Taming Of The Beast - 5. Chapter 5

Mason stood there uncertain of what to do. He felt like part of his soul was slipping away. He had tried to convince Bastian to stay behind; but his hard-headed mate had refused. Bastian was a protector first; he couldn’t allow his friends to walk into deaths trap without him there to have their backs. That was loyalty and a true warrior’s heart. Mason was not certain he could watch him walk out of his life, even if it was temporary.

Mason walked into the kitchen and took a seat across from his mother, who was chopping some vegetables. She always looked so beautiful and radiant. Her smile comforted those around her. He could tell that she knew how he was feeling before he said anything. She was his mother, and she worried about him, just like every other mother out there.

Giselle looked up at her son. “Being worried is normal, baby.”

Mason sighed heavily, avoiding his mother’s gaze. “He doesn’t want me to come with him. I know why he refuses. All I can think is, what if I lose him before I get a chance to make this work? Before I could be who he deserves?”

“He doesn’t want you to go with them because he knows what he is expecting; he cares too much to do that to you or your friends. He doesn’t want to expose you to the things they do to protect us from those that wish us harm.” Giselle turned to man her pot taking a big wooden spoon to taste. “Besides you’re a future Alpha, he knows that’s important to you.”

Mason buried his face in his hands. “What happens if I lose him before we even had a chance? I don’t want that to happen.

“He wouldn’t let that happen, he is far stronger than you give him credit for. The fact that you’ll be here gives him reason to come back. He wants to make this work, baby. Believe and hope that he will come back to you in one piece, and he will.” She smiled at Mason before picking up the knife to continue cutting. “I know this is hard, love. But trust that his friends will protect him as much as he will protect them”

Mason nodded the truth behind his mother’s words would ring inside his head every single moment until Bastian returned. “You’re cooking a mighty big meal, ma. What’s the occasion?”

Giselle didn’t look up at her son but instead smiled to herself. “They need a home cooked meal before they leave. Hotel food is just not same. Jesse and Collin are coming as well. They’ve taken a huge liking to the lycans.”

*****

Bastian and Hale sat in front of the Alpha and his council. Bastian knew they should have requested this meeting before they became too comfortable. He needed to get his head in the game; they couldn’t afford to lose anymore time than they already had. He needed to tell Alpha Isaac about the kidnappings of the packs; he doubted anyone would dare trespass on the lands that belong to a Delgaard, but he needed them to be aware. Bastian couldn’t understand what was happening, he had never been this nervous about anything but he avoided calling this meeting for a reason. Finally, the thought occurred to him that maybe it had to do with meeting formally with his soon-to-be-father-in-law.

“There have been people who have been stealing or rather kidnapping pack members, we have returned some and helped the others. We believe whoever is doing this is trying to get The Prince’s attention somehow.” Hale said, looking the elders straight in the eye with respect. “We aren’t sure yet, but we need to go for a few days to find the first piece of the puzzle and hopefully get some understanding about why this is happening.” Hale’s voice was calm, no sign of nerves. The man sure knew how to get what he wanted to say across.

“Do you mean to tell us that packs are in danger?” Alpha Isaac’s beta, John, asked.

Bastian shook his head “Not really, whoever is doing this is taking members from the low ranks. Everyone knows that the Royal family protects all packs and lone wolves. Nobody would dare attempt this unless they were seeking a painful death.”

“We have given the Alpha our phone numbers in case there is something happens while we are gone. We are only a call away. We will do everything in our power to protect our kind. Remember, warriors never put themselves first, but they put others first,” Hale said with pride.

“My Prince.” Bastian’s head turned to the other pack elder. “Are you well? I mean will you be fit enough to go on this mission?”

Bastian gave the elder a warm smile. “I’m well, thank you. I will be fine, I can hold my own. We would like to have one of us stay behind, but I know that we will need all the help we can get.”

Alpha Isaac cleared his throat. “When would it be appropriate to tell the pack about your true identities?”

Bastian thought for a moment before he met Isaac’s gaze. “It’s going to have to be soon since my family is coming down, but not yet. We need a little more time. Maybe when we come back. They will also need to know other things but for now those are not so important.”

“We want to thank you all for your hospitality, especially Alpha Isaac. We will never forget this. Hopefully when we return, we will have good news,” Hale added

Alpha Isaac smiled “You’re welcome, boys. Now I think it’s time we adjourned. We will wait to hear from you.”

