Moon God Mates

Chapter 16

MASON’S POV:

Are you sure?

I link Ravi for the tenth time since arriving back in the territory.

Yes, Alpha. There have been no intruders near the packhouse.

I furrow my brows as I look out at the river that runs through the backyard of the packhouse. He is right; I can't smell any intruders near the packhouse either.

“Mace, what is it?” Lucian steps up next to me. “It’s nothing,” I say. “Nothing at all, and that’s the problem.”

I know Jackson and I were set up for our challenge, but by who and why? If the intruder intended to invade our territory, then why not can't we track a scent?

I make my way towards the cottage behind the house; it was my mother's and is now my quaint sanctuary. Once I am close enough, I see the aged wooden planks that decorate the cottage, more than halfway hidden by the climbing vines that surround the place. Memories hit me like a brick, making me feel at home. This is where I come to think.

This just doesn’t make sense. Unless my pack wasn’t their intention at all. My Warriors and I have been searching for hours, and all we caught onto were a few random Rogue scents, but they aren’t enough to set off any alarms. It could even be the two Rogues I killed on my way to challenge Jackson.

Anyway, what Rogue would be brave enough to set up two of the most prominent Alphas in the area? Needless to say, I have come up with fewer answers than I had before, and now I'm outraged.

I can’t stop my feet from pacing back and forth across the office. I need something to calm me down; to calm my wolf down.

I stop mid-stride. There is only one thing that can help me relax now; Iris. Just laying my eyes on her helps to lighten my mood.

Cole pushes open the office door, “Okay, it's all cleared up with Jackson and we're all good. We do owe him a party though.” He sits on one of the brown leather office chairs, swinging his feet onto the desk.

“Always a party with you, isn’t it?” I can’t help the look of disgust that crosses my face at the sight of his shoes on the desk. he shrugs in response

I am grateful for my little brother. I know I can always count on him, and he always knows a way to help us out of trouble. He is the smartest person in the room most of the time but hides that behind sarcasm.

“Thanks, Cole. I’m glad you’re on my side.” A smile forms on my lips; I know Iris would appreciate me being thankful. She is such a kind person, and maybe somehow that is rubbing off on me.

“Wow, Almighty Mason needs his baby bro? I never thought I would live to see the day.” Cole jumps out of his chair, and I push him back down... Okay, moment over.

“Shut up, asshole.”

☾☾☾

Two hours pass, and she still isn’t here. I sit at the bar with a glass full of watered-down whiskey; because the service sucks unless Iris is here. I have never liked the guy she works with, not only because he is always side-eyeing my mate but also because he is lazy.

Okay, maybe it is more so because of the glances he sends her way; but whatever, he's lucky I don’t shift right here and scare the s**t out of him.

“Another?” He gestures to my drink. No s**t, it's been an hour since your last approach. I let out an exasperated sigh, “Where is Iris?”

“She won’t be in tonight.” Jay, according to the name tag on his shirt, looks me up and down.

“Did something happen?” Now, I am freaking out. Why the hell did I not go to her first!? Someone trespassed into our territory, and I didn't check on my mate first!? What kind of mate am I?

“Some kind of family emergency or something.” Jay says as he pulls out his phone and writes something on a napkin. He slides it over to me and rolls his eyes, “She said to give this to you,” and walks away.

It didn’t even cross my mind that I didn’t ask her for her contact information. I am new to this whole thing; mates are meant for each other, so I didn’t think I needed to ask for a phone number. I curse myself internally again before pulling out my phone.

She answers on the first ring, “Hello?”

“Iris?”

“Mason, hey. I know we were supposed to meet tonight and talk, but something came up."

”Don’t worry about it. Is everything okay? Are you okay? How’s James?” I ask all too eagerly; I need to know she isn’t hurt.

“Yes, we're fine; everything is fine,” she sighs, and something tells me everything is not fine.

“I can use a moment out of the house if you want to meet at the park for an hour. I can just walk James over to Ana’s?”

I cannot accept her offer to meet fast enough. I can tell that something is bothering Iris by the sound of her voice and by how low she is speaking. I know she will feel better just by being next to me; it’s our bond.

In all honesty, I think it is more than just the bond. I can tell Iris is exactly what I have been missing in my life, and maybe I am what she has been missing too.

☾☾☾

I run to the park the second that we end the call.

I sense Iris coming; as soon as she is close enough I hop off the bench where I am waiting and scoop her into a hug as I kiss her.

Maybe it is too soon, but I cannot help it. I need to feel her after the day I’ve had, and I know she needs it too. Instead of pulling away like I thought she would, she melts into me; kissing me back. She is the first to pull away, and I am glad for it; I don't think that I could have. I kiss her forehead, noting the small smile on her face and the rosiness on her cheeks.

“I’m sorry if that was too much. I have had a long day,” I say, setting her back on her feet, my body still coming down from the high. I don’t want to have to apologize or ask permission anymore. I want her; all of her.

She slumps on the bench, and I can feel how conflicted she is inside through our bond. My wolf whines in my head; wanting to console her, hug her, kiss her, and just make all of her troubles go away. But I know I can’t do that, not yet. Not until she knows what I am; and what she is to me.

I sit down beside her, “Tell me, Love, what's on your mind?” She sighs but doesn't say anything right away. Instead, she lays her head on my shoulder, and my whole body ignites like a firework. This is everything to me; I can’t get enough of just being around her. I rest my head on hers and revel in the peace that I feel when we are this close. I feel like a fool for ever wanting to reject her; just the thought of it makes me sick.

Now that I know her, I want to do everything in my power to give her whatever her heart desires; she deserves it, and I want to be the one to give it to her.

“Mason?”

“Hmm?”

“Why do I feel this way around you?” Iris’ head still resting on my shoulder swivels up so that her eyes meet mine. I kiss her forehead again before brushing the hair from her face.

“I have been meaning to talk to you about that. I promised to be honest with you, and I think it’s time that I deliver on that promise.” My whole body is on edge with nerves as I answer her.

I just want her to accept me.

I don't want to scare her away so I can't lay it on her so hard; but how is that even possible? How can I tell Iris that I'm madly in love with her and she’s been made for me; oh and also I turn into a werewolf from time to time...

I also want her to know she has a choice in this; either choose me and this life or not. Even if the ‘not’ would kill me. I want this life with her but not if I have to force her into it.

Please, Love. Please, accept me.

"Iris, have you ever considered the existence of witches, vampires, and perhaps even werewolves?" I internally groan, realizing my question might not be as smoothly phrased as I intended. Iris furrows her eyebrows in confusion. "Well, I'm not certain. I don't know; I suppose?" She knits her eyebrows together.

I take hold of Iris' hand, turning her body to face mine. "Okay, what about the concept of soulmates?" I dislike using the term "soulmates" because it feels cliché, but it seems to be the easiest way to convey the idea to her. Who am I turning into, getting all mushy?

"Wait, Mason," Iris perks up. "I have something to tell you too."

"Anything," my wolf responds eagerly in my mind. This is it; I sense that I'm not mistaken about the way she feels about me. Even though she's human, the bond still reaches her, and it's time for us to acknowledge it.

"Mason..."

Why do I see hurt in her eyes? She shouldn't feel so torn; we can be happy. Sensing her hesitation, I send her strength through our bond.

Tell me, Love, you feel this too.

"Luke is back, James' father, and..." The corners of her mouth downturn, "...and he wants us to leave with him."