I tried to listen to Mason's thoughts as he drove, hoping that I would learn more about where we were going, but somehow he figured out how to block me. When I got into his head, all he would let me see was an impenetrable brick wall with a sign that read, 'Stay the fuck out of my head, little girl.'

I wanted to ask how he did it, but I had no right reading anyone's thoughts. It wasn't any of my business, but it still bothered me that Mason blocked me.

"Stop," Mason commanded as I flipped blindly through the non-existent radio stations.

I ignored him and kept pushing the buttons, trying to irritate him. More static came through the speakers, just like I wanted. We'd been driving for a long time, and it was well past two in the morning.

At one point, I tried to sleep, but Mason's torturous scent only continued taunting me. Mason was a total prick, but I still couldn't stop myself from sneaking glances at him. On multiple occasions, my gaze drifted over his powerful hands and his thick biceps up to his strong jawline and full lips, which were hypnotizing. And I actually liked when he randomly shook the hair out of his eyes.

Fuck me. I had to be losing my mind. How in the hell could I want four guys? It was disgusting really, but no matter how many times I tried to tell myself how insane I was, it didn't change my growing attraction toward all of them.

"You're never gonna find anything." Mason pressed the off button. "We're in the middle of nowhere."

I threw him a nasty glare and turned the radio back on before I continued to flip through static.

"Look, I don't know what the hell your problem is, but this is ridiculous. We need to at least try to get along. And you're gonna need to listen to us once we get there. Guardians aren't like normies. We have strict rules about women and how they should act." Mason's smoldering green gaze skimmed down my body approvingly, sending a jolt of pride through me. "And if you act defiant like this, I might have to tie you up and drag you in as my prisoner."

"Is that why you forced me to ride with you? So you could remind me of how much of a prick you really are? Well... hard pass on talking. Just shut up and let me find a station." I angrily pushed the button.

Mason growled and switched off the stereo again. "No. That's not why I said you had to ride with me. I wanted some time alone with you. Honestly, I thought it would go better than this and we could talk while you got some space. Those boys suffocate you."

"You're so full of shit. I like how they take care of me." I laughed mockingly and sat back in my seat, crossing my arms. "You have no idea how I work or what I've been through, and I have nothing to say to you. You won't give me back my keys, and you're forcing me to meet some stranger from the Fourth Realm that I couldn't care less about. If you think I'm supposed to take our alone time as an endearing gesture, think again."

"Don't be such a brat. How am I supposed to know anything about you? You're always talking shit to me. Besides, I think you know this guy I'm taking you to meet." Mason flicked on his turn signal and took a right.

Happy to hear a little about where we were headed, I shot him a stern glare. "Doubtful, but tell me, jackass. Who is it?"

Mason gave me a sexy grin as he shook his head slowly. "Uh, uh. I'm not giving away the best part."

"The best part? Why are you acting like this a reality show? This is my life!" I shouted, refusing to make eye contact with him. "If this little stunt puts any of us in danger, I'll make you pay."

A mischievous smirk tugged at his lips as he turned into a rundown neighborhood. "Don't act like you know me, little girl."

I glanced behind us to make sure the guys were still on our tail. Tyler's Challenger was close enough to rear-end Mason's Mustang if he so much as made one wrong move.

"Just promise me one thing. If anyone tries to hurt me, let it happen. Don't let them hurt Justin, Tyler, or your brother. They've gone through enough for me. I'm alone in this world, and they still have families that care about them." My gaze flicked to Mason as I waited for him to reassure me, but he didn't.

Mason exhaled as he turned into a driveway. With a thoughtful expression, he slid the gearshift into park. "And here I was thinking you were using them. You really care about them, don't you?"

My brow bunched in anger. "Are you blind? Of course, I care about them. I would die to keep them safe."

"Die? Let's not go overboard, and lucky for us, you won't have to. We're much stronger than you give us credit for. What you did to Tyler was nothing. We're not as breakable as you believe." Mason opened his glove compartment and pulled out a gun.

My eyebrows shot up as I leaned away from him. "What's that for?"

"Your protection." Mason popped out the clip and inspected the gun.

I scoffed. "That doesn't make me feel any better."

"You never know when you might need it." Mason's green eyes stared into me like I should know his meaning, but when I only stared back in confusion, he scrubbed a hand down his tired face. "Look, I know you're new to all this, so I'm gonna be blunt. Every Guardian in power who finds out about you will want you dead. That's just a fact. The Bringer signifies a new beginning, and Guardians hate change. They like things the way they are, and between you and me, they're a bunch of chauvinistic, greedy shitheads who have no intention to ever allow a woman to lead. Justin may have compelled them, but that shit only lasts so long, especially with the stunt you pulled at the party. Grown men were crying like babies, Ember. There's bound to be a lot of shifters questioning what the fuck happened, and that means there's talk."

