Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Kory
"He's doing it," Hex says.
"He's not," Mason responds, stepping closer, bringing them nose-to-nose.
I don't know how Mason thinks he gets any say in what I do. Yeah, my mouse wants to curl up in his wolf's fur and live there because we're mates, but Mason's track record as reliable is severely lacking. Human me isn't rolling over and getting all cuddly.
"The he you are referring to is standing right here and can make his own decisions," I say, putting a hand on each of their chests and pushing them apart.
The only reason my action makes either of them move is because they let me.
Even me being a shifter, Mason is significantly larger and stronger than me, and Hex has a decent amount of lean muscle behind him. I'm what you might call… pocket-sized.
"We don't have time for this. Mason, you have no say until you prove you're sticking around.
Hex, I trust you to keep me safe and not let this thing go south.
I want to close this chapter of my life.
I'm finally free from looking over my shoulder wondering if Rudy is going to show up and drag me back.
Let's get this over with. Besides, Jericho gave you the final word on the matter.
" Everyone thinks I am so mild-mannered and quiet, but I do have a backbone when the situations calls for it.
Even timid, little mice have their limits.
My nerves are already on edge at the thought of facing whoever Rudy got tangled up with, I don't need my mates arguing on top of it.
They haven't let it rest the entire two days leading up to the meet tonight.
If this is a preview of what having two mates is like, maybe I'm not interested in pursuing it, no matter what my instincts are pushing me toward.
The sudden quiet after so much bickering pulls my attention out of my thoughts to find both men staring at me.
"What?"
"I think you said the quiet part out loud, love," Hex says.
I review my last set of thoughts and cringe. Those were inside words, not meant to be brought out into the open, regardless of how valid I might think they are.
"I'm sorry. It's the stress talking."
"No. You're right. I'm not helping my case by letting my wolf push my protective instincts into overdrive to the point where you feel like I'm making your choices for you," Mason says. "You're an adult and I have to trust you know what you can handle."
"After this is over, we'll iron things out between us," Hex adds. "All this personal stuff needs to be put aside so we can focus on getting through the meeting. The Morningstar Blood can't get out of the Emberloch Legion's protection."
When I said we didn't have time for the bickering, I meant it.
We're trying to get out the door and downstairs to meet up with Ravock and the Nefarious brothers that came to give Hex backup.
Because it wasn't worth going back to our respective homes, only to meet up again a couple days later, Ravock allowed us to have guest quarters at the manor.
Not that my first choice would be bunking with demons – I'm still not entirely convinced they wouldn't eat me in my mouse form – but you do what you gotta do.
I'm also sure if we hadn't accepted the offer to stay, Ravock would have "strongly encouraged" us to change our minds.
There's no way he'd risk me getting away from here and disappearing. I'm the lynchpin of the whole plan.
Without further words, the three of us head downstairs and out to the vehicles. Hex splits off to go with his MC brothers, while Mason gets into a car with Jericho. My choice is between an awkward ride with my wolf or riding with demons who may want me for a snack. Is walking an option?
Things would have been easier if I rode with Hex, but they're arriving at the club first to get into position to keep an eye on me. I can't chance being seen with them.
"What's it going to be, little mouse?" Ravock asks. I swear his teeth have gotten sharper.
Awkward mate situation or toothy demon? Make a decision, Kory.
One of Ravock's legion snaps his teeth at me and I high-tail it to Jericho's car, hearing laughter behind me the whole way.
"Stop scaring the wildlife," I hear Ravock say to the other demon right before I open the car door. "Can't have him succumbing to a heart attack right before the finish line."
I dive into the car, slamming the door behind me before I have to listen to any more of their twisted banter at my expense.