“You put my pack at risk,” I said, on a roll.
His face crumpled slightly at that. “I’m aware.”
The way he said it, like each word was something he was already punishing himself for, it took some of the heat out of my anger. Not all, but enough.
I looked away again, staring out at the trees, thinking. I was trying to separate what I felt from what I needed to do.
The pack always came first, but if I was still packless and had no one to rely on and my family was taken…I didn’t need to finish that thought.
I would’ve done the same as Mason, I’d do anything to save my only family, no matter the cost.
I hated it, and I understood it at the same time.
“You should’ve told me sooner,” I said finally, quieter now.
“I couldn’t,” Mason whispered. “If Daniel thought I’d said anything…”
“Kai dies,” I finished.
He nodded. I clenched my fists at my sides.
I turned back to him, really looked at him this time. I didn’t miss the tension in his shoulders, the fear in his eyes.The way he stood like he was waiting for me to tell him to leave.
“Daniel called me this morning. He told me to open the south gate of the compound during the summer festival when…”
“When most of the pack is in town,” I finished.
Ice slid down my spine, and for a second, I saw it again.
I held his gaze, searching for any sign he was lying again. My wolf leaned forward, settling instead of bristling. Mason was telling the truth.
I exhaled slowly. Some of the tightness in my chest eased.
“We’re going to have to tell Cooper,” I said.
Mason flinched. “I understand.”
“From now on, you’re going to relay to me whatever information Daniel gives you,” I told him.
Mason nodded. “I’ll do everything in my power to help. Levi, I mean it. I won’t let him hurt your pack.”
Your pack, not ours. The distance in that one word hit harder than I expected. I stepped closer before I could think better of it, close enough to see the fine tremor in his hands.
“I appreciate you telling me the truth,” I said quietly.
His breath hitched.
“I don’t expect you to forgive me,” he said.
“I’m not there yet,” I admitted honestly. “But I understand why you did it.”
His eyes widened slightly, and something fragile sparked there.
“I would’ve done the same,” I continued, my voice rough. “If it was my brother.”
That broke him. His shoulders sagged slightly, like he’d been holding himself up for too long.
“I didn’t want to lose you,” he whispered.