"You're the one that threw the stupid party." My gaze narrowed on him. "Plus, Gideon, I mean, the Stitcher cloaked me. He said no one can smell me or will know who I am for at least a few days."

"Yeah, well, I didn't know you were the Bringer, or I wouldn't have thrown a party. And about the Stitcher... let's just say I don't like to put all my eggs in one basket. Guardians aren't idiots. They have excellent problem-solving skills, and to them, you're a major problem. Plus, your Stitcher can't be trusted. You might not know this yet, but the Sun Clan isn't known for being loyal to their own." Mason pulled back the hammer of the gun and let it slide closed with a loud click.

I wasn't about to touch that one with a ten-foot pole. As it stood, I'd noticed that most Guardians, no matter what Clan they belonged to, weren't good to their own, but I didn't want to start another argument.

"So, there are no humans inside?" I pointed at the house in front of us that looked condemned.

This neighborhood was a total dump with no sidewalks alongside the overgrown, litter-filled lawns. Some yards didn't even have grass. Instead, they were full of old, broken-down cars and piles of rusted junk.

"Nope." Mason's eyes were on me, analyzing my face closely. "So... do you like what I did to keep you out of my head?"

My gaze sliced to him and found a wide smile plastered to his face. He knew I tried to get in his head. Suddenly, I had a powerful urge to kiss that stupid triumphant smile off his lips, but before I could say anything someone opened my door. Relief took over when Justin held out his hand, and I grasped it with a grin.

Mason didn't try anything, did he? Justin asked through our connection.

My eyes stayed on Justin as I got out of the car. No, but he's freaking me out. He has a gun.

Justin laced our fingers and tugged me into his warmth, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. He's just cautious. It'll be okay. Mason can be a douchebag, but he's not a bad person. Just stay by my side no matter what, okay?

Okay. Comfort washed over me as I curled into him, hugging him close.

I'll protect you, Angel. Always. Justin placed a soft kiss on my cheek as the corner of his mouth tugged up, showing me one dimple.

I smiled bashfully, enjoying his protective stance while basking in his delicious cinnamon scent. I loved how Justin always made me feel like I was the only person in the world.

"I don't think he's inside, Mase," Lucas said with a frown. "I haven't seen him for months."

"Last time I saw him was at the rodeo." Tyler leaned against his car door, arms crossed. "And he was with Braden."

Mason shot Tyler a look of shock. "Are you sure?"

Tyler shrugged. "Yeah, it surprised me too, especially when he straight-up ignored me."

Justin analyzed Mason with a look of pity. "I never understood why you left. You knew he was in deep."

Mason's eyelids flattened to slits as he ground his back teeth together. "You might be the next king, Castor, but that don't mean shit to me. I don't need you telling me how to live my life. Last I heard, Tyler is better in combat than you, and I can beat Tyler's ass."

"Cut it out, Mase," Lucas said, cutting his brother a look of irritation. "What are you trying to prove?"

"I think the baby prince knows exactly what I mean." Mason sneered.

Justin didn't take the bait. He only shrugged with indifference, but Tyler was a different matter altogether.

"You think you can beat my ass, huh?" Tyler stood to his full height as he stuck out his arms, inviting Mason to take a swing. "You want a piece of this? Last I heard, Caleb beat your ass, and that's why you left. And I beat Caleb's ass a hundred times before that. I'm the best there is, so fucking bring your bitch ass over here!"

Justin's arm tightened around me as Tyler stalked up to Mason and got right in his face.

Tyler definitely had the height and muscles that could kill someone, but Mason was thicker. Like Lucas, Mason stood a couple of inches shorter than Tyler, but Mason's arms and hands looked as if they could strangle anyone in seconds. Not to mention he had a gun, and that scared the shit out of me.

"Stop." I pleaded. "We didn't come here for this."

Lucas nodded in understanding and sent me a wink before he started toward the door. "She's right. Fighting is the last thing we need right now. I might be wrong. Maybe Caleb's here."

Mason and Tyler didn't break eye contact. They were ready to pounce at any moment.

Huffing in irritation, I pulled Justin toward the house. "Come on. Let them fight if they want, but I'm not staying to watch. I have better shit to do with my time."

