Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Mason
The drive to Midnight Kiss in Shadow Valley is filled with awkward silence shattered by even more awkward attempts at conversation.
My wolf insists we protect Kory, but his idea of protection means not letting him go through with this at all.
Frankly, human me isn't all that thrilled about it either.
I just found out I have two Fated mates.
I'd like to keep them long enough to fix my mistakes and prove I can be the mate they need.
When we're five minutes out, I text Hex to confirm they're in place.
Kory will be headed into the club alone and I want to make sure there are eyes on him the minute he walks in the door.
Hex has unblocked my number on a probationary basis for this mission.
I only hope I can prove myself so he doesn't reverse his decision later.
Once we find a parking space, we exit the car.
Kory goes for the building while Jericho and I go the opposite direction.
We're parked far enough away we're not likely to be noticed, but we're not taking any chances.
We'll take the long way around a few blocks and circle back.
I don't see Ravock and his demons, but they're lurking somewhere around as well.
I try to tune into the mate bond I have with Hex, but it's full of static. It's either on the fritz, or he's keeping me at a distance. It bothers me that our bond isn't like it should be, but that's my fault. Somehow, I've got to earn Hex and Kory's trust.
"I think I need to leave the pack," I say as Jericho and I turn to backtrack to the club.
"Why? You made a mistake. While I am angry about it, there's no reason for you to go. We'll work through it."
"It wouldn't be forever. But I need to spend time with my mates. I can't undo the years Hex and I have been apart, but I can show him and Kory I'm willing to put them first. I need to focus on them for a while. I'm benched from missions anyway, so it's not like I'll be leaving the pack in a bind."
"I'm not worried about pack business, Mason. You're my brother. I'm not ready to lose you."
"It's not forever," I repeat.
It'll be hard to leave the pack, my family, even temporarily, but it's the right thing to do.