Page 1 of Fearless as an Eagle

Chapter 1

Mason

FridaynightsatSoulfulSpirits have been part of our routine for a while now. Well, we used to hang out at Bandit’s Taphouse, but then Riven and Eldon found their mate, Nyla, who also owned a local bar. They all ended up closing their individual bars and eventually opening Soulful Spirits together. Their story was a little rocky, but I’ll be the first to admit I’m insanely jealous of my friends. All I want in life is to find my fated mate. If it weren’t for my roommates and best friends, Riley and Bennett dragging me out every week, I’d be at home, buried in work. Riley calls me a workaholic. Honestly, that’s a bit of an understatement. It’s not my fault, really. I’ve got a bit of an obsessive personality. Work keeps me sane. Otherwise, I’d likely be obsessing over finding my mate.

Someone kicks my foot, and I arch a brow at Riley in response. We’re sitting at the bar as we wait for our other friends to join us. It’s still early, so the place is relatively calm. The music turned down low with no one dancing on the dancefloor by the DJ stage. It’s definitely a step up from the old bar Riven and El ran by themselves. The mirrored wall behind the wide copper bar showcases the countless bottles of booze. The hanging lights and exposed warehouse ceiling and pipes come together to create a stunning industrial feel. Not something most people think about when out drinking, but as I’ve said, work is always on my mind and this place calls out to the architect in me.

“Get out of your head, man! We’re supposed to be relaxing and having fun! Stop thinking so damn much,” Riley mutters the admonishment he gives me like clockwork every week as he runs his hand through his short brown hair.

“Whatever. Bennett and Alex aren’t even here yet. And I was just thinking about Riven and El. I wonder if they’re working tonight.”

“I’m sure at least one of them is here somewhere. They take turns running the bar and helping with the baby.”

Damn it. He had to remind me about the baby, didn’t he?And just like that, I’m lost in my thoughts again. I worry I may never meet my mate. What if all I’ll ever have is my best friends? No wife or kids. Just Friday nights at Soulful Spirits. Damn, that’s a depressing thought.

I zone out, completely blocking out the room around me as I sip my beer. It’s not until the bottle’s empty that I notice the two men talking across me.

“What’s up with him?” Alex asks Riley.

“Who knows? He’s been a mopey shit since he got here.”

“Obsessing over something, I’m sure,” Bennett grumbles. “What were you talking about before he zoned out?”

“Riven, El, and the baby,” Riley tells them with an audible grimace.

“Shit,” Alex and Bennett groan together.

“We need to find something besides work to take his mind off finding a freaking mate. Every time someone even mentions someone’s mate or babies, he falls down this rabbit hole. No offense, Riles,” Bennett chuckles.

“None taken.” I know without even looking at him that Riley’s rolling his eyes. He’s used to the rabbit jokes. It’s a good thing he has such an easygoing personality. Especially with the company he keeps. I can’t imagine there are many rabbit shifters that are ride-or-die friends with beavers, bears, and otters.

“You know I can hear you, right?” I grumble.

“I had no idea, actually. Thought you were still in your own little world. Sorry.” Bennett shrugs as the others laugh.

“You know what we need? We need a break. Get away. Spend some time in the great outdoors. How long has it been? I know your animals are champing at the bit just at the thought. Let’s go camping. I know the perfect spot,” Alex says.

I perk up a little at that. It has been a while since we’ve spent any real time in the woods. Maybe that’s just what I need to let loose. And he’s not wrong. My beaver is literally champing at the bit. It’s like he’s already building a dam in my head. The chorus of agreement from Riley and Bennett seals the deal, and I start making lists and planning the trip before we’ve even discussed when we’re going.

The conversation at the bar lit a fire under me. I went home that weekend and planned everything. Alex told us all about this spot in the Willow Grove National Forest. It seems perfect and I’m excited about going there. So excited that I’ve planned our little excursion for this weekend. Once the idea was planted in my head, I couldn’t wait any longer. This week, instead of spending Friday night at Soulful Spirits, we’ll be spending it surrounding a fire with nothing but nature around us.

I’m the planner of our group, so they left it up to me. History has shown things go more smoothly when I arrange things with little interference. The last time Bennett tried to organize an outing was a nightmare. Besides the fact that I may have a little bit of a control issue, Bennett just doesn’t plan for all potential issues. They were trying to convince me I didn’t have to be in charge all the time, but it only reinforced my conviction.

I trust these guys with my life, but I have a compulsion to prepare for every possible outcome. It’s why I’ve packed all of our extreme cold weather gear even though it’s only October and it historically never drops below 45?. With our luck, there would be some freak snowstorm and we’d all freeze to death. Not a risk I’m willing to take.

I’m loading the Jeep with all of our supplies when my phone rings, bringing me out of my thoughts. Setting the duffle bag in my hand down, I pull my phone out of my back pocket and furrow my brows when I see Alex’s name. Swiping to answer before the call gets sent to voicemail, I give a gruff, “What?” as I stand in our driveway with the phone to my ear.

“Hey, Mason… Bad news...,” he trails off and I’m instantly on alert.

“What? What happened?” He knows I hate it when he does that. It could literally be anything. He can’t find his favorite pair of shoes. Or he forgot he broke his sleeping bag last time and wants to borrow one. Or it could actually be bad, like he broke his leg and can’t come. I never fucking know with him and it drives me fucking crazy. Of course, I’m sure that’s exactly why he does it. The asshole.

“I can’t make it this weekend.” I can hear the grimace in his voice and it’s the only thing that keeps me from going off on some rant about him being an irresponsible prick. It sounds like he’s actually upset he can’t come, so I take a deep breath before I say something I might regret.

“This was your idea, you know.” I can’t help but grumble.

“I know. I know. And trust me, Iwantto go. It’s been too long since we’ve spent real quality time together. I’m really sorry, Mason,” he ends with a sigh.

“Yeah. Me too.” I sigh. Alex and I used to be really close, but I feel him slipping away. It feels like I’m losing one of my best friends. I can’t even explain why it feels like that, but it is what it is. This trip was supposed to bring us all closer together. I was looking forward to this trip, re-securing our bond, but now I might as well cancel. I don’t want to bring the others down with my negativity.

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