4. Mason
CHAPTER 4
Mason
When the chime over the door rang, the last person I expected to see walk in was Chad from Omega in Paradise. My sister's obsessed with that show, and since I've been crashing at her place, I’ve had no choice but to sit through the latest season.
When Lake throws her head back with a throaty laugh just for him, my fists curl on the tabletop. A tightness forms in my chest, and my jaw clenches. I’m not jealous—no way. This is just about looking out for my best friend’s little sister. If Landon could see her now, he’d put a stop to the flirting in a heartbeat. That thought alone is enough to propel me out of my seat.
I stride over to the booth with purpose, my eyes locked on Chad. Without missing a beat, I drop my arm around Lakelyn’s shoulder and press a kiss to her temple, my lips lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “Introduce me to your friend,” I murmur, keeping my tone casual, though the tension in my body betrays my true feelings.
Chad’s gaze snaps to mine, sharp as a blade, and I can see the cunning intelligence he wielded so well on that show. His lips curl into a pouty smile, and damn it, I feel it shoot straight to my dick. There’s this electric pull—something I’ve only ever felt for Lakelyn—surging between us.
He shifts his attention back to her, dismissing me so casually I want to demand his attention back, taking his time as he scans from her Vans, over her legs, up to the way her auburn hair is perfectly contained. Then, just as slowly, his gaze swings back to me, dark eyes locking me in place.
“Is she your girlfriend?” His voice is low, but there’s a hint of something else there, something that feels more like he’s asking if I’m sleeping with her.
Every protective instinct I have flares up, and my fingers tighten on Lakelyn’s shoulder, pulling her closer. My whole body tingles at the contact, short-circuiting as I’m caught between the two of them.
“No,” she says, pushing me away with an awkward laugh and ducking under my arm just as I say, “Yes.”
Chad’s smirk widens, his eyes glinting with amusement as he looks up at me. “You sound a little desperate,” he says, not bothering to hide the teasing in his voice. Then, leaning back, he adds, “But I get it—if I had someone like Lakelyn close to me, I wouldn’t want to share either.” His words are blunt, almost like a challenge, and the air around us feels charged, ready to ignite.
Chad's smirk never falters as he shifts his gaze back to Lakelyn, effectively dismissing my presence beside her for the second time in just as many minutes. He leans forward, resting his elbows casually on the table as if we aren't in the middle of a silent standoff.
"So, Lakelyn," he says smoothly, his voice dripping with charm, "any recommendations on what's good here? Besides the service, of course."
Lakelyn's cheeks flush a delicate shade of pink, and she tucks an imaginary loose strand of hair behind her ear, clearly flustered by the direct attention. She fumbles with the notepad in her hands, her usual composure slipping under Chad's intense gaze.
"Um, the pancakes are pretty popular," she replies, her voice a little higher than usual. "But if you're in the mood for something savory, the breakfast burrito is my personal favorite."
Chad's eyes light up, and he chuckles softly. "Breakfast for dinner? I like the way you think." He pauses, letting his eyes wander over her for a moment before adding, "I'll take whatever you recommend. Surprise me."
I can feel my jaw clench tighter with each passing second, an unfamiliar heat bubbling up inside me. This guy waltzes in here like he owns the place, turning Lakelyn into a blushing mess with just a few words. It's infuriating. Her blushing is for me. I do that to her.
Wait, what? No, fuck, that isn’t my job. Get it together, Mase.
Before I realize what I'm doing, I slide into the booth opposite Chad, fixing him with a hard stare. His eyebrows lift slightly, clearly amused by my bold move.
"Mind if I join you?" I say, not bothering to mask the edge in my voice.
Chad leans back against the booth, draping one arm over the backrest as he assesses me. "Make yourself comfortable," he replies. "Didn't peg you for the breakfast-for-dinner type, though. More the type to throw back a few beers with your friends. Find a random warm body to take home."
Lakelyn’s eyes flicker between us, clearly not liking that I forced myself into the situation. Her lips press into a determined, thin line, and I know she’s going to try to shoo me away before the words even leave her mouth. But it won’t work.
"Mason," she says, her tone steady despite the underlying tension, "don't you have work to get back to?" We both know I don’t. The dog shelter closes at five, and as long as all the dogs have been walked and fed, I’m free for the rest of the night. You couldn’t pay me to leave him alone with her.
I hold Chad’s gaze, trying to assert my presence, but her look stings more than I’d like to admit. "My schedule just cleared up," I reply, forcing a casual tone. "Thought I'd stick around and maybe try that breakfast burrito you love so much."
Chad’s chuckle rumbles low, clearly entertained by the situation. And I’m shocked at the fact I want to hear the sound some more.
"Is that so? Well, the more the merrier, I suppose." He then shifts his attention back to Lakelyn, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Think you can handle two hungry guys at once?"
There’s something in his words that feel like a double meaning. On the show, he would say shit like that to the alphas just to see them squirm. He seemed to get a thrill off of it. Even after it was clear he was only there for the idea of them and not to fall in love with them.
