Once the men leave quietly between Michael, Sid, and the three others, Masen finally turns to me and gathers me up in a bruising hug. His hands run from the top of my head down to the backs of my thighs, assuring himself I’m okay. “It’ll be over soon now, baby. I’ll find the rest of those fuckers,” he promises. He kisses me softly before we head to customer care to pick up my packages so we can head home.

When I see the fence surrounding his property, he says “I’m going to drop you off at the house. I’ll send Cass and maybe Sam over. How does that sound?” He continues before I can answer, “I’m not sure how long I’ll be, but I need to go to the hall and find out what they know.”

He’s not going to be happy when I say what I’m thinking. “Masen, I’d like to be with you, please.”

His head snaps over to look at me. “You don’t want to be there for this, trust me. If they don’t talk, I’ll have to make them. I don’t want you seeing me like that.” I feel his hesitancy. He worries I won’t feel the same about him if I see him hurt one of those men. I know he’s not cruel. He doesn’t want to hurt them, but I also know he’ll do what needs done to protect me and his pack. “I don’t need to watch if this thing goes south if that makes you feel better. I know this isn’t what you want to do, but I know you are strong enough to do what needs done. I trust you to handle it. Now, trust that I’m strong enough to stand by your side.”

He pulls into the pack gate and stops as soon as the gate closes behind us. Masen jumps out of the driver’s seat and is pulling my door open before I understand what’s happening. “What’s wrong?” I look around, slightly panicked at his behavior.

“No, nothing’s wrong, baby.” He envelops me in a tight hug. He scents behind my ear and runs his nose down my neck to gently nip his mark. “I don’t know how I survived without you. I can’t imagine a day without you now that I know what it feels like to have you. I’m so sorry I’ve been such a fuck up. Please, please, forgive me. I’ve been so worried about losing you, I think I was pushing you away so I wouldn’t crumble if you disappeared.”

My heart aches with his sincerity. I reach up and place both of my palms on his face pulling back so he looks right at me. “Masen, I promise I’m not going anywhere. Please understand, I want to be here. I want to be with you. I don’t just need it because you’re my Mate. I want it because I love you.” I search his eyes and try to listen to his thoughts while he stares at me.