*****

Mason watched as his mate and Hale walked out of the hall. Bastian looked worried, something Mason had not yet seen from him. Hale flashed him a smile followed by a pat on the back. The worried look disappeared from his face and a reassuring smile replaced it. Mason watched as Bastian smiled and laughed with his friend. He wished he was the one that made him laugh like that. Bastian then answered his phone and the smile vanished. He allowed Hale to walk ahead of him Frustration and anger were evident in his mate’s face. He was ready to explode. But then something happened; Bastian looked in Mason’s direction and a smile crept up onto his mate’s lips.

“Come on, Bastian.” Mason watched as Luciana took the phone from his mate. “We’ll deal with it in a few hours. Ciao.” Luciana ended the call.

Bastian looked at his cousin. “You’ll be the death of me,” he said pulling his cousin close to him as they walked towards the house.

*****

The dinner looked like something that Bastian had seen only during the holidays or event. It was clear that the Alpha-mate, Giselle, had spent an entire day cooking and baking. Bastian took the seat beside Mason. He knew his mate would appreciate having him closer, even if it was for one moment. He wanted, no needed, to tell Mason how much he meant to him. How much he knew deep down inside he truly loved him. He just wasn’t sure how to say it. Love scared Bastian because he was afraid of opening his heart to someone who could possibly hurt him and shatter his hope. He wanted to give Mason the benefit of the doubt.

“Are you all set? Your hotel reservations ready?” Giselle asked.

Bastian smiled at her. “We’re all set, but we’re not staying at a hotel. Too many humans…we’re staying at one of the safe houses. It’s easier and safer for everyone.”

The table fell into silence after that.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Alpha Isaac and Giselle. We’re truly thankful for what you’ve done for us,” Bastian said, trying to diffuse the silence.

Alpha Isaac smiled and nodded. “We’re honoured, Bastian. It has been good having guests. Giselle gets to cook, which is something she enjoys.”

Hale smiled. “She’s an awesome cook. She puts Luciana to shame”

Luciana growled at Hale. “I’m a skilled warrior, Hale. I can cook; but since we move so much, I hardly have time.”

“Are you okay, Bastian?” Giselle asked.

He gave a faint smile. “Yes, thank you. I just have a lot on my mind.”

He couldn’t do it, he knew something was on the horizon and the more he felt it the more he wanted to warn everyone but he didn’t know where it was coming from. Bastian always trusted and followed his gut, but he didn’t want to lead everyone to a trap. He wanted everything to go smoothly enough that he could return and fix his mating. He needed to mate with Mason; now he knew that for certain. His beast was relentless; he could feel it from within, and he knew he was in for a world of hurt the moment he could shift again. He needed to be able to shift to protect his kind, he needed his beast and himself to be united for strength. Bastian’s beast would not yield until he was mated with his true mate, the one he was leaving behind. He didn’t want Mason involved. His mate was strong, he knew that. Mason could fit well in his world; but he wasn’t ready to have someone to worry about.

Bastian had made small talk and laughed with everyone. He knew the time to leave was nearing. He smiled as he excused himself from everyone; he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming.

He walked outside and towards one of the black SUV’s. He opened the door and sat there, unable to restrain his thoughts. Fear crept up into him like a flood. Thoughts and images of what had happened when he was kidnapped overwhelmed him. The lashes on his back, the torture, the pain and then hopelessness and defeat. He was worried and for the first time, one would say he was scared. He couldn’t admit it to himself; not when he needed to be his A-game. He just sat there in the car with the door opened. He needed some air and sometime so he could be alone with his thoughts.

His thinking was interrupted when he heard, ““Hey, you okay?”

Bastian shook his thoughts away as he faced Josh. “I’m fine. What’s up, Josh?”

“Oh, nothing. Just wondering what you’re doing here all alone” Josh asked.

Before Bastian could answer, another voice spoke up. “He’s not alone”

Both Josh and Bastian looked at Mason who stood there with Collin. “Ah, you boys seem to be everywhere,” Josh said to the two men.

Collin shrugged. “You should leave now, Josh”

Josh rolled his eyes. “Why? We were just becoming friends”

Mason shot Josh a look. “Because, if I see you near him again, you’ll have me to deal with.”

Josh knew better than to argue with Mason, his voice said everything. He noticed the possessiveness in Mason’s voice which intrigued him. In all the time they had dated he had never been that possessive of him. Josh looked at Bastian and then back at Mason who looked at Bastian with concern and worry. Josh turned and walked away knowing he was no match for both Mason and Collin; he was outnumbered and outranked.

“Ex of yours?” Bastian asked Mason.

Mason tensed up. “Yes”

“Relax, Mason. I’m not going to throw a fit every time one of your exes come up,” Bastian said. “But if he comes anywhere near me again. I’m going to tear him apart with my teeth,” Bastian warned.