Page 18 of Sweetheart

Tristan stalked forward to get a better look.

Adam had already been by to remove the bullet from the tree and start the healing process. As a dryad, Adam’s connection to the forest was the strongest. Adam had been pissed and promised that he’d talk to Mal about adding more protection for the trees.

“Just a single bullet?” Tristan asked.

“Yes.”

“Maybe a human out for target practice?” Tristan inquired.

“Why this close to the house?” Levi asked. “The state park goes miles in the other direction. And it was dark, no light or anything. We were out here within minutes and didn’t see anyone although Bo tracked the scents to a parking lot on the other side of the state park.”

“I can see why you're worried,” Tristan admitted. He took a deep breath before his eyes flashed red as he pulled from his demon abilities. Tristan had previously worked as a tracker before he’d come into his powers as one of the Hell realm’s new warriors. “I can scent three humans. One scent is buried under the two newer ones from last night.”

Levi nodded. He’d picked up the same. There was only one problem with that. “The older scent belongs to my mate.”

Tristan turned to him. “Why would your mate’s scent be concentrated here?”

Levi didn’t have an answer for that. “He’s a park ranger. His cabin is only about five miles away. He’s been hiking, trying to learn the area.”

Tristan’s eyes flashed red again. “He spends a lot of time in this exact spot.”

“He does?” Levi walked to the tree and turned. From this location the back of the house could be clearly seen. Why would Mason want—

“Your mate has some explaining to do,” Tristan said.

Biting his lip, Levi’s anxiety rose. Levi trusted Mason. Sure, their mating might not have gone smoothly but Mason and Levi were meant to be together. The fates put together two souls that were perfect for each other. “There must be a reason.”

Tristan hummed but didn’t argue. “The other humans went this way.” Tristan pointed to the north.

“Bo tracked them to the parking lot.”

“Let’s walk their path,” Tristan suggested. “I want to see if I can learn anything else about them.”

“Appreciate it,” Levi said sincerely.

“Drake already promised me dinner before we head to the club.”

Levi groaned. He’d forgotten that he’d offered to take Tristan to the BDSM club that Craig owned to entice the demon to come help. Tristan wasn’t a fan of the human realm or having to wear glamour. He was one of the truest demon snobs that Levi had ever met. Tristan loved being a demon and other than the food saw no reason to even bother with humans.

There was a part of Levi that really wanted Tristan to find a human mate. It would serve the demon right for some of the things he’d said about humans. Levi’s mate was human. Some of the mates to his chosen brothers were human. Humans had hurt Levi way less than other paranormal had.

“You promised,” Tristan told him.

“I’ll take you to the club,” Levi said. It wasn’t that he never went. He enjoyed sitting in the little room and watching the boys play. Levi just wasn’t a fan of the open sex rooms or how often people touched him.

“Makes having to smell all these humans worth it.” Tristan rubbed his hands together like an evil villain in a movie.

Levi snorted. “You realize that at least half the patrons of the club will be human?”

“I won’t care what they smell like as I’m shoving my cock down their throat.”

Levi shook his head before stomping in the direction that the humans of the previous night had gone. “TMI, man. TMI.”

“I’m just saying!” Tristan hurried to catch up. “I’ve fucked humans before. I like when they are little subbie men. Women are fine too but I think I want a man tonight.”

“I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding a sub tonight.” Levi really didn’t want to talk about this. He wasn’t one of the men that enjoyed discussing their sex lives. And not only because he didn’t have a sex life.

Making the decision early in his life to save himself for his mate had seemed like a good plan. Levi had been sure that his mate would eventually be revealed. Now Levi didn’t know how he was going to broach the subject with Mason.

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