Page 61 of Sweetheart

Mason shuddered hearing that familiar, accented voice. “No,” he whispered.

“Who are you looking for?” Lawson asked. “We don’t know you and this is private property.”

“Oh, I think someone knows me,” Mason’s Uncle Chad replied. He stepped to the side so Mason could see him clearly. And the rifle in his hands.

“Shit,” Mason spat. This was not good. His Uncle Chad was Mason’s father’s right-hand man. Just as evil and stubborn.

“Come here, boy,” Chad demanded. “And we won’t hurt your new friends.”

“We?”

“Yes, we.”

Mason slammed into Lawson’s back from a hard shove behind him.

Sam and Ansley whirled around but Mason didn’t need to know that the rest of his father’s group had found him. And they were all out in the open and vulnerable because Mason had insisted on coming out here.

His new friends, Levi’s family, were in danger all because of Mason.

He would not allow them to get hurt though. Mason stepped away from his new friends. “I’ll go with you quietly, but you have to promise not to hurt them.” He hoped that Levi would find him quickly.

“Walk over here slowly,” Chad ordered. “You’re going to take me to your father.”

“Sure, no problem.” Mason stepped forward.

“No!” Lawson grabbed his arm. “You can’t.”

“I have to,” Mason insisted softly.

“No.”

A long loud howl echoed in the night.

Sam laughed. “You’re in trouble now!”

Chad lifted the rifle then pointed it at Mason. “Get over here now.”

“Sure.”

“Mason,” Bryce called.

He shuffled forward. Mason wanted to keep his friend safe, but he had faith in the rest of the family. That’s what they were. Family. Mason had forgotten that. That these men were used to danger. They fought for one another. Mason didn’t have to sacrifice himself. He didn’t need to be a martyr.

“It’s going to be okay,” Mason promised.

Six steps. He’d only taken six steps when he spotted his man. His sweet and protective mate burst into view. The moment that Levi spotted Mason’s uncle, his body began to change. The way it had when Levi had first transformed for him. His gorgeous tan skin went gray, nearly marble, as his wings spread behind him.

A roar sounded behind Levi as Axel ran and passed Levi. Launching himself into the air.

More sounds, another howl, a growl, an angry shout. Everything happened at once. It was absolute chaos and Mason didn’t have to do a thing. He just stood there as his new friends—no, his new family—took care of the men that had threatened them.

It was violent and nauseating, but Mason kept his eyes on his mate. Levi yanked the rifle from his uncle and hit him with it before tossing the weapon away. Levi then ripped Chad into shreds. Those sharp claws deadly.

Once Chad stopped screaming, Levi rose off his body.

Levi stepped toward Mason before he stopped and looked down at his bloody hands. Levi’s eyes widened while looking around frantically. Mason didn’t know what to do other than go to his mate.

Mason ran the best he could with his battered body. “Levi!”

---