Lakelyn’s blush still colors her cheeks, but there’s a firmness in her voice now. "Of course," she says, her tone polite yet edged with something that demands respect. She jots down the orders, not missing a beat. "Two breakfast burritos coming right up."
As she turns to leave, she gives me another quick look—this one a little more pointed. I can practically hear her telling me to back off and let her handle this. And despite my urge to protect her, I can’t help but feel a surge of pride. Even flustered, Lakelyn knows how to stand her ground.
Chad leans back in his seat, watching her go with a satisfied smile. "I like her," he murmurs, almost to himself. Before I can say a word, he clears his throat saying louder, "Oh, and Lakelyn?"
She looks back over her shoulder, eyes wide and expectant. "Yes?"
"Don't forget the extra hot sauce," he says, his gaze lingering on her in a way that makes my blood boil. "I like things with a bit of a kick."
She nods quickly, a small, shy smile playing on her lips. "Got it."
I watch her walk away, resisting the urge to follow and pull her out of this entire situation. As soon as she's out of earshot, I turn back to Chad, narrowing my eyes. It’s time to scare him away.
"So, what brings you to our little diner?" I ask, forcing a civil tone despite the irritation simmering beneath the surface.
Chad’s lips curl into a knowing smile as he traces a finger along the edge of the table. "Lakelyn invited me," he says casually, his eyes flicking in the direction she disappeared to. "Thought I’d take her up on it. Didn’t expect the service and company to be so... delightful."
I clench my jaw, doing my best to keep my composure. "Lakelyn’s not part of the menu."
Chad raises his hands in mock surrender, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Easy there, Alpha. Just appreciating good hospitality." He pokes his tongue into his cheek, hiding a smile, then he adds, “Word of advice, though,” he lowers his voice and leans onto his elbows, his head propped up by his hands. “I’d make a move soon or you might just lose out. Alpha .”
The way he emphasizes ‘alpha’ sends a ripple of annoyance through me, like he’s picking apart emotions I haven’t even fully acknowledged myself.
"Appreciate it all you want," I reply, keeping my voice cool. "But Lakelyn will always be off limits to you."
Chad’s smirk deepens, and I can see that he’s enjoying this, almost as if he’s testing how far he can push me. "Will she?" he asks, his tone teasing, but there’s a sharpness beneath the surface, like he’s challenging me to see who’ll back down first.
Before I can respond, Lakelyn returns, balancing a tray expertly in her hands. She sets down two steaming plates in front of us, along with a bottle of hot sauce and a pot of fresh coffee.
"Here you go," she says brightly, though there's a nervous tremor in her voice. "Let me know if you need anything else."
His eyes never leave her as he picks up his fork and spears a piece of the burrito. He takes a bite, closing his eyes briefly as he savors the taste. The little moan he releases makes me want to feed him. I shake myself a little, that’s just the alpha in me wanting to care for an omega, nothing else.
"Perfect," he declares, opening his eyes to give her a dazzling smile. "You have excellent taste, Lakelyn."
She beams at the compliment. "Thanks," she says softly, tucking that same invisible strand of hair behind her ear again.
I clear my throat, drawing her attention back to me. "Aren't you supposed to be on break soon, Lake? Maybe you should sit and relax for a minute. In the back."
Normally, she will take a short break with me. While keeping her eye on her customers at the same time. I enjoy our talks. And if Landon knew just how often I found myself here while she was working, he would grow suspicious. But today, I just want her away from this omega. Even if it means she’d be away from me.
Her eyes widen slightly in surprise. "Oh, um, I still have a few tables to check on..."
"We wouldn't want to keep you from your duties. But maybe, when your shift ends, you could join me for a drink?" he says, full of the charm I watched him fake on the show.
Lakelyn's eyes flicker with surprise and something else—excitement, maybe? She opens her mouth to respond, but I beat her to it.
"She's busy tonight," I state firmly, meeting his gaze head-on.
Lakelyn looks between us, clearly flustered. "Actually, I?—"
“—Have that thing with me…that we were talking about,” I say, shifting my eyes to hers. Her brows crease, and I know she’s going to call me out.
"Actually," he cuts in smoothly, though there’s a slight edge to his voice, "I think Lakelyn can speak for herself."
An awkward silence settles over the table, and Lakelyn shifts uncomfortably, her eyes darting to me before settling back on Chad. I’m positive she’s going to take him up on the offer, and I lean back in the booth, my full attention on her, willing her not to say yes.
"I appreciate the offer," she says carefully, her tone gentle but firm, "but I have some things to take care of after work."
I want to jump for fucking joy. Instead, I tamp down the grin that wants to pull at my lips because I know she will knock me upside my head if I let it out. I shift my attention to Chad to see how he takes rejection.
On the show, he told the guys to pick Lilah on his last date with them. After working his ass off to be at the end, he switched up the whole script and pushed them to her. They would have picked her anyway, and maybe he was saving his ego by rejecting them first. Who knows.
