Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen - Mason

“Do you think she’ll take the job?” Liam asked from the passenger seat.

I shrugged, running my palms down the steering wheel. I wanted her to take the job. I needed her to take it. If she ended up liking it, she may stay. It was

selfish but now that I had tasted her and felt what it would be like to have my mate…I’d become this greedy person who wanted her to stay for me. My wolf could slowly go feral if we mated and she left.

Even if we didn't mate he could go insane. At least that is what the stories always said.

“I don’t know.”

Liam looked over at me with a lifted brow. “What’s the matter?”

“I’m anxious after last night.”

We’d raced to Maurice’s to follow a trail that disappeared into thin air. The people described the beast as a lycan that stood on his back legs, and was taller than a man but looked like a wolf. That was a lycan if I'd ever heard of one.

The thought sent chills down my spine. I’d left that scent by her house to spend time with Jessica. Not only had I jeopardized the people of the town but Jessica too. It was our job to protect the town. It scared me to think of the things I would let go to be alone with her.

“Yeah that was wild,” he said, texting on his phone.

I was glad he didn’t suspect anything else. “Have you heard from Jacob today?” I asked.

Liam shook his head. “Nah, he went to work. Seth said Jacob mentioned us pulling all-nighters until we can track the scent.”

“The scent disappearing means that he’s shifting. We could talk to him every day and not know it.”

Liam shoved his phone into his pocket. “That’s the scary part of it all.”

“I’m worried about her,” I mumbled, rubbing the space between my eyebrows. “I don’t know how to keep her safe without telling Jacob the truth.”

Liam laughed and twisted his baseball hat around backward. “Maybe because you need to tell him now. He’ll eventually get over it…”

“I don’t want to keep away from her,” I spat. “He’ll fight me over it.”

Liam shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. But lying to him about it will definitely make the situation worse. If he walks in on the two of you like I did, then

everything will hit the fan. I can't even imagine. But maybe if you're honest he'll respect that."

I ran my palm down my face. “I’m not sure telling him now is a good idea with the lycan situation. Maybe I’ll tell him after we figure it out. Once his wolf has calmed down."

The door to the newspaper office opened and Jessica walked out with a packet in her hand. Instead of walking toward the passenger door, she walked to my

window.

Her pretty blue eyes lifted to mine and a soft smile formed. “I’m going to try it out,” she said. “They are working on a big story right now and I want to help.”

“Are you taking the job?” I asked, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice. I didn't want her to feel pressured by my reactions.

She shrugged. “Not sure. I’m testing the waters.”

Liam leaned over and asked, “What’s the big story?”

“Apparently, I’ve been living under a rock. Some monster attacked someone at Maurice’s last night. We’re covering it this morning.”

My heart sank in my chest. I couldn’t have her snooping around Maurice’s or catching any leads. It could end with her hurt or dead. It could end with questions that we couldn't answer. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked.

She lifted a brow. “A monster story? Uh, yeah. It’s fun and exciting, even if it’s probably some drunk person’s rendition of being robbed. Don’t worry too much

about it. I’m fine. I’ll have Jacob come get me when I’m finished.”

“I’ll come get you,” I said. “He’s at work. Just call me and promise me you’ll be careful.”

Her smile softened. “Okay, Dad. I’ll call you when I’m finished.”

She walked back toward the building. I glanced over at Liam who looked shocked. “Now that may be a problem. Your little girlfriend just graduated college

and is hungry for a good story. What are the chances that the story revolves around you?”

I put my truck into reverse and backed out of the parking lot. “This isn’t going to work. We need to sabotage this.”

Liam snorted. “You wouldn’t dare take her dream out from under her, would you? We’ll have to be really careful.”

I pulled out my phone and dialed Jacob’s number. It was getting close to his lunch break.

“I have ten minutes before lunch,” he answered.

“Jessica is working at The Eagle right now.”

“So, did you not hear me—”

“They are working on a story about the monster at the bar last night. She’s about to get wrapped in this if they start to poke around.”

He cursed under his breath. “Meet me at the parking lot in ten minutes.”

We drove down to the sawmill and waited for him in the parking lot. He came out shoving his gloves into his back pocket and nervously running his hands into

his hair.

I rolled down my window as he approached. “She took the job?” he asked.

“She is giving it a shot. She asked me for a ride this morning and then decided she wanted to stay. I don’t have a good feeling about it.”

Liam leaned forward. “Can’t we just keep a close eye on her? I’m sure we can find the lycan before a group of human girls can.”

“Maybe,” Jacob said. “We’ll have to keep a close eye on the bar, the town, and Jessica. I’m sure she’ll keep us informed if we ask on any leads. You have to work tonight, don’t you?” he asked me.

I nodded.

“I’ll send Seth over to watch Jessica while we trail the forest.”

My wolf immediately grew irate at Seth watching Jessica’s house. Liam cleared his throat. “I don’t mind watching. I haven’t done it yet. Plus, Seth has been

overly aggressive lately. I wouldn’t trust him to keep a low profile if he does see something.”

Jacob nodded. “You're right about that. Sure. You’re on Jessica duty. I need to get back and eat before the bell rings. See you guys tonight.”

He jogged off. “Thank you,” I said to Liam.

He chuckled. “No problem. I wouldn’t want your wolf to have a meltdown or you to give yourself away too quickly.”

He wasn’t wrong about that. My wolf wanted to rip Seth to pieces for even thinking about Jessica. When we got back to the pack house Aaron was asleep on

the couch from patrolling all night and Seth was holed up in his room.

I pulled out the leftover spaghetti Jessica cooked us and warmed it up in the microwave. Liam was studying when I sat down at the dining room table. Seth

descended the stairs several minutes later.

He looked tired from patrolling the night before but not enough to walk past without a smart remark.

“Any of that spaghetti left?” he asked.

“Yeah, I put it back in the fridge.”

He stalled in the doorway, his disheveled blonde hair a mess from sleep. “Funny how you think everyone is out to get Jessica yet you’re the one always over

there.”

Liam gave me a sideways look but didn’t pick up his head. “I was asked to look after her,” I said.

Seth scoffed. “You volunteered and because you’re Jacob’s favorite, he let you. But something doesn’t smell right if you ask me.”

“Who asked you?” I asked, taking in another mouthful.

He glared at me for several seconds. “What’s the schedule tonight?”

Liam cleared his throat, taking over the conversation before it became more heated. “I’m watching Jessica’s house because she’s thinking about joining

The Eagle. They are working the spotting at Maurice’s and Jacob wants extra eyes on her. I think Aaron and Jacob are patrolling because Mason has to work.”

Seth left the room without another word.

Liam sighed heavily when he was out of earshot. “I have a bad feeling that this will all blow up sooner or later.”

I had that same feeling. If Seth found out anything for certain before me, he would tell Jacob in a heartbeat.

And then Jacob’s trust in me would shatter.