Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 86: Chapter 86

Mason POV

My wolf, Colt, howls in agony as we sprint through the woods. I thought it hurt when Alice did not pick me, but that was nothing in comparison to this. I want to curl into a ball and cry like a baby.

I do not get it; it does not make sense. We were good. Yesterday, when I pleased her in the tub, it felt like the heavens opened for me. It has never been so important to me to satisfy a woman like now. It feels like Katie is in my blood, and I need her to survive. She is intoxicating and my obsession.

The only consolation I have is that at least she did not pick my brothers over me. It would have hurt so much more. The jealousy I felt when Kane and Axel shifted in front of her was so intense that it was hard to think straight.

Was bringing her to the Constantine pack lands a mistake? Would she have said the things she did if we stayed in Stillwood? After all, the fighting started when we got here.

“Go back,” Colt howls.

“She needs space,” I argue.

“Fight for her, dumbass,” Colt insists. “I want her, she’s ours.”

Maybe Colt is right, things were good in Stillwood when it was just the two of us. Now, everywhere I look, Kane and Axel are there. Maybe we can fix this if we have some time alone.

I turn around and run full speed towards the mansion. Determined to fight for another chance.

Katie POV

I am in my quarters, sitting on the floor and playing peekaboo with Stella, when there is a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I shout, not getting up. I had a long, hot shower and felt lazy after an emotional morning.

“Hi,” Mason says, entering and pushing his hands nervously into his jeans’ pockets.

“Hi,” I smile brightly. “Would you like to hold her while I fetch us something to drink?”

Mason has been good to me, and I do not want to lose him as a friend. I do not want things between us to be awkward, either. I was angry and upset, and I could have handled things differently.

“Actually, I was hoping to steal you away for a bit,” he scratches his neck, and he suddenly reminds me of a teenage boy asking a girl on a date for the first time. “Would you like to go to town with me?”

“Now?” I frown. “Going out does sound great, but it’s almost time for Stella’s afternoon nap.”

“Bring her along,” he smiles. “It will be fun. I’ll buy Stella her first espresso.”

“Yes,” I roll my eyes theatrically. “Because she lacks energy.”

“Or her first ice cream,” he suggests, laughing.

“I appreciate the invitation, Mason,” I say gently. “But I’m not taking Stella out, not after you guys dropped the vampire bomb. I don’t want some undead stalker snatching my baby outside the local café.”

“Okay,” he nods. “Maybe another time then.”

He turns around to leave, and my heart crumbles. He looks like a dog who got kicked, with his shoulders slumping forward. He is having a terrible day, and it is all my fault.

“Let me ask Gabriela if she’s up for another round of babysitting,” I say, and he turns around. “Then we can go.”

“Great,” Mason smiles charmingly. “We’ll be back in time to put Stella to bed, I promise.”

Relief washes over me as I carry Stella to Gabriela’s quarters. It seems that Mason is not too upset with me. There is nothing I want more than for us to remain friends and get along. Hey, who knows, maybe we will end up together once we have sorted our shit. I with my hormones and he with his father and brothers. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

I thank Gabriela gracefully when she agrees to look after Stella and walk to the front door. Mason is already waiting for me, grinning from ear to ear.

“So,” I look at him. “How do you propose we get into town?”

“With a truck,” he holds up a set of keys. “Courtesy of the Constantine pack.”

“How generous of them,” I smile, getting into the car.

I make myself comfortable while Mason gets into the driver’s seat.

“Do you know where you’re going?” I ask teasingly, but in reality, I am fishing to know if he has been here before.

“Yes, I do,” he chuckles. “I used to date Alice, remember? She lived here.”

A memory nags again in the back of my mind, but I do not try to recover it. I do not want another full-blown vision.

Mason points out places and interesting facts as we drive through town, and I soak it all in. Constantine is not that different from Stillwood, only fancier.

Mason parks, and I accept his hand when he helps me out. We walked together along a cobblestone street to a café.

We sit in a booth by the window, and Mason studies me carefully as if he wants to ask me something. My palms turn sweaty, and I silently pray that he does not spoil the comfortable atmosphere with complicated questions.

“This reminds me of the cafe in Stillwood,” I say before Mason can speak. “Except no Quinn.”

My heart twinges. It feels like I have been gone a lifetime, and I miss Quinn and my old, uncomplicated life.

“You can go home, Katie,” Mason says, resting his elbows on the table and intertwining his fingers. “You don’t have to stay on my behalf anymore, now that we ... you know.”

I look into his eyes. There is no malice or anger, but I detect a pinch of blame in his voice.

Strangely enough, I am not in a hurry to go home, even though I miss it. Maybe it is curiosity about vampires, maybe I want to support Mason with his journey, or maybe I want to get to know the twins better.

“Can I get you anything?” A woman walks up to our table and saves me from answering.

“Uhm, yes,” I pick up the menu.

“What’s your juice of the day?” I ask, looking up at her, and when our eyes meet, hers goes wide and her mouth drops open.

“Oh Goddess,” she gasps. “It’s you.”