I poured the tea, the quiet clink of ceramic louder than it should’ve been. Steam curled between us as I set his mug down, then took my own seat across from him.
I didn’t speak, or push him. Whatever Mason was about to say, it mattered. Dane’s voice flickered in the back of my head, telling me not to get too attached. I shoved it aside.
Mason wrapped his hands around the mug like he needed the heat to anchor himself.
He lifted it, took a small sip, and his hand trembled. A drop spilled over the rim, splashing onto the table. He flinched like it burned him.
“I’m sorry,” Mason mumbled.
“It’s okay.” I was already reaching for a cloth, wiping it up before it could spread.
Still, he reached for the cloth. Our fingers brushed for half a second. His were cold to the touch.
“Mason,” I said quietly, “what’s going on?”
He didn’t answer right away, he merely stared down at the table. At the damp ring the tea had left behind.
“Why are you always so nice?”
The question landed soft, but it cut deep. I stilled, and looked at him. Mason didn’t sound angry, he looked wrecked, and that worried me even more.
“Mason,” I said, more firmly now, “what’s this really about?”
Silence stretched, then finally he spoke.
“I’ve been lying to you.”
The words dropped between us like a stone. But I wasn’t surprised, not really. Part of me had known Mason had been keeping some secrets from me.
Still, hearing it said out loud was different. I leaned back slightly in my chair, forcing myself to stay still. I told myself I would listen, and not jump to conclusions.
“My brother and I grew up packless,” Mason began, voice low. “After my parents died, I took care of him. It was just us.”
Something in my chest softened at that, because I knew a little of that life. Knew what it meant to hold your family together with nothing but stubbornness and will.
“But then…” His voice faltered. “We got caught.”
My jaw tightened. “Caught by who?”
“Daniel.”
The name meant nothing, didn’t ring any bells to me.
“I don’t know his last name,” Mason said quickly, like he needed me to understand that part. “But he’s one of the leaders of the anti-shifter group your pack’s been investigating.”
Everything in me went still. My wolf surged forward, sharp and alert.
Danger, threat. Enemy.I leaned forward before I could stop myself, my hand coming up to tilt his chin so he’d look at me.
“Mason,” I said, my voice lower now, edged with something harder, “what are you telling me?”
His eyes met mine, and he flinched. That hit harder than anything else. I dropped my hand immediately, pulled back like I’d burned him.
My wolf snarled, pacing. Mason was ours to protect, but then he was a traitor? Get control of yourself, I reminded myself. Mason wasn’t done telling his story.
“What happened?” I asked, forcing the words out evenly.
Mason swallowed. “Daniel took Kai.”
