs, right here in my bedroom.

"I …" Oh Goddess, how the hell did I tell him to get lost after what he'd just done to me?

I pulled on my years of training to be an Alpha, straightened my spine, and made my face go blank.

"Mason, I might have feelings for you, but it doesn't change anything. I will be mated to Edmond. It is what is best for this Pack, what is best for me."

Mason crossed his arms. "Bullshit."

I blinked. No one in this Pack ever talked to me like that, and definitely not in front of my mom.

"Excuse me?"

"I called bullshit. Mating with Edmond is not what's best for this Pack, and it certainly as fuck isn't what's best for you."

I drew myself up and met his eyes. "You are entitled to your opinion, of course. But I am going through with this, and I think it would be good if you left now."

"I bet you do." He stalked toward me, and I only just stopped myself from stepping back. "I'm betting things become much clearer when I'm around. You know exactly what you want and what you need, and for some reason, that confuses you." He leaned down toward me, his face right in front of mine. "You can't deny what's between us forever, princess. This isn't over. This is just the start."

With that, he turned and stalked out of my room.