I must've said something right because both of them glanced our way, but I ignored their looks as I followed Lucas, and my heart jumped in joy when they both fell into step behind us.

"Promise me you'll stay quiet." Lucas turned to make eye contact with me. "I mean it, Gorgeous. No talking."

I caught the warning in Lucas's gaze and nodded. I really had no idea what to anticipate, but from the four stoic faces staring at me, I knew I had to keep my mouth shut this time.

Lucas took my nod as a good thing because he sent me a small grin before giving the door three solid knocks.

"What?" A baritone voice demanded from the other side.

"Here to play," Lucas announced.

"Fuck off." Baritone instructed.

"He needs a code phrase," Mason whispered as he pushed his way to the front, shouldering Lucas to the side. "Twisted ways for twisted days."

Lucas and Mason made eye contact for one quick moment before the door creaked open.

"Finch." Mason greeted as his eyes narrowed on the gruff man staring us down. The man's thick beard hid his facial features, but his brown eyes were full of malice.

"What do you want, Straton?" Finch's angry gaze skimmed over the guys and stopped on me. "No women or children. Come back when you're alone."

"I'm not a fucking child!" Lucas hollered in his face.

"You ain't of age yet, baby Straton. Turn around and walk away. You aren't welcome here." Finch's voice was grating on my nerves.

"Stand aside and invite us in." Justin's hand squeezed my shoulder as he spoke without compulsion.

"Fuck you, Castor. Last time I checked, your daddy was looking for you. He's been crying to all the Clans about how his little baby boy hasn't come home in days." Finch pulled a cell phone from his jacket pocket and began scrolling. "I heard he's offering a reward. I think I'll give him a call."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Mason snatched the phone and crushed it in his hand with one squeeze, forcing a grin to creep across my face.

Finch stared in shock as the glass and metal shards from his broken phone fell to the ground. "You just fucked with the wrong bear, Straton. Time for us to kick some ass."

Justin threw me behind him and backed up when Finch and three more men shoved their way outside the tiny doorway.

Mason and Lucas stood firm, glaring at the four men.

"Like it or not," Tyler stepped up, cracking his knuckles. "We're coming inside."

"Over my dead carcass." One of the new guys grunted as he watched Tyler and Lucas remove their hoodies.

"If that's the way you want it." Lucas chuckled.

"I've wanted to do this to Straton for years." Finch grinned as he threw a hard uppercut to Mason's jaw.

I flinched as Mason took the heavy hit without dodging. His head flew back, but he didn't lose his footing. Mason spat blood before he started laughing. "I hope you got more than that 'cause love taps only piss me off."

"You mutated Guardian piece of shit!" Finch pounced on Mason.

Mason dodged two more punches before he, in one graceful move, rolled Finch underneath him and punched him twice, square in the nose. "This is like fighting a child. I don't even have to use my powers on your weak muncher ass."

That's when everything went south, and Finch's three goons started throwing wild jabs at Lucas and Tyler.

Stop them, Justin. Use compulsion or something. I pleaded through our connection.

They'll be fine, Angel. Let them have their fun. Justin pulled me back from the melee with a big smile on his face as he watched Lucas and Tyler dodge and taunt the three large men.

Like the day in the lunchroom, every punch from my guys sent the goons flying across the lawn. Now that I understood their strength a little more, it was obvious who the Shifters were and who the Guardians were. It made me wonder why Guardians would keep Shifters watching the front door. Apparently, Guardians used Shifters as toys to practice on, and there was no question that these fights were a joke.

After they knocked Finch and his men out cold, Tyler turned toward Justin with a radiant smile. "I love how munchers never back down. They always think they have a chance, and that shit never gets old. You missed out, dude."

Justin sent me a small smile and shook his head while massaging my arm. "And let her out of my sight. Never gonna happen."

"Can we go inside or what?" I asked. "I'm getting tired of watching you guys act like arrogant jackasses, and I want to get this meeting over with."

Mason scoffed as he searched the Shifters' pockets. "She's not easily impressed, is she?"

"Impressed?" I scoffed. "You'll impress me when you actually beat someone who's hard to beat. I can't believe you brought a gun. It's not like you're gonna need it."

Tyler laughed. "She never finds us amusing, Mase."

My upper lip curled. "Why should I? It's unfair."

"Unfair? They came at us. Most females like to see males display dominance. You should too." Mason cocked his head to the side, waiting for my response.

"I know you're my brother, but shut the fuck up, Mase. She's perfect the way she is." Lucas snatched my hand and pulled me away from Justin. "Come on, Gorgeous. Let's get this over with."

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