His smile remains in place, but there’s the faintest flicker in his expression—a momentary crack in his confidence. It’s so quick that I almost miss it, but the brief shadow that passes over his eyes makes me pause. Did I just imagine that?
"Another time, then?" Chad says, his voice steady, though I can’t shake the feeling that he’s trying a bit too hard to play it cool.
Lakelyn hesitates, then offers a small nod, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "Maybe."
His grin widens, but I can’t stop myself from wondering if that tiny slip in his demeanor was real. It’s subtle, barely noticeable, but it lingers in the back of my mind, making me question what I really saw.
"Well, I'll be here enjoying this delicious meal if you change your mind," he says, giving her one last lingering look before turning his attention back to his plate.
Lakelyn gives a polite smile before backing away, her eyes meeting mine briefly. There's a question there, maybe even a hint of frustration, but before I can decipher it, she's gone, attending to another table across the diner.
I turn back to Chad, who is casually enjoying his meal as if this is all a game to him. Maybe it is. But for me, it's anything but.
"You seem awfully interested in someone you just met," I comment, picking up my fork and stabbing at the food in front of me.
Chad chews thoughtfully before responding. "And you seem awfully territorial over someone who's just a friend ," he counters.
I narrow my eyes, refusing to rise to the bait. "Just looking out for her. She doesn't need guys like you complicating her life."
He chuckles, wiping his mouth with a napkin before leaning forward, his gaze intense. "Guys like me? You mean successful, charming, rich, and interested? Or is there another stereotype you'd like to throw my way?"
I lean in as well, matching his intensity. "I mean guys who waltz in thinking they can have whatever they want without considering the consequences."
Chad's smile turns cold, and for the first time, there's a flicker of something serious in his eyes. "Trust me, I know all about consequences. And I'm not here to play games or cause trouble. But if Lakelyn wants to get to know me, that's her choice, not yours ."
The absolute certainty of his statement sets me on edge. I open my mouth to retort, but the sound of a crash from the kitchen draws both our attention. Lakelyn rushes past us, a look of concern on her face as she heads toward the commotion.
Chad watches her go, his gaze softening slightly before he turns back to me. "Maybe instead of trying to control her decisions, you should focus on figuring out why you're so desperate to keep her to yourself."
His words hit closer to home than I care to admit, and for a moment, I have no response. Chad takes advantage of my silence, sliding out of the booth and tossing some cash onto the table. Way more than a breakfast burrito warrants.
"Thanks for the company," he says smoothly, adjusting his jacket. "Give my compliments to the chef."
Before I can say anything, he walks toward the counter, exchanging a few words with the cashier before heading for the door. As he passes by the kitchen entrance, Lakelyn emerges, nearly colliding with him.
They share a brief exchange—a smile, a few words I can't hear—and then he's gone, the bell above the door chiming softly in his wake.
Lakelyn watches him leave, a complicated mix of emotions flickering across her face. When she turns back to me, there's a question in her eyes, but also a hint of disappointment.
I realize then that my attempts to protect her might have gone just a little too far.
She approaches the table slowly, her fingers twisting nervously around the edge of her apron. "Mason, what was that all about?"
I exhale sharply, rubbing the back of my neck as I try to rein in the mess of emotions swirling inside me. "I was just looking out for you, Lake. Guys like him... they don’t stick around."
Her eyes narrow, arms crossing over her chest, and there's a stubborn set to her jaw. "And how would you know that? You don’t know him."
"Neither do you," I retort, unable to keep the bite out of my voice. The image of her, not even a half hour ago, nervously asking me if I’ve ever thought of us together before flashes through my mind, making my chest tighten. "One minute, you’re asking me if... you know... and the next, you’re all interested in some guy you barely know?"
Her face falls, hurt flashing in her eyes before she hides it behind frustration. "Maybe I was just trying to figure things out, Mason. Maybe I wanted to feel like someone wanted me. But it’s hard to do that when you’re acting like... like some overbearing bodyguard."
Her words sting, but I can’t let go of the jealousy gnawing at me. "I’m not trying to be overbearing," I mutter, but there's still an edge to my tone. "I just don’t want to see you get hurt, especially not by some guy who’s just passing through."
She softens slightly, but the hurt is still there, lingering in her gaze. "I can take care of myself, Mase. I’m not a little girl anymore."
"I know," I admit, the words feeling heavy in my mouth. "I’ve known that for a very long time."
The silence between us is thick, filled with everything we’re not saying. My mind races, torn between the memory of her earlier question and the knowledge of what her brother would do if he found out I even debated saying yes that I had thought about us together in a bed completely naked as I worshiped her body. The thought of Landon’s reaction if he knew what was going through my head right now is enough to send a shiver down my spine. But beneath that fear, something primal stirs—an urge to protect her, yes, but also a raw, undeniable attraction that’s been there since we were teens, now amplified by the idea of what she asked.
Finally, she straightens up, smoothing down her apron with a sense of finality. "I should get back to work."
I nod. "Yeah, and I should probably get going."