Chapter 102: Chapter 102
Mason POV
I rush down the hall, throwing open doors, looking for Rhiannon. I throw open a heavy steel door at the end of the hall and hear the sound of shattering glass and a grumbling female voice. Gabriela.
What the hell is she up to?
I creep into the dark room slowly, trying not to announce myself. I do not trust Gabriela. She has everything to lose with me around, and everything to gain with me out of the picture.
I carefully push forward, realising I am in some kind of storage room, filled with shelves and shelves of what looks like spell supplies. Or at least that is what it used to be. The place is totally trashed now.
From my place in the shadows, I watch Gabriela rip down shelves and shelves of glass vials, jars, herbs, and all kinds of other supplies, tearing them to shreds and sending them shattering to the ground. The smell in the air is nauseating.
What the fuck is she doing, and where is Rhiannon?
My wolf senses perk up again as her mumbling gets more manic.
“I will not put my sons in danger, not again,” she mumbles, still thrashing around the room. “If her memory returns, then everyone will know they are mated to a hybrid.”
Gabriela turns my way, and I duck quickly. I doubt she saw me in the dark, but I am not facing this mad woman. Crazy or not, she is still Luna, and I am a rogue. It will be her word against mine, and nobody will believe a rogue.
I slowly backed up and out of the room. My heart is beating wildly. Katie is their mate? No, no! Katie is mine! They already had Alice, they cannot have her, too. That is not fair!
I quickly walk to Katie’s room. I must get her away from here before she recovers her memory. She will remember they are her mates, and she will remember who Stella’s father is. She will run right back to them.
Screw Braden and screw the Constantines. This time, I will take what is mine.
Katie POV
The persistent knocking on my door finally registers in my mind and wakes me. Afraid that I might have overslept, I look at my watch and frown when I see there are three more hours before we are supposed to meet Rhiannon.
I look at the bassinet beside my bed and sigh in relief when Stella is still sleeping. I jump up and run to the door.
“What the hell, Mason?” I grunt, rubbing my eyes. “I was sleeping.”
“Katie, we must leave,” he says urgently. “Now.”
“Oh, Goddess, Mason,” I exhale deeply. “Give it a rest, please. I made up my mind, and I’m sticking with it.”
“It’s not that,” he huffs, looking frantic. “I overheard Kane and Axel. They’re planning to hand me over to the Council tomorrow and blame me for Braden’s appearance.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” I shake my head. “They agreed not to do it. Also, if you were truly planning on doing it yourself, why are you so upset?”
“Because they’re planning on driving you back to the mansion,” he says, his gaze blazing with fury and concern. “They’re going to keep you locked up there.”
My heart drops into my stomach. That sounds pretty fucking foreboding. Plus, I have never seen Mason look so pale and scared before. But I still find it hard to believe that Kane and Axel would do such a thing.
However, if there is anything I have learned over the last couple of months, it is that this is a crazy world. If Mason is telling the truth, then what will happen to Stella and me if we are forced to stay in the mansion?
A wave of nausea crashes over me. I am not about to let my baby be trapped in that place.
“Okay,” I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and calming my nerves. “Let’s say you’re telling the truth ...”
“I am, dammit,” he snaps. “Katie, I never lied to you. I kept things from you, yes, but never lied.”
His words strike me like lightning. This is true. He never lied. He is telling the truth. They are going to lock up Stella and me! But if I leave now, I might never get my memories back, and Braden will definitely die.
But I do not want to go with Mason. Going with him might give him the wrong impression that I am interested in rekindling. And truthfully, with everything that is going on, I simply do not have the time, energy or interest in finding a mate.
Things were simpler when I met Mason, and I was willing to take a chance. But things went horribly wrong when we came here. And now I know why ... well, almost. I know that I am from the Constantine pack, and people have been recognising me left and right. My past, my memories and my answers are here. I am not going anywhere, but I sure as hell am not going to be locked up by the twins. I do not care how sexy they are or how attracted I am to them.
However, my feelings do not matter now. Facts do. I must get out of here before I get locked up, and I need help doing it.
“Okay,” I nod slowly. “But I need you to understand that things between us haven’t and will not change. I’m not getting back together with you because I’m going with you.”
“Katie, I’m here because I care about you and Stella,” he says breathlessly. “I don’t want you to suffer.”
“Okay, then,” I reply. “Help me to get Braden to the car, and ...”
“No,” he cuts me off brusquely. “There’s no time, and it’s too risky. Get Stella, and let’s go.”
Fuck that, I am not leaving Braden, but I am not wasting time arguing with him.
“Fine,” I roll my eyes. “I’ll say goodbye to Braden, and then we’ll go.”
“Okay, I’ll grab your bags,” he replies.
Just as I am about to turn around, an ear-shattering scream splits the air, and Mason and I run into the hallway.
