Dane’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Levi.”
“No,” I repeated, jaw tight. “He hasn’t done anything to deserve that.”
My wolf bristled, hackles lifting at the mere idea. Dane held up both hands in a calming gesture.
“Easy, brother. I’m not saying he’s guilty of anything,” Dane said.
“Then why suggest it?” I demanded.
“Because,” Dane said evenly, “the pack comes first, remember? If Mason’s a genuine threat, we shouldn’t let emotions get in the way.”
The words landed heavy between us, and dang it, I hated when he was reasonable.
He leaned forward slightly.
“Look, best-case scenario? I’m right. Mason’s just got trust issues and a complicated past,” Dane pointed out.
I didn’t like the “but” I could hear coming.
“But worst case?” Dane continued gently. “There’s something deeper going on that we need to know about before it bites the pack in the ass.”
Silence stretched tight between us.
My chest felt crowded, and the ugly truth was I could see the logic, but it didn’t mean I liked it. My wolf started pacing in tight, unhappy circles under my skin.
“You really think he’s a threat?” I asked quietly.
“I think,” Dane said carefully, “that you’re too close to this already to see him clearly.”
That one landed hard, and I looked away first, jaw tight.
“I don’t like it,” I muttered.
“I know,” Dane said.
I rubbed my face hard and realized this was the last thing I wanted, but Dane was right. The pack came first, always. Slowly and reluctantly, I nodded.
“Fine,” I said roughly.
My shoulders eased slightly, but inside, the tension didn’t budge. Even as logic lined up neat and reasonable in my head, my wolf stayed stubborn.
He was protective of Mason, already considered Mason ours. I had a bad feeling this was only going to get more complicated from here.
Chapter 7
Mason
Nico was waving his arms from side to side like a windshield wiper.
I frowned but kept pushing the lawn mower forward another few feet before glancing up again. I caught a faint “hey,” but nothing else. He had his hands cupped around his mouth, clearly yelling something across the yard.
I rolled the mower to a stop and cut the engine.
Pulling off my headphones, I called back, “What was that?”
Nico jogged across the lawn toward me.
“You really didn’t have to do this, you know.” He gestured broadly at the yard in front of the house.
