Page 54 of Becoming His

He seems honest, I hope for his sake he is. “I will try to keep him calm. He knows we need this information, so let’s get this over with. Don’t leave anything out. I don’t want to do this again,” I say, fortifying myself to hear some deplorable shit.

Rob licks his dry lips, his eyes are the size of saucers as he stares at me like I’m his lifeline. “I was out back behind the barn of the house we’ve been staying at.”

“Where’s that?” Michael interrupts.

“Just outside of Marshall. It’s about thirty acres. There’s one main house and four smaller cottages. The barn’s not far from the main house. That’s where William and his three goons stay. He keeps all the females in the closest house,” he clears his throat, “I was meeting Amy for you know... ah anyway. When I left the barn, I heard Phillip, that’s his Beta, laughing about spreading seed” —he cringes— “At first, I thought he was talking about farming the land. Then he said he couldn’t wait to find the bitch that smells like heaven.” Masen’s body stiffens under me. “He said when William was done with her he’d let them all take turns on her, just like they’d done in her bedroom.”

Masen’s hand snakes across the table without even jostling me from his lap and wraps it around Rob’s throat. He gags and claws at Masen’s hand. I turn and lift myself up so his eyes are on mine. “Masen, let go. I’m here. It’s okay, but you gotta let go. There might be more he needs to tell us.” I hear wheezing and gagging behind me. Then, I feel his left hand wrap from my hip up to my shoulder, crushing me to him. His right hand caresses my hair.

“Finish.” Masen’s voice is grave.

“I’m sorry,” Rob rasps.

Keeping my face next to Masen, I breathe into his ear, “It’s okay. Whatever he says, it’s okay. I’m safe with you. They can’t hurt me.”

“He said we now just have to wait and hear from the scheming bitch that contacted him, and she’ll tell us exactly where to find William’s Mate.”

“Do you know who they were talking about? Who the scheming bitch is?” Michael questions.

“No, I’m sorry. I don’t. That’s all we know. I promise. I went to Jeff last night and told him we needed to get out of there. We went to the mall today hoping to find anyone to tell what a bunch of crazy bastards they are. I don’t think any of the shifters he’s convinced to join him have any idea what’s going on.”

Masen stands still, holding me. “Sid, take these two to the holding cell, search them again. I don’t want them contacting anyone. Beta, meet me in my office in ten,” he orders.

“What are you going to do with us?” Jeff warbles.

“If your story checks out, you don’t have anything to worry about.” The threat of what will happen if they are lying goes unsaid but definitely not unheard. “You should be thanking my Mate though. Without her, you’d both be dead already!”

“I love you,” I whisper into his ear. He grunts in response. Masen strides to the door. The men outside keep their faces to the floor as we exit. He stops in front of a beautifully carved wooden door. The room is dark but smells of him. The only light is coming from the large room behind us until he kicks the door shut, plunging us into darkness. His breathing is labored but not from carrying me. No, he’s trying to calm himself. I kiss his taut, tension-filled neck and run my fingers through his short, silky hair. I can tell he’s thinking, but I don’t know about what. “Masen, what’s going on in that head of yours?”

He heaves a sigh, walks through the dark room, and drops us onto a chair. “I’m thinking how I want to go back in there and force them to take me to William so I can rip his throat out! But, I’m also wondering why their story and Gavin’s don’t match. Why lure them with false stories of making a pack but tell Gavin he plans on challenging me for my Pack? It doesn’t make sense.” We are both quiet for a few moments.

“Maybe, he knows something about Gavin that led him to believe he’d go along with it, or he knew Gavin wouldn’t be naïve enough to believe his lies so he went with a version of the truth.”

Masen’s head falls back to the chair. “Who’s been giving them information? Did he know you were Mated to me when you were at the mall?”

I think about it for a few moments. “I don’t think so. I never said anything about you, and my Mark was covered so without us being fully Mated I don’t think they would have known I had a Mate let alone that it was you.”

“So the person giving them info sought them out after your encounter at the mall.” He’s furious. There’s a soft rapping on the door. “I have to open the door, Little One. He won’t be able to hear me from in here,” he explains as he stands and deposits me back in the chair he just stood from.

The light from the opening door seems bright in the utter blackness of the room. Masen clicks on a small desk lamp before Michael shuts the door behind him. “Luna,” he greets me. I look around, getting my first look at what must be Masen’s Pack office. It’s very masculine, no decorations adorn the walls, just the carved wooden door and ornately carved massive desk I sit behind as the focal point. The throne-like chair I sit in clearly belongs to the Alpha. I stand quickly, not sure why it makes me uncomfortable to be in it without him under me. Michael takes a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. He scrubs a hand over his handsome face, looking tired.

I feel guilty. I know all this drama is hard on everyone. Before I can voice my apology, Masen speaks, “You don’t have anything to be sorry for, Little One. These animals were edging toward my borders long before your arrival. Even if that wasn’t the case, none of this is your fault,” he states while pushing me back into the chair. He paces the space behind Michael and tells him about his concerns about Gavin’s and Rob’s stories conflicting. He also shares my theories as to why. Michael agrees with my assessment that Gavin wouldn’t have fallen for the idea of Masen wanting another Alpha to take over part of the Pack.

“I can’t help but wonder who this female is that his Beta is referring to. Any ideas on that?” Michael asks.

“I was thinking the same thing. Gavin did bring a new female with him. Maybe we should start there?” Masen mutters.

Is no one going to state the obvious? “Ah, have you thought about Roxanne? She hates me and has the most to gain from my... disappearance,” I stutter.

Michael tilts his head, assessing me. Masen stops pacing and shakes his head. “No, she wouldn’t do something like that. I agree she’s been a bit over the top, but I can’t believe she would do something like that,” he says sounding sure of himself dismissing the idea. He continues pacing.

Michael makes eye contact with me and gives a barely discernible nod, letting me know he’s not so quick to believe the best of her. I relax slightly with the acknowledgment. “We need to find the exact location of his camp. I want him and his cohorts dead by my hands before sunrise.” His voice is firm. “Gather the few men we’ve trusted this far and tell them to prepare to infiltrate as soon as the sun sets. I want everyone ready to leave in two hours. I need Cass and Sam at my house with Sophia. I’m going to send Mac over too in case this is a wild goose chase to get me away from her.” I know he needs to do this, but selfishly, I wish he could just send his men to handle it. What if it is some sort of trap? As my thoughts circle, he comes to me and leans down. “Let’s get you home, baby. I want this taken care of so I know you’re safe.” He helps me stand and turns to face Michael. “I’ll meet you back here in two hours,” he says grimly to Michael.

Again, everything seems to be happening so fast. I can’t believe it’s only been a week since this all started. Michael exits the office before us and strides quickly to another room. I’m assuming it’s his office to make the necessary calls for their plan.

Masen loads me in the passenger seat and pulls his phone from his pocket before entering the car himself. Now seated, he calls Sniffer. “Hey brother, I need you and Sam at our house in an hour and a half.” He throws the car in drive and speeds toward his home. “Yeah. I have them in the holding cells. I’m going to his camp. This ends tonight! I’m not sure how long it’ll take before I’m home, so bring what you need to stay. Mac will be there with you, too.” He listens for a moment. “See ya soon, yeah,” he says, and hangs up. The next call is to this Mac person. He explains what’s happening and tells him to be at his house to protect me if needed.

“Who’s Mac?” I ask.

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