Page 62 of Sweetheart

“Mason.” Levi shook his head. “I…I need to—”

He didn’t care what Levi needed to do. Mason rushed straight into his arms. He held Levi around the waist. “Levi.”

“It’s okay,” Levi soothed. “Are you injured? Did they hurt you?”

“No,” Mason said. “I’m fine. I was just scared.”

“You don’t have to ever be scared again,” Levi told him. “I’ll always protect you.”

Mason kept his face buried in Levi’s shirt. “It’s all just happened so fast. I spent my entire life in this sort of fight for survival. On constant guard. As soon as I saw my uncle again, I was ready to sacrifice myself to save everyone else. Even with the other boys telling me not to. Then I heard the yowl. I think it was Shawn. Sam sort of laughed and I knew. I remembered.”

Levi cupped his face, forcing Mason to lift his head. “Remembered what?”

“That I wasn’t alone,” Mason said. “Not that I’ve ever been alone with Jason. But it was always us against the world. It’s not true anymore though.”

“It’s not.” Levi smiled. His fangs glistened in the moonlight, but Mason wasn’t afraid. He would never be afraid of his mate.

“That howl. It was like it echoed all around me. Hugged me. Told me that it would all be okay. I just needed to be brave one more time. That you would come.”

“Yes,” Levi said. “I will always come.” Lowering his head, Levi kissed him, fangs and all.

Mason ignored the ache in his body and pushed closer. He opened for Levi and accepted the deep kiss.

“What were you boys doing out here? I told you to stay in the house,” Axel rumbled.

Shit! Mason pulled back. “I need to see my father.”

“Your father?” Levi questioned. “Why?”

“I need something from him. Is he still alive?”

“He is,” Levi told him. “We’re not killing him.”

Mason looked around the yard.

“Ugh.” Levi winced. “They were threatening you all. Your father and the other men are tied up. They’ll be taken to hell by the hounds.”

“Oh.” That…that was perfect. His father having to face a fiery judgment and getting what he deserved? It was what Mason had always wanted.

“Is that…” Levi frowned. “I can kill him—”

“No, sweetheart.” Mason patted Levi’s chest. “It’s… Thank you for offering. I never wanted to have to kill my father. I just wanted him to stop. To go away. To leave us alone. Him going to hell? Perfect.”

“Good.”

“But I need to talk to him first,” Mason said.

“If that’s what you want,” Levi replied then motioned Axel over.

“Everything okay?” Axel asked.

“Mason wants to talk to his father,” Levi said.

“No.” Jason joined them while dragging Tristan along. “You don’t need to ever see him again.”

“I have questions for him,” Mason argued.

“This is up to you,” Axel said. “Whatever you want.”

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