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.